DRIVING PROCEDURES AND
MANEUVERS
ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY #10, #11 and #12
Describe proper procedures for pre-starting, starting and
stopping a vehicle. Explain basic maneuvers of driving,
including steering, braking, passing, lane changing, merging,
parking, signaling and turning. Explain defensive driving
techniques, including the Smith System and the search,
identify, predict, decide, and execute (SIPDE) process.
Driving Procedures and
Maneuvers
Pre-Start Checks
Pre-Start Procedures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check condition of tires, lights, car body, etc.
Check around the vehicle.
Check intended path of travel.
Close and lock doors.
Adjust seats.
Adjust mirrors and head restraints.
Fasten safety belts.
Outside The Vehicle
Checks
Check Tires
• Tires should be checked to make sure they are
not under inflated, worn or damaged.
• It should be noted which way the tires are
turned because this will be the direction your
car will go as soon as it begins moving.
Lights And Car Body
• Make sure all lights and windows are clean
and undamaged.
• If it is cold, you may have to scrape snow or
ice off your windshield.
• At least once a week or when stopping for gas,
check oil, coolant, battery, brakes,
transmission and windshield-washer fluids.
Check Around The Vehicle And The
Intended Path Of Travel
• Look for children playing nearby – each year
about 200 kids under the age of six are killed
while playing in the driveway.
• Look for animals that may be hiding or
sleeping near the vehicle.
• Check for objects around the vehicle (toys,
etc.).
• Check under vehicle for stains that could
indicate fluid leaks.
Inside The Vehicle
Checks And Procedures
Close And Lock All Doors
• Make sure all doors are securely closed and
locked.
• Put key into the ignition.
Adjust Seats
• Adjust seat so that you can clearly see the
roadway and comfortably reach the floor
pedals and other controls.
Adjust Mirrors And Head
Restraints
• Adjust rearview and left side view mirrors so
that you can use them with just your eyes and
do not need to move your head.
• Adjust right side view mirror for the best
vision with the least amount of head
movement.
• Adjust your head restraint and have
passengers adjust theirs.
Fasten Seatbelts
• Fasten your safety belt and make sure all
passengers have fastened theirs. Remember
the law!
Get Ready To Start
Your Engine!
Starting the Car
• Make sure the car is in park (neutral for a
manual).
• Depress clutch (only for a manual
transmission).
• Check for parking brake to be on (optional).
• Turn ignition key “on” position and check
gauges, then on to the “start” position.
Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
Put Vehicle in Motion
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Put foot firmly on the brake, using the right foot.
Depress clutch pedal (manual transmission only).
Shift into desired gear (drive or reverse).
Release parking brake (if applied).
Check mirrors and blind spots.
Signal intentions.
Remove the foot from the brake (ease off clutch in manual
transmission).
• Apply gas pedal.
• Cancel signal.
Stopping and Securing the Vehicle
• Check traffic (mirrors).
• Signal intentions.
• Lightly tap brake pedal to warn others you are slowing or
stopping.
• Apply smooth, steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal until
the vehicle has stopped (apply clutch pedal in manual
transmission).
Stopping and Securing (cont.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Set parking brake (optional).
Shift into park (reverse for manual transmission).
Take foot off brake (and clutch).
Check to make sure all optional equipment is off.
Unfasten seat belt.
Remove key
Open door, exit curbside (if possible), and lock doors.
BASIC MANEUVERS
• There are several basic maneuvers involved in
driving safely and correctly:
– Steering
– Braking
– Parking
– Turning
Push-Pull-Feed Steering
• Safer because arms are not across the
steering wheel at any time.
• Preferred turning method if there are driver
side airbags.
• Hold steering wheel with right hand resting between
3 and 5 and left between 7 and 9. One hand pushes
the wheel up toward 12 o’clock. At the same time,
the other hand slides up to 1 o’clock for the right
turn(11 for left), grasp the wheel, and pull it down.
While pulling hand goes down, the pushing hand
releases its grip and returns to original position.
PUSH –PULL-FEED STEERING
• This method lets you keep both hands on the
wheel at all times.
• It helps to reduce fatigue on long drives and
gives better control in emergency situations.
Steering Hand-Over-Hand
• Method in which a driver’s hands cross when
turning.
• To turn right, use your left hand to push the
wheel up, around, and down. At the same
time bring your right hand across left forearm
to grip wheel on far side. Then use your right
hand to pull the side of the wheel up, around,
and down. Reverse these for a left turn.
“9 and 3” or “8 and 4” Hand
positions on the steering wheel
• Picture the wheel as a clock and place hand at
these positions
• Either of these positions provide you the best
control in an emergency situation.
• “8 and 4” is safer with driver side airbags.
Thumbs Up
• With either one of the hand positions, always
rest thumbs on the wheel, not wrapped
around.
• This is safer and a more relaxed, comfortable
hold.
Steering in a Straight Line
• When steering or tracking straight ahead,
steer to a point in the center of your path of
travel.
• Look well ahead, not down.
• Make slight, constant corrections with the
steering wheel.
• Don’t “oversteer” or wander in your lane.
Steering (tracking) to the rear
• When backing a vehicle, visibility through the rear
window is limited.
• To maximize visibility, turn your head and shoulders
to look in the direction you are going.
• When moving backward, the rear of the vehicle
moves in the direction that you turn the wheel.
• The front of the vehicle will move in the opposite
direction (swing outward)
• DON’T USE THE MIRRORS FOR BACKING. Look in the
direction your vehicle is moving.
• Keep looking back until your vehicle comes to a stop.
Backing
• When backing in a straight line, the left hand
should be at the 12 o’clock position
• The right hand/arm should be positioned so
that the shoulders can turn.
• When backing to the sides use both hands
(push-pull-feed or hand over hand) and look in
the direction you will be travel with quick
glances to the front.
BRAKING
• There are different types of braking systems:
– Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is the safest
system. ABS is designed to the wheels from
locking when the driver presses too hard on the
brake pedal in an emergency. They do not shorten
the stopping distance.
– Conventional braking involves disc brakes. With
this system pressure squeezes the brake pads
against a flat metal wheel disc, producing the
friction needed to stop the wheel from turning.
BRAKING
• With conventional braking, to avoid locking
the brakes in an emergency situation, press
the brakes until they almost lock then ease up
slightly and back down.
• The parking brake is attached by a cable to the
rear wheels. It is used to prevent a parked
vehicle from rolling. It can also be used in
case of brake failue.
Basic Maneuvers
PASSING
LANE CHANGING
MERGING
PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE
• Check the roadway ahead, signal, check
mirrors and blind spot.
• Return when you can see both headlights of
the car being passed in your rearview mirror –
don’t cut in too soon.
• Don’t speed up when being passed.
• It is illegal to pass on the shoulder of the road.
• You will need to accelerate at least 10 mph
faster than the car being passed (ok to
speed??)
PASSING
• Use a very slight controlled movement of the
steering wheel when moving to pass or
change lanes – usually not more than1/8 of a
turn.
• Be alert for places where highways may
narrow and don’t pass there.
• Hold the steering wheel firmly when being
passed by large trucks to adjust for possible
wind gust.
• Move out of a driver’s blind spot as quickly as
possible when passing
PASSING
• Before risking a pass, consider the driver’s likely
action – will they soon pull over or turn, will they
need to swerve to avoid a pedestrian, cyclist, animal,
etc.?
• When in doubt as to the safety of a passing
maneuver – don’t pass.
• If the vehicle being passed demonstrates erratic
behavior, drop back and re-evaluate the situation.
• If, when passing, one misjudges the speed and
distance of an oncoming car, try to brake and fall
back behind the vehicle being passed. If this is
impossible then speed up quickly to complete the
Lane changing and Merging
• Never move from one lane to another until
you make certain that you do so safely.
• To change lanes safely, follow these steps:
– Check mirrors
– Signal intentions
– Check your blind spot
– Adjust speed as needed
– Move smoothly when time and space permits
– Cancel signal, if necessary.
SIGNALS
• The vehicle is equipped with mechanical signal
that communicates your intention to turn or
change lanes.
• To operate the signal, move the indicator arm
upward for a right turn, and downward for a
left turn.
• Alabama law states that you must signal at
least 100 feet prior to a turn, and a good rule
of thumb, signal before you start braking.
• Signal all changes in lane position.
Turning
• Before you make a turn you should consider:
- Is there heavy traffic?
- Do signs prohibit a turn?
- Can I see clearly for 500 feet?
-Do I have enough space?
- Traffic and pedestrians
TURNING RIGHT
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check the roadway ahead
Choose the correct lane
Signal your intentions
Position car near the right side of the lane “turning right –
keep it tight”
Wait for a 6-8 second gap in traffic to your left.
When your front wheels are even with the bend in the curve,
start turning (using push-pull-feed or hand over hand) and
follow the general curve of the curb.
Look through the turn along your intended path of travel.
Complete the turn by reversing your steering as you
accelerate.
Cancel your signal, if necessary.
TURNING LEFT
• Check the roadway ahead for vehicles, pedestrians, or other obstacles in
your intended path.
• Choose the correct lane
• Signal your intentions
• Position car near the left side of the lane .
• Wait for a 9 second gap to the right and a 7 second gap to your left..
• Proceed into the intersection until just prior to the centerpoint of the
intersection.
• Keep your wheels straight and yield to any oncoming traffic.
• Look through the turn along your intended path of travel. Turn into the
lane just to the right of the centerline “elbow on the yellow”
• Complete the turn by reversing your steering as you accelerate.
• Cancel your signal, if necessary.
Parking
DO NOT PARK:
- Within intersections
- On a crosswalk of sidewalk
- Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection
- Within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic
signal
- In front of a driveway
- On any bridge or in a tunnel
- On the roadway side of any vehicle parked at the curb or
edge
of a highway (double parking)
- Beside a curb that is painted yellow, or where official signs
prohibit parking
Parking the vehicle
Perpendicular parking spaces are marked at a 90
degree angle to the curb. The steps are:
- Stay 7-8 feet from parked cars for best
visibility.
- Observe all traffic conditions, check for other
vehicles about to back out.
- Use proper turn signals.
Perpendicular Parking
• Slow to 3-5 mph. Start turning when you can
look down the side of the vehicle beside your
chosen space.
• Steer sharply and proceed slowly, checking for
clearance of your front bumper.
• As you move slowly forward, straighten the
wheels and center in your space.
• Stop just short of the curb or in line with the
other vehicles.
ANGLE PARKING
On the right
• Stay 5-6 feet from the parked vehicles to give
yourself room to see and maneuver.
• Observe traffic in all directions and be alert for
vehicles leaving spaces.
• Signal your intentions.
• Proceed until you can see along the left side of
the vehicle to the right of your space.
Angle Parking
• Steer sharply right and creep ahead at 3-5
mph into the space midway between the lines
• Check the left front and right rear of your
vehicle to make sure you have clearance
• As you straighten the wheels, move forward
until the front of your vehicle is aligned with
those on both sides.
Parallel Parking
•
•
•
•
•
Have a space at least 5 ft. longer than the length of
your vehicle
Check traffic, signal, and approach the parking space
in the proper lane.
Flash brake lights to alert following drivers of your
intention to stop.
Move parallel to the vehicle in front of the space,
leaving about 2 feet between vehicles.
Stop when the center door posts, or the backs of the
front seats of the vehicles are even.
Keep your foot on the brake, and shift to reverse.
Parallel Parking
• Back up, steering sharply to the right.
• Align the back of the front seat with the rear bumper of the
vehicle in front.
• Continue backing slowly, straightening your front wheels, until
your front bumper lines up with the rear bumper of the front
vehicle.
• Continue backing slowly, steering rapidly to the left.
• Stop before making contact with the bumper of the vehicle
behind the space.
• With foot on brake, shift to drive and even up car in space.
• Car should be within 12 inches of the curb.
Parking on a Hill
• When parking on a hill you must make sure
your car does not roll into traffic if the brakes
do not hold.
• ALWAYS set the parking brake.
• The only time that you are going to turn your
wheels to the left is when you are uphill with
a curb.
PARKING ON HILLS
Make sure the vehicle does not roll into traffic – set the parking
brake and shift to park, then turn the wheels correctly:
- Downhill with a curb
* Turn wheels to the right or toward the
curb.
- Uphill with a curb
* Turn wheels to left or away from
the curb.
- Uphill without a curb
* Turn wheels to the right or toward
the side of the road
-Downhill with no curb
*Turn wheels to the right or toward the
side
of the road
3 Point Turnabout
• Make sure you can see for a great distance
before beginning.
• Not permitted on freeways, on curves, or near
the top of a hill.
• They are governed by local ordinances and
there may not be a sign to warn you of
someone making a 3 point turn.
3 Point Turnabout
• Check traffic, signal, and stop as close to right
edge of the curb as possible. Do not run off
the roadway. Check both directions and make
sure you have a 20-30 second gap.
• Signal for a left turn. Look over left shoulder
and move vehicle slowly while turning sharply
left to bring the car to a stop in the opposite
lane.
3 Point Turnabout
• When front wheels are almost to the curb
about 4 feet away, turn the wheel rapidly to
the right. Stop the vehicle just short of the
curb, again do not run off the roadway.
• Check traffic to your left, then over your right
shoulder. Shift to reverse, while backing
slowly, turn the wheel to the extreme right
position. About 4 feet before stopping, turn
the wheel to the left. Keep looking back until
stopped.
3 Point Turnabout
• Shift into drive, check traffic, signal, move into
proper lane, cancel signal, and accelerate to a
normal speed.
• TIP: Gear, steer, look, go (3 times)
Defensive Driving
• There are many different techniques that we
can use to help minimize our risks while
driving on the roadways.
• There are 2 that are the backbone of safe
driving. They are: Smith System, SIPDE
Smith System
• The Smith System is a series of principles
designed to help one drive safely and
defensively.
• The Smith System consist of 5 important
guidelines.
Smith Guidelines:
• 1. Aim High – look well ahead of your vehicle
as you drive. Try to look 20 to 30 seconds
ahead of you.
• 2. Get the Big Picture – search the whole
scene. Ex. As you approach an intersection
search for vehicles, pedestrians, and others.
Smith System
• 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving- search the scene
constantly. Stay alert for changes on the
roadway or potentially dangerous conditions
that might require you to make an
adjustment.
Smith System
• 4. Make Sure Others See You- Communicate
with all others using the roadway. Position
your vehicle so others can see you. Signal your
intentions to others. Ex. Tapping brake for
stopping.
Smith System
• 5. Leave Yourself A Way Out – Position your
vehicle so that you keep a margin of space to
avoid a collision.
• *** Be a defensive driver***
S.I.P.D.E.
• The SIPDE process is an easy-to-use system for
dealing with the driving challenge.
• S.I.P.D.E. is an acronym for a 5 step process for
defensive driving.
SIPDE
• “S”- Search the roadway and the off-road
areas 20 to 30 seconds ahead for information
that can help you with a path of travel.
• “I” – Identify objects or conditions within 12
to 15 seconds ahead that could interfere with
your planned path of travel.
SIPDE
• “P”- Predict what actions or changes in
conditions on or near the roadway could
increase possible danger.
• “D” – Decide what action or actions you
should take to help minimize risks.
Ex. Steer right or left, brake, increase speed, reduce speed, etc.
SIPDE
• “E” – Execute the decision you have made.
Executing a decision in most cases is making a
routine maneuver. You might have to take
some kind of emergency action.
Smith System & SIPDE
• Almost all of the procedures that make up
these 2 processes, we do everyday.
• We should do these procedures over and over
again until we can perform them
automatically.
• Following these will help us to minimize risks
on the roadway.
REMEMBER!!
The SIPDE and Smith System are
ongoing processes. You will be
reacting to one situation, while
gathering information about a new
one.