How To Control A Car, Use Controls & Pass Your Drivers Licence

Controlling A Car At The Wheel

The Three (3) Foot Controls Of A Vehicle...

The clutch, the brake and the accelerator. To learn more please read below:

Clutch

The clutch is used to change gear and only the left foot is used for the clutch control. It is essential that during your driving lessons you learn to control the clutch, because during the driving test the instructor will be testing you on how your legs control the clutch. The clutch is the 'main' pedal used in a manual car. The car stall (Turns off) when the clutch is not used properly so learn this well. Train your foot never to rest on the clutch while driving. And take note when you want to slow down your vehicle use the clutch and the foot brake simultaneously. Remember the clutch pedal must be in all the way to change gears. Also in your driving license test do not only use the clutch to slow your car down. Everything you need to know about the clutch will be taught to you by your driving school instructor.

Brake

When you hear the driving instructor say brake, it  means stop! The brake pedal is the main foot control that is used to stop the car. The right foot is used when applying the brake. When you do your drivers licence test you will be required to do an emergency stop. This is when you brake as hard as you can to stop the car in the smallest amount of time possible. Ask your driving (Traffic) school instructor to show you the safest way to the emergency stop. When doing the emergency stop there is a chance that you might loose control over the car, that is why it is vital to learn how to do this safely.

Accelerator

The accelerator pedal is used to apply pressure on the car and therefore speeds it up. The accelerator is used by the right foot and works together with the clutch to obtain clutch control. Be very careful with the accelerator as it is very sensitive. The term 'petrol' refers to how much pressure you put on the acceleration pedal.

The Steering Wheel

The steering wheel of a car is what controls the vehicles movements. By law both your hands should always be on the steering wheel; thumbs on the inside rim. Most people are used to driving a car with one hand but in your driving licence test both your hands have to be on the steering wheel at the ten to two or quarter to three position. The only time both your hands do not need to be on the steering wheel are when you are changing gears or when using the hand brake. Remember after turning the steering wheel, bring it back to the position it was in before you turned. The best way to learn to steer is in an anti-power steering car as no power steering is normally present in the car you do your driver's license test in.

Car Lights

It is important to know how to turn the lights on in your vehicle that you will be doing the test in. Also please check before your licence test that all your lights are in good working order. If they are not you will be failed.

Indicators

The indicators can be tricky to get used to. Make sure you are confident with your indication methods before you do your test. Just remember that the indicators work on the basis of which way you are turning, i.e. downwards = left and upwards = right.

Hand Brake

The hand brake is applied when your car is at a stand still and is used to prevent your car from moving. When doing your driving licence test you need to pull up your hand brake at every stop to ensure that your car does not roll forward or backwards.

The Gear Lever

Always start your car with the gear lever  (Stick) in neutral. A very important rule about using your gear lever is to always press the clutch in with your foot every time when changing gears. And don’t attempt to change the lever whiles turning on a sharp curve.

How To Start A Car?

If  you have never done it before, starting a car can prove to be a difficult process. Before you get inside the car, check if there are any obstructions underneath or near the sides of the car. The car's seatbelt is a very important device and buy law the driver has to wear one. Then check to see if the hand brake is up and the gear lever is in neutral. Before you put the key in the ignition, check the rear view mirror to see if it's in your desired position and you have full vision of the road behind you. Check your side mirrors too. You are now ready to start your vehicle.

When you turn the ignition on the lights and gauges will be activated. Then when you start the car you will hear the motor start up. Do all your necessary checks, put the car into first gear by using your clutch pedal and gear lever, obtain clutch control, release hand brake and move off. Use the accelerator and brake where necessary. When changing gear, change between 2500 and 3200 revs per minute. When changing gears, look at the road ahead of you. Keep practicing with your driving school and you will get the hang of it!