CHAPTER 6BASIC CAR MANEUVERS

1. Steering

Hands at 10 & 2 –Relaxed Line of sight- “Aim High” Look at center of your intended path Do not look at hands or feet Do not “Over steer” – Make slight

corrections

2. Steering Backwards (Straight

Line) Look back to make sure path is clear Hold brake pedal down. Shift to reverse Turn body to right. Put right arm over back of

passenger seat. Look through back window Left hand at 12 o’clock Release pressure on brake to allow car to

move backwards Move steering wheel in direction you want the

back of car to go Continue to check front and sides of car Continue to look back until car comes to a

complete stop 

3. Signaling Use signal when:

You plan to make any turn Change lanes Entering traffic (Interstates)

Right Turn Left Turn Slow or Stop

Changing lanes

Check traffic in both mirrors Signal and make a blind spot check over left

shoulder Steer gently into left lane Turn off signal and adjust speed 

Turns and Turnabouts

1. Turns Hand over hand steering, don’t let the wheel

return to original position. Check for pedestrians, traffic and parked cars Obey traffic signs, signals, and markings Get in correct lane ahead of time Apply slight brake pressure Slow to about 10 miles per hour

Turns (continued)

For right turn, check to left then right For left turn, check right to left Accelerate gently about halfway through the

turn

2. Turnabouts

• Turnabout-turning the car around to go in the opposite direction

• Backing(hand position same as driving straight, 10 &2)

DO NOT ATTEMPT IF: Near hills or curves Within 200 ft. of intersection In heavy traffic If not permitted by law

5 Types of Turnabouts

1. Back into drive on right side2. Mid-Block U-Turn3. Pull into driveway on left side4. Pull into driveway on right side5. Three-point turnabout

Parking

Angle Parking1. Signal at turn, position car 5 feet from

row of parked cars2. Flash brake lights, check right blind spot3. When you can see down the right side of

the parking space, turn wheels sharply. Enter slowly.

4. Straighten wheels. Stop before hitting curb.

Parking

Perpendicular Parking1. Position your car as far left in your lane

as possible. Signal a right turn, check right blind spot.

2. Flash brake lights, slow down3. When front bumper of your car passes

the left rear tail light of the car to the right, turn your wheel sharply to right.

4. Check your right rear fender for clearance.

5. Stop before hitting the curb.

Parking

Leaving a Parking Spot1. View will possibly be blocked.2. Back cautiously- look to rear and sides3. Creep straight back (control speed)4. When your front bumper is even with

the left cars rear bumper, begin to turn right.

5. Back into nearest lane, stop with wheels straight, shift to forward gear and proceed.

Parallel Parking

1. Flash brake lights, signal a right turn2. Stop 2 to 3 feet away from the front car with the 2

cars rear bumpers even 3. Shift to reverse 4. Look over right shoulder 5. Back slowly as you turn right6. Control speed with your brake7. When back of your seat is even with the rear

bumper of front car, straighten wheels8. When your front bumper is even with the front cars

back bumper, turn wheel sharply left9. When car is parallel to the curb, straighten wheels.

Make sure you are in the center of your space. (6-12 inches away from curb)

Parallel Parking

UPHILL PARKING WITH CURB

Signal right Pull 6-12 inches from curb Turn wheels away from curb Shift to park Set emergency brake Leaving Release emergency brake Shift to drive, keep foot on brake Signal, check mirror, check Blind Spot Pull back into flow of traffic when safe to

merge

DOWNHILL PARKING WITH CURB

Signal right Pull 6-12 inches from curb Turn wheels toward curb Shift to park Set emergency brake Leaving Release emergency brake Shift to drive, keep foot on brake Straighten wheels Signal, check mirror, check Blind Spot Pull back into flow of traffic when safe to

merge

UPHILL PARKING WITHOUT CURB

Signal right Pull 6-12 inches from side of road Turn wheels toward side of the road Shift to park Set emergency brake Leaving Release emergency brake Shift to drive, keep foot on brake Straighten wheels Signal, check mirror, check Blind Spot Pull back into flow of traffic when safe to

merge

DOWNHILL PARKING WITHOUT A CURB

Signal right Pull 6-12 inches from side of road Turn wheels toward side of the road Shift to park Set emergency brake Leaving Release emergency brake Shift to drive, keep foot on brake Straighten wheels Signal, check mirror, check Blind Spot Pull back into flow of traffic when safe to

merge