Order of Actions After Entering the Car – Practical Exam
After passing the theoretical test, future drivers face the practical driving exam. Unfortunately, you can fail it before the car is even started. You must know the sequence of actions after getting into the vehicle. How to adjust the mirrors or the seat for driving in a correct way? What do you do when you get into the exam vehicle? You will learn this from the article below – check it out now!
First and Foremost – Checking the Car Doors
As soon as you get inside, you can proceed with the fundamental tasks related to checking your environment. We start by making sure that all car doors are properly closed. Only after doing this, once inside the car, does the time come for preparing to drive. The sequence of actions is described further in the article – check how to adjust the seat and mirrors.
How to Correctly Adjust the Car Seat?
From experience, we know that many people struggle with how to properly adjust the car seat and in what order to perform these actions. First and foremost, after getting inside and before checking the mirrors, you must adjust the seat height. The driver must have excellent visibility in the car in all directions without needing to crane their neck.
Next in the sequence is checking the distance from the pedals. How to properly set the seat position in this respect once you sit inside? We do this by pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor—in this position, your leg should remain slightly bent at the knee.
Finally, what remains is adjusting the backrest as part of the preparation for driving. When you get into the car, rest your wrists on top of the steering wheel. If your back does not adhere closely to the seat backrest, tilt it forward accordingly. In addition, your arms should be slightly bent at the elbows while holding the steering wheel. Also pay attention to the head restraint—its upper half must touch the back of the driver’s head. Once you complete these steps, the seat should be properly prepared for driving.
Why Is Proper Car Seat Adjustment Important?
There are many reasons why this action is evaluated during the practical exam. Above all, once we get into the car, we must be ready for any situation. Proper seat adjustment (including the mirrors, discussed in a moment) provides unrestricted access to the car’s steering wheel, pedals, and gear shift lever, which is vital in case of a hazard on the road. At the same time, it increases driving comfort, especially over long distances.
How to Properly Adjust the Car Mirrors?
Since the seat has already been properly adjusted, after entering the car you can focus on subsequent actions—specifically on preparing the mirrors. They must be adjusted in such a way that you can see what is happening behind and around you without needing to lean over or raise your head.
So how to properly set the car mirrors once you sit inside? The entire rear window should be visible in the interior rearview mirror. In turn, to adjust the side exterior mirrors, do so until the front door handles are visible in the lower corners. You should make sure that the side of the car occupies no more than 1/3 of the mirror glass width. This is an important step that forms part of the preparation for driving after entering the exam vehicle.
Finally, Adjust Your Seat Belts
After carrying out the adjustment of the seat, head restraint, and mirrors, one more action must be performed as part of preparing to drive the car—you must fasten and adjust the seat belt. This concerns its height, which should ensure that:
- it adheres snugly to the body, including the hips,
- it is not twisted,
- it runs across the chest and clavicle (collarbone).
The correct sequence is also crucial here, as you must first adjust the car seat, then the mirrors, and only at the very end adjust and fasten the belts. Proper execution of these actions will lead the examiner to allow you to start the engine and begin driving the car. At this stage, all that remains is to focus on completing the examination tasks.
Is the Order of Actions Important?
There is no denying that proper preparation for driving is the prerequisite for admission to the subsequent parts of the examination. The described actions must be performed in the exact sequence we indicated. The mirrors must be adjusted only after adopting the proper driving position behind the wheel, which means after adjusting the seat. The same applies to the seat belt, whose height is adjusted when the seat is already in its final position. That is why it is worth establishing in advance what to do when you get into the car.
Before the Practical Exam, You Must Pass the Theory Test – Prepare with Our Help!
Remember that the practical portion of the driving license exam is preceded by the requirement to pass the theory test. You can prepare for it properly with our help! On our website, you will find an application with a vast database of official exam questions identical to those at state exams in WORD—start using it today. You will increase your chances of passing on the first attempt and at the same time reduce the stress associated with the event. Later, when you head into the practical exam, remember to prepare for driving the car. Perform the actions according to the specified sequence: adjust the car seat, head restraint, mirrors, and seat belts!
Good luck!
