Driving position and the cockpit drill

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check doors, bonnet and boot are closed before you set off.
• You can adjust the seat so you can press the pedals fully with a slight bend in your knee.
• You can set the head restraint and steering wheel correctly.
• You can adjust all three mirrors for the best view.
• You can make sure you and your passengers are belted in.

What you need to know and understand

• You should be able to push the clutch pedal to the floor without fully straightening your leg.
• Your wrists should rest on top of the steering wheel with your arms stretched out and shoulders against the seat.
• Set the head restraint so it is level with your head and close behind it, to protect your neck in a crash.
• Adjust mirrors while sitting in your normal driving position, not leaning.
• The Rules of the Road lists doors, bonnet and boot, seat and head restraint, mirrors and seat belts as checks before moving off.
• Your feet need clear space: no loose bottles or mats sliding under the pedals.

The cockpit drill, step by step

1. Doors: check all doors, the bonnet and the boot are fully closed.
2. Seat: move it so you can press the clutch to the floor with a slight bend in your knee. Set the backrest so your wrists reach the top of the wheel.
3. Head restraint: raise or lower it so it is level with your head and close behind it.
4. Steering wheel: if it adjusts, set it so you can see the instruments and hold it comfortably.
5. Seat belt: fasten it, flat and untwisted, and check passengers have done the same.
6. Mirrors: adjust the interior mirror to frame the whole rear window, then the door mirrors so you just see the side of your car.
7. Handbrake on and gear lever in neutral (or P in an automatic) before starting the engine.

Signs your position is wrong

Sitting too close limits how fast you can steer and puts you close to the airbag. Sitting too far back means you cannot brake hard. If you are shorter, a seat height adjuster or cushion designed for driving can help.

• You have to stretch to reach the pedals or the wheel.
• Your knees touch the steering wheel.
• You cannot see the road close in front of the bonnet.
• You lean forward to see in the mirrors.
• Your back aches after a short drive.

Sharing a car with other drivers

If you share the car with a parent or your accompanying driver, the seat and mirrors will often be set for them. Never adjust the seat while the car is moving. Make the full drill a habit every time you get in, even if you only drove the car yesterday.

Common mistakes

• Adjusting mirrors while leaning to one side, so they are wrong once you sit back.
• Setting the seat so far back that your arms are straight and locked.
• Leaving the head restraint at its lowest setting, where it does not protect your neck.
• Starting the engine with the car in gear.

Test yourself: Driving position and the cockpit drill

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.