1. Performing Basic Vehicle Maneuvers
Chapter 6
Performing Basic Vehicle Maneuvers

2. 6.1 Steering, Signaling and Changing Lanes
Steering control is critical to every successful driving maneuver
Developing steering control involves:
Developing good visual habits
Adjusting speed
Adjusting the steering wheel continually
Judging available roadway space accurately

3. 6.1 Steering, Signaling, and Changing Lanes
Steering straight FORWARD
Use a comfortable, balanced hand position (10 & 2) or (9 & 3)
Aim high
Look far down the intended path, not at the center line or lane lines

4. 6.1 Steering, Signaling, and Changing Lanes
Steering straight BACKWARD
Before backing, look back to make sure path is clear
Do NOT rely on the rearview mirrors
Follow these steps
Foot on brake and shift to Reverse (R)
Turn body to right, put your right arm over the back of the seat (Left hand at 12 o’clock) OR keep both hands at the top of the wheel. Look back through the rear window
Release pressure on the brake, back slowly
Move the top of the steering wheel the direction you want the back of the car to go. Make only small steering corrections
Glance quickly to the front and sides to check traffic

5. 6.1 Steering, Signaling and Changing Lanes
Backing Left or Right
Check for traffic, pedestrians, parked cars and low objects behind you
Keep both hands on the steering wheel
(10 & 2)
Pull wheel to the left to back left
Pull wheel to the right to go right
Back slowly
Begin to unwind the steering wheel to finish the turn in a straight position

6. 6.1 Steering, Signaling and Changing Lanes
Lane Changes
An important maneuver on a roadway with two or more lanes of traffic moving in your direction
You may change lanes to make an upcoming left or right turn, to give better position, or to show a better view in traffic
Steering control is critical to avoid over steering

7. 6.1 Steering, Signaling and Changing Lanes
Lane Changing
Check traffic ahead in both lanes and both rearview mirrors
Signal and make a blind-spot check
Steer gently into the next lane, if clear
Cancel signal and adjust speed

8. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Turnabouts
What is the safest way to turn the car around?
Other maneuvers used are called turnabouts – a maneuver for turning your car around to go in the opposite direction
Precautions to take when turning your car around
Do not make a turnabout near hills, curves or within 200 feet of intersections
Amount of traffic around you
Is it legal?
Do you have enough space?
Check for traffic and pedestrians

9. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Midblock U-Turn
Do local laws allow it?
Do you have enough space?
Be careful – you must cross several lanes of traffic

10. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Steps to Make a U-Turn
Check traffic ahead and to the rear. Signal right. Pull to the right along curb and stop. Signal left. Check Traffic. Turn wheels sharply to the left.
Check traffic again. Check the space is needed to complete a U-turn.
Straighten the wheels while you accelerate gently to proceed in the proper lane

11. Mid Block U - Turn

12. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Three Point Turnabout
Executing this maneuver may put you in a high risk situation. Use this on a rural road or deadend
Check traffic and signal right. Pull over to right curb. Stop. Signal left. Check traffic. Turn sharply left using all available space, pulling perpendicular to the curb. Stop.
Shift to REVERSE. Check traffic. Turn wheels sharply right while backing across lane (Back only as far as necessary to complete the maneuver). Stop. Straighten wheels
Shift to DRIVE. Check traffic. Go and steer into
proper lane.

13. 3 Point Turnabout

14. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Pull Into Driveway on Left Side
Choose this turnabout when
Oncoming traffic is light
A driveway is available on the left
Check traffic ahead and to the rear. Signal left. Turn into driveway.
Shift to REVERSE. Check traffic. Back slowly to the right. Stop with the wheels straight
Shift to DRIVE. Accelerate gently and go.

15. Pull Into Driveway on Left Side

16. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Back Into Driveway on Right Side
Check traffic to rear. Proceed beyond driveway
Stop 1 to 3 feet from curb. Shift to REVERSE. Check traffic again, and back slowly to the right into driveway.
Shift to DRIVE. Signal left. Check traffic
Drive forward to the left into your lane of travel.

17. Back Into Driveway on Right Side

18. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
Shared Left-Turn Lane (center turn lane)

19. 6.3 Parking
Angle Parking
Check for traffic and pedestrians. Position your car as far away from parking spot as possible (staying in the driving lane). Signal and begin braking.
Creep forward until you can see the center of the space without your line of sight cutting across the parking line. Begin turning wheel, remember to enter slowly (foot on brake).
Straighten the wheels when you are centered in the space.

20. 6.3 Parking Perpendicular Parking
Position your car as far away from the parking spot as possible. Signal. Slow down (apply brake)
Check traffic to front and rear.
Begin turning steering wheel when your cars front bumper is about half way through the space you are going to park in.
Straighten the wheels when you are center in the space.

21. 6.3 Parking Parking on Hills
When parking on a hill, you must make sure the car will not roll down into traffic.
Take these precautions when you park on a hill
ALWAYS SET THE PARKING BRAKE
FOLLOW PROPER PARKING PROCEDURES

22. 6.3 Parking Uphill parking with a curb
Signal and pull to within 5 inches of the curb. Stop.
Shift to NEUTRAL (keeping your foot on the brake). Turn wheels completely AWAY form the curb.
Take foot off the brake, allowing the car to roll back until the back of the front tire touches the curb.
Shift to park. Set parking brake.

23. 6.3 Parking Leaving an uphill parking spot
Start car. Shift to drive. Release parking brake.
Signal. Check traffic. Proceed carefully while straightening wheels. Adjust speed. Cancel signal.

24. 6.3 Parking Downhill parking with a curb
Signal and pull to within 5 inches of the curb. Stop.
Shift to neutral (keeping foot on the brake). Turn wheels sharply TOWARD the curb.
Release foot brake allowing car to roll forward until front tire touches curb.
Shift to park. Set parking brake.

25. 6.3 Parking Leaving the downhill parking spot
Start car. Shift to REVERSE. Watch behind you and back slowly – just enough to get wheels straight and off the curb
Stop
Shift to DRIVE. Signal. Check Traffic. Proceed slowly. Adjust speed. Cancel signal.

26. Parallel Parking