Passenger side brake for teen driving lessons?

[Anonymous]

Of course not. This is why you take the kid to a huge empty parking lot to start out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you teach him in parking lots and side streets like everyone else? He’s going to realize installing a special break is not normal practice and be embarrassed and pissed.

That's what I'm doing now, but I worry about the transition from that to busier streets, because my teen has ADHD (treated, but still) and it's only a matter of time before he has a moment of brake/accelerator confusion, probably when there's a lot of information coming at him quickly (intersection, drivers coming from all around). This particular brake I'm looking at can be installed and removed in a few minutes, and isn't the heavy-duty second brake in driving school vehicles. It has great reviews on Amazon, but I was wondering if someone else on here had ever used something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX81U4G/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2I13CYHJBBTX9&psc=1


The embarrassment factor is simply not a consideration, BTW

OP, if you truly feel this way, your teen is in no way ready to drive.

+1 op this is a crazy idea. The dilution is to practice more in the parking lot, more on side streets, and then find gradual increases and slowly ease your way up. Many teens don’t get their licenses as soon as they are eligible snd that’s completely fine. It sounds like your son is a kid who will need extra time and practice-focus on getting him that.

+2 I have taught 12 kids to drive, 4 of our own and then 8 of relatives and friends. If I felt I needed an add-on brake then I would not be teaching that kid and I would let the professionals do it beginning December 5th (the date OP said they would start). And I would pay for extra lessons.

There is no way this is going to end well, OP. Wait for the professionals.

[Anonymous]

OP, the vast majority of kids with ADHD learn to drive without their parents getting a passenger side brake. They do not automatically panic and confuse the pedals when they see a moving car - that's not a thing. Let him go at his own pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We paid a $400 driver's ed package to a driving school, but now DS has his learner's permit, the earliest driving lesson available is Dec 5th, so I'd like to teach him now while he's not in school. Extra standalone lessons are a bit expensive, while a wingbrake is $90, so... price-wise I'm ahead if I get the brake and teach him myself. I was just wondering if anyone had any feedback regarding such brakes.

Imagine literally millions of people have learned how to drive without their neurotic parents having their own brake in the car and then there's your kid.

[Anonymous]

It's normal to be nervous when teaching your kid to drive and it is also EXTREMELY important that you project confidence and calm.

I strongly advise waiting until your kid has done the behind-the-wheel with a separate instructor. Seriously. They are trained professionals and your kid is going to have an easier time listening to someone who is not mom or dad for that initial intro. After that, your kid will be a lot more ready to be with you.

[Anonymous]

Also, op — I can only imagine there will be a learning curve for you with the brake too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you teach him in parking lots and side streets like everyone else? He’s going to realize installing a special break is not normal practice and be embarrassed and pissed.

That's what I'm doing now, but I worry about the transition from that to busier streets, because my teen has ADHD (treated, but still) and it's only a matter of time before he has a moment of brake/accelerator confusion, probably when there's a lot of information coming at him quickly (intersection, drivers coming from all around). This particular brake I'm looking at can be installed and removed in a few minutes, and isn't the heavy-duty second brake in driving school vehicles. It has great reviews on Amazon, but I was wondering if someone else on here had ever used something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX81U4G/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2I13CYHJBBTX9&psc=1

The embarrassment factor is simply not a consideration, BTW

OP, if you're concerned that your teenager will have brake/accelerator confusion, please consider the possibility that your teenager should not be driving.

And/or get a vehicle with a manual transmission.

[Anonymous]

I would check with additional driving schools. Usually, you can find mom and pop outfits. Just check the reviews, these places are often as good as the big places. they are all required to have the passenger side brake.

[Anonymous]

This is the craziest thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’ve never heard of a parent installing a second brake in a car. If you are that afraid of getting into a car with your son then he doesn’t have any business driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you teach him in parking lots and side streets like everyone else? He’s going to realize installing a special break is not normal practice and be embarrassed and pissed.

That's what I'm doing now, but I worry about the transition from that to busier streets, because my teen has ADHD (treated, but still) and it's only a matter of time before he has a moment of brake/accelerator confusion, probably when there's a lot of information coming at him quickly (intersection, drivers coming from all around). This particular brake I'm looking at can be installed and removed in a few minutes, and isn't the heavy-duty second brake in driving school vehicles. It has great reviews on Amazon, but I was wondering if someone else on here had ever used something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX81U4G/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2I13CYHJBBTX9&psc=1

The embarrassment factor is simply not a consideration, BTW

OP, if you're concerned that your teenager will have brake/accelerator confusion, please consider the possibility that your teenager should not be driving.

And/or get a vehicle with a manual transmission.

So he can have brake/accelerator/clutch confusion?
- manual driver

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of such a thing.

[Anonymous]

Brake/accelerator confusion is much more an elderly thing than it is a young driver thing.

[Anonymous]

I think this is genius! I had no idea such a thing existed when my DD got her learner’s.

[Anonymous]

OP, I hear you. You want to protect your son. If your son has severe ADHD, he is going to need extra professional lessons anyway. I recommend checking different driving schools and signing up for extra hours. You didn't mention where you live. Greg's Driving School in Silver Spring is a good one. I Drive Smart has a few sessions available in August and many more in September. https://idrivesmart.com/supplemental-training.cfm Call today!

[Anonymous]

Here's a video from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia about preparing your ADHD teen for driving. CHOP has many wonderful resources for parents of teen drivers.
https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/preparing-your-teen-adhd-safe-driving