Achieve Driving Excellence with Professional Car Driving Training

Here Is the Step-by-Step Process for Car Driving Training

1. Get Comfortable with the Car’s Controls

You can easily adjust your seat forward and backward, up and down. Some cars have electronic controls on the left side of the seat while older cars have a lever underneath the seat which helps you to control the position of the seat. CMSC Driving School is the perfect driving school for new drivers, offering personalized guidance on adjusting car controls and other essential skills. This includes modern vehicles with ADAS features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, which CMSC instructors explain in full during the first lesson.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Foot Pedals

There are two foot pedals that control acceleration and braking in an automatic car. The right pedal, which is smaller, is the accelerator — when you press down, the car moves. The harder you press the smaller pedal, the faster the car moves. The left pedal, which is larger than the accelerator, is the brake pedal, and pressing down on it will make the car slow down. CMSC Driving School’s lessons cover these driving techniques for beginners thoroughly and ensure you become comfortable with pedal control quickly.

Always use your right foot to reach both pedals. At first it may feel a little strange if you are left-footed but slowly you will become used to it. This is the proper technique and it is much safer. Never use both feet at once to reach the pedals. Using only your right foot prevents you from accidentally pressing down on both pedals at the same time.

3. Adjust Your Car’s Mirrors So You Can See Clearly

Your car should have three mirrors: one rear-view mirror, which will allow you to see directly behind you, and two outside mirrors, which allow you to view both sides of the car and protect you from blind spots. Properly adjusted mirrors are important, especially if you want to learn how to adjust car mirrors for a driving test.

Your rear-view mirror should be positioned so that you can see directly behind you when you are in your normal driving position. The Society of Automotive Engineers recommends positioning your outside mirrors more outward than normal so that they only overlap slightly with the rear-view mirror’s viewing angle. Although this feels unusual at first, it allows the driver to see cars in their blind spots that they would ordinarily only catch by turning their head. See how CMSC Driving School helps in our guide to how CMSC Driving School helps teens take the fear out of driving.

4. Know Where the Parking Brake Is and What It Does

The parking brake lever is longer and has a button at the very tip. When the handbrake or parking brake is pulled up, it locks the car into place on the ground and ensures that it doesn’t move. When you release the brake, it disengages and the car can move easily. Make sure that the parking brake is disengaged before you start driving. If you are a teen and haven’t taken your driving test yet, enroll in our teen driver education program.

5. Get to Know the Gear Stick

The gear lever is positioned between the two front seats of the car. The control options are Park, Neutral, Drive, and Reverse. In some cars, the shift lever is on the right side of the steering wheel.

• If you put your gear shift in Park and turn on the ignition, the car will not move forward no matter how hard you press the accelerator
• If your gear stick is in Neutral, your vehicle’s natural momentum will continue to propel it forward
• If the gear stick is in Reverse, the car will move backward instead of forward when you take your foot off the brake
• If the gear stick is in Drive mode, the car will move forward when you take your foot off the brake

Most modern cars have a lever on the steering wheel or in a straight line on the driver’s right side. Depending on the model of your vehicle, the lever could be a knob. If you get stuck, read the owner’s manual.

6. Understand the Basic Dashboard Controls

These gauges show the driver how much fuel the engine has left, how fast the car is traveling, how hot the engine is, and how many RPM (revolutions per minute) the engine is producing.

• The speedometer is the most important dashboard gauge. It lets you know how fast your car is traveling in mph or kph
• The RPM gauge tells how hard your engine is working. Most RPM gauges have a red zone starting at 6,000 or 7,000 RPM. When the dial enters the red zone, ease off the accelerator
• The fuel gauge tells how much fuel is left in the car. It usually features a dial that moves between F and E, with E indicating empty and F indicating full. Some modern cars have digital fuel gauges
• The temperature gauge lets you know if your car’s engine is overheating. It has a dial that alternates between H and C, indicating hot and cold

The Steps to Get Your Basics Down

Put On Your Seatbelt

Seatbelts significantly reduce the possibility of serious injury or death if you are involved in an accident. In Massachusetts, seatbelts are required for the driver and all passengers at all times.

Start the Car with Your Foot on the Brake

When you turn on your car, it will move forward by itself if your foot is not on the brake. Place your foot on the brake before starting. Put your keys in the ignition, which is on the right side of the steering wheel, and turn clockwise. In newer cars, provided the keys are inside the vehicle, you simply press the Power or Ignition button for the engine to start.

Release the Parking Brake

Confirm the parking brake is fully disengaged before moving. A parking brake left engaged while driving creates drag on the rear wheels and can cause damage over time.

Learn How to Back Your Car Out

Put the car in reverse and double-check the gear position. If your car is not in reverse, it will not move backward. Look over your shoulder and turn your head to get a clear picture of where you are heading. Gently withdraw your foot from the brake pedal and do not place it on the accelerator initially. Your car will move slowly without the accelerator, which gives you control during your first reverse attempts. Remember that the steering wheel response reverses when backing up. Turning the steering wheel to the right causes the rear of the car to move right.

Move the Car Forward

When you are ready to move forward, come to a complete stop and shift your car into Drive mode. Put your foot on the brake pedal, shift to Drive, then slowly press down the accelerator. Accelerate until you reach the appropriate speed, then lift your foot off the accelerator and hover it over the brake pedal in case you need to slow down.

Hold Both Hands on the Steering Wheel

Assume the steering wheel is a clock. Place your left hand where the 9 would be and your right hand where the 3 would be. This 9-and-3 position gives you the best control and is the current recommended standard. The older 10-and-2 position is no longer recommended because it creates airbag injury risk if the bag deploys.

Using Blinkers (Turn Signals) Correctly

The blinker flashes red or orange light. They are essential for communicating your intentions to other drivers. The blinker switch is usually located on the left side of the steering wheel. To turn right, flick it up. To turn left, flick it down. Always activate your blinker before turning or changing lanes, not during the maneuver.

The Hand Over Hand Turning Method

If you are making a sharp turn, use the hand over hand technique. To turn right, turn the steering wheel clockwise starting with your right hand. When your right hand reaches the bottom position, release it and cross it over your left. Re-grip the wheel and continue turning. To straighten the car after a turn, loosen the grip with both hands and the steering wheel will begin to correct itself.

How to Switch Lanes

Before switching lanes, activate your blinker for at least two seconds. Scan your mirrors and look over your shoulder to check for cars in your blind spot. Do not depend on your mirrors alone. Slowly move into the other lane. Most cars have power steering, so a small movement of the wheel is all that is required. A lane change should take between one and three seconds. Learn how to switch lanes and build advanced highway skills with CMSC’s advanced driver training programs.

Maintain a Safe Following Distance

The distance you should stay behind the car in front of you depends on your speed. Give yourself a minimum of two seconds at city speeds and four seconds or more at highway speeds. Count using a fixed point on the road ahead to confirm you are maintaining adequate distance.

Warnings for New Drivers

• Always indicate before you turn and use dipped headlights when there are vehicles ahead of you
• Be observant while changing lanes. Check all mirrors, activate your indicator, and change lanes smoothly
• Always make sure you are driving in the correct lane
• Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers do so as well
• Use right and left reference points to position the car correctly in your lane
• When stopping suddenly, press the brake smoothly and firmly to avoid stalling on a manual transmission
• Avoid parking illegally
• Always follow the rules of the road. Learn all the rules before you start driving
• Never drink and drive

What CMSC Students Say About Professional Car Driving Training

“From the very first lesson, she made me feel safe, comfortable, and confident behind the wheel. It’s clear that she really loves what she does.” – Miranda A. Murray, verified CMSC student

“I was very nervous to start driving but he explained everything so well with kindness and patience. He taught me everything I needed to become a safe and responsible driver and I even ended up passing my road test on the first try!” – Demetria Bosnakis, verified CMSC student

“George is INCREDIBLE. I took the road test 5 times and today I just passed thanks to George!!! RUN don’t walk to go see him. You will pass!” – Aleah Wilson, verified CMSC student

Rated 4.9 stars across more than 3,379 verified Google reviews.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the basics of driving requires patience, practice, and the right guidance. By following these steps and considering professional instruction from CMSC Driving School, you can ensure a safe and confident start to your driving journey. CMSC Driving School’s comprehensive training program is designed to help you become a skilled and responsible driver, ready to handle any road situation with confidence.

For those interested in pursuing a career in commercial driving, CMSC Driving School also offers specialized training programs to help you get your Commercial Driver’s License in Massachusetts. Whether you are looking to drive a truck, bus, or other commercial vehicles, our instructors provide the necessary skills and knowledge to pass the CDL exam.