Section 1: An Intro to Driving

• Controlling the Vehicle


  To control your vehicle, it is critical to keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible
• Hand-to-Hand Steering (Push/Pull)


  1. Start with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock

  2. Do not cross your hands over the middle of the steering wheel

  3. Keep your hands in these positions even when making turns
• Hand-Over-Hand Steering:

  1. Start with your hands at 8 and 4 oclock.
• Signaling:If your signal lights are not functioning, or bright sunlight makes your signal lights hard to see, use the hand-and-arm signals
• You should signal:

  • least 100 feet before you turn
  • five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
  • Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb.
  • almost through the intersection
• Using Horns:

  Alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead.
• Using Headlights

  1. Dim high-beam headlights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you

  2. Dim high-beam headlights to low beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following
• It is illegal to drive using only parking lights
• When it is too dark to see from 1,000 feet away
• Use headlights


  Beginning 30 minutes after sunset
• Use headlights

  Until 30 minutes before sunrise
• In adverse weather (if you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog, rain, or snow)

  You must turn on your low-beam headlights
• When conditions (such as clouds, dust, smoke, or fog) prevent you from seeing other vehicles

  Use headlights
• On mountain roads and tunnels (even on sunny days), use headlights
• When a road sign states that headlights must be on, use headlights
• To help other drivers see your vehicle, especially when the sun is low on the horizon, use headlights
• Emergency Flashers:

  • when you see hazard, use EF (emergency flasher)