It’s both exhilarating and terrifying to learn to drive for the first time. It’s difficult for young drivers and their parents to know how to handle the situation. We’ve produced a series of lessons for first-time drivers to assist kids (and their parents). The first lesson is the most essential today (the fundamentals of safe driving).

These 8 recommendations for safe driving can help you negotiate the road ahead, whether you’re starting to drive for the first time or have years of expertise.

1. Slowly increase your speed

Although it’s tempting to pound on the throttle pedal as soon as the light turns green, it’s critical to maintain self-control. Your engine will function better if you gradually raise its speed. From there, gently raise the pressure on the gas pedal from a full halt to a gentle roll.

2. Maintain control of the steering wheel

Smooth steering helps you to retain vehicle control. It’s critical to maintain a solid grip on the steering wheel either making curves or driving straight down the road.

3. Gently apply the brakes

It’s crucial to avoid pressing the pedal to the floor, just as it’s important to prevent accelerating. One of the most crucial skills a novice motorist can learn is how to know when to stop Apply light brake pressure as soon as you see a stop sign or the light ahead of you turns yellow. Gently push down on the brake pedal until your automobile comes to a complete halt.

4. Maintain a reasonable speed

As you gain confidence behind the wheel, it’s tempting to exceed the posted speed limit.. Following the speed limit, however, is not only a question of obeying the law; it is also essential for your own and others’ safety.

The Department of traffic safety sends experts to conduct a complete study in order to decide the speed limit. Road type, accident history, traffic volume, and visual distance are all factors considered by these experts. It is not worth endangering your or others’ lives to save a few minutes on your journey.

5. Maintain a safe gap between yourself and the car ahead of you.

Regardless of your driving expertise, maintaining enough “space” between yourself and the automobile in front of you is essential. However, as a learner driver, your reaction time is typically lower than that of other cars.

6. Keep a close eye out for road signs

Develop a thorough knowledge of all road signs, traffic lights, and pavement markings. Because you are confident in your driving ability, you should never disregard a road sign or a safety indicator. There’s a reason why the signs are up.

7. Select your path with precision

Make sure you understand the function of each lane and leave enough area to turn or change lanes. If you know a turn or exit is approaching, get into the far right lane as soon as possible to prevent cutting other cars off.

Only pass (at a fair speed) and exit to the left using the far left lane. The center lane is the safest option for going long distances at a constant pace.

8. Effective communication is important

While driving the most important thing is communication. When utilized appropriately, your turn signal can convey your decisions and future movements to other cars. Only use your horn to warn other drivers as a last resort.

Maintain a high level of alertness and awareness of other drivers’ actions so that you can respond quickly in an emergency. Always check your mirrors and peek over your shoulder before changing lanes or backing up.

Learning to drive might be intimidating, but with enough practice and awareness of your surroundings, it can be a safe and pleasurable experience.

Read Also: How To Drive Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) Car-A Beginner’s Guide

HOW TO DRIVE A CAR MANUALLY 9 IMPORTANT TIPS

It’s also known as learning to drive a stick shift or a manual transmission. It doesn’t matter what you name it; it’s the same thing. Many people never learn to drive a car with a manual gearbox, sometimes known as a stick shift.

You will be able to drive any sort of car, whether automatic or manual if you can drive a stick shift. When learning to drive this sort of vehicle, it is better to practice in a large parking lot or on an empty roadway.

Learning to drive a stick shift is akin to learning to ride a bicycle for many drivers: it appears difficult at first, but once you master the ability, you will never struggle again. The instructions below will serve as a starting point for your first few tries at driving a car with a manual transmission

1. Identify the Multiple Pedals

You should be aware of the distinctions between a stick shift and an automatic gearbox car before you begin driving one. Examine the three pedals at your feet while seated in the driver’s seat. The clutch is the first left-hand pedal. Only automobiles with manual gearboxes have this pedal. The brake is located on the middle pedal.

The accelerator is located on the right pedal. Your left foot will be used to operate the clutch, while your right foot will be used to operate the brake and accelerator.

The assembly is disengaged when you press in the clutch pedal or step down with your left foot on the clutch pedal. When you take your foot off the clutch pedal, the friction in the assembly begins to move, causing your car to accelerate.

2. Recognize the Gear Shifter

Examine the gear shifter before starting the automobile. A gear changer is usually located in the center of the passenger and driver seats in automobiles with manual gearboxes.

The first gear is usually found in the upper left corner, with the other four or five gears rotating from left to right from top to bottom. On most stick shift automobiles, the gear positions will be clearly marked.

The automobile will be neutral if the gear shift is in the center, and you should be able to simply move the gear shifter back and forth.

3. Start the engine

To begin a stick shift, place your left foot on the floorboard and squeeze the clutch all the way down. Turn the key to start the engine after making sure the gear shifter is neutral. You can take your foot off the clutch if you’re sure the automobile is in neutral. Check to see if the parking or emergency brakes are on.

4. Initiate the Clutch

Press the clutch with your left foot and the brake, or the middle pedal, with your right foot to get ready to operate a manual car.

5. Set the gearbox to first gear

Then, using the gear changer in the first position, put the gearbox in the first gear. This should be the farthest to the left and upper part of the gearbox.

6. Release the Brake

Place your right foot on the brake pedal and release it. The car should move very little if you are on a level surface, which is great for your first attempt.

7. Start releasing the clutch and accelerate with the throttle

Over time, gradually reduce the amount of pressure you apply to the clutch with your left foot. You may notice the car begin to gently roll forward, depending on the vehicle.

Begin to push the accelerator with your right foot while you slowly release the clutch. It’s a delicate movement. Excessive accelerating is not recommended. Keep in mind that first gear is only designed for speeds up to fifteen mph.

8. Know when it’s time to change gears

You’ll eventually let go of the clutch and only use your right foot to press the accelerator. You will be driving in first gear. Continue to accelerate until you need to shift to second gear. Depending on your vehicle, you can use the sound of the engine, the RPM gauge, and/or your speed to decide when you need to transfer gears.

GEAR USED FOR EACH SPEED

1st0-10Mph
2nd3-25Mph
3rd15-45Mph
4th30-65Mph  
5th45Mph+

9. Repeat the process in second gear

Remove your right foot from the accelerator while using your left foot to engage the clutch. Your vehicle will continue to go forward. Shift into second gear with the gear shifter. As you begin to use the accelerator again, let off of the clutch. To keep increasing your speed, repeat the technique.

Downshifting The Gears

Use the same methods as when accelerating while slowing down and downshifting, except this time from a higher to a lower gear. When downshifting, you may notice greater rpm, so make sure to utilize more of the accelerator pedal. The automobile will decelerate more sharply if you don’t accelerate enough.

Switch to reverse mode.

When reversing a car, you won’t always have to utilize the gas pedal. It’ll just be a smidgeon if you do. Put the car in reverse once you’ve come to a complete stop and slowly let out the clutch while maintaining your other foot on the brake.

While parking

Because manual autos lack a “Park” gear, it is critical to always use the emergency parking brake. You’ll also want to put the car in gear, not neutral so that the emergency brake and the gears are both working to halt your automobile from moving or rolling.

Beginning on a Hill

Hills are difficult to master since you will most likely roll back and risk colliding with a vehicle behind you. Use the parking brake to effortlessly start a manual car on a slope. Position the wheel in the desired direction, then release the clutch and shift to the throttle as usual. Release the parking brake and engage the clutch once you feel the car fighting against it.

Make sure the gear shifter is in first gear and the clutch is engaged until the ignition is turned off while parking a stick shift. You’ll be an expert in no time with a little practice.

CONCLUSION

We hope that these tips will help you to learn how to drive a car for the first time. It is very difficult to learn and drive manually but with this experience, the learning of automatic cars will be very easy. Always drive safely.