Parents and carers

Your influence changes as their independence grows. It does not disappear.

Practical, evidence-informed guidance for the conversations, examples and preparation that help young people become safer road users.

A parent and teenager having a relaxed conversation at home

Start with the stage you are in

Five moments when parents can make preparation visible.

You do not need to be a road safety expert. Begin with the decisions your young person is approaching now.

Before they startWhat children absorb from adult language, habits and behaviour.The teenage brainHow development, reward and peers can influence decisions.Learner licenceUse supervised driving to build varied experience and judgement.Getting their PsStay useful when driving becomes independent.E-scooters and e-bikesAssess readiness, device compliance, rules and expectations.

The parent role

Move from control toward preparation.

Early on, adults model what normal road behaviour looks like. During learner driving, they create experience and support reflection. After licensing, influence depends increasingly on trust, clear expectations and being available when plans change.

The goal is not perfect compliance while an adult is watching. It is a young person who can recognise risk and use a prepared response when they are alone or with friends.

Next step

Begin before the learner licence.

The first guide looks at what young people learn from the driving behaviour already around them.

Before they start Why young drivers face greater risk