Get comfortable
before you move.

01 / START WITH YOUR POSITION

Make the seat feel right

Before a car moves, take time to understand where you will sit and how you will reach the controls. Your instructor can show you how the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors are adjusted in that particular vehicle. A comfortable position should let you see clearly and use the controls without stretching or being cramped.

Ask before moving any adjustment. Once the instructor is happy with your position, notice what changed and why. That makes it easier to repeat the setup in another lesson. Fasten your seat belt and check that it sits comfortably, following the instructor’s demonstration.

NextGear’s fleet has Datsun GO vehicles from model years 2016 to 2019. A familiar model range helps you learn with the school’s cars, but individual controls or features may differ between vehicles. Let your instructor show you the exact car for your session rather than relying on a description or picture.

02 / KNOW WHAT YOU CAN SEE

Check the view around you

Mirrors help you understand what is behind and beside the vehicle, while the windows and your direct view help you see what is ahead. Your instructor can demonstrate how to set the mirrors for your position and explain the areas they do not show. No mirror gives a complete view of everything around a car.

While the car is stationary, take note of the front corners, rear window, side windows, and the view from the driver’s seat. Ask what changes when you turn your head or change your seating position. Understanding the limits of your view is part of learning to observe carefully.

Before any movement or change of direction, your instructor will teach the observation routine that applies to the situation. Practise it consistently under their direction; do not treat a mirror check as a replacement for the full observation they have shown you.

03 / LEARN ONE CONTROL AT A TIME

Ask what each control does

There are many buttons, levers, and pedals in a car. You do not need to memorise them all in one sitting. Ask your instructor to identify the controls needed for the day’s lesson and explain when they are used. Start with the controls that affect your immediate comfort and safety, then add others as they become relevant.

Do not guess at a control while driving. If you are not sure what something does, ask while the car is stopped in a safe place. The driving position and transmission layout can vary, so confirm whether the vehicle for your lesson is manual or automatic and have the instructor explain the controls that apply.