And check the mirrors

When it comes to teaching your offspring how to drive, there are times when you need to get the professionals involved before you start teaching them bad habits.

As I mentioned in last week’s editorial, my daughter Grace finally has her learner’s licence and we are having driving lessons at the nearby cemetery, where no harm can come to the “locals”.

Grace also plans to take up the Automobile Association’s three free driving lessons, under the AA Ignition plan. You, or a family member, needs to be an AA member (tick) and you need a learner licence that was issued within the past year (tick).

The free driving lessons are spaced at least a month apart, so you can practise.

Grace is learning in a manual car and wants to have her free lessons in a manual, too. Originally, I thought Grace should have lessons in an automatic, then we move on to learning how to drive a manual car. But AA’s general manager of Motoring Services told me to do it the other way.

I’ve been so impressed with how confident Grace has been changing gears that we’ll stick to an old-school gearbox.

Fellow mum and Driven colleague Donna McIntyre suggested we start the lessons soon, as the instructors cover the basics and it’s better than doubling up on tuition.

In the meantime, I’ve been giving Grace tips as I drive; look out for kids playing on the side of the road; notice the behaviour of the car ahead that is looking for a car park space — it may stop suddenly; and watch out for redlight runners.