Basics of Driving

Question 1

What are the basic habits you should follow after getting into your vehicle and before driving? (IN ORDER)

Answer 1

Lock your doors; adjust your seat; adjust your head restraint; adjust your inside and outside mirrors; fasten your seat belt.

Question 2

How should you be able to sit when your seat is properly adjusted?

Answer 2

You can see over your the steering wheel, your elbows are slightly bent when holding the wheel, and be able to push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor.

Question 3

At least how far should you sit from the steering wheel?

Answer 3

25 cm/10 inches away.

Question 4

How should head restraints be positioned?

Answer 4

With the centre of the head restraint leveled with the top of your ear.

Question 5

What is the maximum space allowed between your head and the head restraint?

Answer 5

10 cm/4 inches of space.

Question 6

How should the rear view mirror be positioned?

Answer 6

The rear view mirror should frame the entirety of the rear window.

Question 7

What should you do when you are ready to start driving?

Answer 7

Check to be sure your intended path of travel is clear; check your inside and outside rear view mirrors; do a shoulder check to be sure your blind spots are clear.

Question 8

What are the safety features of having a lock release in an automatic transmission vehicle?

Answer 8

1) Must be use to move gear from Park to Reverse or any forward gear while the brake pedal is pressed.
2) Must be used to shift the vehicle from Drive to a lower gear (first or second).
3) Must be used to shift into Park from any gear.

Question 9

When should Park be used?

Answer 9

When starting the engine and when leaving the vehicle parked.

Question 10

What transmission settings will the vehicle’s engine start in?

Answer 10

Park and Neutral.

Question 11

When should Reverse be used?

Answer 11

When backing or reversing the vehicle.

Question 12

How do you know a vehicle is in reverse (from the outside)?

Answer 12

The white/clear lights at the rear of the vehicle will be lit.

Question 13

When should Neutral be used?

Answer 13

No gear is selected so there is no power to the wheels, yet the wheels are not locked like in Park. This setting is used for towing.

Question 14

When should Drive be used? What does the transmission do in this setting?

Answer 14

For normal forward driving. The transmission will change up and down through the driving gears automatically.

Question 15

When should Third, Second and First Gears be used?

Answer 15

When you need more power but less speed, and to prevent the transmission from shifting to a higher gear automatically. Typically used when going up or down hills or on rough road conditions like gravel, snow, sand, ice, etc.

Question 16

When should Overdrive be used?

Answer 16

Not all vehicles have overdrive, but it can be used to drive at higher speeds and save fuel.

Question 17

What are the additional skills needed to drive a manual/standard transmission vehicle?

Answer 17

Operating a clutch pedal with your left foot while using a gear shift lever with the right hand to manually select the desired gear.

Question 18

When do you change gears in a manual transmission vehicle and why?

Answer 18

When the clutch pressed down, and the transmission is disengaged from the wheels at this time, preventing the transfer of engine power to the wheel.

Question 19

What positions should the clutch pedal and the gear shift lever be in when starting the engine of a manual transmission vehicle?

Answer 19

Gear shift lever should be in neutral while the clutch pedal should be all the way pressed down.

Question 20

What is the friction point?

Answer 20

In a manual transmission vehicle, the friction point is when the clutch pedal is beginning to be slowly released and the connection between the engine and the transmission will begin to be felt before the pedal is fully released.

Question 21

What should you do during the friction point?

Answer 21

Slowly release the clutch pedal to prevent the engine from stalling, and carefully use the gas pedal with the slow release of the clutch pedal to help achieve a smooth start.

Question 22

What does it mean for the engine to lug?

Answer 22

Move in rough, bumpy fashion.

Question 23

What does it mean for the engine to race?

Answer 23

Rev the engine but not move the car effectively.

Question 24

Where is the gear pattern usually found in a manual transmission vehicle?

Answer 24

At the top of the gear shift lever.

Question 25

What does “riding the clutch” mean? Why is it bad?

Answer 25

When you leave your foot on the clutch pedal unnecessarily/between gear shifts. This will cause extra wear on the clutch.

Question 26

When are the ONLY times you should be using the clutch pedal?

Answer 26

To start the vehicle, change from one gear to the next and just before you stop to prevent stalling.

Question 27

Where is the best position for your hands to be on a steering wheel?

Answer 27

3:00 and 9:00; if not possible due to the design of the wheel, 2:00 and 10:00 is also acceptable.

Question 28

When should you use the hand-over-hand method?

Answer 28

When turning a corner, or returning the wheel from a turning position.

Question 29

When do you have to use your signal lights?

Answer 29

When you are moving away from the curb or parking lane; turning left or right; and when you change lanes.

Question 30

How do you turn on brake lights?

Answer 30

When you apply your brakes, the lights will activate automatically.

Question 31

What do brake lights mean?

Answer 31

Someone is slowing down or stopping.

Question 32

What are the hand signals of driving?

Answer 32

Left = Left arm straight out
Right = Left arm bent upwards
Slowing/Stopping = Left arm hangs out of window

Question 33

What are the three factors that determine the time and distance it takes to stop?

Answer 33

Perception time; reaction time and braking time.

Question 34

How do you calculate total stopping distance?

Answer 34

Perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance = total stopping distance.

Question 35

What is the average perception time? What is the average reaction time?

Answer 35

The average time for both perception and reaction is about 3/4s of a second.

Question 36

What is a perception time and what is a perception distance?

Answer 36

Perception time is how long it take to recognize a situation and understand you need to stop, while perception distance is how far a vehicle travels during this time.

Question 37

What is a reaction time and what is a reaction distance?

Answer 37

Reaction time is how long it takes to respond to a situation by moving your foot from the accelerators pedal to the brake pedal. Reaction distance is how far a vehicle travels in this time.

Question 38

What is braking time and what is braking distance?

Answer 38

Braking time is how long it takes a vehicle to stop after the brakes are applied. Braking distance is how far the vehicle travels during this time.

Question 39

What factors affect your brake time brake time? (6)

Answer 39

Speed - the greater your speed, the longer the brake time; your visual search skills; decision-making abilities; alertness and level of fatigue; use of substances; condition of your vehicle’s brakes and tires.

Question 40

If you need to stop quickly, why should you not slam on the brakes?

Answer 40

This can cause the wheels to lock which will cause a loss of steering control.

Question 41

What speed should all reversing be done at?

Answer 41

A crawl/slow walking speed.

Question 42

What should you do before reversing out of a driveway?

Answer 42

Walk around the vehicle and check for possible dangers behind the vehicle.

Question 43

What are the steps needed to reverse in a straight line?

Answer 43

1) Place your left hand on the top of the steering wheel, shift onto your right hip and place your right hand on the back of the passenger seat for support.
2) Look over your right should through the rear window and reverse slowly while keeping your foot over the brake pedal.
3) Check the front to be sure the front of the vehicle does not contact anything.
4) If needed, correct your steering by turning the steering wheel no more than a quarter turn in the same direction you want the rear to go.

Question 44

What are the steps needed to reverse left or right?

Answer 44

1) If you need to turn more than one-half turn, use both hands on the steering wheel at 9:00 and 3:00.
2) If turning left, look over your left shoulder with frequent glances to the front.
3) If turning right, look over your right shoulder with frequent glances to the front.
4) Turn the steering wheel the direction you want the rear to go.

Question 45

How should you reverse out of a driveway?

Answer 45

Steer your vehicle into the nearest traffic lane and then go forward. DO NOT reverse into a second traffic lane.

Question 46

What is the maximum distance you can park from the curb?

Answer 46

50 cm from the curb.

Question 47

What are the steps you must take before leaving a parallel park position? (in order, 6 steps)

Answer 47

1) Check all mirrors to see if it is safe to leave the parking location.
2) Reverse while looking over your right shoulder through you rear window, until you are close to the vehicle parked behind you, without making contact.
3) Turn on the left turn signal.
4) Before moving forward, look over your left shoulder for traffic and cyclists not visible in the mirrors.
5) Move forward slowly about one metre while steering sharply all the way to the left. When it is safe, drive to the nearest travel lane taking care to not make contact with the vehicle parked in front.
6) Be alert for traffic approaching from the rear.

Question 48

What are the steps of parallel parking? (in order, 8 steps)

Answer 48

1) As you approach intended spot, check behind you for traffic and if the spot is large enough for your vehicle.
2) Stop when the rear bumper of your vehicle is aligned with the vehicle that will be in front of you when you’re parked. (2-3m away from it)
3) Look over right should to make sure there is nothing behind you.
4) Reverse straight slowly for about half a metre, then sharply turn right until you are 45 degree angled from curb
5) Straighten front wheels and reverse until front right corner aligned with other car’s bumper
6) Turn wheel sharply to the left while still reversing.
7) Straighten out as needed.
8) Always look the direction you are going while glancing to the front occasionally.

Question 49

When exiting a vehicle parked parallel to the curb on a two-way street, what should you do?

Answer 49

Check all mirrors, do a left shoulder check for blind spots, open the door no wider than necessary and leave quickly, walking to the rear of the vehicle facing traffic.

Question 50

When entering a vehicle parked parallel to the curb on a two-way street, what should you do?

Answer 50

Approach from the front to face traffic and look for traffic before opening the door no wider than necessary and as quickly as possible.

Question 51

What are the steps for entering an angle parking space on the right?

Answer 51

1) Turn on right turn signal and reduce speed.
2) Drive parallel to the curb and remind about 1.5m/five feet away from the rear of the parked vehicle.
3) When you can see along the left side of the vehicle parked right of the intended space, steer sharply to the right. Ensure your vehicle is centred in the space.
4) At the mid-point of the space, straighten your wheels and continue to move forward slowly. Check left front bumper and right rear bumper are not too close to other cars.
5) Slowly move forward until within 50cm of the curb.

Question 52

How to leave an angle parking space?

Answer 52

1) Reverse slowly and carefully; yielding right-of-way as you back out.
2) Stop when rear of vehicle is even with vehicle on the right (if it is longer than yours). Check again for traffic.
3) Continue reversing straight until you see past the parked vehicle.
4) When front bumper clears the rear of the left parked vehicle, turn the steering sharply to the right.
5) Continue into first lane behind the parked vehicle and stop when parallel to curb.
6) Drive ahead in current lane and watch out for other cars moving of out parking spots.

Question 53

How far should you be from the rear of the parked vehicle to your right when approaching a perpendicular parking spot?

Answer 53

2m/6ft.

Question 54

How do you perpendicular park?

Answer 54

1) While staying 2m from the rear of the parked cars, travel slowly until your vehicle’s front bumper is even with the left side of the car right of the intended spot.
2) Drive slowly and turn wheels quickly all the way to the right.
3) Check left front corner and right side of vehicle as you enter
4) Look through the vacant space, driving slowly and ensuring the vehicle is centred and complete in the stall.

Question 55

Which side is easier for entering a perpendicular parking spot and why?

Answer 55

Left because you have more room to achieve the proper angle since we must keep right on the road while driving.

Question 56

What is the only time you can enter a perpendicular or angle parking stall to your left?

Answer 56

When you are in a parking lot.

Question 57

What side/direction should you turn your wheels when parking uphill WITH a curb (when on the right side of the road)?

Answer 57

Left/towards the centre of the road.

Question 58

What side/direction should you turn your wheels when parking uphill WITHOUT a curb (when on the right side of the road)?

Answer 58

Right/toward the edge of the road.

Question 59

What side/direction should you turn your wheels when parking downhill (when on the right side of the road)?

Answer 59

Always turn your wheels to the right/toward the edge of the road.

Question 60

How should you park uphill with a curb?

Answer 60

Turn the front wheels left/towards the centre of the road and allow your vehicle to roll back slowly until the right front tire is touching the curb.

Question 61

How should you turn your front wheels when parking on the left side of the road on a hill?

Answer 61

For any hill parking on the left side of the road, turn the front wheels the opposite direction that you would on the right side of the road.

Question 62

Where can you NOT park? (13)

Answer 62

1) On a sidewalk or boulevard
2) On a crosswalk or on any part of a crosswalk
3) Within an intersection
4) Within 1.5m/5ft of access to a garage, private roadway, or driveway.
5) Alongside or opposite any street construction or obstruction when stopping or parking would obstruct traffic
6) On a bridge or underpass or the approaches to a bridge or underpass
7) Where a traffic control device prohibits stopping or parking
8) Within 5 metres/16ftof a stop sign or yield sign
9) Within five metres of the nearest side of a marked crosswalk
10) Within 5 metres of a fire hydrant. When the hydrant is not located at the curb, do not park within five meteres of the point on the curb nearest the hydrant.
11) Beside other vehicles where you may be double-parked.
12) Closer than 5 metres of the edge of the intersecting roadway, except where there is an indication that parking is permitted, such as with a parking meter.
13) At or near the site of a fire, explosion, motor vehicle crash, or other incident, where parking would obstruct traffic or emergency response personnel and equipment.

Question 63

Where can you not park on a roadway outside an urban area?

Answer 63

1) On the roadway, parking lane, or shoulder of a primary highway except where: your vehicle is incapable of moving under its own power; an emergency arises, or it is permitted by law.
2) Unless there is a clear passage for other motor vehicles.
3) Your vehicle can be seen for 60 metres/200ft along the roadway in both directions.