[xx_melody]

I've had my permit for about 7 months already, and I'm improving...but the little things are driving me crazy. For instance, when backing out, I get confused as to which way to turn the steering wheel to go to the desired direction. My friend told me to concentrate on the back of the car to help me think of it better. Still takes me a while to think though

Also, I can't seem to tell if I'm driving in the middle of a lane or not. How can you tell? Pure instinct? I try to follow the lines but once again, takes me a while.

And the little quirks of parallel parking..don't even get me started

Any tips?

[ghost]

To be honest, It all just takes practice

Good Luck

[SoupSandwich]

Hahahaha. You'll get familiar with it, don't stress too much. Driving, I don't even think about what I'm doing anymore. It's all done subconsciously.

[taoh]

When backing, the direction you turn the wheel is the direction the rear end will go. If you are not turning your head to look over your shoulder, then you're doing it wrong (unless you drive a vehicle with no view of what is directly behind you).

If you're sitting on the left side, you should be on the left side of the line, but close to the middle of it as well. Just remember where the centerline of your car is and find a reference point to use so you can gauge whether or not you are driving down the center.

As for parallel parking, I've always found this guide to be best to describe it with pictures (p. 14-15) http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl603/dl603.pdf

[aznanimekid]

dont watch the sides of the lanes. focus on the car in front of u and concentrate on following it. if done correctly u wont be wobbling the wheel trying to stay between two lines. i used to do that a lot until my mom yelled at me to focus on the car ahead cuz she didtn want me to screw up the car and hit a curb or something...

reversing is the same as going forward. if u turn the wheel right, ur car will start to reverse to the right. turn left and the car will move in reverse to the left.

[RossiMacher]

dont watch the sides of the lanes. focus on the car in front of u and concentrate on following it. if done correctly u wont be wobbling the wheel trying to stay between two lines. i used to do that a lot until my mom yelled at me to focus on the car ahead cuz she didtn want me to screw up the car and hit a curb or something...

reversing is the same as going forward. if u turn the wheel right, ur car will start to reverse to the right. turn left and the car will move in reverse to the left.

No, don't just concentrate on following the car in front of you. If the driver in front crashes, are you going to follow him/her? Just be aware of the lane markings and look ahead towards the middle of whichever lane you're in. If you need a point of focus, look at one of the lines, not both...

[heygirl08]

No, don't just concentrate on following the car in front of you. If the driver in front crashes, are you going to follow him/her? Just be aware of the lane markings and look ahead towards the middle of whichever lane you're in. If you need a point of focus, look at one of the lines, not both...

Yeah, all you need is practice and you'll get the hang of it.

[tiienchi]

Hahahaha. You'll get familiar with it, don't stress too much. Driving, I don't even think about what I'm doing anymore. It's all done subconsciously.

Yeah


And if cars aren't honking at you, you're doing alright. I think you're just thinking too much.

Just do it, just drive, try not to think too much about the simplistics. =)

[Xarthan]

pay attention to the road

[xl0lxl0lx]

my cousin told me that the car is in the center when it appears as though ur right knee is in the middle, but if u don't understand that then just ignore it. it worked for me, and then eventually i could just tell.

reversing, i think of it as turning the wheel opposite of where u want the front to go.

parallel parking, just remember the steps.

[some-azn-guy]

focus on the car in front of u and concentrate on following it.

that's exactly what you do NOT want to do.
if that's what you're doing....then what will happen if there's no car in front of you?
and if that car goes off the road, i guess you'd mindlessly follow it as well.

my advice for the thread starter...
PRACTICE!

[KiMBERLYY X3]

for me, my instructor told me when your right leg seems to be in the middle of the lane then you know youre in the middle. It worked for me so I dont know about others ... yeah, kind of like what xl0lxl0lx said

[Jah nee nee x]

i got a perfect on the parallel parking. muahahaha. but thats because my dad made me practice so much that I hated driving for a while lol.

if theres a car in front, use the end of the car and line that up with your back wheels. if its a trashcan like at my dmv then line the trashcan up with your back wheels.

then dont move just turn your wheel to the right all the way until you cant turn anymore. then start to reverse slowly and start to turn your wheel left when you think the back of your car is in the middle of the parking space. thats the hard part, you just have to feel it. use your side mirrors.

then when you're car is parallel to the car in front of you (or trashcans) then move forward and straighten up your tires. it gets easier when you practice.

[beb]

Holy crap not to be an ass, but after 7 months of permit driving you still get confused on the steering wheel!?!?

Man, all I can tell yuu is that practice makes perfect....... Just hope that practicing isnt going on anywhere near me. lol. JK. Good luck to you.

[KeepinItReal]

Talk on your cellphone
Blast the radio
Eat a hamburger
Don't wear your seatbelt

[lovejyk]

We really don't need comments like that ^.
you could of at least added ONE helpful tip or something.

Anyways, with the lane thing... just make sure your right foot (while it's on the accerlerator) is right down the middle of the lane (from your perception!!!!). we all know the right accelerator isn't down the middle of the car but from YOUR DRIVER'S angle, to your pedal, to the road, it basically "looks" like it's in the middle.

You can easily judge where the middle of the lane is by looking at roads and you'll see this dark "stain" going down the middle (which is just made by fluids from the bottom of the cars). but this would be like on un-repaved roads of course going by the lines can be dangerous. you'll find yourself drifting off the road if you go by the lines if you aren't experienced enough. you'll probably be all shakey with the wheel because you'll keep trying to fix yourself by comparing to that line on your side of the road.



when you're backing, just turn your wheel to the side where you want the "butt" of the car to go to. so if you want the end of the car turning to your left when you're backing, just turn your wheel to your left. it would also help if you imagine the actual wheels turning while you're doing this. if you rode on a bike before, you'll notice that you turn the same way when you're going backwards.


parallel parking.... i would be better if you see someone else do it first. pay attention to how they are steering and everything.

hope this helps?