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Driving A Car
These are some personal notes on a set of videos by Conduite Facile. They are a wonderful breakdown of pretty much every skill that one needs to drive.
We've only focused on the full-length English versions here, but almost all of them are available in French and Spanish as well. We have also renamed a few of the videos and organized them into some general categories to make them easier to search through and digest. If you need more information, such as diagrams to aid you in the recognition of common street signs, consult the driver's manual for your local area. Tips for basic car maintenance and repair will be covered elsewhere.
If you would like another viewpoint on many of the same topics, a couple of other interesting channels are Zutobi Drivers Ed and Advance Driving School.
Psychology
• How to Overcome the Fear of Driving
• Driving Stories - The Kid
Setting Up
• Setting Up Before Driving - Seat and Mirrors
• Setting Up Before Driving - Steering Wheel and Seat Belt
Vision & Defensive Driving
• How to Stay Centered in Your Lane - Driving Tips
• Safe Distances When Driving - Part 1
• Safe Distances When Driving - Part 2
• Safe Distances When Driving - Part 3
• Safe Distances When Driving - Part 4
• Safe Distances When Driving - Part 5
• Vision in Driving - Part 1: Visual Field / Focus
• Vision In Driving - Part 2: View Blockers
• Vision in Driving - Part 3: Getting The Big Picture
• Vision In Driving - Part 4: More View Blockers
• Blind Spots - Part 1: What Are Blind Spots?
• Blind Spots - Part 2: When To Check Them / Assistants
• Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 1
• Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 2
• Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 3
Communicating When Driving
• Communicating When Driving - Turn Signals
• Communication When Driving - Hazards and Other Lights
• Communicating When Driving - The Horn
Speed
• Speed - How to Control Your Speed
• Speed - Zones and Speed Limits
Stops & Lights
• Stops - Part 1: Introduction
• Stops - Part 2: 2-Way Stops
• Stops - Part 3: 4-Way Stops
• Yellow Lights
Changing Lanes
• How To Merge On The Highway / Freeway - Part 1
• How To Merge On The Highway / Freeway - Part 2
• How to Exit a Highway / Freeway
• Highway / Freeway Panels Explained
Turning
• How to Turn: Vision (The Most Important Thing)
• How to Turn the Steering Wheel
• How to Adjust Your Speed When Turning
• Turning Right at a Red Light
• How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 1
• How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 2
• How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 3
• How to Turn Left at an Intersection
• How To Take Tight Turns
• How to Do a U-Turn
• Three Point Turn
Reversing
• How to Reverse
• How To Use Reverse Cameras
Parking
• How To Turn the Steering Wheel at Different Types of Parkings
45-degrees
• 45 Degree Parking to the Front - The Normal Way (To the Left and Right)
• How To Park at 45 Degrees To The Right
• Parking 45 Degrees - Front, To The Left
• Parking 45 Degrees - Backing Up
90-degrees
• Parking 90 degrees - Front
• 90 Degrees Parking - How to Correct Yourself
• 90 Degrees Parking - How to Correct Yourself - Method 2
• 90 Degrees Parking to The Right, Front - The "Normal Way"
• Parking 90 Degrees to the Front - To the Right
• Parking 90 Degrees to the Front - To the Left
• How To: Easy Parking 90° Backing Up
• Easy Parking 90 Degrees Backing Up - Version 2.0
• 90 Degrees Parking - Backing Up - The Diagonal Method
• How To Reverse Park at 90 degrees With A Reverse Camera
• 90 Degrees Parking to the Right, Reversing - The "Normal Way"
• How to Exit a Parking Spot - 90 Degrees and Parallel
Parallel
• How To: Easy Parallel Parking
• Parallel Parking - 2 Tips to Make It Easier
• Parallel Parking - Aligning Yourself Properly
• Parallel Parking - The Right Distances
• How To: Easy Parallel Parking (Curb Parking) - Version 2.0
• Parallel Parking (Curb Parking) - How To Correct Yourself
• Parallel Parking From the Front
• How to Parallel Park to the Left
• Parallel Parking - Verifications / Safety Steps
• How To Parallel Park Between Cones - Part 1
• How To Parallel Park Between Cones - Part 2
• Parallel Parking: Too Far or too Close to the Curb?
• Parallel Parking With a Reverse Camera - To the Right
Tight Spots
• How To Parallel Park In A Tight Spot - Part 1
• How To Parallel Park In A Tight Spot - Part 2
• How To Park In a Garage / Tight Space - In Reverse
• Parking in a Tight Spot: From the Front - With an Obstacle
• Parking in a Tight Spot: Reversing - With an Obstacle
Specific Circumstances
• How To Deal With Emergency Vehicles - Part 1
• How To Deal With Emergency Vehicles - Part 2
• Driving At Night - Part 1
• Driving At Night - Part 2
• Driving At Night - Part 3
• How to Drive In the Rain - Part 1
• How to Drive In the Rain - Part 2
Learners & New Drivers, Driving Exam
• 10 Tips For New Drivers - Part 1
• 10 Tips For New Drivers - Part 2
• How to Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 1
• How to Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 2
• How To Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 3
• 7 Tips For The Driving Exam - Part 1
• 7 Tips For The Driving Exam - Part 2
• Driving Exam - Verifications Inside and Outside
• Driving Exam - 4 Tips To Be Less Nervous
• How to Change Lanes - Tips for the Driving Exam
• How to Change Lanes - Part 2
• 5 Tips For New Drivers - Part 1
• 5 Tips For New Drivers - Part 2
• 5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Flashers
• 5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Highways
• 5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Markings On The Asphalt
• 5 Tips For New Drivers - Hand Brake
• 3 Tips For New Drivers - Roundabouts
• Driving an Automatic Transmission Vehicle - Part 1
• Driving an Automatic Transmission Vehicle - Part 2
• How to Drive a Manual Transmission - Part 1
• How to Drive a Manual Transmission - Part 2
• Exam: How to Deal With Unexpected Stuff
• Exam: How to Make Your Driving Exam Easier
• Exam: 5 Common Misconceptions About The Driving Exam
• Exam: Other People's Mistakes At the Driving Exam - Part 1
• Exam: Other People's Mistakes at the Driving Exam - Part 2
• Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 1
• Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 2
• Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 3
• Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 4
• Driving As A Learner - Part 1
• Driving As A Learner - Part 2
• Accompanied Driving
How to Overcome the Fear of Driving
[Video Link]
Fear is imaginary, even if we feel physical sensations like sweating, heart palpitations, trembling, etc.
See it as an opportunity to practice and gradually start to do more of that activity.
Start with the least challenging aspect and then move on to the most (i.e.: a "Fear Ladder"). We can also split challenging goals into a series of simplier tasks.
For example...
Lane Changes
1. Practicing on mostly empty streets
2. Practicing on moderately busy streets
3. Practicing on a busy street at rush hour
Driving Next To Trucks
1. Practicing on streets with fewer trucks
2. Practicing in an industrial zone with trucks everywhere
3. Practicing overtaking trucks without staying in their blind spots too long
[Note: We should keep a distance of one car between us and the back of a truck, even when stopped.]
Highways/Freeways
1. Practicing at quiet times
2. Practicing at busier times
Stay within the same lane for awhile, and then start changing lanes more often. People might find entering and exiting the highway more challenging than actually driving on it.
A List of Potentially Challenging Driving Situations:
• Cyclists, pedestrians, and commercial streets that have a lot of both
• Emergency vehicles
• Busy downtown areas
• Rush hour
• Tunnels, bridges
• Driving larger vehicles or those with manual transmission
• Driving at night or in inclement weather (e.g.: heavy rain or snow)
Exposure to these different situations is important. Combine them whenever possible. Start with short practice sessions and then go longer. Do several 20 minute sessions a week.
Do not fear your past experiences (including car accidents, whether you were the driver or a passenger). Correct any mistakes. Visualize yourself feeling calm and driving well. Keep your breathing relaxed throughout.
Driving Stories - The Kid
[Video Link]
A kid fell into the street while rollerblading along the bike lane. He curled up into a ball out of pain so that his head and feet were not visible. The sheer material of his windbreaker made it seem as if he was a garbage bag lying in the road. He would have died had a driver ran over him without thinking.
Moral of the Story: Do NOT run over things in the street, whether that be bags, bottles, cardboard boxes, piles of dead leaves, puddles of water, potholes, and so on.
Bags and boxes might contain metal shards or broken glass that can cause flat tires, or heavy objects that can damage the vehicle. They might also get stuck underneath the car as you drive.
Puddles of water might hide deep potholes that can also cause damage.
If an obstacle is unavoidable and you cannot go around it without changing lanes, gradually slow down before you stop in front of it, and then change lanes whenever you can do it safely.
If a pothole is off to the side and avoidable while staying in your lane, then do so. If it is near the middle of the lane and small enough, try to center it between your wheels so that you do not hit it. If it is a large pothole, then do the same as you would with an unavoidable obstacle (i.e.: gradually slow down before coming to a stop, and then change lanes whenever it can be done safely).
Do NOT make impulsive maneuvers, like braking or swerving too suddenly. Again, slow to a stop as necessary.
There are still things to learn about driving, even if you already have a license.
Setting Up Before Driving - Seat and Mirrors
[Video Link]
When first entering the car, put the key in the ignition without actually turning it. This keeps it from being misplaced and allows both hands to be free.
Adjust the position of the seat before adjusting the mirrors.
The lever for moving the seat backwards and forwards might be along the front of it or off to its side. Squeeze it, move into position, and then release it while making sure that it is locked in place. Our arms and legs should be slighly bent.
The lever for changing the angle of the seat back is usually where it meets the seat itself. The lever for adjusting the seat height may be in front of it. Or, the location of these two levers might be reversed.
The seat back should not be too straight. There should be a little bit of distance (around the width of a fist) between the back of our head and the headrest. This allows us to have some space to look around while driving. The top of the headrest should be aligned with the top of our head.
Do NOT adjust the seat while driving. This can be dangerous (e.g.: if the seat suddenly slides back and we can no longer reach the brake pedal). In an automatic vehicle, the car will move if the brake is not fully pressed down while it is in "drive". Therefore, pull over to the side of the road before adjusting.
The tab on the bottom of the rear-view mirror is not for adjusting. We can pull on it to keep from being blinded when the car behind us has their high-beam headlights on. Grab the outer edge of the rear-view mirror to adjust it, but avoid touching the glass and getting fingerprints all over it. Position it so that you can see as much of rear window as possible.
The side mirrors may be controlled with buttons or little levers. The buttons might be on the door or near the steering wheel. It may also have a switch to select either the right or left mirror, and then a separate button that controls the direction that you want to move it. The switch could have an "off" position, so if doesn't seem to move, that might be why.
Position the side mirrors so that a little of the back of the vehicle is visible. This can help gauge your distance from other cars. This is particularly useful for 90-degree parking while backing up.
Do not lean your body forward while adjusting the side mirrors. Stay in the position that you will be when driving so that the angle stays consistent. If you have to reach over to adjust the passenger-side mirror, sit back after adjusting it to check that it is good. Repeat this process as necessary.
Setting Up Before Driving - Steering Wheel and Seat Belt
[Video Link]
The lever for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel is usually underneath the wheel or a little off to its side. Make sure that the steering wheel is not too close to your legs. They must be able to move freely to reach the pedals.
Some vehicles also allow us to pull or push on the wheel itself to bring it closer or farther away. The wheel should be at least 12 inches (25-30 cm) away from us. This is to prevent injury from the force of the airbag upon release. This is also the reason why children should NOT sit in the passenger seat. The airbag could literally kill them. Have them sit in the back seat with a seat belt on (in a child safety seat if appropriate).
The seat belt needs to be well-buckled and worn properly. Do not put anything between the seat belt and your body (e.g.: a cell phone within a chest pocket). Make sure that the belt itself is not twisted in any way. During an accident, the edge of a twisted seat belt can dig into the body like a knife and cause harm. Likewise, the belt should not be too loose on the top or bottom.
As you put it on, pull on the buckle and keep tension on the belt as you click it into place. It should be snug on both the top and bottom, and completely flat against the body. If the car has a height adjustment for the seat belt, move it as needed.
Make sure everyone within the car is wearing a seat belt before driving. Some places will hold the driver responsible for everyone else within the car!
How to Stay Centered in Your Lane - Driving Tips
[Video Link]
Point #1: Vision
Where are your eyes focused as you try to stay centered in your lane? Looking at the lines on the road to guide ourselves can be misleading (e.g.: looking at the lines to the left might make us drive too close to the left, and looking at the lines to the right might make us drive too close to the right). Instead, look into the distance at the very center of your lane, even when the road is curving.
We can imagine a vertical line rising straight up from the horizon at that point in order to help visualize it.
However, do NOT stare or allow your awareness to drift off. Look everywhere, but only for brief intervals so that you can carefully take in what is going on all around you.
Do not focus too intently on the car in front of you to the point where you mimic their actions (e.g.: drifting if they start drifting).
Some places have "Move Over" laws: Whenever possible, you have to leave an entire lane between your car and any emergency vehicles off to the side when passing them.
For example, some people stare at accidents on the side of the road and begin to drift towards them as a result. Those laws are intended to prevent that!
Do not focus on the curb when going around a circular median. Likewise, if you stare at the guardrail around the circular exit of a highway, then you might hit it. Again, look towards the center of your lane instead.
Point #2: Steering
Always keep both hands on the steering wheel. Do not drive with one hand.
Hands should be level at the "10:10 Position" like the arms of an analogue clock. If one hand is lower on the steering wheel, sometimes people will drift to that side as the wheel is pulled in that direction by the weight of the hand.
Stay relaxed. Sometimes people grip the steering wheel too tightly, particularly when they are stressed or scared.
Examples of Drifting Out of Fear:
• It might make a person nervous to see a vehicle coming towards them from the adjacent lane to the point where they drift in the opposite direction in an attempt to avoid it.
• A person might drift in the opposite direction of concrete barriers off to one side of the road because they are afraid of hitting them.
Unless something is wrong with the car, swerving usually only happens when people are manipulating the wheel too much. If it persists, make sure that each tire has the correct tire pressure. A car can drift towards a tire that is flatter because the car might lean over to that side. If there is something wrong with the steering mechanism of the car, take it to a mechanic to get fixed.
Safe Distances When Driving - Part 1
[Video Link]
Usually, we should keep 2-3 seconds between ourselves and the vehicle in front of us. If the road is slippery (e.g.: due to inclement weather), then it should be 3-4 seconds or more. The same is true for when driving behind motorcyclists and others who are vulnerable in some way.
Important Notes:
• Distances are measured in seconds instead of a length (like feet, yards, or meters) because it changes with speed! For example, 3 seconds while driving on a city street at 50km/hr is 42m, whereas 3 seconds while driving on a freeway at 100km/hr is 84 meters. Even though it is the same amount of time in both instances, the latter is double the distance because we are moving twice as fast.
• Begin counting from zero (like a stopwatch)! If we begin counting from 1 up to 3, then we are only counting for 2 seconds, not 3. For example, when the car in front of us passes some reference point, start counting: 0, 1, 2, 3. Once we hit 3, we should be passing that same point.
Some places have angle brackets (<) painted on the road to help everyone gauge distances. When driving at the speed limit, we will need to see two of them between ourselves and the vehicle in front of us.
When stopping behind another vehicle at a stop or red light, always leave enough distance to completely see the back wheels of their vehicle. If the vehicle is large (like a truck or bus), then always leave the distance of one car between yourself and them. We do not want to get hit if their car moves backward!
If a car is tailgating (i.e.: driving too close to you), then pull over to the side and let them pass if you can. Do not speed up in response. Stay driving at the appropriate speed limit.
When turning next to an obstacle, do not turn the wheel too early. If we still see the obstacle through the front window when we start turning around it, then we risk hitting it. Instead, only start turning when that obstacle is aligned with your side mirror. Keep the wheels straight until then.
Try to keep a distance of at least 1 meter (~3 feet, or about half the width of a normal sized car) between the side of your vehicle and the obstacle when turning.
The closer we are to an obstacle, the more that we have to move forward before turning. For example, if one has to turn when half a meter away from the obstacle, then they would wait to turn when it is in the middle of their side window, not past their side mirror.
We should never be less than half a meter from an obstacle when turning, unless we absolutely have no other choice.
Safe Distances When Driving - Part 2
[Video Link]
The only way to gauge safe distances from vehicles parked on the side of the road is from experience. However, so long as they are parked properly on either side, then we should be fine if we stay centered in our lane. Be careful around vehicles that might be sticking out.
If a street is too narrow, then parking will often be forbidden on one or both sides. Whatever the case, use caution when driving a larger than average vehicle (e.g.: a pickup truck, SUV, etc.). Move slower and do not swerve. If we are unsure if there is enough room for our vehicle to fit, then we should take another route if at all possible.
If a vehicle has foldable side mirrors, fold them inward when parking off to the side of the road, especially if it is narrow.
When the street is covered in snow and the lines are no longer visible, use the tracks made by other vehicles as a guide.
We should be fine passing larger vehicles (like delivery trucks) so long as they are completely within their lane and we are centered within ours. However, stay aware of movement and be prepared to slow down and brake (e.g.: if the driver appears from around the front of the vehicle).
Also take note of the parked vehicles themselves (e.g.: if their wheels are turned or their turn signal is on). They might start to pull into your lane.
If we are on a street with multiple lanes, we can move over more whenever necessary (similar to the "move over" law).
If we have to cross the yellow line and enter into the adjacent lane to avoid an obstacle, then we should make sure there is no oncoming traffic first.
When two vehicles approach on a tight street, watever vehicle has room to move to the side should make way for the other to pass. Look ahead, anticipate when and where you might need to move.
Like turning, always try to keep at least a meter between the vehicle and anything to the side of it. Increase this distance as necessary. For example, when passing cyclists at 50km/hr or less, be at least a meter away from them, and at least a meter and a half when driving faster than that. Again, as long as a cyclist in within their lane, we should be fine if we are centered within ours.
If there are enough lanes, move over if a cyclist is within your lane. If there is not enough room, do not force it. Cyclists will usually move over to the side if there is enough space within the lane. Be aware that if a cyclist is waiting to the right at a stop light, then they may come into your lane to avoid the parked cars or other obstacles across the intersection once it turns green.
These same principles apply to others who may be vulnerable (pedestrians, skateboarders, rollerbladers, etc.).
How narrow streets can get depends upon the location (e.g.: some old roads in Europe are intended for horse carts and may be less wide).
Safe Distances When Driving - Part 3
[Video Link]
When approaching a tight space, slow down as much as needed. The tighter the space and the closer you get to other vehicles, the more you will need to slow down.
If necessary, stop at the tightest point to carefully judge distances. When driving an automatic, we should keep our foot on the brake and lift it slightly to move. When driving a manual, we should only accelerate lightly while keeping the clutch depressed so that we are prepared to brake.
Judging the distance that something is from the driver's side is easier than trying to determine the distance something is from the passenger's side.
If a car is around the same height and size as your vehicle, then you should be able to see the door handle through the passenger side window at all times as you slowly pass it. We might be too close if we cannot see it anymore. As another example, when the right taillight appears in the lower right corner of the windshield, the middle of that vehicle should line up with the bottom of the passenger side window. However, be very careful when using those kinds of reference points. They can vary quite a bit.
When passing between two vehicles, be aware of anything that is protruding, such as your side mirrors. If one of the vehicles has higher side mirrors, then the side mirrors of the lower one might be able to pass underneath them.
Similarly, if we can reach over and fold the side mirror on the driver's side, then we can move closer to anything on that side of the vehicle.
If we get the impression that a space is too tight, we can look at the vehicle in front of us within the same lane and compare its size to ours. For example, a bus is wider than a compact car, so the latter will fit if the former does. We can also use the cars off to the side to estimate the width of the space.
Stay centered as you move slowly through. Straighten out before reaching the back bumper of the vehicle that you are about to pass, so that you don't crash into them.
Scan the space around the vehicle and take note of any movement. If someone pops out from behind it while we are passing through a tight space, we might have very little time to react. The same is true if someone suddenly opens up a door, so check to see if people are inside the vehicle while approaching.
If you are not sure if you have enough room at a right turn during a red light, then just wait.
When approaching an area that seems tight, change lanes or take a detour. Sometimes it will be obvious that there is no room.
Accurately determining distance has many factors (such as your height and depth perception, the size of your vehicle, etc.). Even experienced drivers may take some time to adapt when switching from a smaller to a larger vehicle.
Practice by going somewhere like a parking lot, stopping next to vehicles of different sizes at a safe distance, and then get out and look at how far your vehicle is from them. Again, reference points will vary greatly depending on the size of the person and vehicle.
Get an idea of the dimensions of different types of vehicles.
Safe Distances When Driving - Part 4
[Video Link]
Ideally, tight streets are one-way. Scan for traffic signs (such as a "Do Not Enter" or "Wrong Way" sign perpendicular to that street, or a "One Way" arrow parallel to that street). We can only enter a street if we are going in the proper direction.
One Way signs will usually be on both ends of a street, while a Wrong Way or Do Not Enter sign will only be on the exit (i.e.: the end of the street that that we cannot access).
Tight two-way streets that are short and straight are not an issue because we can see down them, but it is important to look ahead and carefully anticipate when driving down tight two-way streets that are long and curved....Although, looking ahead and carefully anticipating is always important when driving in general.
Keep an eye out for people and spot places where you can pull aside if you need to yield. If two vehicles approach each other, whomever is closest to a spot where they can move will be the one who will have to yield.
Always look at the state of vehicles parked to the side of the road. Some things to keep in mind:
• If the lights are on (i.e.: brake lights, reverse lights, turn signals, etc.)
• If there are people inside the vehicles
• If the front wheel is turned towards the street
Move slowly and be ready to stop near active vehicles.
Scan the sidewalks and surrounding areas from afar to make sure that no pedestrians pop out from in-between parked cars. This is one of the reasons why we cannot stop or park next to schools during school hours. The same is true for some parks.
Always be on the lookout when approaching intersections, alleyways, doorways, or other areas where people could pop out with little notice. We should keep an eye on those spots until we have passed them. Again, tight spots do not allow for much movement or time to react, and the people coming out of those areas may not have the best visibility.
Tight two-way streets are usually more common in small towns, but can exist in larger cities as well. Whatever the case, slow down as much as needed and always be ready to brake. Look for spots to pull over in order to yield whenever necessary.
Safe Distances When Driving - Part 5
[Video Link]
When following a vehicle that is going to turn, do not assume that they will turn at regular speed. For example, the driver may stop at the last moment if there is a pedestrian that they did not see.
When a car signals that it is about to turn, scan ahead to see if there are any cyclists, pedestrians, or other people moving down the adjacent sidewalk, bike lane, etc. Always be prepared to slow down or stop if needed. Keep a safe distance from a turning vehicle to allow for time to react. Note that some vehicles are tall and may obscure oncoming people.
Sometimes a driver may keep alternating between braking and accelerating, and/or make sudden stops. This happens a lot with taxis, delivery vehicles, etc. (i.e.: anytime where the driver of that vehicle would probably be looking for addresses). A taxi may also stop suddenly when somebody hails it, so keep this in mind when following one.
If we need to go around a stopped vehicle, we should leave enough room in-between before stopping behind them (i.e.: the length of at least one car between ourselves and that vehicle). This makes it easier to move around them, and moreover, lets us see ahead to make sure that there are no oncoming vehicles in the opposite lane. If we get too close, we cannot see ahead of the vehicle.
Normally, we should not be crossing over solid lines, but moving around stopped vehicles is an exception.
If we come to a street and there are vehicles blocking traffic (e.g.: work trucks), we should give them plenty of space to move around instead of pulling up close to them. Do not worry about the cars waiting behind you. This same principle applies if there is someone moving around on the street and you are unsure of where they want to go (e.g.: they might be trying to parallel park). Give them some space before moving forward. Make sure their reverse lights are not on before passing them. We do not want them to accidently back up into our vehicle.
Always keep an eye out for the reverse lights of any vehicles that are turned away from you!
Some places with tight streets have mirrors near turns and intersections so that we can see if any cars are coming from the opposite direction. They also help us to check for parked vehicles.
If at all possible, do not park too close to a curve on a tight street. Any oncoming vehicles may only see it at the last moment as they turn the bend and run into it. There may be No Parking signs within an area for that reason. If absolutely necessary, park on the outside of the curve where it is wider so that the vehicle can be seen from farther away.
Sometimes the horn is used to express frustration. However, in some places with tight streets, it is used to communicate one's presence (e.g.: lightly pressing on once or twice when approaching a curve). A person might also honk in reply. At night, one can flash their high-beams instead. Note that some places have laws that limit the use of the horn.
Be prepared for anything by driving with caution. Look out for people who might be vulnerable (e.g.: pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). Be especially aware of those with disabilities (e.g.: blind pedestrians) or with erratic movements (e.g.: seem sick or on drugs). Give them space. [He tells a story of two people that seemed to be struggling when crossing the street. Suddenly, one of them had an epileptic seizure and fell backwards into the road.]
Vision in Driving - Part 1: Visual Field / Focus
[Video Link]
Visual Acuity refers to someone's eyesight, whereas Vision is where they are looking, what they are focusing on, how far and wide they look, and so on.
Swerving, turning too wide, and braking too late, are common problems. The source of problems in driving is often Vision, not what one's hands and feet are doing. The eyes send messages to the brain, which then controls the hands and feet.
Some teachers do not know how to explain this. Their Vision has become a habit that they use automatically. Some examples:
| What The Accompanying Driver Says |
What They Mean |
| "Turn the steering wheel more." |
"Look farther into the curve and not directly in front of you." |
| "Just try to stay centered." |
"Don't look at the lines on the street to guide yourself. Look far and wide." |
| "Watch where you're going." |
"Don't look at the asphalt three feet in front of you. Lift your eyes." |
Our Visual Field is everything that we see. It has two parts:
Fixation Point / Focus - What we are looking at directly
Peripheral Vision - The area surrounding the Focus
Experienced drivers take in their whole Visual Field. They do not focus on what they are scared of hitting.
However, the eyes are only able to focus on a small part of our Visual Field at a time. We continually shift our focus around. [He uses the example of a text message on a phone in front of us. We can read it when we are focused in on it, but we can only see general movement through our Peripheral Vision.]
We need to be constantly looking around when driving. For example, when looking far ahead into a turn, we still take note of what is going on to either side of us with our Peripheral Vision. If someone were to pop out from behind a car, then we would still see it, shift our Focus towards it, and be able to react appropriately.
Use Peripheral Vision to keep aware of the entire environment. Periodically shift the Focus around and then come back to center. He gives an example filled with important points to stay aware of:
• We see vehicles pulling up to stops on streets perpendicular to ours and make sure that they do not run them.
• We see pedestrians on the adjacent sidewalk and make sure that they do not walk or run out into the street.
• We see pedestrians approaching intersections that we are turning into. If they reach it at the same time, give them "priority" (i.e.: allow them to cross before turning).
• We see a vehicle turning in front of us, and make sure that there is no vehicle that is hidden behind it, moving towards us from the opposite direction. A vehicle that is going straight as we turn has "priority".
• We see the state of traffic lights (e.g.: making sure that it is green before turning).
Like crossing the street on foot, look back-and-forth along the street that you are turning into to make sure that it is safe. Sweep the entire Visual Field.
Again, look ahead to see what is coming up. Do not stare at what is directly in front of the vehicle. For example, we might be able to see children playing within a residential area off in the distance and can anticipate it, instead of braking at the last moment.
In general, do not stare. Keep the eyes moving all along the Visual Field when driving, including when focusing on mirrors, blind spots, the speedometer, etc. Give them a quick glance and then look back at the road.
We need to turn our entire head and look around when turning. Do not just roll the eyes. We need to be able to see where we need to go!
Instead of "look at where you are going", think "look at where you need to go". If a person is moving towards a vehicle and they just stare at it, then they will probably end up hitting it.
Life advice: "Don't look at the problem. Look at the solution."
Vision In Driving - Part 2: View Blockers
[Video Link]
Sometimes people pull up until they are aligned with the vehicles parked on the side of the street and slowly advance until they can see past them to check for oncoming traffic. In situations where we are in a more elevated position or where there are large gaps between vehicles on level ground, it is better to stop and wait farther back. This allows for a wider view of the area without being blocked by those parked cars.
For oncoming traffic, one might be able to see the tops of cars if they are higher than those parked, or see them moving between the gaps of the parked vehicles or through their windows. Large vehicles, like buses or trucks, might also be visible from farther away. When there seems to be no more vehicles coming, slowly advance and check again before entering the street.
When turning next to a wall or obstacle, get as far as possible to the opposite direction and point the vehicle a bit in that direction. Even a small distance and shallow angle can make a big difference. It allows one to see farther around the corner to make sure that there is no oncoming traffic. It also makes it possible for any drivers coming around the corner to see us sooner so that they do not hit us.
If we want to turn right, but something is blocking our view to the left, we should already be turning the wheel as we slowly advance. Like the above situation with the wall, even a slight angle can help us to see more around the obstacle to the left. If an obstacle is blocking anyone from entering that lane and there are no cars parked within it, we might be able to turn into that lane to get a better view within our left mirror before entering into the adjacent lane with oncoming traffic. However, we still have to carefully check around the obstacle before turning to make sure that no approaching vehicle is trying to park in that lane!
At a two-way stop (i.e.: a T-shaped intersection where we are stopped but the vehicles to the left and right are not), we have to slowly advance until we are far enough to see past the parked cars in both directions. If we can already see well to both sides, then we should not advance more than is needed (i.e.: avoid blocking sidewalks or other lanes whenever possible).
Hills can also block our view. If one is turning left while approaching a downhill slope, then they should approach slowly in case there is a vehicle going straight that is not visible over the crest of the hill. Similarly, we should never overtake another vehicle while on a hill. It could lead to a head-on collision with a vehicle in the opposite lane.
Vision in Driving - Part 3: Getting The Big Picture
[Video Link]
Beginner drivers often focus so much on a single thing that they do not see anything else. It is usually a small point straight in front of them, or something that scares them.
Good advice: "Getting the big picture" in life means to stop focusing so much on individual details so as to get a better overall idea of what you need to do.
Analogy: Find an unknown location on a map, and then relate it to places within the general vicinity that you've been to before. Build context.
We should not be looking too close in front of ourselves or staring at anything. Look both far and wide, and keep the eyes moving. This allows the brain to gauge where everything is in relation to one another, and will help us to make the appropriate movements.
Do not make excuses (e.g.: "I don't know this road"). We will constantly be driving on roads that we may not know. Therefore, we have to learn how to analyze roads in general.
Reflections on parked vehicles can sometimes help us to determine if pedestrians are approaching on the sidewalk. Likewise, reflections within shop windows can sometimes help us to see approaching vehicles. Show windows can also help us to gauge our distance from other vehicles when parking.
Three types of people for whom driving should be easier:
• Cyclists
• Players of Team Sports
• Players of Video Games
All of these involve visual exploration and hand-eye coordination.
Driving is constantly analyzing and reacting to what we see (e.g.: the light is green, there is a car entering my lane, there is a pedestrian about to cross, there is a cyclist behind that car, periodically check my mirrors, etc.).
Cyclists, and anyone else who uses the road in a similar manner, have some idea of the skills necessary to drive (e.g.: constantly scanning one's visual field and reacting to it, judging distances between vehicles and obstacles, reacting to traffic signs, understanding the concept of braking before turning, etc.). The only difference is the type of vehicle. As long as they are involved in traffic and not just moving on the sidewalk, then it applies.
Team sports require one to keep in mind the location of a ball/puck, the locations of their teammates, and the location of a goal, all while keeping in mind the current play. It is a "big picture" view. Video games can be similar, but it happens on a screen.
We can visualize ourselves within different situations so that we can become better prepared to handle them. VR could be a useful tool for doing that as well.
Vision In Driving - Part 4: More View Blockers
[Video Link]
Be especially aware of traffic signs hidden by obstacles. A couple of examples:
• We know that we are approaching a traffic light because we can see the intersection ahead. However, there may be obstacles or vehicles on both sides of the street that are blocking our view of it. Therefore, we quickly scan as we pass those obstacles to make sure that it is green before we go.
• Look for stops signs from a distance. Looking for stop lines on the road and the back of a stop sign on the opposite lane can help, but they are not always visible.
In some areas where the visibility of a traffic sign is reduced permanently (e.g.: a stop sign that is hidden behind a bus stop or vegetation), another sign might give us a heads up (e.g.: "Stop Ahead"). Be especially cautious in residential areas. They have a tendency to have more vegetation and may not have any forewarning of hidden stop signs.
There is always a stop when approaching a T-intersection.
A curve may contain a stop, but obstacles (such as bushes) and the curve itself may hide it. Look ahead to see the type of intersection. Constantly scan for signs.
If there are vehicles on the side of the street, especially large trucks, use care. We may need to slow down when passing them, move as much as we can to the opposite side, keep our foot on the brake, and watch the space underneath the vehicle for feet/legs so that no one pops out from the other side of the vehicle without warning.
Look ahead of vehicles that are blocking the view before trying to pass them. We also need to keep a larger distance between ourselves and larger vehicles so that we can see what is ahead of them.
If we are turning and another vehicle is turning in front of us, we need to make sure that there is not a vehicle behind it that is going forward.
Check for lights before entering intersections. Sometimes other vehicles may block their visibility (e.g.: large trucks).
Some parts of our own vehicle may block our view (e.g.: the "pillars" that support the windows and roof, the headrests on the seats, and so on). Those are "blind spots". There are some instances when we will have to move our body from side-to-side in order to get a better view.
With vehicles that have large pillars in the back, we should both look back and check the mirrors to get a wider view when reversing.
When checking the blind spot to the left, we can lean forward and a little to the right to get as wide a view as possible.
Some view blockers are within our control. Some examples: If we are using a smartphone holder on the windshield, we must position it so that it does not block the view. Likewise, do not hang things on the rear view mirror. It can block the view when turning right. Do not overstuff a vehicle when moving. We have to be able to see through the windows, especially when changing lanes! Do not wear clothes that block the view (e.g.: a hood). Keep a pair of sunglasses within the vehicle to make it easier to see on sunny days and reduce glare (e.g.: when light is shining on wet asphalt).
Blind Spots - Part 1: What Are Blind Spots?
[Video Link]
"Blind spots" are what we do NOT see in our mirrors. We have to turn our head to check them through the rear passenger windows.
Both large and small vehicles can be hidden by a blind spot. To turn our head enough, our chin will be aligned with our shoulder. Try not to turn the body if it is not needed, as that has a tendency to turn the steering wheel along with it, especially if we are gripping the steering wheel too tightly.
The blind spot to the right is easier to check because there is a wider view. To properly check the blind spot to the left, we may need to lean forward and slightly to the right. If there is some issue that keeps us from being able to turn (e.g.: neck injuries), make this known before the driving exam.
Do not check the blind spot for too long. Quickly take a peek for a fraction of a second, and then look forward again. We only have to make sure that nothing is there before moving into that lane. Looking at where we are going takes priority.
We should always leave a distance of about 2-4 seconds from the vehicle ahead of us, so even if they were to hit their brakes while we are checking our blind spot, we would still have time to react. Likewise, do not enter a lane when the vehicle ahead is still too close.
Smaller vehicles can be harder to see within our blind spot. Similarly, we should not stay within the blind spots of other vehicles, especially large trucks. If we can quickly overtake them without going over the speed limit, then we should do so. If not, then we should slow down and get out of their blind spot.
Blind Spots - Part 2: When To Check Them / Assistants
[Video Link]
We must always check blind spots when changing lanes, but we must also do it:
• when turning right (as there might be cyclists, pedestrians, a parked car about to move, etc.)
• when turning left, especially if there is a vehicle parked near the intersection (as it might be blocking our view of an approaching pedestrian or vehicle)
• when parking, before reversing to the side where the vehicle's nose is pointing
Make it a habit of checking them, even in places where it doesn't seem necessary (e.g.: in parking lots, when exiting drive-thrus and gas stations, etc.). But we do not have to check a blind spot if we are not moving in that direction.
Do not rely on "assistants"...
Turning the side mirrors all the way out just shifts the blind spot closer to the vehicle. It doesn't eliminate it. Being able to see a little of our own vehicle within our side mirrors is useful for gauging distances from other vehicles when changing lanes, parking, and so on.
Leaning forward and looking into the side mirror does not work unless a vehicle is already in our blind spot. It also does not work well to the right because the side mirror is farther away from the driver.
Blind spot monitors (i.e.: signals on the side mirrors that light up when someone is in the blind spot), are not always reliable. For example, they may not light up when moving near stopped obstacles, be able to detect smaller vehicles (such as motorcycles), or the sensors might be blocked with debris.
Round blind spot mirrors can be helpful. However, no matter what assistants are used, we still have to check our blind spots. There are many situations where not checking them can lead to accidents (e.g.: when someone is coming towards us from a perpedicular axis, when someone who is also parked on the side of the street pulls out at the same time, when another vehicle is trying to enter the same lane from the other side, etc.).
We have to use our rear view mirror, our side mirrors, and check our blind spots regularly. Again, checking blind spots is not only for changing lanes or seeing things that are already within our blind spots. It also helps us determine what could be there when we decide to move.
Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 1
[Video Link]
During the exam, if the examiner reacts before you do, it usually results in an automatic failure.
In any situation where a pedestrian has priority, always make sure that you know their intention before proceeding. This is especially important at stops where there are no traffic lights guiding the vehicles or pedestrians.
When it isn't clear where a pedestrian wants to go, wait until you are sure. We have to pay close attention even if the pedestrian has a "do not cross" light. Sometimes people walk around without awareness (e.g.: they might be staring at their phone). They might suddenly change directions, walk diagonally across a street instead of at the crosswalk, etc.
If we come to an intersection where a pedestrian has priority and they are waiting, then we should give them a hand sign to show them that we are letting them through. If they wave us through instead, then we can go.
However, never stop and wave through pedestrians when they are J-walking. That is dangerous because:
1. stopping abruptly in the middle of the street can cause a crash, and
2. the vehicles in the adjacent lane may hit the pedestrian as they cross (especially if the vehicle is blocking their view and they suddenly pop out)
Even if the street is one-way and the vehicle is blocking incoming traffic, there are still bike lanes and others that might hit an unexpected pedestrian. Also, we cannot block traffic without a valid reason.
People with reduced mobility (e.g.: pregnant women, people with children, disabled or injured people, the elderly, etc.) may wave us through after we've given them priority. Acknowledge it with a "thank you" wave and carefully proceed. Again, if we come to a stop where a pedestrian has priority:
1. Make eye contact if possible, and make sure that they see you.
2. If they see you, wave them through to show them that you are giving them priority.
3. If they wave you through instead, thank them and go.
If they are not looking at you, watch their body language. If they are standing there doing nothing, then carefully go, but be ready to react to any sudden change.
Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 2
[Video Link]
The main places where pedestrians usually have priority are at intersections and pedestrian crossings. It depends...
In some areas, pedestrian crossings are marked on the road as parallel lines that are either white or yellow:
• White ones exist at intersections where that crossing is protected by a stop sign or traffic light.
• Yellow ones are not protected, but can exist at intersections or anywhere in-between two intersections. Pedestrians always have priority at yellow crosswalks, with few exceptions, like when an emergency vehicle is passing through. Therefore, we would always stop at a yellow crosswalk if there is a pedestrian there. If we have a good view of the crossing and there isn't a pedestrian there, then we do not need to slow down. If there is an obstacle blocking the view, slow down a bit and be prepared to stop in case a pedestrian pops out from behind it.
Some intersections have crosswalks of both colors going in different directions. Pay close attention to which is which.
Whenever approaching a crossing, always look far and wide to see if any pedestrians are about to enter it.
If we are on a two-way street and a pedestrian is coming from the other side, then we still have to stop and give them priority.
Symbols of people walking on a sign or on the asphalt often indicate a school zone. While there are frequently crosswalks within school zones, they are not necessarily synonymous. For example, there can be a symbol of someone walking on a sign near the side of the road to indicate a special lane for pedestrians in areas where there are no sidewalks.
Crosswalks can be indicated by a dashed line beneath the symbol of people walking. These types of signs are particularly important when the parallel lines are not visible (e.g.: because they are faded away, covered by snow, etc.).
Pedestrians are required by law to cross at a crosswalk or intersection, and must yield to traffic if they try to do it anywhere else. However, always stay aware.
Some crosswalks are very busy (like within commercial areas). We have to wait however long it takes for it to clear in both directions before going. Do not focus so much on the side of the street closest to you and forget the pedestrians on the other side of the street.
Pedestrians have priority when turning. At intersections with lights, the light determines the priority. A light with a green arrow pointing ahead means that we can only go forward until the crosswalk is empty. We might also have to wait for a normal green light or a right arrow. Flashing green lights or left arrows when turning left means that the vehicles have priority. Pedestrians will have a red "do not walk" light on their side.
Drivers can turn if there is a green light, even if the walking sign for pedestrians is still on. Just make sure that there are no pedestrians! Rely on the traffic lights. The countdown for the crosswalk might be able to tell you when a traffic light is about to turn yellow though.
Defensive Driving: Pedestrians - Part 3
[Video Link]
• Are you turning left or right?
• Are the pedestrians coming towards you or moving away from you?
• How fast are the pedestrians moving?
• How close are the pedestrians to you?
The answers to these questions determine if it is okay to start turning before a pedestrian reaches the sidewalk. There are many factors involved...
If they are coming towards you and relatively close, wait until they reach the sidewalk before you start turning.
If the crosswalk light has a countdown timer, that can help us determine if we have enough time to enter the intersection. If there isn't enough time, then stop at the stop line and wait for the next green light.
Assuming the turning light is green, if a pedestrian is moving away from us, then we can go before they reach the sidewalk only if there is enough room for us (i.e.: the pedestrian is about one and a half to two lanes away). This is important. For example, if they were to fall, then we need to be at a distance of at least twice their height to avoid hitting them.
On narrow one-way streets, wait for the pedestrians to cross. On larger three-lane streets with a median, wait for them to cross if they reach the median.
Medians often divide a street into two sections. For example, if we approach a school bus from the opposite direction and it has a stop sign out, then we have to stop if there is a yellow line separating us from it. However, we do not have to stop if there is a median between us and that bus.
The streets on either side of a median may also have different speed limits. For example, one side might be adjacent to a park and have a slower speed limit as a result.
If we are turning left and the pedestrian is coming towards us, then we should wait until they reach the median before we start turning. Although, we might be able to slowly advance as we wait.
If we are turning left and the pedestrian is moving away from us, then we can go if we have enough time to pass them before they get to the median. We have to also account for the fact that we must turn into the first lane.
If there is a vehicle already in the intersection that is attempting to turn left, then wait behind the stop line before entering the intersection until the vehicle has gone. It doesn't matter if a light is green. Do not block an intersection.
If there is a row of vehicles parked on the side of a one-way street that we are turning into towards the left, then we can go before the pedestrians coming towards us reach the sidewalk on that same side. In other words, if those cars are keeping that lane from being used, then we will be turning into the second lane instead of the first and can go as soon as the pedestrians clear it. It is as if that lane is a large sidewalk.
We might be able to start turning to the left or right when pedestrians are moving away from us if they will reach the sidewalk by the time we get to that area. Just be mindful of how fast they are moving. If they are coming up fast, then slow down sooner and stop farther back.
Always keep at least 3 feet (or 1 meter) between the side of your vehicle and any vulnerable road user (e.g.: pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.). The faster we are moving, the more space needed. In general, the more space that they are given, the better.
If we have to cross the yellow line because someone is walking in the street, then we should do so, as long as we can do it safely. Ideally, those pedestrians would be walking in the opposite direction of traffic, but they might not be. Again, always leave enough space that you can avoid hitting them should they fall (i.e.: about one and half to two lanes away).
If we are ever behind a vulnerable user and do not know if we can safely pass them, then we should wait behind them until we can. Be especially cautious around children and animals. Keep an eye on them and be ready to brake if necessary.
If a pedestrian is moving towards us, then we always leave a little more space than when they are moving away from us. Do not start moving unless you can keep the proper distance between the vehicle and them (i.e.: 3 feet or 1 meter from the sides of the vehicle, and about one and a half to two lanes out in front).
Likewise, we might want to keep a bit of distance when approaching some pedestrians (e.g.: a group of small children walking across the crosswalk). This can give them a bit of reassurance that we aren't going to hit them. However, we still need to stop completely at the stop line once we come up to it.
Be mindful of pedestrians and others who are not paying attention to priority. As a driver, it doesn't matter if we have priority if it causes us to hit someone. Always try to do whatever is safest for everyone. If we do not respond to dangers in a timely manner, it can also mean an automatic fail on the driving exam.
Communicating When Driving - Turn Signals
[Video Link]
Whenever we drive, there are two ways that we can communicate:
1. With our vehicle
2. With our bodies
And each can be done either "consciously" or "non-consciously"...
Communicating with our vehicle:
• "consciously" = how we choose to use lights and horn
• "non-consciously" = how we position and handle the vehicle
Communicating with our bodies:
• "consciously" = how we move our hands (e.g.: a wave)
• "non-consciously" = how we position of our head or body in general
The turn signals (also known as "blinkers" or "flashers") are often used to communicate more than just turning. Use of the turn signals is mandatory!
Do not do mutliple maneuvers during the same signal. In other words, stop and start the flasher with each movement. For example, don't try to change across multiple lanes without repeating the signal.
Do not signal too early or too late. The purpose of the signal is to indicate to others that we are about to move. When it is too late, people do not have time to react. When it is too early, people do not know what we want.
When waiting to turn at an intersection, we should put the flasher on in advance so that other vehicles that are coming towards us can move around us if necessary.
Be careful with exiting parking lots near intersections. Someone may put their turn signal on early so that it seems like they want to pull into the parking lot, but in actuality, they want to turn at the intersection. Do not start advancing forward until you are sure where they are going or it might cause an accident.
Flashers are not only for turning or changing lanes! They increase the visibility of our vehicle. Use the flashers when both entering and exiting a parking spot. This helps other vehicles to anticipate your movement.
Likewise, if slowing down to look for something, put on the right flasher. Then, use the left flasher when getting back into traffic.
Use the signal when turning, even if you are not changing lanes (e.g.: within lanes that can go forward or split off into a left or right turn).
When approaching a yield, put on the right flasher. When exiting a yield, put on the left flasher. The first shows the people behind us that we are going to turn, the second shows oncoming traffic that we are going to merge with that lane. Think of exiting a yield as a lane change to the left, not a right turn.
Again, flashers are important for increasing visibility. This is especially important during inclement weather (like rain or snow), at night, or if we have a dark vehicle.
Use the flasher even when the street you are turning onto is one-way.
We should always put the turn signal to the side that we want to go.
Communication When Driving - Hazards and Other Lights
[Video Link]
The hazard lights are activated by a button with two red triangles nested inside of one another.
Hazard lights are often used without a valid reason. They are meant for emergencies. They are not meant for signaling that we are trying to park. Use the turn signal for that instead. Turn it on in the direction that you want to park.
When using the hazards, others might think that we simply want to stop, not park. Therefore, they might pull up behind us and may not leave enough room for us to do so. Likewise, if someone tries to go around thinking that the vehicle is stopping, then they might get hit as the vehicle turns.
Use hazards when the vehicle breaks down or gets a flat tire. Keep an emergency kit within the vehicle that contains props for creating extra visibility during those situations (such as road triangles, cones, flares, and a reflective safety vest). It may be mandatory to have these items within the vehicle in some areas.
Hazards are NOT used to temporarily park somewhere that we should not. Although, sometimes this tolerated with large delivery vehicles that cannot park any other way and are only stopping briefly.
Headlights are usually used to communicate by flashing them a few times. This is done within most vehicles by pulling on the lever to the left of the steering wheel a couple of times.
Sometimes people flash the headlights in a friendly way (e.g.: to signal that they are giving us enough room to change lanes in front of them, that they are giving us priority, etc.). Sometimes it is done as a warning (e.g.: to get the attention of someone who is distracted, to indicate a speed enforcement zone or car crash up ahead, etc.). Other times, it is done in a not so friendly way (e.g.: because they feel that we are going too slow and want us to get out of the way).
Brake lights turn on whenever we press on the brake. We should not brake too late so that drivers can have enough time to react. We do not want to cause a crash.
Reverse lights turn on whenver we are in reverse. If backing up into a parking spot, turn on the flasher in the direction you are moving and put it in reverse. Having both on simultaneously shows the person behind us that we are backing up into that spot, not turning.
In a manual transmission vehicle, parking in reverse on a downhill slope can be done by putting it in neutral and controlling the speed with the brake pedal. This makes it easier because we don't have to worry about the clutch. However, it is better to put it in reverse so that the reverse light turns on and people behind the vehicle know that we are backing up to park.
All of the lights should be in working order (e.g.: when taking the driving exam). If you do not have anyone around to help you check, park the vehicle in front of a reflective surface (like a shop window), then put it in reverse and press the brake pedal.
Communicating When Driving - The Horn
[Video Link]
The horn is often overused. It is NOT for getting the attention of someone you know on the street, for signaling to someone in a house that you are parked outside, for letting another driver know that you are mad at them, for venting one's frustrations when stuck in traffic, or for "catcalling".
Sometimes people might be tempted to honk at a large vehicle that does not seem to be moving, unaware that they are actually waiting for pedestrians to cross that are not visible from behind that vehicle. Just wait patiently.
Likewise, sometimes people might honk at someone who has not turned because they are keeping the intersection free as they wait for pedestrians or other vehicles to move. Again, get to know what is going on before impulsively honking. [We should not be blocking intersections.]
It is also pointless honking at people who purposely cut us off. They know what they did and honking is not going to prevent it from happening.
Slamming the horn may cause it to get stuck. Excessive horn use can be illegal in some areas too.
Only use the horn in situations that require it, and only as much as is needed. A couple of examples:
• A quick tap to get the attention of someone who is unaware that the light has turned green
• A more vigorous burst when someone is drifting into our lane to indicate the risk of a collision
It can also be used to alert others of danger. He tells the story of a child walking down the sidewalk as someone was reversing out of a nearby parking space. They did not seem to notice one another, so he honked to get their attention.
On a related note, turn your head around when reversing to get a wider angle of view. Do not just rely on the mirrors. The driver couldn't see the child in his blind spot because he was relying only on the rear view mirror.
In summary: more danger = use more horn
Speed - How to Control Your Speed
[Video Link]
The position of the foot on the accelerator matters when controlling speed.
As soon as we reach the desired speed as we press down on the accelerator, we should keep our foot as stable as possible within that position. Rest the heel of the foot on the floor of the car to anchor it. This is especially important on a bumpy road that may affect how our foot is on the pedal.
Try not to drive with shoes that have very thick or hard soles.
In most driving situations, we hardly need to press on the accerlator. It is sensitive, so our foot doesn't need to move much. The only situations when we might press down significantly are:
• when trying to overtake a vehicle quickly
• when trying to get quickly up to speed when entering a highway
We will need to accelerate when going uphill. When going downhill, the steeper the road, the more that we will need to release the accelerator. If we are already at maximum speed before we start to descend, then we might be able to just release the accelerator to maintain a steady speed. If the hill is steep and/or the speed limit on it is low, then we will need to brake.
Be cautious on any sort of hill. It is easy to go over the speed limit by too much. That would also mean fail on the driving exam. There also tend to be speed enforcement zones in those areas. Stay aware of roads with gentle slopes that can affect speed without us noticing.
Our impression of how fast or slow we are going is influenced by:
1. The rate that we were moving before having to adapt to a new speed
If there is a big change from high speed to low speed, then we will have to use our brake, not just release the accelerator.
2. The rate at which nearby vehicles are moving
Speed limits on service roads next to highways are always lower than on the highway itself. Sometimes people speed on a service road because they see the vehicles on the highway moving faster. Speed enforcement zones are often in those areas for that reason.
Pay attention to the actual speed limit. Do not mimic other drivers.
3. The type of road that we are on
On a wide, multi-lane highway that is smoothly paved, we may get the impression that we are moving slower than we actually are. If driving at the same speed on tight street, we might get the impression that we are moving too fast. Sometimes people ignore school zones and other limits because of that.
Highways are not anything to fear. In fact, the risk of incidents is actually higher on city streets desipite the slower speeds involved because there is a lot more activity there.
It is impossible to stay at an exact speed, but always try to avoid going under or over the speed limit. If we notice that we are under or over, then we need to adjust, not stay at that speed. A little bit of variation in speed may be tolerated within the driving exam, but not too much.
Cruise control is usually used on highways, especially things like on the interstate where we can go long stretches without having to change speed. It might seem convenient, however, it can also lead to the bad habit of taking one's foot off of the accelerator, putting it into a relaxed position, and then not being able to react properly if one needs to brake suddenly. In other words, our reaction time may be reduced.
Our two connections in control of the vehicle are our hands and our feet. Stay connected.
Speed - Zones and Speed Limits
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Stops - Part 1: Introduction
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Stops - Part 2: 2-Way Stops
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Stops - Part 3: 4-Way Stops
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Yellow Lights
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How To Merge On The Highway / Freeway - Part 1
[Video Link]
How To Merge On The Highway / Freeway - Part 2
[Video Link]
How to Exit a Highway / Freeway
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Highway / Freeway Panels Explained
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How to Turn: Vision (The Most Important Thing)
[Video Link]
How to Turn the Steering Wheel
[Video Link]
How to Adjust Your Speed When Turning
[Video Link]
Turning Right at a Red Light
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How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 1
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How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 2
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How To Turn Right At An Intersection - Part 3
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How to Turn Left at an Intersection
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How To Take Tight Turns
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How to Do a U-Turn
[Video Link]
Three Point Turn
[Video Link]
How to Reverse
[Video Link]
How To Use Reverse Cameras
[Video Link]
How To Turn the Steering Wheel at Different Types of Parkings
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45 Degree Parking to the Front - The Normal Way (To the Left and Right)
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How To Park at 45 Degrees To The Right
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Parking 45 Degrees - Front, To The Left
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Parking 45 Degrees - Backing Up
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Parking 90 degrees - Front
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90 Degrees Parking - How to Correct Yourself
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90 Degrees Parking - How to Correct Yourself - Method 2
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90 Degrees Parking to The Right, Front - The "Normal Way"
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Parking 90 Degrees to the Front - To the Right
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Parking 90 Degrees to the Front - To the Left
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How To: Easy Parking 90° Backing Up
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Easy Parking 90 Degrees Backing Up - Version 2.0
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90 Degrees Parking - Backing Up - The Diagonal Method
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How To Reverse Park at 90 degrees With A Reverse Camera
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90 Degrees Parking to the Right, Reversing - The "Normal Way"
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How to Exit a Parking Spot - 90 Degrees and Parallel
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How To: Easy Parallel Parking
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Parallel Parking - 2 Tips to Make It Easier
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Parallel Parking - Aligning Yourself Properly
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Parallel Parking - The Right Distances
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How To: Easy Parallel Parking (Curb Parking) - Version 2.0
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Parallel Parking (Curb Parking) - How To Correct Yourself
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Parallel Parking From the Front
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How to Parallel Park to the Left
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Parallel Parking - Verifications / Safety Steps
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How To Parallel Park Between Cones - Part 1
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How To Parallel Park Between Cones - Part 2
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Parallel Parking: Too Far or too Close to the Curb?
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Parallel Parking With a Reverse Camera - To the Right
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How To Parallel Park In A Tight Spot - Part 1
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How To Parallel Park In A Tight Spot - Part 2
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How To Park In a Garage / Tight Space - In Reverse
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Parking in a Tight Spot: From the Front - With an Obstacle
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Parking in a Tight Spot: Reversing - With an Obstacle
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How To Deal With Emergency Vehicles - Part 1
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How To Deal With Emergency Vehicles - Part 2
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Driving At Night - Part 1
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Driving At Night - Part 2
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Driving At Night - Part 3
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How to Drive In the Rain - Part 1
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How to Drive In the Rain - Part 2
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10 Tips For New Drivers - Part 1
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10 Tips For New Drivers - Part 2
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How to Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 1
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How to Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 2
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How To Pass Your Driving Exam - Part 3
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7 Tips For The Driving Exam - Part 1
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7 Tips For The Driving Exam - Part 2
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Driving Exam - Verifications Inside and Outside
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Driving Exam - 4 Tips To Be Less Nervous
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How to Change Lanes - Tips for the Driving Exam
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How to Change Lanes - Part 2
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5 Tips For New Drivers - Part 1
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5 Tips For New Drivers - Part 2
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5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Flashers
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5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Highways
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5 Tips For The Driving Exam - Markings On The Asphalt
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5 Tips For New Drivers - Hand Brake
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3 Tips For New Drivers - Roundabouts
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Driving an Automatic Transmission Vehicle - Part 1
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Driving an Automatic Transmission Vehicle - Part 2
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How to Drive a Manual Transmission - Part 1
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How to Drive a Manual Transmission - Part 2
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Exam: How to Deal With Unexpected Stuff
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Exam: How to Make Your Driving Exam Easier
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Exam: 5 Common Misconceptions About The Driving Exam
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Exam: Other People's Mistakes At the Driving Exam - Part 1
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Exam: Other People's Mistakes at the Driving Exam - Part 2
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Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 1
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Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 2
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Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 3
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Anticipation at the Driving Exam - Part 4
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Driving As A Learner - Part 1
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Driving As A Learner - Part 2
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Accompanied Driving
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