The long story of how I became a car enthusiast in Norway. Part 15. The beginning is not half the battle”

I paraphrased the saying. I want briefly and primitively to describe how to sit at the wheel for the first time. If I now write the phrase “don’t worry!”, it will be useless. “Worry!” But… only until the moment of sitting in the car! Dress comfortably, so that clothes and shoes do not constrain you. Try chewing gum. It calms. Recall where the right hand is and where the left. That is obligatory. You may label them with a felt-tip pen in large letters.

So…. We sit at the wheel. From this moment connect the instructor. He must show how to adjust the seat (in all cars the buttons and levers are located differently). How to take hold of the steering wheel. If you look at the steering wheel as at a clock face, then the left hand at the level of 9–10 o’clock, and the right at the level of 2 in the afternoon. The instructor must also check this moment, whether you are holding the steering wheel correctly.

Next we look at the panel. Where what is located. This too the instructor must show you. In all cars it is different. Study the panel! Now we look at the feet. If it is an automatic gearbox, then the left foot “rests” to the side (there is a special little place). And the first position for the right working foot is to press the brake!

Fasten your seat belt!!! If the belt presses on the neck, adjust it, don’t hurry. And your right foot is on the brake. Now you are already prepared to turn the ignition key: once — the instruments on the panel have come on, and two! — “Hooray! It started!”

But it is very important not to forget to release the parking brake P, or as they call it among “the people” — the handbrake. And shift the gear from the neutral position N to D (drive). And your foot is still on the brake pedal!

Start of movement: we switch on the left turn (the indicator lever is to the left of the steering wheel). And the start of movement is a responsible moment! A glance at the mirrors left — middle (what is in the car must be adjusted by you with the instructor’s help) and the right side mirror. If there are no cars, we start moving.

The best option for the first time is a familiar road along which you have already been driven. At the first lesson you will be able to determine whether the instructor is good or “so-so”… if he does not explain and does not correct, then change instructor.

To be continued….