How do you drive?

[Jim99]

I'd imagine that trying to read would only make things trickier.

My instructor was saying that one of his biggest struggles is when people get ideas (from watching other people drive, what their parents have told them, or what they've read somewhere) which are either plain wrong, correct but inappropriate for the pupil's level of skill, or correct but contrary to the instructor's style.

Just bite the bullet and get started on the lessons. They don't typically expect you to have taken your theory in my experience, either.

 

[p1RATE]

I drive a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters, not the mortgage, not the shop, not my wife and all her whinging. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.

This deserves a round of applause

 

[Joe T]

Learning to drive from a book would be like Sheldon trying to learn how to swim using the internet. It's a practical skill really.

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

Sideways

 

[Greboth]

You don't learn to drive till you pass your test.

Focus on passing the test first, do it exactly as they want you to do it, then forget all about it once you've done it and start learning from there.

You only develop proper road craft over time, it's not something you can really learn during driving lessons.

This.

Your instructor can teach you how to control a car and how to pass the test but you only really learn once you have passed your test. As you gain experience you learn to predict and anticipate what other road users will do. I'm sure I would struggle to pass my test if I had to re-take it as I know I have picked up some habits, rarely parallel park and don't think I have ever reversed around a corner since my test. However I know I am a much better and safer driver than when I passed my test.

 

[Orionaut]

I drive a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters, not the mortgage, not the shop, not my wife and all her whinging. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.

You are closer to the thruth than you realise.

Driving is a "Real time app" (If you like)

Most of your driving decisions are processed withing the 7 second short term memory buffer.

Very little of the STM buffer is transferred to longer term memory.

This is why, if you are driving on a particularly boring and uneventful stretch of road you can find yourself, afterwards, not able to remember the journey.

(The M4 between Reading and newbury always did it for me! )

It is alarming the first time it happens because you think you have been asleep, but you haven't, it is just that there hasn't been anything worth remembering so you don't!

 

[BD10NNF]

You've played GTA, Forza etc?

It's nothing like that.

Read the book to pass the theory and get lessons. Driving isn't something you can learn in a book. It's all experience.

When you pass you will gradually get better. Then you can go on skid days etc and learn more about car control.

 

[DRZ]

If you really really want the best available information buy a copy of Roadcraft. It will contradict many of the things you will be taught in lessons however.

I think one of the most important things is Bend Assesment with Limit Point application. There's only one thing better than knowing how to handle loss of control, that's not losing control in the first place!

Roadcraft is a dogma created to allow average drivers to safely drive in extraordinary situations. Nothing more than that.

 

[Freefaller]

I was lucky in that I was able to drive on private land as a young teenager and spent many summers driving around fields and in and out of sheds.

However that does not teach you how to deal with other road users. The best thing as has been said, is just to go out and do it. Yes you will get beeped at or scared or have some impatient people be rude - but you'll learn and soon enough you'll feel more confident.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Surely a Mondeo ST220 would do the job.

Screw mod 306.

 

[Richie]

The biggest thing I think people dont do is look far enough ahead and actually plan what they are going to do in advance... Too many people drive and keep their eyes glued to the car in front when they should look as far ahead as possible and see what the road and traffic are doing.

 

[dacads]

The biggest thing I think people dont do is look far enough ahead and actually plan what they are going to do in advance... Too many people drive and keep their eyes glued to the car in front when they should look as far ahead as possible and see what the road and traffic are doing.

Yep I've always been good at this, no point tailgating somebody unless you want to rear end them or miss a hazard.

 

[MORE SPEED]

The biggest thing I think people dont do is look far enough ahead and actually plan what they are going to do in advance... Too many people drive and keep their eyes glued to the car in front when they should look as far ahead as possible and see what the road and traffic are doing.

Same thing with roundabouts, look early and assess the situation. You will be able to approach much smoother and have a generally better experience than nearly coming to a halt then looking.

 

[Sin_Chase]

Roadcraft is a dogma created to allow average drivers to safely drive in extraordinary situations. Nothing more than that.

Uhmmmmm, I don't really know how to reply to that. I use it to drive safely in all conditions at speeds joe public will never travel on public roads.

Limit point bend assessment is not 'dogma'. Its fact. Fact that you should not be travelling around a corner quicker than your view of the road is opening. If you are, how do you plan to stop for something unsighted?

You can choose to view Roadcraft as dogma but most of the principles it teaches are solid habits to have. Even if you point blank refuse to use push/pull steering, separated gear changes and braking phases etc. The early anticipation and planning habits, for example, are invaluable.

Keep the balls to the wall sideways lunacy for the track.

 

[Orionaut]

Same thing with roundabouts, look early and assess the situation. You will be able to approach much smoother and have a generally better experience than nearly coming to a halt then looking.

Best car (For learning to drive)

Daf44 variomatic

Woefully underpowered (850cc two cylinder air cooled) combined with a very effective CV transmission linked to a truly dreadful mechanical centrifugal clutch.

Result=A car that actually performed remarkably well between 5-30MPH (would leave many other larger engined vehicles for dust up to 30)

But you never wanted to actually stop!

You got really good at looking ahead and planning your next move three moves ahead so you never had to!

 

[neoboy]

I never opened the Highway Code when I bought it, just went the trial and error way with the CD tests until I was acing them. Whatever I wasn't sure off just asked the instructor when I was driving and it's all about confidence really and getting used to manual gearbox is the only part that needs getting right.

Rest just depends on your attention span, don't just look ahead but learn to anticipate the road ahead particularly when approaching junctions, roundabouts and slip roads. Best tip I was ever given is to never expect other drivers on the road to do what you expect them to do and just assume everyone is an idiot.

One tip I can give personally is to never let your ego drive, being right does not create a protective bubble around your car and your very squishy human body no matter how wrong the other person is. If someone is being a tool on the road, let them pass, overtake, have that spot in front, etc

 

[Jumper118]

I drive them round the bend and up the wall.

 

[snapdragon69]

It's about 11 years since I read Roadcraft, but I did enjoy it if nothing else. In fact, I think it's the last printed paper book I have read.

 

[Buffman]

I follow my Satnav blindly and keep an eye on upcoming traffic

 

[shadow_boxer]

Did my theory test. Booked some lessons and hey presto...don't think I ever picked up any books after my theory. Nothing beats just getting behind the wheel and practicing.