New teen drivers need to first gain experience driving in an empty parking lot, as well as learning how to park a car in an empty parking lot. According to the National Safety Council, more than 50,000 crashes occur in parking lots and parking garages annually. Helping your new teen driver learn how to safely enter and exit a parking lot is very important.
To begin practice driving in a parking lot, look for a large empty parking lot near you in an industrial park or public facility during closed hours with no traffic, parked cars or pedestrians and with minimal obstructions.
Teens should begin driving in an empty parking lot by scheduling their practice during the day with dry pavement and no adverse weather.
Be sure to download the Goal Guide and Logging and Rating Tool to track skill development and practice hours.
Before beginning the lessons below, watch this video with your teen to create the right learning environment:
When your teen has mastered the skills in the parking lots environment, begin practice in the next driving environment: Residential Roads.
Stopping and Starting
Goal:
Help the new driver learn to stop, start and turn the vehicle.
Activity:
Using boxes, cones, or existing lines as landmarks along an “L” shape, drive up to each landmark and stop as smoothly as possible. Continue this until the new driver stops and starts smoothly. Also concentrate on turning without over steering.
Common Errors:
- Abrupt stops and accelerations
- Turns that are too tight or wide
- Turning before looking in the direction of the turn
- Too tight of a grip on the steering wheel
Sign Learner Gets It:
- Operates the car smoothly with control
Backing Up
Goal:
Help the new driver master the skill of backing up.
Activity:
Practice the steps involved in backing up in an empty parking lot without any obstructions.
Common Errors:
- Not doing a 360 degree search prior to backing up
- Failing to look back during the whole maneuver, until the car is stopped
- Driving at too high a speed
Sign Learner Gets It:
- Backs up slowly and with control, knowing what’s around the vehicle at all times
Introduction to Scanning
Goal:
Help the new driver develop a scanning routine.
Activity:
Practice the scanning routine recommended by your driver’s instructor. It may be a variation of side mirror – rear view – side mirror – up ahead. Check blind spots periodically and always before turning.
Common Errors:
- Forgetting to scan
- Concentrating too much on scanning and failing to look ahead
- Turns steering wheel when head moves to scan
Sign Learner Gets It:
- Develops a scanning routine and uses it consistently
Introduction to Lane Positioning
Goal:
Help the new driver keep the vehicle lined up in the center of the lane.
Activity:
Using markings in the parking lot or imagining a yellow line, practice driving straight.
Common Errors:
- Too tight of a grip on the steering wheel
- Fixating too much on the line and not watching up ahead
Sign Learner Gets It:
- Can easily follow a line and keep the car steady