Step by Step Maneuvers

The step-by-step maneuvers in this section are similar to those taught in formal driver education courses in Oregon.

First Things First

It is important to start at the beginning with proper procedures for entering the vehicle, making adjustments, starting the car, and securing the car. Make sure your teen learns, practices, and can demonstrate these driver behaviors before you start practice driving.

Entering the Vehicle

Be Well Rested and Alert
NEVER drive a vehicle when you are tired or sleepy, emotionally upset, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and marijuana).

Have Key In Hand
When you know you are going to your car, have your key out in your hand. For your personal safety, NEVER search for your keys through your clothes or purse at your car. The goal is to have your keys in a location where you can retrieve them quickly and spend as little time as possible trying to open your car.

Approach with Awareness
As you approach your car, check around and inside the vehicle. Look inside to ensure no one has entered your car and is waiting for you. You should park in well-lit areas away from places where someone could be hiding (bushes, vans, etc.). Your personal safety could be at risk!

Lock All Doors
Immediately after entering the vehicle, lock all doors before you insert the key into the ignition. Someone can easily jump into an unlocked car.

Making Adjustments

Adjust Seat Position

Move the seat forward/backward to where your feet rest on the firewall just underneath the brake pedal without bending your knees or extending your legs. Then adjust the seat back so your torso is 10-12 inches from the steering wheel. If your steering wheel adjusts, angle it down as far as you can and still see the shape of the dash/display between the upper half of the steering wheel. This is to position it for emergency air bag deployment.
Put the ball of your right foot on the brake pedal. From your foot position, make sure you (a) have full range of motion in your ankle, (b) can fully depress the brake without your heel coming off the floor and (c) can pivot on your heel to put the ball of your foot on the gas pedal.
Make adjustments for best vehicle control and personal comfort.

Adjust Safety Belts

Sit up straight with your hips and back against the seat back.
Adjust the lap portion of the safety belt low across your hips and pelvis — NEVER across your stomach.
Adjust the shoulder portion across your chest and collarbone — NEVER across the front of your neck or face, behind your back, or under your arm.
Make sure the lap and shoulder belts are snug.

Hint: It is better to have all HVAC and radio devices tuned up and tuned in before you belt yourself into place.

Adjust Head Restraint
To correctly adjust a head restraint, the top of the head restraint should reach at least as high as the top of your ear and be set back no more than 3 inches from your head. Close head restraints can be twice as effective in preventing injuries as those which are set back too far.

Adjust the Mirrors
This technique reduces the size of typical blind spots and is also great for reducing headlight glare from behind. Make the following adjustments while you are sitting up straight with your hips and back against the seat back!

All 3 mirrors, tilt the mirror up or down so the horizon is visible across the center of each mirror.
Driver side mirror, lean your head slightly to the left and adjust the mirror in or out until you can see down the left side of your vehicle.
Passenger side mirror, lean your head slightly to the right and adjust the mirror in or out until you can see down the right side of the vehicle.
Rearview mirror, adjust the mirror so you get the widest view out the back window.

Note: Mirrors do not completely eliminate blind spots. Always do a chin-to-shoulder turn of your head to check blind spots before ever making a lateral movement.

Definition

Blind Spot: the area that is not visible to the driver without turning their head and looking.

Starting the Car

Make sure the transmission is in “PARK" and the parking brake is applied.
Place your right foot on the brake and hold it down.
Turn the key halfway to the “ON" position and allow the onboard computer to boot up. (You may have a newer vehicle with a fob. Secure the fob before pushing the “start" button.)
Check gauges and warning lights.
Then turn the key the rest of the way to the “START" position and release immediately.
Turn your headlights on. Remember you can be seen up to 9/10 of a mile away with headlights on, even in the daytime.
Turn on other necessary accessories if you have not already done so – climate control, wipers, etc.
Before entering traffic, release parking brake and signal. Check mirrors, look over the shoulder to check blind spot, and go when clear.

Secure the Car After Driving

Place your right foot on the brake and hold it down.
Set the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to “PARK."
Turn off all accessories – lights, wipers, climate control, etc.
Turn off the vehicle and remove your key from the ignition. If you have a fob, be sure to put it in your pocket or purse before leaving the vehicle.

Backing

Backing increases the risk for crash because it is much more difficult to see obstacles behind us. In addition, backing up requires more space to maneuver because your back tires do not turn. Plan ahead and position the car so you can pull forward whenever parking.

Make sure your teen learns, practices, and can demonstrate proper backing procedures.

Common Errors

Improper body position
Speed too fast
Failure to determine that path of travel is clear
Failure to look back during the whole maneuver until the vehicle is completely stopped
Incorrect steering

Backing Straight

Put your right foot firmly on the brake pedal.
Shift to “REVERSE" and release the parking brake.
Do a 360 degree search to make sure the area is ALL CLEAR!
Yield to ALL pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and vehicles.
Hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position with your left hand.
Twist your body, place your right arm on the seatback and look over your right shoulder continuously while backing with occasional side to front glances.
Trail brake (do not accelerate using the gas pedal) at a walking pace or even slower when you are near obstacles, cars, people riding bicycles, and pedestrians.

Note: You should never back up long distances on common roadways (forward movement is the law!).

Backing Turns

Put one hand at the 12 o'clock position and turn your head in the direction you intend the rear of the vehicle to travel.

When turning the rear of the car to the right, look back over your right shoulder.
When turning the rear of the car to the left, look back over your left shoulder.

Continue to look over your shoulder and trail brake (do not accelerate using the gas pedal) while moving at a walking pace.
Begin the turn when the center of the rear tire is aligned with the curb or edge of the road.

Backing Into a Driveway

Signal once you've identified a location to pull over.
Check your rearview mirror and blind spots for traffic and pedestrians.
Leave the traffic lane and stop within 18 inches of the curb.
Shift to “REVERSE" and complete a 360 degree search to make sure the area is ALL CLEAR.
Look over your shoulder and trail brake (do not accelerate using the gas pedal). Move at a walking pace.
Begin the turn when the center of the rear tire is aligned with the curb.

Backing Out of a Driveway

With your right foot on the brake pedal, shift to “REVERSE."
Do a 360 degree search to make sure the area is ALL CLEAR.
Look over your shoulder and trail brake (do not accelerate using the gas pedal) at a walking pace.
Stop short of your intended path of travel (for example, before a sidewalk or the roadway). Stop before entering the roadway and make sure you yield to all traffic, people riding bicycles, and pedestrians.
Do another 360 degree search and when clear, continue to look over your shoulder and trail brake.
Begin the turn when the center of the rear tire is aligned with the curb or edge of the road.
Complete the turn in the smallest amount of space.
Step on the brake and shift to “DRIVE."

Definitions

360 Degree Search: physically turn your head and body to look all the way around your car.
Trail Brake: a slight decrease of pressure on the brake pedal.
Blind Spot: the area that is not visible to the driver without turning their head and looking.
Path of Travel: the area you want the car to go.

Parking

Make sure your teen learns, practices, and can demonstrate parking in different situations.

Parking is ALWAYS prohibited:

In front of driveways.
Within 10 feet of fire hydrants.
In or near intersections.
Close to crosswalks or stop signs.

Entering Angle Parking

Common Errors for Entering Angle Parking Are:

Failure to signal.
The vehicle is too close to parking space on the side.
Failure to see traffic in the rear.
Speed is too fast.
Failure to target to the center of space.

Proper Procedures for Entering Angle Parking

Signal.
Slow or stop the vehicle at least 6-8 feet from the parking space.
Check your blind spot on the side of the parking space for traffic and pedestrians.
Begin turning when you can see the center of the parking space without your line of sight (or view) cutting across the parking line.
Creep (move very slowly) and turn the wheel sharply toward the center of the space.
Once you enter the space, straighten the wheels and center the vehicle in the space.
Stop even with the curb or parking line.
Secure your vehicle.

Figure 5. Enter Angle Parking

Definitions

360 Degree Search: physically turn your head and body to look all the way around your car.
Trail Brake: a slight decrease of pressure on the brake pedal.

Exiting Angle Parking

Common Errors for Exiting Angle Parking Are

Failure to signal.
Failure to check rear.
Speed is too fast.
Failure to look back while backing.
Starts turning before bumper is cleared.

Proper Procedures for Exiting Angle Parking

Check to the rear for a clear path.
With your foot on the brake, shift to “REVERSE."
Do a 360 degree search and yield to all traffic and pedestrians.
Look over your shoulder and trail brake (do not accelerate using the gas pedal) at a walking pace.
Check the front of your car for clearance.
Begin turning when your front bumper is even with the rear bumper of the parked car to your left or the dash of your car appears to clear the car to the side.
Continue to look to the rear while backing into the nearest lane.
Stop smoothly and shift to “DRIVE."

Figure 6. Exit Angle Parking

Pulling Forward into Perpendicular Parking Space

Common High Risk Errors Are:

Failure to approach and align to space correctly.
Failure to search for, communicate with, or yield to other traffic.
Speed is too fast.
Failure to straighten wheels and align in middle of space.

Proper Procedures for Pulling into Perpendicular Parking (on the Right)

Signal and position the vehicle 6-8 feet from the parked cars or as far to the left of the lane as possible.
Check traffic behind you.
Creep and turn the wheel sharp to the right of the space.
Check your right rear fender for clearance.
Straighten the wheel when you are centered in the space.
If necessary, shift to “REVERSE", complete a 360 degree search to make sure the area is all clear, and creep back slightly turning the wheel to the left.
Use a forward reference point to avoid hitting a curb.

Figure 7. Perpendicular Parking

Consider Backing into the Space

It's safer to drive out of a space in a forward motion.
Requires less time and space.
Better view when leaving the space.
Avoids backing out into traffic.
Others are more likely to let you out.

Backing into Perpendicular Parking Space

Common High Risk Errors

Failure to approach and align to space correctly.
Speed is too fast when turning to 45 degree angle or backing.
Forgets to shift to "REVERSE".
Failure to straighten wheels and align in middle of space.

Proper Procedures for Backing into Perpendicular Parking (on the Right)

Signal to the right.
Slow the vehicle and approach the space 3 feet away from the parking space.
Stop when the driver's body appears to be aligned in the center of the parking space.
Check for traffic and pedestrians.
Turn the wheel all the way to the left and slowly move to a 45-degree angle to the space. An easy way to do this is look over driver side mirror. Whatever appears over the top of the mirror before you turn is 45-degrees.
Stop. Shift to reverse. Turn the wheel all the way to the right.
Do a 360 degree visual check.
Creep backward until your car is perpendicular to the space you picked.
Stop moving. Straighten the wheels and back the vehicle into the space.
Stop even with the curb or parking line.

Figure 8. Backing into Perpendicular Parking

Advantages of Backing into the Space

It's safer to drive out of a space in a forward direction.
Requires less time and space.
Better line of sight while leaving the space.
Avoids backing out into traffic.
Others are more likely to let you out into traffic flow.

Parallel Parking

Entering a Parallel Parking Space (on the Right)

Check the rearview mirror and signal.
Stop 2-3 feet beside the front vehicle and line up rear bumpers.
Shift to “REVERSE." Turn the wheel all the way to the right.
Do a 360 degree search. Look over your shoulder and inch backwards.
Looking out the driver's side mirror, stop moving when you see the inside corner of the vehicle (curbside) to the rear.
Straighten the wheels and back in a straight line until your right front wheel aligns with the back corner of the car in front.
Check the front of your car to make sure it clears.
Turn wheels all the way to the left and continue to inch back until the car is parallel to the curb.
When parallel to the curb, straighten wheels and center your vehicle in the space.

Exiting a Parallel Parking Space

Reverse and inch back until you can see the front car's rear tires. Stop and turn the wheels all the way toward your intended path of travel.
Check your blind spot for people riding bicycles, pedestrians, and traffic.
Signal and yield to other traffic.
Search your intended path of travel and enter the nearest travel lane when clear.
Cancel signal and check rearview mirror.
Figure 9. Parallel Parking

Definitions

Trail Brake: a slight decrease of pressure on the brake pedal.
Blind Spot: the area that is not visible to the driver without turning their head and looking.
Path of Travel: the area you want the car to go.

Common Parallel Parking Errors Are:

Approaches too close or too fast.
Failure to shift to REVERSE.
Failure to look back while moving back.
Begins turning too early.
Failure to check the front of the car for clearance.

Parking on Hills

Common Errors for Parking on Hills Are:

Failure to search for, communicate with, or yield to other traffic, people riding bicycles, and pedestrians when entering or exiting the roadway.
Excessive speed on approach.
Failure to set parking brake when securing the vehicle.

Good Habits/Proper Procedures for Parking on Hills

Choose a legal space and signal.
Check your rearview mirror and blind spots.
Apply the brake and approach parallel to and 6 inches from the curb.
Make a smooth stop and shift into “NEUTRAL."
Turn the wheels in the proper direction.

If facing-up hill with curb, turn wheels left, toward the roadway. (FIG 1.)
If facing down-hill with curb, turn wheel right, away from the roadway. (FIG 2.)
If there is no curb, turn wheels right, away from the roadway. (FIG 3.)

If there is a curb, while in neutral, slowly release the brake until the vehicle's tire stops at the curb.
With your right foot on the brake, secure vehicle by setting your parking brake, then shifting to "PARK".

Top: Turn wheels left.

Bottom: Turn wheels right.

Turns

Make sure your teen practices and can demonstrate precision right and left turns. As you practice, remind your teen:

Stop at intersections at the legal stop line. If there is no line, then stop at the crosswalk/sidewalk. If there is no crosswalk/sidewalk, then stop before the imaginary line extending from the curb line or edge of roadway.
ALWAYS look to the left, to the front, to the right, and then to the left again before entering any intersection. Look twice for pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and motorcycles.
Make ALL turns from the nearest legal lane into the nearest legal lane!

Right Turns With a Required Stop

Common Errors for Right Turns With a Required Stop Are:

Failure to check for people riding bicycles or pedestrians before starting forward motion.
Stops over legal stop area.
Failure to turn head before turning wheel.
Turns wheel before starting forward motion.
Turns into wrong lane.
Travels in or cuts across the bike lane marked with a solid white line.
Travels in on-street parking spaces.

Definitions

Blind Spot: the area that is not visible to the driver without turning their head and looking.
Controlled Brake: firm, steady, even pressure on the brake pedal
Light Acceleration: light pressure on the gas pedal.

Proper Procedures for Right Turns With a Required Stop

Signal, check mirrors and blind spot. Check the right blind spot to move right and the left blind spot to move left.
Use controlled braking and allow sufficient space on the right to avoid hitting the curb when turning, approximately 3 feet from the right edge of the roadway. Be careful not to drive in parking spaces or bike lanes.
Stop at the legal stop area and search the intersection for vehicles, pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and potential hazards. Be careful not to stop in a bike lane or parking space.
BEFORE turning the wheel, turn your head in the direction you intend to travel.
Use light acceleration and begin to turn when the dashboard is aligned with the curb.
Straighten and use progressive acceleration to reach your targeted speed.
Check rearview mirror.

Right Turns Without a Required Stop
Common Errors for Right Turns Without a Required Stop

Late or no signal.
Confusion on right-of-way, fails to yield.
Failure to search intersection in all directions.
Failure to search before turning wheel.
Turns into wrong lane.
Accelerates prematurely.
Failure to yield to people riding bicycles going straight.

Proper Procedures for Right Turn Without a Required Stop

Signal, check mirrors and blind spots. Check the right blind spot to move right.
Use controlled braking in a position approximately 3 feet from curb, parked car, parking space or bike lane.
Search intersection in all directions for vehicles, pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and potential hazards.
BEFORE turning the wheel, turn your head to the right. Yield to pedestrians and people riding bicycles.
Begin the turn when the dashboard is aligned with the curb line.
Trail brake until halfway through the turn.
Straighten and use progressive acceleration to reach your targeted speed.
Check rearview mirror.

Definitions

Progressive Acceleration: a steady increase in pressure on the gas pedal.
Trail Brake: a slight decrease of pressure on the brake pedal.

Left Turns With a Required Stop
Common Errors for Left Turns With a Required Stop

Failure to make a complete stop.
Stops over the legal stop point.
Stops too close to vehicle ahead.
Failure to yield to pedestrians and people riding bicycles.
Cuts across the center yellow line when beginning or negotiating a left turn.

Proper Procedures for Left Turns With a Required Stop

Signal you are turning left.
Use controlled braking and approach in Lane Position 2.
Stop at the legal stop area, which is the stop line, pedestrian cross walk, or imaginary line extending from stop sign.
Search the intersection for vehicles, pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and potential hazards.
BEFORE turning the steering wheel, turn your head in the direction of the turn.
Begin turn when your line of sight (or view) to the center of your intended lane does not cut across the curb line.
Use light acceleration and turn the steering wheel simultaneously.
Straighten and use progressive acceleration to reach your targeted speed.
Check rearview mirror.

Left Turns Without a Required Stop
Common Errors for Left Turns Without a Required Stop

Confusion on right of way.
Late or no signal.
Failure to check blind areas.
Forgets to search intersection for traffic, people riding bicycles, and pedestrians.
Too much steering.
Late steering recovery.
Turns into incorrect lane.
Brakes too hard.
Accelerates too soon or too much.

Proper Procedures for Left Turns Without a Required Stop

Signal, check mirrors and blind spot.
Use controlled braking and use Lane Position 2.
Search the intersection for vehicles, pedestrians, people riding bicycles, and potential hazards.
BEFORE turning the wheel, turn your head in the direction you intend to travel.
Begin turning when the front bumper is even with the curb line.
Turn into the nearest legal lane of travel.
Trail brake until halfway through the turn.
Straighten and use progressive acceleration to reach your targeted speed.
Check rearview mirror.

Definitions

Controlled Braking: firm, steady, even pressure on the brake pedal.
Lane Position 2: the left side of the lane.
Light Acceleration: light pressure on the gas pedal.
Progressive Acceleration: a steady increase in pressure on the gas pedal.
Blind Spot: the area that is not visible to the driver without turning their head and looking.
Trail Brake: a slight decrease of pressure on the brake pedal.

Bicycles on the Roadway

Obey speed limits. Excessive speed is a factor in a high number of crashes involving people riding bicycles.
Be aware of how wide your car is and pass people riding bicycles carefully. If you pass a person riding a bicycle who is traveling in your lane of traffic and you are going over 35 mph, Oregon law requires that you pass at a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact if the person were to fall.
Do not move your car into a bike lane to make a right turn. Check for people riding bicycles before making a turn across a bike lane.
People riding bicycles can travel at high speeds, often as fast as other traffic. Don't assume there is more time to turn in front of a person riding a bicycle than in front of a car.

The Bike Box

Stop for the traffic signal behind the bike box.
Don't stop on top of the bike box.
No right turns on red at these intersections.
If turning right on a green light, signal and check for and yield to cyclists to the right.
The color of the bike box may vary.

Figure 10: Bike Box

Top Arrow: Bike Box

Middle Arrow: Wait Here

Bottom Arrow: Bike Line

Photo: Graphic provided by City of Portland Bureau of Transportation

Right Turns Across a Bike Lane

Get as close as is practical to the right curb or edge of the road without interfering with pedestrians or people riding bicycles. A bicycle lane is considered the edge of the roadway. Do not move into a bicycle lane in preparation for a right turn. Always check for bicycles going straight in a bike lane and yield to them before making a right turn.