5 ways to drive

Driving is one of the most useful skills in the world. But before you start, remember that it is a privilege and that you must do it responsibly before starting a car. Laws and regulations can confuse you, but study them one at a time, you can understand and learn all of them. Read this article.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Boot Up

Step 1. Learn the regulations in your area

Before getting a license, it is important that you know everything related to signs, specifications and precautions, this will prevent you from making mistakes on the road with various consequences. Here we show how:

Read the driver's manual issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at your local office. If you don't learn the rules, you won't be licensed.
Some safety and precautionary rules are basic and everyone should know them: obey traffic signals, do not exceed the maximum speed, wear a seatbelt, and yield to pedestrians.

Step 2. Get your license

The license will allow you to drive, check the local regulations so you know at what age you can start applying (usually between 14 and 18) and what you need. Here are some requirements:

If you are a minor, you will need the support of your parent or guardian.
You will need to pass the written exam of laws and regulations.
Some jurisdictions require a certain number of hours of training, "hours behind the wheel", to release your license.
If you are still a student, driving classes are for you.

Step 3. Drive

Once licensed, you need to mature your driving skills. Before hitting a road, you need to practice and get comfortable behind the wheel. Be patient and consistent, no one is born with the ability and everyone needs some advice:

Practice with an adult you trust. Lean on someone responsible who can help you and advise you so that you do not get frustrated.
Practice in a low-traffic area like a parking lot on the weekend. This will allow you to identify the behavior of your vehicle, how it accelerates, brakes and turns. Every vehicle is different, so you should feel comfortable in your vehicle.

Method 2 of 5: Ready to Drive Safe

Step 1. Adjust your vehicle

Before driving, adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel, this will help you focus and not be distracted. Here you will find what to do:

Check the side and interior mirrors and adjust them. You must cover the vision of the side and rear vehicles. Do not adjust the mirrors while driving, you can be distracted

Step 2. Make sure your vehicle is safe and so are you

Before going out on the street, the vehicle must not fail and you must feel good. Some things you should do are:

Put on your seat belt. The law asks you to, the consequences of not doing so range from a fine or withdrawal of your license to death in the event of a fatality.
Check the board. Make sure that no alarm signal appears and if it does, take the vehicle to a workshop.
Adjust the seat, make sure you can reach the pedals, the steering wheel, and see the mirrors.

Step 3. Minimize distractions

To drive safely, don't get distracted once you start the vehicle. Some tips are:

Put your cell phone away. Do not drive if you are sending and receiving messages continuously, cut the communication saying that you are going to drive; But preferably, turn off the cell phone while driving.
Turn down the volume of the music. Play non-distracting music at low volumes so you can hear outside.
If you need to do your hair or makeup, don't do it while driving, do whatever you need to do before starting the vehicle.

Method 3 of 5: First Method: Driving an Automatic Vehicle

Step 1. Start the vehicle

To turn it on, you must follow the following steps in the correct order, which are:

Release the parking brake.
Press the brake pedal.
Using the key, start the vehicle.

Step 2. Shift the vehicle into either Forward (D) or Reverse (R), depending on how the vehicle is

If you are going to go out front, put your vehicle in (D) for Direct.
If you are taking the vehicle out of the garage, then put your vehicle in Reverse (R).
Make sure no one is around once you back up, adjust your mirrors, and drive slowly.

Step 3. Gently release your foot from the brake and feel the vehicle moving

Congratulations - you're driving!

Put your vehicle in Direct (D) and gently step on the accelerator

Step 4. Accelerate your vehicle without passing the speed limits in the area where you are

Be it in your neighborhood or on an avenue.

If vehicles are driven under the limit due to traffic, drive accordingly and avoid causing a collision.
On the contrary, if the vehicles are driven over the limit, do not break the law, stay at the limit so you do not slow down the traffic.
Remember that a slow driver is an obstacle for a fast driver.
Accelerate progressively, do not do it suddenly, because you will not control the movement.

Step 5. Drive properly

Proper driving techniques will make your experience safe and comfortable. Here are some tips for good driving:

Take the wheel with both hands.
Place your hands in the 4 o'clock or 8 o'clock position, or something higher like 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, as you feel better. This way you can steer the steering wheel without sharp turns.
When you turn, your left hand will be slightly below the steering wheel if the turn is to the left, but your right hand will be slightly below the steering wheel if the turn is to the right. This is called "push and pull" driving.
For tight turns at low speeds, use the turn, hand over hand. Perform the twist, stretch and push where one hand will be on top of the other and not just a little.

Step 6. Understanding the brakes

Know how long the vehicle will take to stop at different speeds.

Always keep your distance from a vehicle when driving with a vehicle in front. If they stop suddenly, you don't want to crash.
When traveling at high speed, you must keep more than one vehicle away to maintain a certain level of safety, the 2-second rule makes sense, which says that you must keep a distance equal to or greater than 2 seconds from the car in front, considering the weather conditions of course.
Do not stop suddenly unless necessary, sudden stops are causes of carom.

Step 7. Use your lights, the vehicle behind will know what your intention is and will take precautions

Some recommendations are:

Activate your turn signals at least 30 meters before taking a turn.
Activate your turn signals at least 5 seconds before changing lanes.
Before entering or exiting a parking lot.
When you change sides.

Step 8. Use the headlights when it is dark, rainy or foggy, you will avoid accidents by seeing more clearly

A helpful rule of thumb is to check your lights, turning them on and off.
Check the other vehicles on the road. If most have turned on their lights, turn yours on too.
Remember that there are vehicles equipped with sensors that automatically turn the lights on and off under certain conditions. Check that your lights are off in the parking lot or you will lose the battery.

Step 9. Test your windshield wipers before a downpour

If they work, verify that they operate at all operating speeds.

You can use the water dispersers to clean the windshield.
Don't drive if the windshield wipers are cracked. Driving in a storm without these is very dangerous.

Step 10. Change your address like a pro

A useful homonym is the initials S. M. O. G. # * S: Signal to notify other vehicles of your plan.

M: Check the rear view mirror to see how clear the road is.
Or: Look over the shoulders at the sides if it is safe to proceed.
G: Turn, change lanes or take a turn.

Step 11. Park your vehicle properly

Once you reach your destination, you need to park properly and turn off the engine. Here are some tips:

Find a good spot and stop your vehicle with the brake.
Put the transmission in "Stopped."
Turn off your engine.
Activate the parking brake.
Turn off the lights.
Lower the locks so they don't open it.
Get off and check that it has been properly parked.

Method 4 of 5: Second Method: Driving a Standard Vehicle

Step 1. Remember that regulations apply to cars regardless of whether they are automatic or standard

The applicable rules are:

Adjust the mirrors and turn off the cell phone.
Sign appropriately.
The lane change rules.
The application of lights and windshield wipers.
The placement of your hands behind the wheel.

Step 2. Learn the controls

Many people agree that driving a standard vehicle is more complicated by the interaction with the transmission. However, there are those who prefer them because they are more involved in driving, these vehicles have 2 more controls, which are:

The clutch or clutch: which is the mechanical connection between the engine and the transmission. By pressing the pedal the engine is disconnected from the transmission, and by releasing it connects it again. When you press the pedal the vehicle is neutral, no matter what gear the transmission has.
Gear lever: With this lever the vehicle speeds are changed, its "default" position is "N" for Neutral, however there are 5 and 6 speed transmissions plus reverse.

Step 3. Start the vehicle

Starting a manual vehicle is a bit more complicated than an automatic one. Try to do it with the parking brake on:

Press the clutch. Most vehicles will not start unless the clutch is depressed.
Put the vehicle in neutral, apply the brake, and release the parking brake.
Put the transmission in 1st if you go forward or in ("R") reverse if you go backward.
As you release the clutch, press down on the accelerator.
You will hear the engine stabilize and the clutch “settle”. If the vehicle moves smoothly, you're doing fine. You have 2 achievements, start it and move it first.

Step 4. Change gears

You will need to change speed as you move, but before doing so consider the following:

Speeds are changed in order. Depress the clutch pedal, change gear with the lever, and release the clutch as you accelerate.
Think of the clutch and accelerator pedals as proportionally opposite. They must act as a complement, when one is on top, the other is not.
Accelerating while releasing the clutch makes speed feel smooth. At first it is difficult to master them, but you will do it with practice.

Step 5. Forward with the high gears

All vehicles have their gear range for each gear, although the best gear control is to watch the RPM or listen to your engine.

Listen to the engine and change when the engine prompts you

Step 6. Brake properly

Depress the clutch and move the lever to neutral when braking. In neutral, you ensure that the engine does not move the transmission and avoid killing the engine while braking.

You can save gas and take care of the brakes by slowing down the vehicle with the changes, it will take practice, but start today

Step 7. Park your vehicle properly