Whether you are driving for fun or utility, knowing how to drive a car is useful and can come in handy in day-to-day life. However, when beginners translate the idea of driving into actually learning it, things can get a bit overwhelming. Let’s talk about the basics like how to drive a car and share some useful tips that every beginner driver can execute while driving.
Things to know before getting behind the wheel
The lesson of learning how to drive a car begins before stepping inside the car. Here are some useful tips that can help you in the initial learning phase:
- Calm your mind: The first step to learning how to drive a car is to calm your mind. You should try not to overthink situations and handle them as directed.
- Avoid distraction: You should keep your focus intact and avoid getting distracted by unnecessary things on the road.
- Make required adjustments: Make sure your seats, rearview mirrors, etc., are properly adjusted for a comfortable driving experience.
- Get a trusted companion: Always have an experienced driver as your companion so they can teach you what to do and how to handle situations on the road.
- Practice within a safe area: Practice driving on familiar roads with less traffic and stay clear of the highways.
Step-by-step guide to driving a car
Here are some of the basics of driving a car on the road. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:
- Step 1: Get inside your car, adjust the steering wheel, mirrors, seat, etc., per your comfort and briefly go through the controls.
- Step 2: Ensure you and your other companions are buckled up properly.
- Step 3: Start the vehicle, either by inserting the key or pressing the start button.
- Step 4: Ensure you are in neutral, and hover your feet on the brake pedal. If you are ready to move, disengage your handbrake, switch the gear to first (on manual) or Drive (on automatic).
- Step 5: Slowly press the accelerator and release the clutch so that the vehicle can move forward.
- Step 6: Now, use the steering wheel to navigate while maintaining a slow speed. In case you need to slow down or stop, press the clutch with your left and brake with your right foot.
- Step 7: While driving, make sure to use your indicators and mirrors properly to get an idea of your surroundings and follow traffic rules.
- Step 8: In manual transmission cars, you will need to shift gears in combination with the clutch to change speed and torque. In automatic transmission cars, you can drive with just the accelerator and brake.
- Step 9: Once you reach your desired destination, find a suitable spot for parking.
Remember, having the right car insurance is crucial for protecting yourself and your vehicle on the road. It provides financial coverage in case of accidents or damage, ensuring a secure driving experience.
Conclusion:
Driving a car may seem a bit overwhelming for beginners but with the correct approach, appropriate mindset and steady practice, anyone can master it. Learning how to drive a car on Indian roads can be a bit challenging, hence knowing all the basic information beforehand can be very useful. While driving a car, it is mandatory to also avail of third-party car insurance as per Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, to have security in case of unforeseen cicumstances.
