Q&A for How to Drive a Car

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  • Question
    How can I learn to drive fast?
    Simon Miyerov
    Driving Instructor
    Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.
    Driving Instructor
    Expert Answer
    If you're referring to how long it takes, I wouldn't recommend trying to speed this process up. You have to complete driving classes, practice with an instructor, and get familiar with how the vehicle works. Driving is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, so don't rush your education here.
  • Question
    Is driving a car scary?
    Simon Miyerov
    Driving Instructor
    Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.
    Driving Instructor
    Expert Answer
    It can be if you've never done it before! It really isn't too nerve-racking once you've worked with an instructor and figured the basics out. It's okay to be nervous. Just take it slow!
  • Question
    How can I be safe on the road?
    Simon Miyerov
    Driving Instructor
    Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.
    Driving Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Drive defensively, take it slow, and keep your eyes on the road. Also, comply with speed limits! They're there for a reason; it's dangerous to drive over the posted limit.
  • Question
    How hard must I press on the brake to stop the car?
    Community Answer
    You need to press down hard but gradually so you don't stop too suddenly. Make sure that the person behind you has enough time to realize you're stopping, or they might rear end you.
  • Question
    How do I overcome my fear of driving?
    Community Answer
    Have someone drive you to a safe open area free of pedestrians and other cars. Hop in the car and just drive. You'll get a feel of the wheel after you practice a bit in an open space.
  • Question
    Is it more difficult to drive a manual transmission or automatic transmission?
    Community Answer
    Manual transmission requires the use of three pedals and timing for the clutch to engage gears. Therefore, a manual transmission is more complex and more difficult to drive than a car with an automatic transmission.
  • Question
    How do I drive downhill?
    Community Answer
    You have to release the acceleration pedal and concentrate more on the brake pedal to help regulate your speed.
  • Question
    How do I drive in traffic?
    Community Answer
    Keep an eye on your speed. If traffic is very slow (to a point where you must stop the car), make sure you have a good amount of space in front of your car. (Tip: When slowing down and coming to a stop, look at the car in front for yours back tire and stop when you see the bottom of their tires meet your car's hood.)
  • Question
    What can I do if I'm driving down a hill and my brakes fail?
    Community Answer
    Concentrate on steering and pump the brakes. If that fails, use your hand brake/emergency brake.
  • Question
    How many pedals are in an automatic car?
    Community Answer
    There are 2 pedals: the gas pedal which moves the car, and the brake that slows or stops the car.
  • Question
    How do I know when to switch gears while driving a manual car?
    Community Answer
    Get familiar with the tachometer. This indicates revolutions per minute (RPMs) and will help you know when to shift gears. Eventually you will know exactly when to shift based on the sounds of your engine, and you won't even need to look at this dial.
  • Question
    How do I reverse park?
    Community Answer
    Begin about 3-5 feet perpendicular to a parking spot about 2 ahead of the one you want to park in, and start backing up. Begin to turn when you see the right line in your right hand side mirror, using the right line to guide you. When you see the left line in your left hand mirror, use both lines to guide you into the parking spot while backing up.
  • Question
    Do I need to shift gears while turning?
    Community Answer
    Depends on your vehicle's RPM. If the RPM of the vehicle gets too low, then shift down. If it's too high, then shift up.
  • Question
    How old do you have to be to get a permit?
    Community Answer
    It depends the state you live in. In most states, it's 15 or 16.
  • Question
    How do I make a turn and keep the car on the left side after turning?
    Community Answer
    Turn a little sharper turn than normal, then adjust the direction the car is going.
  • Question
    What do I have to do to pass the driving test at the DMV?
    Community Answer
    Demonstrate knowledge of how to operate a motor vehicle safely and proficiently as well as demonstrate knowledge of common traffic laws and rules of the road.
  • Question
    I'm 67 years old and kind of nervous. Should I learn to drive, or listen to friends who tell me I'm too old?
    Community Answer
    You are the best judge of your capabilities, no one else. You're never too old to learn a new skill. Be confident and sign up for driving lessons. If teenagers learn to do it easily, so can you.
  • Question
    With a manual transmission, how do I slowly move along in heavy traffic when the road is hilly and steep? Does it require special coordination among pedals and hand brakes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Adjusting heavily between the clutch and accelerator pedal is a must. Using the brakes when in a prolonged stop and using the E-brake to free your acceleration foot is a good skill to have to not roll back into the vehicles behind you and to prevent you from stepping to hard on the gas.
  • Question
    Which lane do I drive in?
    Community Answer
    Depends on the country; in some countries you drive on the left, and others the right.
  • Question
    How hard do I press the accelerator to get the car to run?
    Community Answer
    It doesn't take much pressure. Don't do it quickly, be steady and consistent with your pedal-pressing.
  • Question
    How do I get good clutch control?
    Community Answer
    Practice. The more you drive your manual transmission, the better your control will be. Challenge yourself on hilly terrain when you're feeling more comfortable. Try to get a feel for when the gear starts engaging as well.
  • Question
    Can I make a left turn at a red light?
    Community Answer
    Making a left turn at a red light is illegal and dangerous. However, turning right after stopping at a red light is legal in some states.
  • Question
    Do I have to have confidence to drive?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You need a balance of confidence and caution to be a safe driver.
  • Question
    What is a good way to maintain the speed limit?
    Community Answer
    Press the accelerator until you're holding enough RPM to maintain your speed, making minute adjustments for inclines and depressions in the road. Another way to do it would be to use the Cruise Control feature in your vehicle if equipped.
  • Question
    Where is the emergency break normally located?
    Community Answer
    The emergency break is generally located on the right hand side of the drivers seat. It may also be a pedal on the far left driver's side floor that you engage with your foot.
  • Question
    How do I shift gears?
    Community Answer
    With a manual transmission, take your foot off the gas, press the clutch pedal, move shifter to desired gear, then slowly let off the clutch as you start to press the gas.
  • Question
    How do I drive a car with an automatic transmission?
    Community Answer
    Just put it in D for drive and then proceed as normal. Foot on the gas to accelerate and foot on brake to stop, if needed.
  • Question
    When the car is at speed, what should I to reduce the speed?
    John822
    Community Answer
    To slow down or stop the car, you press the brake pedal.
  • Question
    How do I know I'm not going over the lines while driving?
    Community Answer
    When driving (or parking next to a curb on the right), the center hood ornament or just the center of the hood works as a good reference point to tell where the right tires are located. When the right line (or the line of the curb) appears to intersect with the center of the hood, your car's right tires will be positioned about 3-6 inches away from that line or the curb.
  • Question
    I want to learn driving, can I just pick any car and drive?
    Curtis Fairgrieve
    Community Answer
    Don't just pick any car for the sake of driving, stick to a smaller, lower-powered car first before you move onto a larger, high-powered vehicle. They are easier to drive, practice maneuvers, have better fuel economy and most likely will be cheaper to insure. The Ferrari parked in the garage can wait until you can competently drive the Ford first.
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