Learning to drive: car essentials
If you're just starting out learning to drive, get the lowdown on some of the basic car controls.
Video transcript
Even though all cars have the same basic functions, they won't necessarily be in the same place, so it's worth checking the manual.
An accompanying driver must be over 21 and have had their licence for 3+ years.
Essentials: Gears
Clutch / Brake / Accelerator
Your three pedals in the car are the clutch, brake and accelerator. These can feel different depending on what car you drive, so take it easy until you get used to the car. The clutch is used with the left foot to change gear and move the car away from a stationary position. This is operated at the same time as the gear stick.
You may find that the reverse and fifth gears on the stick differ from car to car. The brake is used with your right foot and enables you to slow the car down, or come to a complete stop. The accelerator is also operated with your right foot and controls the speed of the car.
The handbrake is used alongside the clutch for hill starts to stop your car rolling backwards and for when you finally come to a complete stop.
Essentials: Electronics
Driving conditions in the UK can be unpredictable, so familiarise yourself with the electronics in the car. With windscreen wipers there are normally three settings: intermittent, continuous and fast. You should also check that your rear windscreen wiper works properly. Don't forget to check you have water in your washer bottle for when you need to clean the windscreen.
You'll need to know where your light controls and heat dials are, and when to use them. Even if it's not completely dark, it's best to put your full headlights on in bad weather or use your fog lights in conditions with extreme reduced visibility. Remember that you can also use your lights to alert people to your presence.
It may be tempting to wipe condensation off with your hands, but by putting your heat dial and fans on while the engine is running, this will help clear the windscreen and avoid leaving any smudges.
Never drive off without full visibility
Essentials: Routine Checks
It's good to get into a routine of checking several things before you set off. Make sure you close the door properly. Check your seat position - can you reach the pedals easily? Some seats adjust vertically and horizontally, so position the seat so you are sitting comfortably and have a good view of all the mirrors.
Place both hands on the steering wheel. You should hold them at a ten-to-two position with a slight bend in your arms. Make sure that you and all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts. This is a legal requirement as you are responsible for the safety of your passengers.
You are responsible for the safety of your passengers
Next, the rear-view mirror should be adjusted so that you can see out of the rear windscreen. Each wing mirror needs to show a small amount of the car down the edge of the mirror and as far down the road as possible. Always adjust the mirrors before you move off.
Before starting the engine, gently rock the gear stick from side-to-side to make sure you are in neutral gear so that the car doesn't jolt forward.
Finally, it's a good idea to make sure you have some essentials in the boot of your car such as: the car manual and insurance documents, a road map, some engine oil, a can of de-icer, a windscreen scraper, a high visibility jacket, a reflective triangle and a couple of spare headlight bulbs.
* Watch more in our video on basic car maintenance and find out more about driving lessons in our text article.