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

2. 6.1 : Steering, Signaling, Changing Lanes, and Passing
This section presents the basic skills for steering, signaling, and changing lanes. Proper techniques for steering straight forward and backward are introduced. The proper uses of turn-signal devices and hand signals are presented. Instructions for safely changing lanes are also included.
Following this section, I will be able to:
1. Explain how to steer straight forward and backward.
2. Describe the correct use of hand signals and explain when they might be used.
3. List the proper steps for changing lanes.
4. List the proper steps for passing other vehicles.

3. Steering Straight Forward
Aim far ahead into your intended path of travel.
Avoid looking down at your hands or feet.

4. Steering Straight Forward
Use a comfortable, balanced hand position

5. Steering Straight Forward
Adjustments to steering will be small but very critical.
Be careful not to oversteer or understeer.

6. Steering Straight Backward
Check behind your vehicle before getting in.
Before backing, look to the front, both sides and the rear.
Hold brake pedal down and shift to REVERSE.
Turn your body to the right, place right arm over the
back of passenger seat, and look through rear window.
Left hand at 12 o’clock on steering wheel.

7. Steering Straight Backward
Release brake pressure slightly to allow vehicle to go
backward slowly.
Move the top of the steering wheel in the direction you
want the back of vehicle to go as you look through the
rear window.
Cover brake pedal while backing up while glancing to the
front and sides to check traffic. Continue looking
through back window as you brake to stop.

8. Backing a Stickshift Vehicle
1. Push brake and clutch pedals down.
2. Shift to REVERSE.
3. Release brake, let clutch pedal out slowly to the friction point.
**Most stickshift vehicles can move slowly in REVERSE with the clutch at the friction point with no acceleration. Keep foot over brake pedal. To stop, push down clutch and brake for a smooth stop.
Note: Backing a stickshift vehicle requires the skillful use of the clutch pedal.

9. Signaling
1. Left turn signal-

10. Signaling
2. Right turn signal-

11. Signaling
3. Slow or stop-

12. Changing Lanes
Check zone in front and to the left (right)-front.

13. Changing Lanes
Check rear zones through rearview mirrors.

14. Changing Lanes
Check rear zones through rearview mirrors

15. Changing Lanes Signal and make a blind-spot check over the
shoulder in the direction that you are going.

16. Changing Lanes
Note: A common mistake most beginning drivers make is tuning the wheel as the blind-spot check is made.

17. Changing Lanes Increase speed and steer smoothly into next lane if
it is clear.
Cancel your signal and adjust your speed.

18. 6.2 Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around
This section focuses on making turns and turning the vehicle around. Hand-over-hand and push-pull steering are explained. Procedures for making right and left turns, including use of the shared left-turn lane are included. Directions are also provided for backing left and right. Directions and precautions for turnabouts are presented.
Following this section, I will be able to:
1. Describe hand-over-hand steering.
2. List the steps for making right and left turns.
3. Describe how to back left and right.

19. Hand-Over-Hand Steering
Pull, Pull, Cross
1. Use a balanced hand position just before the turn.
2. Place your right hand near the top of the steering
wheel when beginning a left turn.
3. Start pulling down to the left with your left hand.
Your right hand pushes the wheel toward the left
about a quarter turn.
4. Release your left hand from the wheel and cross it
over your right hand to grasp the wheel near the top.

20. Hand-Over-Hand Steering
Pull, Pull, Cross
Always prepare to straighten your vehicle after a
turn by using hand over hand steering.
Note: If you are driving a stickshift car downshift
before entering the turn so you will have both hands
free for turning.

21. Push-Pull Steering

22. Making Right and Left Turns
Making turns properly depends on steering control
and speed control.
Make left and right turns only after checking all traffic.
Look for pedestrians, oncoming traffic, and check rear
zones for a vehicle ready to pass you.
Plan turns well in advance. Be in the correct lane about
a block before the turn.
Obey all traffic signs, signals, and roadway markings.
Yield to oncoming traffic if making a left turn.

23. Procedures for Turning
Position your car into the correct lane. Signal about ½ a
block before the turn.
Brake early to reduce speed.
Check your front zones for vehicles, pedestrians, and
bicyclists.
Slow to about 10 mph just before crosswalk.

24. Left Turn For a left turn, check traffic from the left, right, and
then left again. Start your turn when the front of your
vehicle reaches the center of the intersection. Keep car
straight and wheels straight while waiting to turn.
Turn into the nearest lane of traffic going in your
direction. Accelerate about ½ way through the turn as
you straighten your steering wheel.

25. Right Turn For a right turn, check traffic from the left and then
look to the right. Begin turn when front bumper is
even with curb-line.
Turn into the nearest lane of traffic going in your
direction. Accelerate about ½ way through the turn as
you straighten your steering wheel.

27. Shared Center Turn/Two-Way Left Turn Lane:
These center lanes are reserved for vehicles making left turns in either direction from or into the roadway. These lanes cannot be used for passing and cannot be used for travel further than 300 feet.

28. Shared Center Turn/Two-Way Left Turn Lane:
If another vehicle is already in the turn lane coming from the other direction, you may NOT enter if it will interfere with the other vehicle’s intended turn. When vehicles enter the turn lane from opposite directions, the first vehicle to enter the lane has the right-of-way.

29. Backing Left and Right Check behind your vehicle before getting in
Hold brake pedal down and shift to REVERSE
Release parking brake
Both hands on steering wheel for H.O.H steering
Gradually release pressure on brake.

30. Backing Left and Right
If backing left, look left, checking right front danger point
If backing right, look right, checking left front danger
point
When backing left or right pull the steering in the
direction you intend to turn.
Look in the direction you are backing until stopping.

31. Turn the Vehicle Around
Turnabout- a maneuver to turn your vehicle around to go in the
opposite direction.
A turnabout maneuver is risky because you cross or back into one
or more lanes of traffic.
Be sure local laws permit a turnabout.
Must have at least 500’ visibility.
No turnabouts near hills or curves nor within 200’ of intersections.
Never attempt a turnabout in heavy or high-speed traffic.
Continually check all zones for pedestrians

32. Midblock U-turn

33. Back into Driveway on Right Side
This turnabout is the safest because it allows you reenter traffic going forward.

34. Pull into Driveway on Left Side

35. Pull into Driveway on Right Side

36. Three-Point Turnabout
A three-point turnabout is the most dangerous and should rarely be used.

37. Passing Other Vehicles
Passing on the left requires the following safety precautions:
Stay well behind the vehicle you want to pass to allow
yourself a better view of the road ahead. Check well
ahead for a NO-PASSING ZONE and on-coming vehicles.
When overtaking and passing another vehicle
traveling in the same direction on a two-lane road in the
USA, you should pass only to the left of the vehicle.
Signal your intended move to the left and check your
rearview and side-view mirrors before changing lanes.

38. Passing Other Vehicles
Check your blind spot
Move to the left
Complete your pass as soon as possible.
As a general rule, it is NOT SAFE to pass more than one
vehicle at a time, although it is not illegal in Tennessee
to pass multiple vehicles.
Take extra precautions during inclement weather and
twilight hours.
Whenever possible, try to avoid passing at night,
unless you are familiar with the road.
Passing on the Right: The driver may overtake and pass
another vehicle on the right only when the conditions
permit passing safely.

39. Chapter Review
1. Signal and make a blind-spot check over the shoulder in the direction that
you are going.
2. Use a comfortable, balanced hand position
3. Adjustments to steering will be small but very critical.
4. Be careful not to oversteer or understeer.
5. Check behind your vehicle before getting in.
6. Before backing, look to the front, both sides and the rear.
7. Hold brake pedal down and shift to REVERSE.
8. Turn your body to the right, place right arm over the back of passenger seat, and
look through rear window.
9. Left hand at 12 o’clock on steering wheel.
10. Release brake pressure slightly to allow vehicle to go backward slowly.
11. Move the top of the steering wheel in the direction you want the back of
vehicle to go as you look through the rear window.
12. Cover brake pedal while backing up while glancing to the
front and sides to check traffic. Continue looking through back window as you
brake to stop.
13. Note: Backing a stick shift vehicle requires the skillful use of the clutch pedal.
14. Left turn signal-
- Right turn signal -
Slow or stop
15 Check zone in front and to the left (right)-front.
16. Signal and make a blind-spot check over the shoulder in the direction that you
are going.

40. Chapter Review
1. Signal and make a _______________over the shoulder in the direction that
you are going.
blind spot check
2. Use a comfortable, ____________hand position
balanced
3. Adjustments to steering will be _________but very critical.
4. Be careful not to oversteer or understeer.
small
5. Check ________your vehicle before getting in.
6. Before backing, look to the front, both sides and the ______.
7. Hold _____________down and shift to REVERSE.
8. Turn your body to the right, place right arm over the back of passenger seat, and
look through ______________.
9. Left hand at ______________ on steering wheel.
behind
rear
brake pedal
rear window
12 o’clock
10. Release ________ pressure slightly to allow vehicle to go backward slowly.
11. Move the top of the steering wheel in the ___________ you want the back of
vehicle to go as you look through the rear window.
12. Cover brake pedal while backing up while glancing to the
front and sides to check traffic. Continue looking through _____________as you
brake to stop.
brake
direction
back window
13. Note: Backing a stick shift vehicle requires the skillful use of the ___________.
clutch pedal
14. Left turn signal-
- Right turn signal -
Slow or stop
15 First step in a lane change: Check zone in ________and to the left (right)-front.
front
16. Signal and make a blind-spot check over the __________ in the direction that you
are going.
shoulder

41. Chapter Review
17. Place your right hand near the top of the _____________ when beginning a left turn.
steering wheel
Release your left hand from the wheel and _____ it over your right hand to grasp the
wheel near the top.
cross
Always prepare to straighten your vehicle after a turn by using __________________
steering.
If you are driving a stick shift car _________ before entering the turn so you will have
both hands free for turning.
hand over hand
downshift
22. Position your car into the correct lane. Signal about ___________before the turn.
23. Brake ______ to reduce speed.
24. Check your front zones for vehicles, ____________, and bicyclists.
25. Slow to about _________just before crosswalk.
½ block
early
pedestrians
10 mph
26. For a left turn, check traffic from the left, right, and then _____again. Start your turn
when the front of your vehicle reaches the center of the intersection.
27. Keep car straight and wheels _________ while waiting to turn.
28. Turn into the ________ lane of traffic going in your direction. Accelerate about ½ way
through the turn as you straighten your steering wheel.
left
straight
nearest
29. For a right turn, check traffic from the left and then look to the right. Begin turn
when front bumper is even with _________.
curb-line
30. If backing left, look left, checking _______ front danger point
31. If backing right, look _______, checking left front danger point
32. When backing left or right pull the steering in the __________ you intend to turn.
right
right
direction

42. 17. Place your right hand near the top of the steering wheel when beginning a left turn.
Release your left hand from the wheel and cross it over your right hand to grasp the
wheel near the top.
Always prepare to straighten your vehicle after a turn by using hand over hand
steering.
If you are driving a stick shift car downshift before entering the turn so you will have
both hands free for turning.
22. Position your car into the correct lane. Signal about ½ a block before the turn.
23. Brake early to reduce speed.
24. Check your front zones for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
25. Slow to about 10 mph just before crosswalk.
26. For a left turn, check traffic from the left, right, and then left again. Start your turn
when the front of your vehicle reaches the center of the intersection. Keep car
straight and wheels straight while waiting to turn.
Turn into the nearest lane of traffic going in your direction. Accelerate about ½ way
through the turn as you straighten your steering wheel.
For a right turn, check traffic from the left and then look to the right. Begin turn
when front bumper is even with curb-line.
29. If backing left, look left, checking right front danger point
30. If backing right, look right, checking left front danger point
31. When backing left or right pull the steering in the direction you intend to turn.

43. 6.3 Parking
This section is devoted to all aspects of parking. Reference points are
explained as a way to help drivers execute parking maneuvers.
Specific instructions for angle, perpendicular, and parallel parking are
included. Instructions are given for parking on hills.
Following this section, I will be able to:
Discuss reference points and how to use them as guides when
parking your vehicle.
Describe the procedures for angle, perpendicular, and parallel
parking.
Describe how to park uphill and downhill with and without a curb
Explain how to start from an uphill parking space without rolling
backwards.

44. Parking Parking your vehicle requires speed control, steering
control, and accurate judgment.
Find a space with plenty of room.
Avoid spaces at the end of parking lanes or near large
vehicles.
Avoid spaces with a poorly parked vehicle on either side
to avoid being hit by the driver upon leaving.
Use reference points when executing parking maneuvers.
Always turn off engine, secure and lock your vehicle
before leaving

45. Two Way Traffic Pattern

46. One Way Traffic Pattern

47. Two Way Traffic Pattern

48. Angle Parking Position your vehicle at least six feet
from the row of parked vehicles.
Creep forward and stop when you can
look directly down the first line of the
stall you want to enter.

49. Angle Parking Turn wheels deep right and creep into
parking space. Adjust steering as you
enter to keep the car centered.

50. Angle Parking centered in the space. Use a forward
Straighten the wheels when you are
centered in the space. Use a forward
reference point, like the driver's side-
view mirror, to stop before the wheels
strike the curb.

51. Perpendicular Parking
Use to park your vehicle at a
right angle to the curb.
Position your vehicle at least
eight feet from the row of parked
vehicles, or as far to the left of
the lane as possible.
Creep forward and stop when the
right front wheel is even with the
first line of the stall you want to
enter.

52. Perpendicular Parking
Turn wheels deep right and creep
into parking space. Adjust steering
as you enter to keep the car centered

53. Perpendicular Parking
Straighten the wheels when you
are centered in the space. Use a
forward reference point, like the
driver's side-view mirror, to stop
before the wheels strike the curb.

54. Parallel Parking longer than your vehicle.
Select a space that is five to six feet
longer than your vehicle.

55. Parallel Parking
Flash brake lights, and signal a right
turn.

56. Parallel Parking enough speed so no one will misinterpret
Speed Adjustments: Approach at a slow
enough speed so no one will misinterpret
your signaling for a right turn.

57. Parallel Parking Stop two to three feet away from the front
vehicle with the two rear bumpers even.

58. Parallel Parking Shift to REVERSE. Check traffic. Turn the
steering wheel deep right.
Look back over your right shoulder and
find the right corner of the parking space.
Back slowly until you center the car in the
right-rear comer of the space

59. Parallel Parking
Control speed with your foot brake.

60. Parallel Parking Creep back until the car is centered with
the corner of the space.
Stop, turn your wheels straight, and back
toward the corner of the space.

61. Parallel Parking Stop when your front bumper is even with the
back bumper of the car in the space in front.
Steer deep left and creep back. The front of
your car will move toward the curb and the
back of your car will move away from the curb.
Creep back until your right rear wheel bumps
curb or stop before you touch the vehicle
behind.

62. Parallel Parking At this point your car should be slightly
crooked in the space.
Turn your steering wheel deep right and
creep forward until the car is straight.

63. Parallel Parking After positioning the car straight in the
space you will need to center the car.
Turn your wheels straight and back the car
until you are centered.

64. Parallel Parking Leaving the space: Back straight slowly
until your rear bumper almost touches the
vehicle behind. Turn wheels sharply left as
you stop.

65. Parallel Parking and move forward slowly.
Signal a left turn. Check your left blind spot
and move forward slowly.
Check the right-front corner of your vehicle
for clearance.

66. Parallel Parking you are halfway out of the parking space.
Turn your wheels slowly to the right when
you are halfway out of the parking space.
Scan front zones and accelerate gently as
you center your vehicle in the traffic lane.

67. Parallel Parking
Scan front zones and accelerate gently as you center your vehicle in the traffic lane.

68. Parking on Hills Always turn your front wheels and set the parking
brake.
Follow these procedures for parking uphill or
downhill on the right side of the road:
Uphill Parking with a Curb-left
Uphill Parking with No Curb-right
Downhill Parking with a Curb-right
Downhill Parking with No Curb-right
Note: Starting on a Hill (automatic) - Move your foot to the accelerator, and accelerate until you feel the engine start to pull. Release the parking brake as you continue to accelerate.

69. Uphill Parking with a Curb-left
Turn wheels to the left, toward the
roadway, shift to neutral and roll
back to the curb.

70. Uphill Parking with No Curb-right
Turn wheels to the right,
away from the roadway

71. Downhill Parking with a Curb-right
Turn wheels to the right,
away from the roadway

72. NO PARKING ZONES In front of a public or private driveway;
Within an intersection;
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk or in the crosswalk
marked area;
Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same
side of the street or on the other side of the street
within 75 feet of the fire station driveway;
Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or any
other traffic control device;
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing;

73. 17. Place your right hand near the top of the steering wheel when beginning a left turn.
Release your left hand from the wheel and cross it over your right hand to grasp the
wheel near the top.
Always prepare to straighten your vehicle after a turn by using hand over hand
steering.
If you are driving a stick shift car downshift before entering the turn so you will have
both hands free for turning.
22. Position your car into the correct lane. Signal about ½ a block before the turn.
23. Brake early to reduce speed.
24. Check your front zones for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
25. Slow to about 10 mph just before crosswalk.
26. For a left turn, check traffic from the left, right, and then left again. Start your turn
when the front of your vehicle reaches the center of the intersection. Keep car
straight and wheels straight while waiting to turn.
Turn into the nearest lane of traffic going in your direction. Accelerate about ½ way
through the turn as you straighten your steering wheel.
For a right turn, check traffic from the left and then look to the right. Begin turn
when front bumper is even with curb-line.
29. If backing left, look left, checking right front danger point
30. If backing right, look right, checking left front danger point
31. When backing left or right pull the steering in the direction you intend to turn.

74. ___________- a maneuver to turn your vehicle around to go in the opposite direction.
A turnabout maneuver is risky because you ______ or ______ into one or more lanes
of traffic.
Turnabout
cross back
_______into driveway on right side turnabout is the safest because it allows you
reenter traffic going forward.
Back
35. A _____________turnabout is the most dangerous and should rarely be used.
three-point
36. Passing on the right: The driver may overtake and pass another vehicle on the
right only when the ____________permit passing safely.
conditions
______ spaces with a poorly parked vehicle on either side to avoid being hit by the
driver upon leaving.
38. Before leaving a parked vehicle always turn off_________, secure and lock all doors.
Avoid
engine
When angle parking position your vehicle at least ______feet from the row of parked
vehicles.
six
40. Perpendicular Parking - Use to park your vehicle at a right______ to the curb.
angle
Parallel Parking: Stop when your front bumper is even with the ____________of
the car in the space in front. Steer deep left and creep back.
back bumper
42. Turn your wheels straight and back the car until you are ____________.
centered
43. When parking on a hill always turn your front wheels and set the parking brake.
44. When Uphill Parking with a curb turn wheels ______
left
Starting on a Hill (auto) - Move your foot to the accelerator, and accelerate until you
feel the engine _________. Release the parking brake as you continue to accelerate.
start to pull
46. Turn wheels to the left, toward the roadway, shift to neutral and roll _____ to the curb.
back