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Four Parts: Getting Comfortable with the Car's Controls Getting the Basics Down Putting It All Together Mastering Advanced Driving Techniques

Learning how to drive is a lot easier than it looks. It looks intimidating from the passenger's seat, or in films, but once you get
behind the wheel and gently put your foot on the pedal, the process becomes very intuitive. If you're a defensive driver and
learn to take things slow in the beginning, you'll be well on your way to mastering the basics. This article assumes you'll be
driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission. If you're not driving an automatic, you'll need to read about the basics of
driving stick-shift (manual transmission) instead, although the general process will still be similar.

Part
Getting Comfortable with the Car's Controls
1

1 Adjust the seat so that your feet comfortably reach both pedals. You can adjust your seat forward and
backward, as well as up and down. Some cars will have electronic controls (usually on the left side of the
seat), while older cars will usually have a lever underneath the seat that lets you control the position of the seat.
But you can usually tell the difference.

2 Familiarize yourself with the foot pedals. In an automatic car, the two foot pedals control acceleration
and braking, respectively. The rightmost pedal (which is usually smaller than the other pedal) is the
accelerator, and pressing down on it makes the car move forwards; the harder you press it, the faster the car
will move. The pedal to the left, which is usually larger than the accelerator; is the brake pedal, and pressing
down on it slows the car down.
Even if you feel more confident using your left foot, always use your right foot to reach both pedals. It
will feel strange at first if you're left-footed, but getting used to it is very important because it's proper
technique and ultimately much safer.
Never use both feet at once to reach the pedals. Only use one foot — your right foot — to use each
pedal. This will make it impossible to accidentally press down on both pedals at the same time.

3 Adjust your car's mirrors so that you can see through them clearly and effectively. Your car should
have three mirrors: one rear-view mirror, which allows you to see directly the rear windshield behind you,
and two outside mirrors which let you see to either side of the car and protect you from blind spots.[1]
Your rear-view mirror should be positioned so that when you're in your normal driving position, you can
see directly behind you and as much of the rear windshield as possible.
The Society of Automotive Engineers has one recommendation for how to position your outside mirrors
in order to eliminate blind spots. It recommends positioning the mirrors further outward than normal, so
that they just overlap with the viewing angle of the rear-view mirror.[2] Although disorienting at first, this
positioning actually allows the driver to see cars in their blind spots which they might otherwise only be
able to spot by looking over their shoulder.

4 Know where the parking brake (also called a handbrake, e-brake or emergency brake) is and what it
does. The parking brake is a longer lever with a button on it's very tip. When the parking brake is pulled
up, it helps lock the car into place on the ground, ensuring that it doesn't move. When the brake is let down, it is
disengaged and the car can freely move. Make sure that your parking brake is disengaged before you start
driving.

5 Get a feel for the gear stick (also called: shift lever, gear lever, shifter or simply, "the stick"). The gear
stick is usually positioned in between the two front seats of a car, and it controls the gearbox (park, neutral,
drive, reverse). Sometimes in certain vehicles, the shift lever is on the right-side of the steering wheel.
If your gear stick is engaged in Park and you turn your ignition on, the car won't move forward no matter
how hard you press down on the accelerator.
If your gear stick is in Neutral, your car's natural momentum will continue to move it forward.

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If your gear stick is in Reverse, your car will move backwards instead of forward when you take your
foot off the brake.
If your gear stick is in Drive, your car will move forwards when you take your foot off the brake.

6 Understand your the basic dashboard controls/symbols. These gauges display to the driver how much
fuel the engine has left, how fast the car is going, how hot the engine is, and how many RPM (revolutions
per minute) the engine is clocking.
The speedometer is probably the most important dashboard display in the car. It tells you how fast your
car is traveling, in either miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (kph).
The RPM gauge tells you how hard your engine is working. Most RPM gauges will have red areas
starting at 6,000 or 7,000 RPM. When the dial in the gauge, travels into the red, learn to ease off the
acceleration.
The fuel gauge tells you how much fuel your car has left. It usually has a dial, like the hand of a clock
that travels between "F" and "E," with "E" signaling "empty" and "F" signaling "full." Some more modern
cars have digital fuel gauges; where electronic bars are displayed like the battery symbol on a mobile
phone, and gradually decrease in quantity depending on how much fuel is in the car.
The temperature gauge in the car tells you whether your car's engine is overheating. It usually has a dial
that travels between "H" and "C," signaling "hot" and "cold." Your dial should normally be in the center of
the gauge.

Part
Getting the Basics Down
2

1 Put on your seatbelt. In most places in the world, driving without wearing a seatbelt is illegal.[3] Seatbelts
greatly reduce the possibility of serious injury or death if you happen to be involved in an accident.

2 Always start your car with your foot on the brake. When you turn it on, the car will move forward by
itself if your foot isn't on the brake. With your foot on the brake in starting position, you're ready to start
driving!

3 Turn on the engine and release the parking brake, if necessary. Put your keys in the ignition, which is
usually to the right side of the steering wheel, and turn clockwise. Note that in some newer vehicles,
provided the keys are actually inside the car, all you need to do is push the "Power" or "Ignition" button for the
engine to start. Fancy!

4 Learn how to back your car out. If your car is parked in a car park or a driveway, chances are you're
going to need to reverse your car out in order to begin driving. Although it may seem intimidating, there are
only a couple of things for you to remember:
Put your car in Reverse and double-check. If your car isn't in Reverse, your car won't go backwards.
Look over your shoulder and turn your head to get a good view of where you're going.
Gently remove your foot from the brake pedal and do not put your foot on the accelerator. For your first
couple of times backing out, don't worry about putting your foot on the accelerator. You can move your
car simply by removing your foot from the brake. Your car will move slowly, but you won't risk
accidentally running into something or someone.
Remember that the steering wheel is "reversed" in Reverse. When driving your car forward, if you turn
the steering wheel to the right, your car will also turn to the right, and vice versa. This is because your
wheels turn that way. When going in reverse, turning the steering wheel to the right will make your car
turn to the left, while turning the steering wheel to the left will make your car turn to the right. Keep this
in mind as you back your car out.
Use your brake whenever you need to slow down. Press your foot gently but firmly on the brake pedal to
slow the car down if necessary.

5 When you're ready to move your car forwards, come to a complete stop and put the car into
"Drive". Put your foot on the brake pedal, shift your car into Drive so that it can begin to move forward,
and then take your foot off the brake pedal. Slowly press down on the acceleration pedal with your foot to get

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the car to move forwards. Accelerate until you've reached the speed limit, and then take your foot off the
accelerator, hovering it over the brake pedal in case you need to slow down.

6 Hold both hands on the steering wheel at the "9 and 3 o'clock" position. Imagine that the steering
wheel is a clock. Place your left hand where the number 9 would be on a clock, and your right hand where
the number 3 would be.[4] Especially for beginners, do not try to hold the steering wheel with only one hand,
because it is you are more likely to lose control of the car, which could cause an accident.

7 Use your blinkers (also called: indicators or turn signals). Your blinkers are flashing orange lights or red,
some cars have red lights as blinkers on either side of the rear of the car, next to the brake lights. They are
really important when driving, as they let other cars know that you're wanting to switch lanes or turn in a specific
direction. The blinker switch is located on the left-side of the steering wheel. Flick it up to indicate you want to
turn right (for turning or switching lanes to the right), or flick it down to indicate you want to turn left (for turning
or switching lanes to the left).

8 Learn how to turn the car using the hand over hand method. Turning is quite easy once you get used
to it. Like most things when driving, it's very intuitive. If you only need to turn the car slightly, turn the
steering wheel in the direction you want to travel but try keeping your hands at the 9 and 3 position.
If you're making a harder turn, use the "hand over hand" method. Say you're turning right. Turn the
steering wheel clockwise, leading with the right hand. When your right hand gets to the 4 or 5 position,
release it and cross it over your left hand. Re-grip the wheel and continue turning.
To straighten out the car after a turn, simply loosen your grip in both hands and the steering wheel will
automatically begin correcting itself. Apply more pressure to slow down the correction; apply less
pressure to speed it up. Your hands should stay stationary as the steering wheel moves back to its
original spot.

9 Learn how to switch lanes. At some point when driving, you'll need to switch from one lane to another,
sometimes quickly. Doing so is easy, but you have to remember to indicate to let other drivers know that
you're planning on switching lanes. Here are some things to keep in mind whilst switching lanes:
Indicate with your blinkers for at least two seconds before beginning to switch lanes. This lets other
drivers know what you are planning to do.
Quickly scan your mirrors and look over your shoulder to check for any cars in your blind spot(s). Don't
just rely on your mirrors to tell you where other cars are; use your eyes to quickly look for yourself
before actually switching lanes.
Slowly move the car into the other lane. Turn your hands on the steering wheel ever so slightly in order
to change lanes. It only takes a very slight movement of the wheel; as most modern cars are fitted with
power steering. It should take anywhere from one to three seconds for you to change lanes. Any less
and you're doing it too quickly; any more and you're doing it too slowly.

10 Stay a healthy distance behind other cars, and avoid tailgating. How far you should stay behind the
car in front of you depends on how fast you are traveling. You want to give yourself two to five seconds
to react, depending on your comfort level. If the car in front of you were to abruptly come to a halt, at your
current speed, would you have enough time to both react and calmly slow your car down without colliding into
the car in front of you?
To judge this, watch as the car in front of you passes a fixed object on the road, like a billboard. As soon
as the car passes that object, begin counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-
thousand.... How many seconds does it take for your car to pass the same object on the road?

Part
Putting It All Together
3

1 Drive defensively. Driving defensively is a very important concept that too many drivers either take for
granted or don't understand. Driving defensively will help save you money, ensure a pleasurable driving
experience, and — most important — help you stay alive. Driving defensively is an umbrella term for several
different concepts:

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Don't assume that other road users will obey the rules, or pay attention, or be cautious. Rules of the
road are enforced to make sure that everyone is safe. Often those rules are broken by selfish or
clueless drivers. Don't assume that drivers will use their blinkers before they turn, for example. Don't
assume that drivers will slow down for you to merge. Don't assume that drivers won't drive past red
lights.
If you see a potentially dangerous situation, avoid it before it happens. Don't linger immediately to the
right of a big semi-truck, for example. Don't try to pass a drunk driver who's swerving in and out of lanes.
Use all your senses to be aware, at all times, of what's happening on the road. Drivers often learn to
tune out the rest of the world and "get in the zone," simply because they've done the same thing
hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Don't get too complacent behind the wheel. Use sight to monitor
other cars' speeds and their habits. Use hearing to listen for car horns and the sounds of screeching.
Use smell to be aware of burnt rubber or other caustic aromas that may indicate an accident.

2 Stay in the right lanes for slower speeds and the left lanes for faster speeds. On highways, and to a
lesser extent on streets, the leftmost lanes are usually reserved for faster traffic, while the rightmost lanes
are reserved for slower traffic. It's rude (and dangerous) to tailgate someone going slower than you in the right
lane. At the same time, it's selfish to hog the left lanes when you're going considerably slower than other traffic.
Get in a lane that's going roughly your speed and stay there until you need to turn or leave the road.

3 Whenever possible, pass cars on the left side instead of the right side. Because the general speed of
traffic increases going right to left, it's important to pass on the left. You're speeding your car up and going
faster than the car ahead of you, so you want to pass using a lane that's meant for faster cars. Follow this
general rule of thumb even if its not a "law" where you drive! Remember: drive right, pass left.[5]
Try to never pass a truck on the right. Trucks and semis are far larger than normal cars, meaning that
their blind spots are far bigger. Trucks often stay in the rightmost lanes and switch lanes to the right,
rarely switching lanes to the left. Passing trucks on the left, therefore, means you're driving your car out
of their territory, lowering your risk.

4 Abide by the speed limits. Speed limits are there for a reason. They're not there to make driving less fun;
they're there to make the road a safer place for all. Make sure that at most, you're only traveling 5 mph (8
km/h) faster than the speed limit. At least in America, police officers will rarely write a ticket for speeding if
you're only traveling 5 mph (8 km/h) above the speed limit.[6]

5 Be extremely careful in abnormal driving conditions. When the weather acts up, tone it down a notch
and drive even more defensively than normal. When it rains, for example, the water interacts with the oil on
driving surfaces, making it very slick and slippery. In these conditions, it's hard for your tires to get good traction.
[7]
In heavy rain, when small pools of water have accumulated on asphalt, you're especially at risk of
hydroplaning.
Winter creates more difficult driving situations; with colder temperatures aswell as icy and snowy
surfaces. Learn how to drive your car during the winter.

6 Be courteous on the road. Being courteous simply means acknowledging that there are other people
using the road, each with his or her own agenda, and many of whom don't want to be stuck in their car.
Make their life on the road a little easier if it's easy for you; the thought is that they'll pay it forward at some
point, and you may be the beneficiary of their largesse.
Use your horn to alert other drivers, not to chide them. The horn is a powerful device. Use your horn
when someone merges into your lane without seeing you, or when a light has turned green but they're
still sitting idle. Don't use your horn because you're stuck in a traffic jam to express your frustration.
Use a wave to thank someone. When someone let's you into their lane, wave your hand to thank them.
It doesn't take much effort, and it's a nice acknowledgement of "thanks" for keeping you in mind.
Don't disobey the rules of the road just in order to be courteous. This is important. If you stop at a four-
way stop and you get there first, you're the one who gets to go first. Don't stop and let the person who
got there after you go. It holds up efficiency and often creates confusion.

7 Have fun. Driving can be dangerous, and there sure are a lot of rules that you need to remember, but it's
important to have fun while you're behind the wheel. Even while staying responsible, driving can be
incredibly exhilarating. Just remember that the road doesn't belong to you alone and you should be fine.

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Part
Mastering Advanced Driving Techniques
4

1 Learn how to parallel park. Parallel parking is when you have to back your car into a tight parking spot,
usually a very complex maneuver. There are a couple tried and true tricks to parallel parking, which you
can learn here. A very important part of urban driving.

2 Learn how to merge in heavy traffic. Merging onto a highway can be a difficult thing to do, especially if
the traffic is denser than expected. The important thing to do here is to accelerate enough and judge
whether you're going fast enough to fit safely between two cars.

3 Use a roundabout. They may not be popular in America, but if you've ever driven outside the U.S., you'll
know that they can be quite tricky. Often used instead of stop signs, roundabouts are efficient but need to
be understood before conquered.

4 Learn how to drive uphill. Driving uphill can be a challenge, particularly if you're driving a manual car.
Master the art of downshifting when going up a steep hill.

5 Save gas. With the rising cost of fuel, driving smart means more than just avoiding accidents. Those
drivers who can save fuel while they drive ultimately have more money to spend on car accessories.

Community Q&A

How hard must I press on the brake to stop the car?

You need to press down hard but gradually so you don't stop too suddenly. Make sure that the person behind
wikiHow Contributor you has enough time to realize you're stopping, or they might rear end you.
Not Helpful 33 Helpful 258

Is it more difficult to drive a manual transmission or automatic transmission?

Manual transmission requires the use of three pedals and timing for the clutch to engage gears. Therefore, a
wikiHow Contributor manual transmission is more complex and more difficult to drive than a car with an automatic transmission.
Not Helpful 14 Helpful 120

How do I overcome my fear of driving?

Have someone drive you to a safe open area free of pedestrians and other cars. Hop in the car and just drive.
wikiHow Contributor You'll get a feel of the wheel after you practice a bit in an open space.
Not Helpful 32 Helpful 206

How do I drive downhill?

You have to release the acceleration pedal and concentrate more on the brake pedal to help regulate your
wikiHow Contributor speed.
Not Helpful 36 Helpful 220

What can I do if I'm driving down a hill and my brakes fail?

Concentrate on steering and pump the brakes. If that fails, use your hand brake/emergency brake.
wikiHow Contributor
Not Helpful 22 Helpful 135

How do I drive in traffic?

Keep an eye on your speed. If traffic is very slow (to a point where you must stop the car), make sure you
wikiHow Contributor have a good amount of space in front of your car. (Tip: When slowing down and coming to a stop, look at the
car in front for yours back tire and stop when you see the bottom of their tires meet your car's hood.)
Not Helpful 21 Helpful 129

How many pedals are in an automatic car?

There are 2 pedals: the gas pedal which moves the car, and the brake that slows or stops the car.
wikiHow Contributor
Not Helpful 23 Helpful 136

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How old do you have to be to get a permit?

It depends the state you live in. In most states, it's 15 or 16.
wikiHow Contributor
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 32

How do I reverse park?

Begin about 3-5 feet perpendicular to a parking spot about 2 ahead of the one you want to park in, and start
wikiHow Contributor backing up. Begin to turn when you see the right line in your right hand side mirror, using the right line to guide
you. When you see the left line in your left hand mirror, use both lines to guide you into the parking spot while
backing up.
Not Helpful 29 Helpful 123

With a manual transmission, how do I slowly move along in heavy traffic when the road is hilly and steep?
Does it require special coordination among pedals and hand brakes?

Yes. Adjusting heavily between the clutch and accelerator pedal is a must. Using the brakes when in a
wikiHow Contributor prolonged stop and using the E-brake to free your acceleration foot is a good skill to have to not roll back into
the vehicles behind you and to prevent you from stepping to hard on the gas.
Not Helpful 9 Helpful 45

Tips

Be sure to slow down before making turns.

Wear your seat belt. This is the easiest way to be safe in a car, and it's illegal in many places to not wear one.
Stay in your own comfort zone. If it has snowed and the roads are covered in ice, drive as slow as you need to in
the highest possible gear (if driving a manual), to feel in control of the vehicle, and ignore people who get impatient
and start honking.
Study the driving guide from your state.
Always follow safe driving practices. Don't drive recklessly fast, accelerate suddenly or brake unexpectedly. Also,
don't weave in between vehicles on the highway - it is very dangerous, and can cause highly damaging collisions.
Put away all distracting items (such as cell phones, earphones, snacks etc.) before you even get behind the wheel.
Practice good habits (e.g. turning your head to check your blind spot) instead of bad ones (e.g. checking mirrors
without turning your head).
Stay safe, don't use your mobile phone whilst driving. In some countries, this is illegal and you can even lose your
license, as well as be fined a lot of money.
If you are a new driver, always ride with an experienced driver until you are confident enough to drive
independently.
Maintain your car properly and regularly check oil level, wheel alignment, headlights, brake fluid and tire pressure.

Warnings

While changing lanes, be observant. Check all mirrors, put on your indicator and swiftly change.
Make sure you're in the correct lane when driving.
This article can only guide you on your way to driving so don't depend on it as your only source.
Always follow the rules of the road for your state or country. Make sure you know all the rules before starting to
drive, or else you or your car might be badly damaged.
This article is aimed at American readers. Road rules are different in every country.
Always fasten your seat belt.
In Israel, you're required to carry fluorescent vests in the car and wear them when you are outside the car when
making repairs or refuelling etc. If you get stopped in Israel and your car does not carry a fluorescent vest, you
WILL be fined.
Avoid parking illegally, your car may be towed, or you may be cited and have to pay a fine.
This is by no means a replacement to going to driver's ed.

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In some cities, shifting late (just before red-lining) not only makes you sound like a maniac, it can also be
considered "reckless driving", which is illegal and can get you a nasty ticket/fine.
Be aware of any limitations of provisional licenses, for example in the UK; you cannot drive on a motorway without
a full licence.
Always use your turn signal, and use dipped headlights when there is an approaching vehicle or when there is a
vehicle ahead of you.
Always enforce that people who are passengers in your car must wear seatbelts. If they refuse, don't drive them.
You're better off to create an awkward situation than to be held liable for bodily injury they sustain if you're in an
accident.
Keep on the slow lane (left or right for left- or right-handed driving countries respectively), unless you overtake.
After overtaking, return to the slow lane.
Street racing is dangerous, and illegal in most countries. If you wish to race your car, then taking your car to a track
day would be the best thing to do. These are usually well supervised.
Make sure you practice uphill starts when learning to operate a manual car. Because starting a manual from a stop
requires letting off the brakes and engaging the clutch (essentially placing the car in neutral), the car will roll
backwards until first gear is engaged. To stop this from happening, apply the handbrake, then release it as you
release the clutch and the car begins to move forward. Otherwise, you risk rolling into the car behind you. Practice
this technique on a sloped driveway or car park where it's safer to make mistakes.
Avoid the temptation to use your mobile phone, a few seconds distraction can cause a serious accident, so the best
way to do it is to turn off your cell phone until you get to your destination. Better yet, park your car in a safe location
when there is a need to answer a phone call.
Do not drink and drive. That's the worst thing you could possibly do. You could kill yourself or someone else. It is
also illegal to drive with more than a certain amount of alcohol in your body e.g. in the UK you must not drive with a
breath alcohol level of more than 35 micrograms per 100 ml or a blood alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams per
100 ml. This is roughly the equivalent to 2 cans of strong lager. If you are going to drink this much alcohol, arrange
another means of transport.
Never shift into low gears at high speeds (i.e. 1st gear at 50 mph/80 km/h). This will greatly damage or destroy
your car's engine and transmission.

Sources and Citations

1. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots
2. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots
3. http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/seatbelt_laws.html

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