Chapter 9

How to safely change lanes

1. Search ahead to the sides and behind the vehicle to identify a safe gap in traffic

2. Be sure to signal your intention to move right or left

3. Re-check blind spots before moving

4. When you have a safe gap stee into new lane which slightly increasing speed

5. When you are safely in the new lane don’t forget to cancel turn signal/ adjust speed

Common mistakes new drivers make

Driver does not signal

Attempts to prematurely move into the new lane

Driver decreases vehicle speed

Driver turn wheel too much and overshoot lane

Driver moves into the new lane too close to he other vehicle

Forgets to cancel turn signal

How to reverse directions

1. Two-point turn

2. Three-point turn

3. U-turn

4. Driveway turnabout

5. Back-into-driveway on right

6. Pull-into-driveway on left and right

Safest: Pull-into-driveway on the right

Most dangerous: Three-point turn (done on roadway with traffic).

Reference points and how to use them

Any point inside or outside the vehicle that can serve as an aid to parking

From the drivers seat, sight across from the approximate center of the hood until it appears to touch the edge of the curb. Your wheels should then be about 6 inches away from it.

Perpendicular angle and parking and parallel parking- advantages and disadvantages of each

• Perpendicular (90°): Easy to park, fits many cars; harder to back out.

• Angle (45°–60°): Easiest to enter; fits fewer cars.

• Parallel: Best for street parking; hardest to learn and perform.

How to park on a hill

Parking downhill with or without a curb- Turn your front wheels to the right

Parking uphill without a curb- Turn your front wheels to the right

Parking uphill with a curb- Turn your wheels to the left (This is the only one you have to remember as all the rest turn right)

How far from the curb must the wheels closest to the curb be when parking you vehicle

122 inches (1 foot)

Where you may not park or stop

Within 3 feet of and/or in front of any driveway

Within 8 feet of a fire hydrant

Within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection

Within 30 feet of flashing red or yellow light, stop sign, or a traffic light

Within 20 feet of a driveway of a fire station on the same side or within 75 feet across of the driveway of a fire station

Within 50 feet of the nearest railroad crossing