Driving (with pictures)

Driving is one of the most useful skills in the world. But before you start driving, remember that driving is a privilege, not a right, and you need to learn how to be a responsible driver before putting your keys in the ignition. All the rules and regulations for driving can seem overwhelming, but step by step you will be a pro in no time. Read on to learn how to drive.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Getting started

Step 1. Learn the driving rules

Before getting a driver's license, it's important to be aware of the driving rules and safety precautions you need to take as a responsible driver. It is much more advisable to learn the rules before you get behind the wheel so that you don't just do something and make mistakes. This is how you do it:

Read the theory book of the CBR. This can be found online at the official government website. If you don't learn the rules, you can't get your driver's license.
Some basic rules and safety precautions that everyone should know are: stopping for pedestrians, obeying traffic signs, staying within the speed limit, dealing with emergencies and wearing your seat belt.

Step 2. Go accompanied driving

From the age of 17 you can drive accompanied by a parent or friend. Here are some general guidelines:

Have passed the theory test for driving license category B.
Have passed the practical exam for driving motor vehicles of driving license category B.
The applicant must have been issued with a companion pass.
If you go on the road as a driver, you must always have both your driver's license and your companion pass with you and be able to show it on request.

Step 3. Practice driving

Once you get your license you need to improve your driving skills. Before you hit the highway with your car, practice getting comfortable behind the wheel. Take it day by day and be patient. No one is a perfect driver right from the start. Here are a few tips:

Practice with an adult you trust. Drive with a responsible driver who is of legal age and can guide and advise you without getting frustrated. The adult may be required by law to sit in the front seat and have their driver's license.
Practice in an isolated and safe location, such as an empty parking lot on the weekend. This will help you understand how your car accelerates, how your brakes work and how to maneuver your car in general. Every car is different and it is important to get an idea of what makes your car unique.

Part 2 of 5: Prepare for safe driving

Step 1. Make the necessary adjustments

Before driving, it is important to adjust your mirrors and seat so that you are ready to hit the road. Doing this before you drive rather than while you drive will ensure that you are safe and focused. Here's what to do:

Check your rear-view mirror and side mirrors and adjust them if necessary. Make sure you have a good view of the cars on both sides and behind you. Do not adjust your mirrors while driving - this can be very distracting

Step 2. Make sure you and your car are ready to go

Before you put your hands on the wheel, it's important that your body and car are ready to hit the road. This is what you should do:

Lock all your doors. This prevents unwanted people from entering your vehicle (i.e. car thieves) and reduces the chance of doors opening accidentally during a collision.
Fasten your seat belt. Depending on where you live, there is likely to be a law that requires you to wear a seat belt. Not only will you be fined for violating this rule, but the risk of injury and fatality during a collision also increases exponentially.
Check your dashboard. Make sure your car is ready to drive and that there are no alarming lights indicating that your car needs to be taken to the garage.
Adjust your seat, make sure you can easily reach the pedals and see the road.

Step 3. Minimize distractions

To be on the safe side, minimize all distractions before putting your foot on the pedal. Eliminate obstacles that keep you from focusing on the road. Here are a few tips:

Put your cell phone away. Don't get behind the wheel if you're in the middle of an intense texting session with your best friend. End the conversation by saying you are going to drive and will respond later. You can even turn off your phone if you're prone to distractions.
Turn your music down. Put something soothing and relaxing to focus.
If you need to brush your hair or put on makeup, don't do it while driving - make sure you've done what you need to before putting the keys in the ignition.

Part 3 of 5: Driving a vending machine

Step 1. Start your car

To start your car you need to perform a few simple steps in the correct order. This is what you do:

Put your key in the ignition and turn it. You should hear it start.
Put your foot on the brake.
Release the handbrake.

Step 2. Put your car in gear

Since you are driving an automatic, it will be either (D) Drive or (R) Reverse depending on how you are parked.

When driving forward, you must put your car in Drive.
When backing up, your car must be in Reverse to back up a driveway or parking space.
If you're backing up, check your rear view mirror first and place your hand on the passenger seat while turning your head to the right to look back.

Step 3. Take your foot off the brake (pivot point) and feel the car move

Congratulations - you are driving a car!

Slowly press the gas with your foot to accelerate

Step 4. Speed up your car

You have to accelerate your car to reach the speed limit near you. When you're on the highway, keep in mind the speed limit while going with the flow of traffic.

If all the cars around you are much slower than the speed limit due to the heavy traffic, you have to drive appropriately to avoid crashing into the other cars.
If all the cars around you are going much faster than the speed limit, you don't have to break the law, but you can speed up a bit so you don't slow the flow too much.
Remember that driving too slow can be just as dangerous as driving too fast.
Accelerate your car slowly. Don't push your foot too hard on the gas or you'll go much faster than you planned. Know that every car has its own acceleration speed.

Step 5. Steer your car well

Proper driving techniques will make your driving experience smoother and will help you avoid collisions. By driving your car in the right way, you can adjust and position your car in the easiest way. Here are some tips for good steering:

Make sure you have both hands on the wheel.
Place your hands at 8 and 4 o'clock, slightly higher at 9 and 3 o'clock or at 10 and 2 o'clock, depending on your preference. In this position you can safely maneuver the wheel and avoid making too sharp turns.
When making a turn, pull down on the side of the wheel you want to turn to and push up with the other hand. This is called 'pull-push' control.
Twist hand-over-hand to make tighter turns at slower speeds. To do this, perform a push-pull twist, but take your pull hand over your push hand to continue moving the wheel in the desired direction.

Step 6. Understand your brakes

You need to know how long it takes for your car to come to a complete stop when driving at different speeds.

Always drive at least a car length behind the car in front of you. If you have to stop quickly, you don't want to crash into the car in front of you.
In fact, if you're going faster, you'll need more than one car length to come to a safe stop, so understand and follow the two-second rule, which means there should be two seconds between you and the car in front of you to maintain a safe distance. Take into account weather and road conditions
Do not try to stop abruptly unless it is an emergency. A sudden stop can cause vehicles to crash into your trunk.

Step 7. Indicate direction

Remember, the person in the car behind you can't read your mind. They don't know which direction you're going to move unless you signal. You must indicate direction in the following situations:

As you approach the last 30 meters before turning (left or right).
Before changing lanes, make sure you signal at least 5 to 6 seconds in advance.
Before driving into or out of a parking lot.
When you change direction.

Step 8. Use your lights

With your car lights you can see better and avoid danger. You should use them when it is dark, raining or foggy.

A general rule of thumb is, if you ask yourself, 'Should my lights be on now?' then the answer is always yes.
Look at the other cars on the road. If most of them turn on their lights, you turn on yours.
Remember that some cars have lights that turn on and off automatically under certain conditions. If you don't have one of these cars, make sure you turn off your lights when you park your car, otherwise your battery could drain.

Step 9. Use your windshield wipers

Find out how your windshield wipers work before the first drop of rain falls. You can set them to move back and forth at different speeds depending on how hard the rain is falling.

Recognize that there are some situations where your high beams should be on when you turn on the windshield wipers, regardless of your speed.
Some wipers can spray liquid on your windshield to remove dirt or stains.
Do not drive if your windshield wipers are broken. Driving in a storm without windshield wipers is incredibly dangerous.

Step 10. Change lanes like a pro

Follow the rules for changing lanes correctly and safely. A handy mnemonic is S. S. O. G.

S: SIGNALS to let the cars around you know you want to change lanes.
S: Check your MIRROR to see if the way is clear.
O: Look OVER YOUR SHOULDER to double check that it is safe to continue.
G: GA.

Step 11. Park your car correctly

After you reach your destination you have to turn off your engine and park your car safely. Here's how to end driving:

Find a good parking space and stop your car by pressing your foot on the brake.
Switch to 'Park'.
Turn off your engine.
Apply the handbrake.
If your lights are on, turn them off.
Lock your car to prevent theft.
Get out of the car and make sure it fits in the spot.

Part 4 of 5: Learning in a manual transmission car

Step 1. Remember that many basic driving rules apply to both automatic and manual transmission cars

While the differences between the cars will be discussed, there are many basic rules that apply to both types of cars. These are:

The steps to take to prepare for driving, such as adjusting your mirrors and avoiding distractions.
The rules for correct signalling.
The rules for changing lanes.
Using your lights and wipers as needed.
The placement of your hands on the handlebars.

Step 2. Get to know the controls

Most people will agree that the manual transmission car is more difficult to drive than the automatic car because of the extra steps that must be taken to drive successfully. However, many people also say that it is more fun and rewarding to drive a manual transmission car because you will be more involved in the driving process. If you have a manual transmission car you will need to recognize and use two additional controls. These are:

The connection: The clutch controls the connection between the engine and transmission. Depressing the clutch pedal disengages the clutch and disengages the engine from the transmission. When you release the pedal, the clutch engages and engages. When disengaging the clutch, you place the car in neutral regardless of whether it is in gear or not. Engaging the clutch puts the car in the currently selected gear.
The gear lever: Shifting is done by moving a stick called gear stick or gear stick. Gear numbers and shift patterns may vary by model, but the 'standard' position is 'N' neutral, followed by gears ranging from 1 to 5 or 1 to 6 and 'R' reverse.

Step 3. Start the car

Starting your manual transmission car is a bit trickier than starting an automatic car. It will also take more practice. In the beginning, make sure you are in a quiet location to avoid problems. This is how you do it:

Start by pressing the clutch. Most manual transmission cars will not start unless the clutch is off.
After you start the car, place your foot on the brake and release the handbrake.
When driving forward, place the car in 1st gear. When reversing, put the car in reverse ("R").
While slowly releasing the clutch, slowly apply pressure to the accelerator.
You will hear the engine rev and then feel and hear the clutch 'hold'. If the car moves forward without the engine stalling, you're doing it right! You have successfully started the car and are driving in 1st gear.

Step #4. Shift to get up to speed

Shift as you would shift from neutral to 1st gear to move into the higher gears. Don't forget these points before you start shifting:

You have to switch in this order. Press the clutch. Shift to the next gear with the gear lever. Release the clutch by slowly releasing the pressure on the clutch pedal while stepping on the gas.
Think of the clutch pedal and accelerator pedal as proportional to the other in pressure. They have to work together in the same way as a seesaw. When one goes up, the other goes down.
By gradually pressing the gas while releasing the clutch, the shifting is smooth. It will take some time, but once you get the hang of the clutch and throttle feel it will become second nature.

Step 5. Shift to higher gears for faster speed

Each car has its own speed range for each gear. Some will tell you to shift only after reaching a certain RPM.

Listen to your car and switch if you think the engine asks

Step 6. Brake properly

Press the clutch pedal and shift to neutral while braking. Putting the car in neutral will stop the engine from moving the transmission and prevent it from stalling as you slow down.

You may be able to save gas and improve the life of your brakes by downshifting to slow down. However, this takes practice, so start by using only your brakes

Step 7. Park your car

Once you've found the right place to park your car, it's important to follow a few important rules to properly park your manual transmission car. This is what you should do:

Leave your car in gear, not neutral. It is usually in reverse or first gear. If you leave him in Neutral, he won't stand still.
Take your keys out of the ignition.

Part 5 of 5: Getting your driver's license

Step 1. Take the right steps to get a driver's license

After getting your license, mastering the automatic or manual transmission, and driving the required time (six months in some countries), you're ready to get your driver's license! With this license you can drive independently, at any time of the day, with more than one passenger in the car. There are a few things you need to do to get your driver's license, depending on your location:

Pass the theory exam.
Pass a short driving test, which tests you on basic driving skills, including how to parallel park and turn using stitches.
Pass a vision test.
Check your location's CBR requirements to see exactly how old you must be and what you need to do to get a driver's license.

Step 2. Remember that driving is a responsibility

Once you've done everything you need to do to get your driver's license, remember to be a careful, safe and responsible driver. If you don't follow the rules, your driver's license will be revoked and you could get into trouble with the law. Here are some things to keep in mind once you have a driver's license:

Always put safety first. Safety should be your priority over fun. Don't do anything that jeopardizes your safety, like cram seven people into your car, drive without seat belts, or just generally be a distracted driver.
Your driving skills can always be improved. Take notes of things you want to work on, from making smooth turns to spotting on time, and work on improving your driving flaws.
Keep your passengers safe. Make sure your passengers behave appropriately before starting the car. If they hang out of the windows, don't wear seat belts, or don't respect the roads, don't start the car.

Tips

Watch others as they drive and ask them questions. While there is no substitute for first-hand practice, this can be a good opportunity to review rules and techniques.
If other drivers behind you start to drive too aggressively or uncontrollably, let them overtake you if they can.
Anticipate the behavior of others in front of you, people exiting a car on the driver's side, cyclists, children playing in the street or nearby, and be prepared to stop.
When you approach an orange light, stop if you can do so safely. If you want to drive through it, it can be more dangerous to stop abruptly than to drive on.
When backing out of a parking lot or driveway, keep an eye out for small children and animals, especially children and pets behind you that may not be visible from the driver's point of view, and children riding tricycles or skateboards. When backing out of a parking lot, or before making a turn at an intersection, look both ways for pedestrians.
When the driver's view is obscured by a larger vehicle, truck or van at an intersection or parked near a corner, use caution before making a left turn or passing an intersection.
Watch out for cyclists on your right (USA), especially when making a right turn or driving toward the curb. If possible, make way for cyclists on narrow streets.
When driving through an intersection, never assume that a car driving on the side street will stop. Stop signs may be blocked by trees or other factors, or the driver may not be paying attention. Proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
Driving can be scary when you start out, but with practice and other methods, you can overcome a fear of driving.
Avoid distractions.
Do not text while driving and do not drive under the influence.
Never get behind the wheel with a distracted mindset. This is unsafe for you, any passengers and everyone else on the road.

Warnings

Never drive under the influence. The police will stop you if they have reason to suspect that you are driving under the influence. Not only do you risk killing a fellow driver or pedestrian, but you could also kill yourself.
Don't get behind the wheel when you're tired. Stop along the way and take a nap if you must.
Check what times there is a curfew to be off the road if you have a permit.
Stay off the highways if you are new to the road. There are many cars on highways and it can be a dangerous place for inexperienced drivers. In some jurisdictions, it is illegal for a licensed driver to drive on highways and may be grounds for having your license revoked if you are caught. It is not recommended for license holders who have a junior license to drive on highways. Ask someone with a regular driver's license to drive on highways if at all possible.
Remember to always wear your seat belt, even on short journeys.
Do not talk on the phone (although it may be acceptable for you if you have a wireless headset) or send text messages while driving. It is absolutely dangerous and can have serious consequences such as serious injury to you or others, and in the worst case it can be fatal.
Do not operate a vehicle while under the influence. Taking substances, whether illegal or not, can have dire consequences because it prevents the driver from seeing the road ahead.

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