CHAPTER 4

BASIC
DRIVING SKILLS
No manual can completely teach you how to become a safe
driver. Studies show that the risk of a crash diminishes with
experience – experience that can only be gained through
instruction and practice.

4.1 STARTING THE VEHICLE

Check the vehicle owner’s manual for the best starting
procedures for the vehicle. The procedures vary depending
on whether the vehicle has fuel injection, and the type
of transmission.

4.2 SHIFTING GEARS

AUTOMATIC TR ANSMISSION
When driving a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, there is no need to manually shift gears.
Instead, the gear selector is only responsible for moving the
car using the P-R-N-D-L column.

P – “Park” locks the vehicle for parking

R – “Reverse” for moving in reverse

N – “Neutral” to leave the engine idle

D – “Drive” to move the vehicle forward

L – “Low Gear*” to limit the engine’s speed*

*Note: this may also be represented as “3, 2, 1” indicating

the maximum gear the automatic transmission may shift to.

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MANUAL TR ANSMISSION
For vehicles with a manual transmission, shifting gears regulates the range of speeds the vehicle may travel in.
Depending on the number of gears available, the driver must be able to shift from “Neutral” or “1” to higher gears,
“2, 3, 4…” in order to accelerate. To do this, a third pedal called the “clutch” is used to alternate between gears.

Step 1: Depress the clutch with your left foot

Step 2: Shift the gear stick with your right hand

Step 3: Slowly step on the gas pedal while simultaneously releasing the clutch

Repeat this process when “downshifting” or when you need to slow down to come to a stop. This process is also used
to move the vehicle backward by shifting into “Reverse” from the “Neutral” or “1” gear.

4.3 ACCELER ATING

Accelerate gradually and smoothly. Trying to start too fast can cause the drive wheels to spin, particularly on slippery
surfaces, causing the vehicle to slide. With a manual-shift vehicle, practice using the clutch and accelerator so the
engine does not run too fast or stall when shifting between gears.

4.4 BR AKING AND STOPPING

Using your vehicle’s brakes to come to a stop is one of the most important skills to learn. The time it takes your
wheels to stop depends on the vehicle’s weight, size, and load, as well as the condition of its tires. The reaction time
in getting your foot on the brake pedal is also crucial. Learning how to smoothly and effectively come to a stop may
take practice.

Even if your car and your reflexes are in top condition, different road surfaces still affect how fast you stop. Loose
gravel roads, snow and ice, or even dry pavement may cause your vehicle to skid if the brakes are applied too hard.
At higher speeds, it takes longer to stop. (See figure 4.1)

Figure 4. 1: Stopping distance

STOPPING DISTANCE
REACTION DISTANCE + BRAKING DISTANCE = STOPPING DISTANCE
mph
20 44ft + 25ft = 69ft
30 66ft + 57ft = 123ft
40 88ft + 101ft = 189ft
50 110ft + 158ft = 268ft
60 132ft + 227ft = 359ft

70 154ft + 310ft = 464ft

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Figure 4.2: 3- to 4- second rule USING BR AKE LIGHTS TO

COMMUNIC ATE WITH
OTHER DRIVERS
If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where
another driver does not expect it, or if the vehicle
Watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a landmark, such as a sign,
behind you is following too closely, tap your brake
and begin slowly counting. In order to achieve a safe following pedal three or four times quickly. This will let those
distance, your front bumper should not pass the landmark before behind you know you are about to slow down.
you’ve counted to three.

SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE REQUIRED STOPS

Since the greatest chance of a collision is in front You must always stop:
of you, using the 3- to 4-second rule will help you
establish and maintain a safe following distance and • At all stop signs.
provide adequate time for you to brake to a stop if • Before crossing a sidewalk when exiting a
necessary. This rule only works in normal traffic under private roadway, driveway, alleyway, etc.
good weather conditions. (See figure 4.2)
• When entering a public road from a private
• An inexperienced or beginning driver should drive including, but not limited to, parking lots,
maintain at least a three-second following businesses, schools, gas stations.
distance under normal driving conditions.
• At the request of any law officer.
• A two-second following distance may be
sufficient in normal conditions for an experienced • When instructed by a construction work
driver. zone flagger.
• At speeds of 40 mph, a four- to five-second • At a flashing red light, then go ahead if it
following distance is recommended. When road is clear.
conditions are slippery or the vehicle in front of
you blocks your view, a following distance of six • At all red traffic lights, including where right
or more seconds is recommended. turns on red are allowed.
• When a visually impaired person with a cane
ABS ( ANTILOCK BR AKING SYSTEM ) (often white or red-tipped) or guide dog is
walking in front of you or close enough to you
Most newer vehicles have ABS (antilock braking that the person could be in danger.
system). Be sure to read the vehicle owner’s manual
on how to use the ABS. The ABS will allow you to stop See page 12 regarding stops at railroad crossings and
without skidding. If your vehicle has ABS and you need page 20 for stops when approaching school buses
to stop quickly: displaying flashing lights and/or stop arms.
• Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can
and keep pressing.
• You might feel the brake pedal pushing back
when the ABS is working. Do not let up on the
brake pedal. The ABS will only work with the
brake pedal pushed down.

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4.5 APPROPRIATE SPEED 4.6 STEERING

The posted speed limit is the MAXIMUM speed you
can legally drive under ideal driving conditions. Your GRIPPING THE WHEEL
speed should depend on the posted speed limit, road To reduce the risk of injury from front airbags and best
conditions, and weather. The faster your vehicle is maintain control of your vehicle, use a proper grip.
going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow, or Your hands should be placed on opposite sides of the
stop. For example, a vehicle traveling 60 mph will steering wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock or slightly lower at 7
travel 3 times further than a vehicle traveling 30 mph and 5 o’clock. (See Figure 4.3)
before coming to a stop. (See figure 4.1)
• Look well down the road, not just immediately
In the event the speed limit is not posted, the following in front of you. Look for traffic situations where
general limits have been set: you will need to steer before you get to them.
This way, you have time to steer smoothly and
• 25 mph in any business district safely.
• 25 mph in a residential district or school district • When turning corners, turn the steering wheel
using the “hand-over-hand” or the “push-pull”
• 45 mph in any suburban district technique.
• 45 mph for any vehicle pulling another vehicle • Do not turn the wheel with just the palm of
one hand; you could lose control. When you
• 50 mph on unsurfaced secondary roads from
complete a turn, straighten out the steering
sunset until sunrise, and for all trucks on
wheel by hand. Letting it slip through your
secondary roads at any time of day
fingers could be dangerous.
• 55 mph on all primary roads, urban interstate
highways, and secondary roads, including
unpaved roads from sunrise to sunset Figure 4.3: Steering wheel hand position

• 70 mph on rural interstate highways

A lower limit may be set for any conditions listed

above.

While driving too fast is a major cause of crashes,

driving too slow may also cause a crash. Try to drive
with the general traffic flow on any road. On the
interstate system there is a minimum speed of 40 mph.
Vehicles that cannot go at least that fast under normal
conditions are not allowed on the interstate.

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4.7 BACKING TURN SIGNAL S

Turn signals communicate your intentions to others
It’s harder to maintain control when driving in reverse.
and give them time to react. You should use your turn
Backing up should be done at slow speeds. Use the
signals before you change lanes, turn right or left,
accelerator carefully, if at all.
merge into traffic, or park.
• Backing up requires you to turn your head to
• Signal every time you change direction. Signal
see beyond the head restraint. Do not depend
even when you do not see anyone else around.
on mirrors or backup cameras alone as they
There may be vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists in
don’t provide a full view and can be misleading
your blind spot. It is easy to miss someone who
in depth perception.
needs to know what you are doing.
• Shift your hips and turn around to get a good
• Iowa law requires you to signal at least 100 feet
view behind the vehicle. Drape your right arm
before a turn if the speed limit is 45 mph or less
over the back of the seat, grasp the top of
and if the speed limit is faster than 45 mph, you
the steering wheel with your left hand, and
must signal at least 300 feet before you turn.
look over your right shoulder through the rear
window. • As a rule of thumb, signal prior to slowing down.
• Check all areas behind the vehicle and in the • Be careful that you do not signal too early. If
vehicle’s blind spots prior to and while backing there are streets, driveways, or entrances
up. between you and where you want to turn,
wait until you have passed them to signal.
• Release the brake, then use the accelerator
gently, and only when necessary, to control • If another vehicle is about to enter the street
speed. Keep it slow. between you and where you plan to turn, wait
until you have passed it to signal your turn. If you
• Turn your wheel in the direction you want the signal earlier, the other driver may think you plan
car to travel. to turn where that driver is and he/she might pull
into your path.
• Look in the direction the car is moving through
the rear side windows. • Ensure the turn signal is off after the turn.

TURNS ON RED, AF TER A STOP

4.8 PROPER TURNING
At a traffic signal, you may make a right turn at a red
TECHNIQUES light unless there is a “NO TURN ON RED” sign. Prior
to safely turning, you must come to a complete stop
Plan your turns ahead of time. Decide where you want
and yield to all other traffic.
to be when you finish the turn. Give yourself a chance
to slow down and watch out for pedestrians and other
vehicles. Last minute sharp turns are dangerous and You may also make a left turn at a red light if you are
should be avoided. turning from the left lane of a one-way street onto
another one-way street.
Do not cut corners, and do not swing wide on your
turns. These actions increase your chances of being TURNING MANEUVERS
in a crash.
U-Turns
U-Turns should only be performed where their use is
not prohibited and where it is safe to do so.

Three-point turns
Three-point turns are generally not a safe maneuver
and can increase your risk and exposure to collisions.
It is better to proceed to the nearest intersection.
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4.9 CHANGING L ANES

Lane changes include:
• Changing from one lane to another.
• Merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp.
• Entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder.
Only change lanes one lane at a time. Before changing lanes, check traffic around you and confirm there is space
to safely enter the lane and yield to any vehicles already in that lane (see figure 4.4).

Figure 4. 4: Changing lanes

Signal: Inform other drivers of your plans by proper signaling.

Maintain speed: When you do make your lane change, do it carefully but without slowing down unless
you are moving into a slower lane of traffic. While you are changing lanes, constantly check traffic so you
will see anyone coming up on you unexpectedly.

Check your mirrors: Look in your rearview and side mirrors. Make sure there are no vehicles in the
lane you want to enter. Make sure that nobody is about to pass you.

Check your blind spots: Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move. Be sure no one is
near the rear corners of your vehicle.

When you turn your head to check the blind spots, make sure you keep the steering wheel straight; people
have a natural tendency to turn their arms in the same direction as their head.

Check for other road users: Be sure to check the far lane, if there is one, as someone in that lane
may be planning to move into the same lane you want to enter.

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4.10 PA SSING
Only pass another vehicle when signs (page 8) or road markings permit you to pass (figure 4.5), AND you’ve
determined you have enough room to pass safely. Only pass when it is necessary.
• As a rule, only pass one vehicle at a time.
• Avoid passing in places where a vehicle may enter the roadway ahead of you such as intersections
and driveways.

If passing is necessary, take the following steps:

1. Check the passing lane ahead to make sure there’s plenty of space before you try to pass.
2. Check mirrors and blind spots for traffic.
3. Signal intent to pass and accelerate as needed.
4. While passing, monitor the space in front of, and behind your vehicle, and check the rearview mirror.
5. When you see the front of the passed car in the rearview mirror and your vehicle is well clear, signal
intent, gently and slowly move back to the original lane, cancel the signal, and return to a safe speed.

PAVEMENT MARKINGS INDIC ATE PA SSING RULES

Figure 4.5: Pavement markings that indicate passing rules

DOUBLE YELLOW SOLID AND BROKEN DOUBLE YELLOW

CENTER LINE WITH BROKEN YELLOW LINES CENTER LINE
WHITE L ANE LINES
No passing either way over Do not pass when solid No passing in either lane.
center yellow lines. Broken line is in your lane. In this
white lines separate traffic example, the left lane
traveling in the same direction. cannot pass. Traffic in the
Passing is allowed when a right lane can pass.
broken white line is in your lane.
Yellow lines separate traffic traveling in different directions
White lines separate traffic traveling in the same directions

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PA SSING IS ILLEGAL IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

Figure 4.6: Illegal passing situations

Do not pass when Do not pass going around a Do not pass within 100 Do not pass within 100
approaching the curve when your view along feet of a narrow bridge, feet of a railroad crossing.
top of a hill. the roadway is obstructed. viaduct, or tunnel that
has a sign posted to let
you know it is there.

Do not pass within 100 Do not pass on the right. Do not pass when
feet of an intersection. oncoming traffic is so close
it would be dangerous to
try to make it around the
vehicle you are passing.

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4.11 DEFENSIVE DRIVING

When you drive safely and use defensive driving techniques, you're aware and ready for whatever happens.
94 percent of serious crashes are due to dangerous choices or errors people make behind the wheel. Follow these
defensive driving techniques to help reduce your risk of being involved in a crash:

1. Think safety first.

Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself will put you in a stronger position to deal
with other people's driving choices. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. Always wear
your seatbelt to protect you from being thrown from the car in a crash.

2. Be aware of your surroundings — pay attention.

Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If
another driver is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid them. If the driver is
driving so dangerously that you're worried, try to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit
if it's safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals along the road.

3. Do not depend on other drivers.

Be considerate of others but look out for yourself. Do not assume another driver is going to move out of the
way or allow you to merge. Assume that drivers will run through red lights or stop signs and be prepared to
react. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario.

4. Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. (See figure 4.2 on page 41)

Maintain a safe following distance to allow for time to react if necessary.

5. Keep your speed down.

Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It's your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches
conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things
go wrong.

6. Have an escape route.

In all driving situations, the best way to avoid potential dangers is to position your vehicle where you have
the best chance of seeing and being seen. Having an alternate path of travel also is essential, so always
leave yourself an out — a place to move your vehicle if your immediate path of travel is suddenly blocked.

7. Eliminate distractions.
A distraction is any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving. Driving deserves your full
attention — so stay focused on the driving task.

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4.12 DRIVING SAFELY IN TR AFFIC

KEEP PACE WITH TR AFFIC
Vehicles moving faster or slower than the flow of traffic result in an increased number of lane changes, passing, and
instances of following too closely. This increases the chance of potential collisions between vehicles. The safest
roadways are when all vehicles travel the same speed but do not exceed the speed limit.

SLOW- MOVING TR AFFIC

Always be ready to change your speed to match the speed of traffic. Some vehicles cannot travel very fast or have
trouble keeping up with the flow of traffic. If you spot these vehicles early, you have time to change lanes or slow
down safely. Slowing suddenly can cause a crash.
Farm vehicles, horse-drawn vehicles, and roadway maintenance vehicles normally travel at slower speeds. These
vehicles may have a slow-moving vehicle sign (an orange triangle or flashing lights) on the back.

FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE

Many collisions are caused by following the vehicle ahead too closely. You must be able to stop before hitting anything
in front of you. Higher speeds require greater stopping distances. Keep this in mind when following another vehicle.
The safest and easiest way to judge a safe following distance is to use the “Three-Four Second Rule” (see figure 4.2
on page 41). This will keep the vehicles in front of you far enough ahead that you will be able to safely stop if needed.

TAILGATING
If you are being tailgated, move slightly to the right and give the tailgater a better view of what is ahead and signal
early for turns, stops, or lane changes. Try slowing down and encouraging the driver behind you to pass. If all else
fails, pull out of the traffic flow.

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4.13 COMMUNIC ATING - HEADLIGHTS, HORN,

& EMERGENCY SIGNALS
Some drivers do not always pay attention to what is going on around them. Crashes often happen because one driver
does not see another driver, or when one driver does something the other driver does not expect. It is important that
drivers let other road users know they are there, and what they plan to do.

HEADLIGHTS HA Z ARD LIGHTS

Besides helping you to see at night, headlights If your vehicle breaks down on the road, make sure that
help other drivers see you. Turn on your headlights other drivers can see it. All too often collisions occur
whenever you are having trouble seeing other vehicles, because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it
as they are likely having trouble seeing you. Examples was too late to stop. Here are some guidelines if you
include fog, heavy rain, or snow. are having vehicle trouble and must stop.

Many vehicles are equipped with headlights that • If possible, safely move your vehicle off the
turn on automatically, but in some conditions, such road and away from traffic.
as daytime snowstorms, the ambient light is bright
enough your automatic headlights must be turned on • Turn on your emergency hazard lights to show
manually. you are having trouble.
• If you cannot get your vehicle off the roadway,
Iowa law requires the use of both headlights from try to stop where other drivers have a clear
sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is 500 feet or view of your vehicle. Do not stop just over a
less, (fog, heavy rain, snow, etc.). A good rule of thumb hill or just around a curve.
is to turn your headlights on whenever you turn your
windshield wipers on. • If you are stalled in a traveled lane, you and
your passengers should exit the vehicle quickly
and stand in a safe area; when possible, away
HORN from the shoulder of the road and far from
moving vehicles.
In some cases, your horn can be used to get the
attention of another driver and prevent a crash. Use your • Notify authorities that you or someone else
horn when: has broken down.
• A pedestrian or bicyclists appears to be moving
into your lane of travel.
• You are passing a driver who starts to turn into
your lane.
• There is a driver who is not paying attention or
who may have trouble seeing you.
• You are coming to a place where you cannot
see what is ahead, such as exiting a narrow
alley.
• Another car is in danger of hitting you.
• You need to alert other vehicles, drivers,
pedestrians, or animals of your presence.
• You have lost control of your vehicle and are
moving toward someone.

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