Car Blog

Whether you’re just learning to drive or you’re trying to refresh your skills after not driving for several years, there are skills you need to master before taking your driving test. These crucial skills will not only help you pass your test, but they will help you become a safer driver.

Parallel Parking

Parallel parking is one of the most difficult driving maneuvers for most people, but it can be extremely beneficial to learn. During a driving test, the instructor will typically ask you to parallel park between traffic cones or painted lines. If you want to learn parallel parking Chicago IL, using cones or lines in an empty parking lot is a great way to practice. If you learn using a backup camera, be aware that some testing instructors will cover it during your test to ensure that you know how to park without it.

Braking

To an experienced driver, smooth braking is second nature. However, most new drivers struggle to make smooth and controlled stops, causing the car to make a jerking motion when you stop. Perfecting your braking will impress your testing instructor and make driving more comfortable for you and your passengers. Drivers should press gently on the brake pedal with the ball of their foot, slowly increasing pressure and then gently curling their toes up to release a bit of pressure as the car comes to a stop.

Basic Car Functions

It’s easy to get so caught up in learning to drive that you forget to familiarize yourself with the vehicle itself. During driving tests, drivers are often asked to do things such as demonstrate the turn signals, turn the headlights and brights on and off, open and close the hood of the car, set and release the parking brake and more. Learning to do these things is just as important than learning to drive.

Focusing on these skills will give you a leg up on your driving test.