Best Way to Learn to Drive

Driving a vehicle is one of the best feelings in the world. It makes you believe that you have something in control in your life, and it reduces the dependency on others to fulfill your everyday errands. Whether you’re a teen learning to drive for the first time, or an elderly who never got the chance to enjoy riding a ride, there are some basic terms and steps that everyone should know about.

The following are the steps you should be aware to master the art of driving:
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    1. The beginning

      This is all about learning driving rules, getting the permit to learn driving, and practicing enough to master the art.

      • Learning driving rules and regulations: This is critical to maintain safety on roads for yours as well as your fellow drivers’ sake. Read the driver’s handbook provided by the government departments looking after driving and automobiles to know the rules and regulations in details. Some basic rules are: obeying traffic signals, wearing seatbelts, stopping for pedestrians before the zebra crossing lines and staying within speed limits.
      • Getting a permit to learn driving: Know if you need a permit to learn driving and if yes, then whether you are eligible to get one. You may have to clear a test regarding traffic rules to get a permit.

    2. Learning to drive an Automated Car

      Follow these steps to drive an automatic car:

      • Starting the car: Release the emergency brake, press the brake pedal, insert the key into the ignition and turn it to hear your car start. Press the accelerating pedal to move the car.
      • Placing the right gear: For automatic cars, there is a Drive (D) and a Reverse (R) gear. Depending on how you parked your car, your gear will be indicated. If driving forward, then put the gear on D. If driving backward, place gear on R. When reversing, make sure you check the rear view mirror and look back as well.
      • Acceleration: Your car’s speed should be relative. Thus accelerate depending upon the speed limit of the area and the traffic on the road. Also, accelerate your car gradually- extreme pressure on your car for acceleration can damage it, and every car has an acceleration limit. Over-speeding can bring fines on you too.
      • Parking: Shift gear to ‘Park,’ turn off your engine and pull up parking brake.

    3. Learning to drive a manual car

      • Learning the controls: The most important controls for manual cars are the clutch and the shifter.
      • The clutch controls the connection between the engine and transmission. Pressing the clutch pedal disengages it and places the car in neutral irrespective of its gear. Engaging the clutch connects the engine and the transmission, and places the engine in whichever gear it is.
      • The shifter shifts gears by moving a stick called the gear stick between gear numbers 1-5 or 1-6 depending upon the car model, the reverse gear, and the neutral position.
      • Starting the car: Starting a manual car is trickier than an automated car. The steps are:
        1. Press the clutch to disengage it.
        2. Press the brake and release the emergency brake.
        3. If moving ahead, place gear at 1st, else put it in the reverse.
        4. Press accelerate pedal while slowly releasing the clutch.
        5. The car should move forward without stalling. If it stalls, then the gear is not properly placed.
      • Switching gears: Shift gears in order. Disengage the clutch and shift gear using shifter. Press on the accelerating pedal while slowly releasing the clutch. Move to higher gears for higher speed.
      • Applying brakes: Press clutch and move the car to neutral while braking. You can also decelerate instead of braking, by pressing the clutch and shifting to the immediate lower gear and gradually reaching down to fist gear.
      • Parking: While parking your car, place it either in 1st gear or reverse gear. Don’t place it in neutral else it will not stay stagnant.

    4. Getting a license

      After you learn how to drive, you are eligible to get a license and become a registered driver by law. For getting one, you need to pass a written test, driving test and oral test. Driving is a valuable art that should be learned. However, it is important that you learn it properly, abiding all laws, to become a responsible driver. Make sure you get enough practice before heading off to city roads. Practice enough in open spaces first and then on roads. Driving can be a passion, but don’t rash drive and break traffic rules.