Student Driver Needs Help

[BehindEnemyLines]

It's either my instructor isn't very good or I'm just a slow learner, probably the latter, but...I want to be a safe driver so please help me with this problem that I'm having.

I'm trying to drive and turn with two hands and one hand althought I must use two hands during the driving test.

I can't make good turns. If I make a right turn, I don't know how much to turn the steering wheel so I either don't turn the steering wheel enough (and it crosses the left lane) or too much (and the car veers sharply to the right) and the result is not enough time to straighten out the car. The same thing happens with left turns.

Are there techniques to this? Such as timing, speed, and estimation. What hands positions that would allow maximum movement and control during the turn? What speed should I maintain before and during the turn with how much braking? How much do I turn the steering wheel (so it doesn't cross other lanes or veer sharply to the direction of turn) and when to return the steering wheel to straighten the car (timing?) and how quick should the straightening be? Should I let the steering wheel straighten out by itself or forcefuly straighten it out?

PS: The drive seat is on the left side.

Thank you all for helping. If you have other advices, tips, or techniques that you can share, please do.

 

[Rkonster]

I think the best thing you can do is practice. Also, I think you are thinking way to much about it. Just keep at it, and it should become easier.

 

[pillage2001]

Don't know how to help you but practice makes perfect??

 

[Yossarian]

I don't even know how to put it in words, I just do it automatically.

 

[isekii]

are you a girl ?

I thought driving comes natually usually for guys.

Well start out with a crap car as I think you'll be getting curb rashes and the whole 9 yards.

Um.. find an empty dead end streets and just practice

maybe get up at like 4 or 5 am

and drive around town when there are no cars around.

You'll only get better with practice

 

[thirtythree]

I never really felt comfortable when I was learning either but it will pass .. just get lots of practice. They require driving and a driving test with an instructor, drivers ed, and 30 hours of driving before getting your license here.

 

[everman]

I think you're over-thinking it. Just drive, you'll get better with practice. And don't drive near me

 

[boyRacer]

Go to a parking lot... put the car in drive... but don't press the gas and just let it move on it's own, now go zigzag by making the car go left then right then left then right... you'll get used to turning the steering wheel faster.

 

[SgtBuddy]

I failed my first driving test becuase I was TOO comfortable. I drove like a "normal" person.

Practice.

 

[silverpig]

It's sorta like asking how far do you put your right foot in front of your left foot when walking... No one here could probably tell you exactly as you normally just do it.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Practice. Bring boxes and practice in a parking lot if you have to.

 

[The Stigenator]

in most turns you can look through the turn.. meaning turn your head into the direction of the turn and the hands will follow. Make sure your actually looking thru the turn not just turning your head.. your hands will follow where your eyes are going.

TGG

Its the same principal in motorcycles but they are a lot more complex when your on two wheels. I learnt the look thru the turn back in rally class days.

edit:

basic rally rules. gas off before turning, apply when apexing out of a turn (meaning when going past the tightest part of teh curve). If you press gas, use constant gas, and vary if needed.. in general slow in, faster out, or low in, high out (nascar).

Look thru the turn and slow down before you go into a turn you will go far.

 

[psianime]

Just go into an empty parking lot. Remember that YOU are controlling a machine. Don't let the machine control you!

I picked up driving in 20 min... I was going 90mph on the freeway 30 min I got behind the wheel the first time.

-psianime

 

[Schadenfreude]

I'd say break first so you slow down then navigate the turn. Fvck the people behind you. Your test is more important. (Overall, I'd say people tend to rush when under pressure - take it easy and slow)

But to get that right, you'd need to practice . . ..

 

[Jugernot]

Put your hands at 3 o clock and 9 o clock. That is the optimal position...

Though, I can't remember the last time I actually drove with two hands. Mostly I just drive with my right hand...

 

[NokiaDude]

Get out to a parking lot with no cars and get a feel for the steering wheel. The amount you have to turn depends sometimes is based on the diameter ( how BIG it is ) of the steering wheel. I have driven in a parking lot about a year before I got my permit. I never forgot since then how the steering wheel felt. One tip, when you are straightening out the steering wheel after a turn let your hands off the steering wheel and let it naturally return to a straight position, I had to learn the hard way. You want to do this as soon as you enter the lane .

 

[Ionizer86]

Free driving lesson!

Seriously though, my instructor says it should all come naturally because operating the machinery really isn't too hard. It's mostly a bit of practice and common sense. My 1st turn, I didn't turn the steering wheel nearly enough, and the instructor had to back up quite a bit to let me continue. But soon afterwards, I was doing left turns, right turns etc without veering much. Turn the wheel a bit and try to hold it relatively constant after the angle is right (unless you're veering).

 

[iamwiz82]

no one can give you the answers you ask because every car is different. My suggestion is that you practice in the same car everytime. You have to be comfortable or you wont learn anything because you will be too freaked out.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Get out to a parking lot with no cars and get a feel for the steering wheel. The amount you have to turn depends sometimes is based on the diameter ( how BIG it is ) of the steering wheel. I have driven in a parking lot about a year before I got my permit. I never forgot since then how the steering wheel felt. One tip, when you are straightening out the steering wheel after a turn let your hands off the steering wheel and let it naturally return to a straight position, I had to learn the hard way. You want to do this as soon as you enter the lane .

Ayup...my ex is always trying to straighten the steering wheel, herself, and her turns are never smooth. Always got on my nerves.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Get out to a parking lot with no cars and get a feel for the steering wheel. The amount you have to turn depends sometimes is based on the diameter ( how BIG it is ) of the steering wheel. I have driven in a parking lot about a year before I got my permit. I never forgot since then how the steering wheel felt. One tip, when you are straightening out the steering wheel after a turn let your hands off the steering wheel and let it naturally return to a straight position, I had to learn the hard way. You want to do this as soon as you enter the lane .

Ayup...my ex is always trying to straighten the steering wheel, herself, and her turns are never smooth. Always got on my nerves.

NEVER let go of the wheel, even when turning. Dont put any pressure on it, but dont let it go.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Get out to a parking lot with no cars and get a feel for the steering wheel. The amount you have to turn depends sometimes is based on the diameter ( how BIG it is ) of the steering wheel. I have driven in a parking lot about a year before I got my permit. I never forgot since then how the steering wheel felt. One tip, when you are straightening out the steering wheel after a turn let your hands off the steering wheel and let it naturally return to a straight position, I had to learn the hard way. You want to do this as soon as you enter the lane .

Ayup...my ex is always trying to straighten the steering wheel, herself, and her turns are never smooth. Always got on my nerves.

NEVER let go of the wheel, even when turning. Dont put any pressure on it, but dont let it go.

mmm...yeah...guess I didn't read the above fully. I keep my hands on the wheel but let the wheel turn itself...keeping a bit pressure on the wheel.

 

[Justorq]

It will come in time ... just don't put any gas while make the turn ... and don't take the turn too fast ... never let go of the steering wheel, but let go of the grip a little after you've turned. Don't turn the wheel too fast ... but not slowly neither...
Like others said ... you are in control of the machine ... don't let it control you ...
Don't forget that turning sometimes depends on the car... if the car is old, it might not have power steering and you'll have to turn the wheel a bit more ... newer cars do have power steering and it's a lot easier to turn.

Justin

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Your problem might not have anything to do with your hands. It may be that you aren't turning your head and looking at the road where you want to go. If you are watching the wheel or the corner or anywhere else other than the 'curve' which you want to travel then you will have a hard time staying on that curve.

I suggest you try to be very conscious of where you are looking and see if that helps.

 

[datalink7]

Pretend you are in a driving video game. Sounds cheesy, I know, but it helped me to relax untill I got the basics down.

*Disclaimer: Do NOT drive like you are in a video game The point of "this" video game is to drive safely and to avoid hitting anything