when starting a vehicle, a driver should have
When starting a vehicle, a driver should have the car properly prepared, full control of their surroundings, and their own body and mind ready to drive safely.
Quick Scoop: Core Idea
Before you even turn the key or press the start button, think of a simple
rule:
“Car ready, driver ready, surroundings safe.”
That means:
- Vehicle in the correct gear and secured.
- Seat, mirrors, and seat belt set.
- Mind focused, hands and feet in the right position, and no immediate hazards around you.
What a Driver Should Have When Starting a Vehicle
Here’s a practical checklist of what a driver should have when starting a vehicle.
- Proper seating position
- Seat adjusted so you can press pedals fully without stretching and see clearly over the dash.
* Back upright, slight bend in elbows on the steering wheel.
- Correct mirror and steering readiness
- Interior and exterior mirrors adjusted to minimize blind spots.
* Hands on the steering wheel in a safe position (commonly “9 and 3”).
- Seat belt fastened
- Driver’s seat belt properly fastened before starting, and all passengers belted before moving.
- Secure vehicle setup
- Gear in “Park” (automatic) or “Neutral” (manual) before starting.
* Parking brake engaged, especially on slopes.
* Foot on the brake pedal (and clutch fully depressed in a manual) before starting the engine.
- Clear surroundings and safe environment
- Area around the vehicle checked for people, pets, obstacles, or other cars.
* If in a garage, some ventilation so exhaust fumes do not build up.
- Basic vehicle readiness
- Doors closed properly and a quick look at tyres for obvious issues.
* Dashboard warning lights noticed; any serious warning not ignored once the ignition is on.
- Driver condition
- Sober, reasonably alert, and not heavily distracted (phone put away, no intense multitasking).
* Clear intention of where you’re going and how you’ll move off safely (forward or reverse).
Common Short Test/Quiz Style Answer
In many driver’s ed or permit-test style questions, “when starting a vehicle, a driver should have…” is often looking for something like:
- The vehicle in Park or Neutral, parking brake set, foot on the brake, seat and mirrors adjusted, and seat belt fastened before starting the engine.
If you’re answering a multiple-choice question, pick the option that includes:
- Proper gear position,
- Use of parking brake,
- Use of seat belt,
- Foot on brake,
- Awareness/adjustment of seat and mirrors.
Mini Example Scenario
Imagine you’re about to leave home in the morning:
- You sit in the driver’s seat, close the door, and adjust your seat and mirrors.
- You buckle your seat belt and check that your passengers are buckled.
- You glance around the car for kids, pets, or obstacles, confirm the car is in Park, the handbrake is on, and then place your foot on the brake.
- Only then do you switch the ignition on and start the engine, ready to move off carefully.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.