1. Pre-Driving Vehicle Inspection 🔧

Bago mag-drive, check mo ang sasakyan! Safety starts with proper vehicle maintenance.

Item to Check	What to Look For	Why Important
Tires	Proper inflation, no cuts/bulges, tread depth	Poor tires = blowouts, skidding, accidents
Brakes	Responsive, no weird sounds, pedal feels firm	Brake failure = cannot stop = crash
Lights	Headlights, taillights, turn signals working	Visibility = other drivers can see you
Wipers	Wiper blades clean windshield properly	Visibility in rain = safety
Mirrors	Side mirrors and rear-view clean and angled	Blind spot awareness
Engine Fluids	Oil, coolant, brake fluid levels adequate	Engine failure risk

2. Proper Seating & Controls Setup 🪑

Correct Driving Position

Seat Position: Adjust seat so you can reach pedals comfortably. Knees slightly bent when foot on pedal. Back against seat for support.

Steering Wheel: Grip at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position (or 10-2 for older method). Arms bent at 90 degrees, not locked straight.

Mirror Adjustment: Side mirrors show edge of vehicle and road behind. Rear-view mirror centered to show full rear window. NO blind spots!

Pedal Access: Left foot on left pedal (clutch/brake), right foot alternates between gas and brake. Smooth, controlled movements.

3. Defensive Driving Techniques 🚦

Defensive driving means assuming other drivers will make mistakes and driving to prevent accidents.

✅ Defensive Driving Tips:

3-second rule - maintain safe distance
Scan ahead, not just in front
Check mirrors every 5-10 seconds
Be visible - use lights properly
Anticipate other driver's moves
Reduce speed in bad weather/night
Never assume other drivers see you
Keep both hands on steering wheel

❌ Dangerous Habits to AVOID:

One-handed driving
Texting/phone use while driving
Speeding or aggressive driving
Tailgating (too close behind)
Sudden lane changes
Drinking and driving
Drowsy/fatigued driving
Ignoring weather conditions

4. The 3-Second Rule 📏

Maintaining Safe Following Distance

Basic Rule: Keep at least 3 seconds of distance between your car and the car in front of you.

How to Calculate:

When the car ahead passes a landmark (e.g., road sign)
Start counting: "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi"
If you pass the landmark before you finish counting, you're too close
Increase distance and try again

Adjust for conditions: Bad weather/night = 4-5 seconds or more

5. Basic Driving Maneuvers 🅿️

Maneuver	Steps
Turning (Right/Left)	1) Check mirrors 2) Signal early 3) Reduce speed 4) Turn smoothly 5) Return to lane
Parallel Parking	1) Check space (1.5x car length) 2) Signal 3) Pull alongside 4) Back in at angle 5) Adjust parallel 6) Park at center
Reversing (Backward)	1) Check mirrors/blind spots 2) Turn on reverse lights 3) Go slowly 4) Use steering wheel smoothly 5) Look at both sides constantly
Emergency Stop	1) Brake firmly but not harshly 2) Keep steering wheel straight 3) Do NOT panic 4) Come to smooth stop
Three-Point Turn (U-Turn)	1) Check for traffic 2) Turn wheel full left 3) Drive forward 4) Reverse with wheel right 5) Move forward to align 6) Check for obstacles

6. Hazard Awareness & Reaction 🚨

Common Road Hazards

🌧️ Wet Roads: Reduce speed, increase following distance, avoid sudden movements

🌙 Night Driving: Use headlights, reduce speed, be extra cautious at intersections

🚸 Pedestrians/Children: Assume they might suddenly appear, be ready to brake

🦌 Animals on Road: Don't swerve drastically (can hit other vehicles), brake firmly and controlled

🚗 Broken-Down Vehicle: Slow down, check for emergency lights, give them space

🚦 Traffic Congestion: Maintain patience, use signals, keep distance

7. Practice Questions 📚

Common Exam Questions

Q1: What is the 3-second rule?

A: Maintain 3 seconds of following distance between your car and the car ahead. Test by counting when car ahead passes a landmark.

Q2: What should you check before driving?

A: Tires, brakes, lights, wipers, mirrors, engine fluids. Safe vehicle = safe driving.

Q3: Describe proper hand position on steering wheel.

A: 9 and 3 o'clock position (or 10 and 2). Both hands, arms bent at ~90 degrees.

Q4: What does "defensive driving" mean?

A: Assuming other drivers make mistakes and driving to prevent accidents. Always anticipate problems.

Q5: How do you perform a safe parallel park?

A: 1) Check space is at least 1.5x car length 2) Signal 3) Pull alongside 4) Back in at angle 5) Straighten up

Q6: What should you do if a car suddenly brakes in front of you?

A: Brake firmly but smoothly, keep hands on steering wheel, keep car straight. Don't panic or swerve.

🔥 Tol Challenge 🔥

Master defensive driving! Know the 3-second rule, vehicle checks, proper positioning, at maneuvers. Safety is #1 priority.

Drive smart, arrive safely!

Driving Fundamentals