5 Bad Driving Habits Parents Accidentally Pass Down to Their Teens

Teaching your teenager to drive is a rite of passage, but it can also be a stressful experience. As an experienced driver, you've likely developed shortcuts and habits over the years that make driving feel like second nature. However, many of these "shortcuts" are actually bad habits that can cause your teen to instantly fail their New Jersey MVC road test. At Golden Wheel Driving School, our instructors spend a significant amount of time "un-teaching" bad habits that students pick up from well-meaning parents. In this guide, we highlight the five most common driving mistakes parents accidentally pass down and how you can ensure your teen is learning the right way.

1. The "Rolling Stop" (The Ultimate Road Test Killer)

This is by far the most common bad habit experienced drivers have. When approaching a stop sign, many adults slow down to a crawl, check for traffic, and then proceed without ever bringing the vehicle to a complete, absolute halt. For an experienced driver, this feels efficient. For a teen taking their NJ road test, it is an instant, automatic failure.

2. One-Handed Steering (The "Cool" Driver Pose)

Many adults drive with one hand resting at the 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel, or with one hand draped over the center console. While this might feel comfortable on a long highway commute, it severely limits a driver's ability to make sudden evasive maneuvers. The MVC requires drivers to maintain two hands on the wheel at all times.

3. Relying Solely on the Backup Camera

Modern backup cameras are fantastic safety tools, and most parents today use them constantly when reversing out of driveways or parallel parking. However, if your teen stares at the dashboard screen during their road test, the examiner will mark them down for failing to observe. Backup cameras have blind spots and cannot replace the spatial awareness gained by physically turning your head.

4. "Palming" the Steering Wheel

When making a tight turn or parallel parking, many experienced drivers press the palm of their hand against the wheel and spin it rapidly. This is called "palming" or "dry steering" (if the car is stopped). Examiners despise this technique because it demonstrates a lack of vehicle control and can cause the driver's hand to slip.

5. Speeding Up for Yellow Lights

We've all done it: the light turns yellow, and instead of braking, we press the accelerator to make it through the intersection before it turns red. When a teen sees you do this, they internalize that yellow means "hurry up" rather than "prepare to stop." If a teen does this during a road test, the examiner will likely hit their dual brake, resulting in an instant failure.

Why Professional Instruction is Crucial

Parents play a vital role in providing the 50 hours of supervised practice required by the state. However, professional teen driving lessons are essential for building a foundation of correct, test-ready habits. At Golden Wheel Driving School, our licensed instructors are trained to spot and correct these bad habits early in the learning process.

If you notice your teen struggling with these issues, or if practice sessions are becoming stressful, consider booking a few professional lessons. We can ensure they are fully prepared for the Lodi MVC or Wayne MVC road tests without the friction that sometimes occurs between parents and teens.