If you’re just starting out on your journey to becoming a driver, it can be overwhelming. But don’t worry! Learning to drive doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With some practice, and a few simple car driving tips, you can be on the road in no time. In this blog post, we’ll go over some car driving techniques that are specifically designed for first-time drivers, so you can hit the road with confidence.
Adjust your seat and mirrors
Before you get started, it’s important to make sure that your seat is adjusted so that you can reach the pedals and steering wheel comfortably. Make sure that you can easily reach the brakes and gas pedal. You should also adjust your rearview mirror, side mirrors, and other interior mirrors for optimal visibility. If your seat and mirrors are not properly adjusted, it could lead to a dangerous situation on the road.
When adjusting your mirrors, it’s important to make sure that you can see clearly out of each one. Start by angling your rearview mirror so that you can see out the back window of your car. Then, adjust your side mirrors so that you can see the sides of your car. Finally, check your blind spot mirrors or other interior mirrors to make sure they are correctly positioned.
Once your seat and mirrors are adjusted, you are ready to start driving!
Get to know your controls
Getting to know the basic controls of your car is essential for safe driving. The most common controls to be aware of are the accelerator, brake, clutch, steering wheel and gear shift.
The accelerator is used to increase speed. It is usually located on the right side of the steering wheel. When you press down on the accelerator pedal, the engine revs up and the car speeds up. To slow down or stop, use the brake pedal. This is usually located in the same area as the accelerator, but on the left side.
The clutch is used to change gears while driving. When you press down on the clutch, it disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing you to shift gears without stalling the engine.
The steering wheel is used to turn the car in different directions. To turn right, turn the wheel clockwise. To turn left, turn it counter-clockwise.
Finally, the gear shift is used to select which gear your car is in. This can be located on the center console or beside your seat. Most cars will have five gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th). The lower numbered gears are used for low speeds, while higher numbers are for higher speeds. When you come to a stop, you should always put your car into 1st gear.
Starting and stopping
Starting and stopping are two of the most important skills to master when learning how to drive a car. Before attempting to start your vehicle, make sure you have fastened your seatbelt, that the parking brake is disengaged, and that all of the lights and signals are working. When you’re ready to start your car, locate the ignition switch, which is usually located near the steering wheel. Once the engine is running, place the transmission in “Drive” or “Reverse” depending on the direction you intend to go.
When it comes to stopping, practice using both your brakes and the parking brake. To use your brakes, press firmly on the brake pedal with your foot until you have stopped completely. If you are driving a manual transmission car, make sure to downshift as well. The parking brake is usually a lever located between the driver and passenger seats. To use it, pull up on the lever and hold it in place until you come to a complete stop. Once you have parked your car, make sure to always engage the parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
Backing up
Backing up is a skill that takes practice. Before you begin, make sure to check your mirrors and any blind spots for other cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. Remember to keep your speed slow when backing up, and use your turn signal when you intend to back up.
When backing up, be sure to keep your foot on the brake and look over your shoulder through the rear window as you go. This will help you to get a better view of what is behind you. Take it slow, and look for hazards that may be out of your sight line in the mirrors. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s always a good idea to get someone else to guide you.
Once you’ve become more confident in your reversing skills, you can try parking in an empty lot to practice parallel parking. It may take some trial and error, but eventually you will master it. And don’t forget to double check your mirrors and blind spots before you begin!
Parking
When parking, be sure to select a spot with plenty of space and no obstructions. Pay attention to your surroundings to avoid hitting other cars or objects. Make sure the car is in park and turn off the engine before getting out.
If you’re parking on a hill, point the wheels towards the curb and use your emergency brake to make sure the car stays in place. If there’s no curb, turn the wheels away from the road and use the emergency brake.
When parallel parking, line up the car directly in front of the spot you are aiming for. Then begin to turn your steering wheel towards the curb while gradually reversing your car. When your rear bumper reaches the curb, turn your steering wheel away from the curb and slowly drive forward into the spot. Make sure you don’t get too close to the car in front of you.
Finally, when pulling into a parking lot spot, slowly drive in and adjust your steering as needed until you are centered in the spot. Once you have parked, make sure you turn off the engine and apply the parking brake.
Turning
One of the trickier maneuvers for first time drivers is turning. Before you attempt a turn, make sure to check for any traffic or pedestrians in the way. Start to signal your intentions with your blinker and slow down well before the turn. Start to turn the steering wheel when you’re approximately halfway through the intersection, and stay in the same lane until you’ve finished the turn.
If you’re turning onto a two-way road, always yield to any oncoming traffic. When you come out of the turn, straighten up the wheels and check your blind spot to make sure it’s safe to go.
You’ll also want to practice turning onto different types of roads. If you’re turning left onto a one-way street, you’ll need to get into the correct lane before you even start to turn. For a right turn, you’ll be turning onto a two-way street, so remember to yield to oncoming traffic.
Lastly, watch out for other cars while you’re turning, as they may be approaching faster than you expect. Make sure to take your time and double check that it’s safe before proceeding. With practice, turning will become second nature!
