The first thing you should do when hopping into any car is to go through the 'cockpit drills'. When undertaking your first driving lesson, your instructor will step you through this process. These drills should then be followed every time you hop into a car to ensure everyone is safe before beginning to drive.
Car Doors
Before you open a car door, check that the road or pavement is clear. If not, wait until other vehicles or pedestrians have passed. When you sit down, pull the door shut behind you. Check that all the other doors are closed and that your 'doors open' light is off on the dashboard.
Seat Adjustments
Seat positioning
Manual: Check the position of your seat by pushing down the right pedal with your right foot. The pedal should go all the way down with a slight bend of the knee. You're too close if your knee is knocking the steering wheel, and too far if you have to stretch out your leg. Adjust the seat position using the bar underneath the seat. Check again by pressing down on the pedal. Repeat until the movement is comfortable.
Automatic: Check the position of your seat by pushing down the left pedal with your right foot. The pedal should go all the way down with a slight bend of the knee. You're too close if your knee is knocking the steering wheel, and too far if you have to stretch out your leg. Adjust the seat position using the bar underneath the seat. Check again by pressing down on the pedal. Repeat until the movement is comfortable.
Backrest
Place your hands together at 12 o'clock on the steering wheel. You're at the right distance when your elbows are slightly bent. Adjust the backrest to bring you forwards or backward. Check your hands on the steering wheel again. Repeat until the reach is comfortable.
Headrest
Raise or lower your headrest until the middle of the rest aligns with the middle of the back of your head.
Mirror Adjustments
Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand until you can easily see out the back window without having to move your head. You have got the right position when the mirror frames all four corners of the back window. Hold the mirror on the edges whilst adjusting it to avoid finger marks on the mirror.
Side Mirrors
Use your car's manual or electric controls to adjust the left and ride side mirrors. Aim to get the line of horizon about halfway down the mirror. Sky, trees, and houses should be in the upper half of your mirror, and roads and pavement should be in the lower half. You want to just be able to see your door handles or buttons in the corner of your mirror.
Seatbelts
Pull down your seatbelt, ensuring there are no twists, and click in securely. It is both your and your passenger's responsibility that they're also wearing their seatbelts correctly. Do not start driving until everyone has done so.
