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Nine Driving Practice Maneuvers
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When you have become familiar with the car and the sequences required for starting and stopping, practice the following maneuvers, moving from Exercise One to Nine. During the exercises, good driving habits will be formed by remembering to use the proper signaling and shoulder checking techniques at all times.
Use a parking lot or an off street area to practice in, if possible, and if pylons or some other kind of markers are available, they will also prove very helpful.
When you are driving, remember to make all your movements gently, using light pressure on the accelerator or the brake pedal, and easy movements of the steering wheel. A good driver is a smooth driver.
When you are ready, start the car and move away slowly.
Exercise One: Driving Forward In A Straight Line
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• With your right foot on the brake, place the gear selector in Drive.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel at the ten and two position.
• Check the traffic.
• Signal.
• Place your right foot on the accelerator.
• Release the parking brake.
• Press gently on the accelerator, so that you move ahead slowly.
• Remove your right foot from the accelerator and apply the brake easing up slightly just before the car comes to a stop.
• Move the gear selector to Park.
Exercise Two: Backing in a Straight Line
• With your right foot on the brake, move the gear selector to the Reverse position.
• Assume the proper backing position. Many drivers find the best procedure is to place their left hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position, shift their position in the seat, and look backwards over their right shoulder.
• Check the traffic.
• Place your right foot on the brake, and bring the car to a gentle stop.
• Move the gear selector to Park.
Exercise Three: Steering Left and Right
Turning Left
• Place your hands at the ten and two position on the steering wheel.
• Turn the wheel counter clockwise with the right hand.
• Cross your left hand over your right, and, grasping the wheel at the top, pull it downwards to the left.
• Replace your right hand at the two o’clock position, and turn counter clockwise again.
• Straighten your wheels as you complete your turn by letting the steering wheel slide through your hands. Be prepared to correct as needed.
Turning Right
• Place your hands at the ten and two position.
• Turn the wheel clockwise with your left hand.
• Cross your right hand over your left, and, grasping the wheel at the top, pull it downwards to the right.
• Replace your left hand at the ten o’clock position, and turn clockwise again. Straighten your wheels as when turning left.
When you practice these maneuvers, be sure the car is moving before you begin to turn the steering wheel; otherwise, excessive wear to the tires and the steering mechanism will result.
When straightening out from a curve, return the steering wheel to its original position in a hand over hand motion.
Exercise Four: Turning A Corner To The Right
• Drive slowly forward.
• Signal a right turn.
• Check your mirrors, and over your right shoulder.
• Adjust your speed before starting the turn (braking in the turn can cause a skid).
• Take your foot off the brake and return it to the accelerator. Maintain speed, but do not accelerate.
• Turn the steering wheel to the right, using the techniques from Exercise Three. Be careful not to over steer.
• Straighten your wheels as you complete your turn by letting the steering wheel slide through your hands. Be prepared to correct as needed.
• Accelerate lightly coming out of the turn. Caution: harsh acceleration in the turn may cause a skid.
Exercise Five: Turning A Corner To The Left
• Drive slowly forward.
• Signal a left turn.
• Check your mirrors, and over your left shoulder.
• Adjust your speed before starting the turn.
• Take your foot off the brake and return it to the accelerator. Maintain speed but do not accelerate.
• Turn the steering wheel to the left.
• Straighten your wheels as you complete your turn by letting the steering wheel slide through your hands. Be prepared to correct as needed.
• Accelerate lightly coming out of the turn.
Exercise Six: Making a Figure 8 Turn
The purpose of a figure 8 turn is to combine right and left turns in the same exercise. Figure 8 turns may be made either starting to the left or to the right – both should be practiced. Caution: this maneuver should be practiced only in a vacant parking lot or other open space.
• Drive slowly forward.
• Signal a right turn.
• Check your mirrors, and over your right shoulder.
• Turn the steering wheel to the right. Complete a 360 degree turn before straightening out.
• Signal a left turn.
• Check your mirrors, and over your right shoulder.
• Turn the steering wheel to the left. Complete a 360 degree turn before straightening out.
• Repeat the procedure several times. Try varying the sharpness of your turns, so as to make large 8’s and small 8’s.
Exercise Seven: Backing To The Right
• Place the gear selector in Reverse.
• Assume the proper backing position. Many drivers find the best procedure is to place their left hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position, shift their position in the seat, and look backwards over their right shoulder.
• Back the car very slowly.
• Turn the wheel clockwise to the right (the rear of the car will turn right).
• Just before the car has reached a 90 degree turn, straighten the car by steering to the left.
• Apply the brake to stop the car gently.
• Return the gear selector to the Park position. Caution: since vision is restricted when backing, a good rule to follow is never to back unless necessary, and never back farther than necessary.
Exercise Eight: Backing To The Left
• Place the gear selector in Reverse.
• Back the car very slowly
• Place hands at the ten and two position on the steering wheel. Turn the wheel counter clockwise to the left (the rear of the car will turn left).
• Just before the car has completed a 90 degree turn, straighten the car by steering to the right.
• Apply the brakes to stop the car gently.
• Return the gear selector to the Park position.
Exercise Nine: Backing The Car Through A Figure 8 Turn
• Place the gear selector in Reverse.
• Back the car very slowly.
• Place both hands at the ten and two position on the steering wheel. Turn to the right. After the car has completed a 360 degree turn, turn the wheel to the left and straighten the car.
• Turn to the left. After the car has completed a 360 degree turn, turn right and straighten the car.
• Apply the brakes to stop the car gently.
• Return the gear selector to the Park position.
By now, you have made a good deal of progress in becoming a safe, skillful driver. If you have mastered the essential controls of your car, and can effortlessly perform the practice maneuvers in the exercises above, you are ready for the next step – driving in actual traffic conditions. If you are relaxed and careful, it will be a pleasant experience – but don’t forget to take learner’s permit with you when you get behind the wheel!
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Source by Kris Kolanko
