Setting a Good Example for New and Young Drivers
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
New drivers absorb far more from watching how a parent or mentor actually drives - staying calm, following rules, avoiding shortcuts - than from anything they are simply told.
Long before a new driver takes the wheel themselves, they have already absorbed years of habits simply from riding along as a passenger.
Habits Are Copied, Not Just Taught
A parent who consistently models calm, rule-following driving passes along habits far more effectively than verbal instruction alone, reinforcing the ideas in building positive attitudes toward driving.
Contradictions Undermine the Lesson
Telling a new driver to avoid distractions while checking a phone at a red light quietly undermines the message, regardless of good intentions.
Modelling Continues After Licensing
Setting a good example does not stop once a young driver is licensed; ongoing example-setting continues to reinforce good habits during the early independent driving years.