Learning to drive can be quite stressful, but if you’re already a parent, there is often another level of anxiety that comes into play as well. Not only must you ensure you keep yourself and other road users safe, but the most important little people in your life are also on board.

However, by following these top tips, you’ll be able to cruise with confidence in no time. Here are three precautions to take when learning to drive as a parent to keep your child(ren) safe.

Whether driving solo or with passengers, it’s important to always perform a visual check of your vehicle before you set off. Look at the tires, mirrors, and windscreen to ensure they are in good condition, and check all of your lights are working correctly.

As a parent, you should also check you have the correct car seat installed. You can get car seats checked for free by retailers such as Halfords and Mamas & Papas, who have qualified staff that can advise you on the most suitable options for your child and car. It’s also important to know that children shouldn’t wear coats or have blankets underneath their seatbelt—even in winter—as it reduces the effectiveness of the seatbelt.

If your child has a rear-facing carseat, you can install a mirror onto the back window to allow you to see them in your rear view mirror easily, which can largely help to reduce your anxiety while driving.

Learning to drive is a skill, so it naturally takes some time to build your confidence and be able to react instinctively to any unexpected situations on the road. But with kids in tow, driving can sometimes be a stressful experience inside the car. If they are demanding your attention, take it slow and stop if you need to. It’s far better to take a break and solve the issue than to carry on when your full attention isn’t on the road.

Depending on their ages, they may become bored, irritated, hungry, or tired and lack the ability to understand why you can’t attend to them immediately. Before you set off, it’s a good idea to lay out your expectations for their behaviour throughout your trip in a way they’ll understand, explaining the importance of them staying quiet and calm. Kid-friendly sing-a-long music, colouring books, tablets, and favourite toys are all great tools to keep them busy so you can focus on driving.

Regardless of who is in the car, you should, of course, never drive intoxicated or overly tired. But part of being prepared to drive is also ensuring you are calm and collected. Driving when emotional is dangerous—it can cause you to not react appropriately to difficult situations or may cause you to rush manoeuvres such as pulling out or turning. Again, if you need to take a break, pull over at the nearest safe place to do so and recompose yourself before setting off again.

With young children, being hungry can lead to strong emotional reactions. However, it’s not advisable to allow them to eat in the car. Not only does looking over your shoulder take your eyes away from the road, but there’s also the risk of them choking when you are unable to pull over and help them. Feeding them before you leave and having a bottle of water close enough for them to help themselves is a better idea, as is making regular pit stops on longer journeys so everyone can refresh themselves.

Enjoy your new-found freedom

Once you’ve passed your driving test, you’ll find you have a lot more freedom to go out and enjoy time with your children in new and exciting ways. From day trips to simply being able to pop to the shops, keep these tips in mind to ensure you are keeping everyone safe as you enjoy the freedom of being able to drive.