Essential Points To Keep In Mind While Learning Car Driving

Car Driving, Tips for Car Driving, Car Driving School

Learning anything new is a challenge. The same stands true while learning to drive a car. Today, owning and driving a car is not a luxury anymore but a daily commute cars option for many. Each day, the number of cars seen on the roads keeps increasing. And, under such circumstances, the chances of road accidents are also on the rise. Therefore, learning to drive a car cautiously is more important than ever.

While you may struggle initially, car driving will come to you naturally after adequate practice. However, in the learning phase, it is essential to prioritise your safety along with others. So, while you get started with the journey of learning car driving, here are some critical factors to keep in mind.

Know Your Car Well

This is a point to remember throughout your life, no matter which car you’re driving. The most important tip is to acquaint yourself with the vehicle you will handle. Then, before you step in and start meddling with the parts, learn about the car’s functions in detail. Get to know what each button does and the situations where those come in handy. Going further, learn the fundamentals of the accelerator, brake and clutch.

One quick tip to remember the three essential pedals is to follow the ABC trick. Each of these letters represents the accelerator, brake and clutch, respectively. Additionally, get familiar with the gear knob and practise shifting. Knowing your car well eases driving anxiety and comes in handy in difficult situations.

Make Adjustments Before Driving

While you are just learning car driving, prepare for it like you would for an important event. A lot of people ignore this point without realising how essential it is to pay attention to this point. At the same time, you must adjust multiple things when you start driving a new car. Check the seats, mirrors and steering wheels. Learn about the adjustment mechanisms offered in your car.

If needed, it’s only fair to trial and error with seat adjustments. First, while you position it, ensure you can get comfortable access to all car controls. Secondly, ensuring that your body parts are not strained while driving is essential. So, make adjustments to the seat and steering wheel accordingly.

Adjust the Mirrors

After you are done with making adjustments inside the car, look out. Pay attention to the side mirrors because their usage is crucial for safe driving. Before you start the car, the driver’s mirror needs to be appropriately adjusted. This should ensure that your car's view doesn’t take up more than 10% of space in the field of view. After changing the driver’s and passenger’s mirrors, sit back in your seat and check if you can get a good view of the road behind you.

Remember that only a tiny portion of your car should be visible from the side mirror. Secondly, adjust the rearview mirror to get a full view of the road behind.

Wear Seatbelt

Safety comes first! While these often look like a feature you can easily avoid, seatbelts can become your lifesavers. Imagine a situation where you suddenly need to hit the brakes, or your car hits an obstacle. At such a time, a seatbelt comes to the rescue. It breaks the motion, stops you from being thrown off, and prevents injuries.

All seatbelts are designed to protect the two essential body parts- the head and the spinal pain. Wearing a seatbelt is all the more important when learning to drive because your speed and break controls tend to keep varying. If you have any passengers onboard, encourage them to do the same.

Hold Steering Wheel Correctly

Yes, a wrong way to hold the steering wheel exists. And it can impact your driving experience more than you know. Keep in mind that the car understands the signal for direction based on your inputs on the steering wheel.

Generally, it is said that “10 and 2” is the correct way to hold a steering wheel. First, let’s understand what these numbers mean. Think of the steering wheel as a clock and imagine the position of these numbers. Now, your left hand should go where the number 10 goes on a clock, and the right hand must be placed where the digit 2 goes on a clock. However, another position with a ‘’9 and 3’’ handling is also quite popular.

Use Signal Indicators

When you are driving, it isn’t possible to communicate verbally with your fellow drivers around you. Hence, the horn and the signal indicators come in as your mode of communication while driving. Therefore, liberal use of these two is crucial for safe and sound driving.

An indicator should be used to communicate the same whenever you change your driving direction. In cases of not using these or using these too early or late, the vehicles following you need clarification. Therefore, the best time to turn on an indicator is seconds before you change direction.

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Follow Traffic Rules

There is no getting away with this point. If you want to avoid any driving trouble, the first and most important tip is to follow the traffic rules. Doing so will not only keep you out of legal trouble but will also ensure a safe journey.

Other reasons to follow traffic rules include reduced risk of accidents and injuries. Secondly, as these rules apply to all road users, they become a code of conduct. Every driver on the road speaks the language of traffic rules. This kind of consistency ensures less confusion and a smooth flow.

Carry All Necessary Documents

At any point in time when you are driving, this rule is an absolute must-follow. Keep in mind that a police officer can ask you anytime to present these. The essential documents that you must always carry include the following:

Registration Certificate of the car
Insurance certificate of the car
Driving license
Pollution under check certificate

Be Calm and Confident

Being self-assured while driving is one underrated tip that helps you in the long run. While learning to drive, remember that there is no perfect driver. One only goes a long way with patience, practice and precision. As important as it is to be careful, one must also be aware and confident. Trust yourself to take timely action behind the wheel when needed.