Learning how to drive a car is easier than it looks. It can look intimidating in film or from the passenger’s seat but once you get behind the wheel and gently put your foot on the pedal, the process becomes very easy. Try to take things slow in the beginning and you will be on your way to mastering the basics.
For a more structured and effective learning experience, CMSC Driving School offers comprehensive beginner car driving lessons, helping to gain confidence and skills on the road. If you want to get a driver’s license in Massachusetts, CMSC Driving School provides all the necessary training and preparation to ensure you pass your driving test with ease.
Here is the step-by-step process for car driving training
1. Get comfortable with the Car’s control
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 help 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.
2. Familiarize yourself with the foot pedals
There are two-foot pedals that control acceleration and braking in an automatic car. The right pedal is smaller than the other pedal is the accelerator and when you press down, the car will move. 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. 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 even if you are confident. First, it will feel a little strange if you are left-footed but slowly you will be used to it and it’s very important because this is a proper technique and also much safer.
Never use both feet at once to reach the pedal. Use your right foot to reach each pedal. This will make it for you to accidentally press down on both pedals at the same time.
3. Adjust your car’s mirror properly so that you can see through them 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. See how CMSC Driving School helps teens overcome their driving fears.
Your rear-view mirror should be positioned in a way that you can directly see behind you when you are in your normal driving position.
The Society of Automotive Engineers provides one piece of advice for positioning your outside mirrors to prevent blind areas. It is recommended that the mirrors be placed more outward than normal so that they only overlap with the rear-view mirror’s viewing angle. Although first disconcerting, this placement allows the driver to see cars in their blind spots, which they would ordinarily only be able to see by looking over their shoulder.
4. Know where the parking brake which is also called a handbrake, emergency brake, or e-brake is and what it usually does
The parking brake lever is longer and has a button at the very tip. When the handbrake or the parking brake is pulled up, it helps lock the car into place on the ground and ensures that it doesn’t move. When you let down the brake, it is disengaged and the car can move easily. So 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-ed classes.
5. Get to know the gear stick also called shift lever, shifter to gear lever, or simply the stick.
The gear lever is positioned between the two front seats of the car, and the control gearbox is a 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 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 when you have time.
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 in the car. It lets you know how fast your car is traveling in Mph or Kph (Miles per hour or kilometers per hour).
- The RPM gauge tells how hard your engine is working. Most of the RPM gauges have red areas starting at 6000 or 7000 RPM. When the dial in the gauge becomes red, learn to ease off the accelerator.
- The fuel gauge tells how much fuel is left in the car. It usually features a dial, similar to a clock hand, that moves between “F” and “E,” with “E” indicating “empty” and “F” indicating “full.” Some modern cars have digital fuel gauges, which display electrical bars similar to the battery sign on a mobile phone and gradually decrease in quantity based on the amount of fuel in the car.
- And the temperature gauge in the car lets you know if your car’s engine is overheating.
- It often has a dial that alternates between “H” and “C,” indicating “hot” and “cold.” The dials are generally located in the center of the gauge.
The steps to get your basics down
- Put on your seatbelt
Seatbelts significantly minimize the possibility of serious injury or death if you are involved in an accident.
- 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. You’re ready to drive now that your foot is on the brake in the start position!
- Start the engine and release the parking brake.
Put your keys in the ignition which is to the right side of the steering wheel and then turn it clockwise. Note that in some of the newer cars, provided the keys are inside the car. You just need to push the Power or Ignition button for the engine to start.
- Learn how to back your car out
There are a few things you should remember. Put the car in reverse and double-check. 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’re heading. Gently withdraw your foot from the brake pedal and do not place it on the accelerator.
For the first few times you back out, don’t worry about putting your foot on the accelerator. You can move your car by withdrawing your foot from the brake. Your car will drive slowly, but you won’t run into anything or anyone. Remember that the steering wheel is “reversed” when in reverse. When going forward, turning the steering wheel to the right causes the car to turn to the right, and vice versa.
- When you are ready to move your car forward, come to a complete stop and put the car into Drive mode
Put your foot on the brake pedal then sift your car into Drive mode and it will begin to move forward. Slowly press down the acceleration pedal with the foot to get the car to move forward. Accelerate until you reach the speed limit, then lift your foot off the accelerator and hover it over the brake pedal in case you need to slow down.
- Hold your both hands on the steering wheel at the “9 and 3 o’clock” position
Assume that the steering wheel is a clock. Place your left hand where the 9 would be on a clock and your right hand where the 3 would be.
- Using blinkers properly is also called indicators or turn signals
The blinker flashes red or orange light. They are very important while driving cars as they let others know that you want to switch lanes or want to turn in a specific direction. The blinkers switch is usually located on the left side of the steering wheel. If you want to turn right then flick it up and want to turn left then flick it down.
- Learn how to turn your car using hand over hand method
If you’re making a difficult turn, consider the “hand over hand” technique. Assume you’re turning right. Turn the steering wheel clockwise, starting with the right hand. When your right hand reaches the fourth or fifth position, release it and cross it over your left. Re-grip the wheel and keep turning.
To straighten the car after a turn, simply loosen the grip with both hands, and the steering wheel will begin to correct itself. Apply more pressure to slow down the adjustment, and less pressure to speed it up. Your hands should remain stationary when the steering wheel returns to its original position.
- Learn how to switch lanes
Before switching lanes, indicate with your blinkers for at least two seconds. This lets other drivers know what you intend to do. Scan your mirror and look over your shoulder to check if there are any cars in your blind spot. Do not depend on your mirror only.
Slowly pass on the car to the other lane. To change lanes, simply turn your hands on the steering wheel slightly. Most present cars have power steering, so a tiny movement of the wheel is all that is required. It should take between one and three seconds for you to change lanes. Any less is too fast; any more is too slow. Learn how to switch lanes and improve your driving skills with our advanced driver training programs.
- Stay at a healthy distance behind other cars, and avoid tailgating
The distance you should stay behind the car in front of you depends on your speed. Give yourself two to five seconds, depending on your comfort level.
Warnings
- Always indicate before you turn and use dipped headlights when there are vehicles ahead of you.
- Be observant while changing lanes. Check all the mirrors, put your indicator and swiftly change.
- Always make sure you are driving in the correct lane.
- Wear your seat belt and make sure any other passengers do so.
- Use the right and left judgment lines to position the car correctly.
- When stopping suddenly, press the brake and clutch simultaneously to avoid stalling.
- Maintain control by keeping the clutch engaged while stopping.
- Avoid parking illegally.
- Always follow the rules of the road. Learn all the rules before you start driving.
- Never drink and drive.
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 ease.
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.
