Greg's Driving School

What are Blind Spots and How Can You Avoid Them?

When you are learning to drive, it is essential to remain constantly aware of your surroundings out on the road. Your car’s blind spots pose a distinct challenge to your visibility when driving, so it is important to actively check them to avoid a collision. Let’s take a closer look at blind spots and how they can be avoided through careful driving habits:

Find Your Blind Spots

A blind spot is an area around your vehicle that you are not able to see when you are looking forward at the road. Typically, a vehicle has eight blind spots. There are two in the front of the car, two on each side of the car, and two on the back of the car. If a vehicle or other object moves into one of your blind spots, you will have a hard time noticing that it is there. This lack of visibility can cause a serious accident.

Turn Your Head

The best way to avoid your blind spots is to always look in your direction of travel. You should be accustomed to turning your head and looking to make sure that you are clear before you change lanes or turn. Practice visually checking your blind spots, even when you are not intending to turn or change lanes. By always being aware of the surroundings of your vehicle, you will help prevent a collision.

Adjust Your Mirrors

The rear and side mirrors of your vehicle have been designed to help eliminate your blind spots. If you adjust your mirrors to avoid blind spots, you will have a better view of your surroundings. Be sure that your side mirrors are angled far enough away from your car to give you a view of the lane of travel directly to your left or right. In addition to adjusting your mirrors, be sure to always look in your direction of travel.

For more information about avoiding your blind spots, enroll in a driver’s education course at Greg’s Driving School of Maryland. Call us at (301) 703-9075 to learn more about our driving lessons for teens and adults.   

Understanding Driver Hand Signals

While today’s vehicles are equipped with mechanical turn signals, it is still essential to be aware of driving hand skills. Not only will you have to demonstrate your knowledge of hand signals in order to pass the driver’s license test, but they are also extremely useful in many situations. The most basic hand signals are turning signals. A driver will put his left arm straight out if he or she intends to go left. To signal a right turn, a driver will extend his or her left arm at a right angle pointing upwards. Other less commonly used hand signals can be used to indicate that there is an upcoming obstacle, that the driver is reducing the speed of the vehicle, or that another driver should pull over.

To learn more about driving hand signals, contact Greg’s Driving School of Maryland by calling (301) 703) 9075. Our driver’s education courses will provide you with the skills you need to be a safe and courteous driver.  

What is a Pre-Driving Test?

Before you demonstrate your driving skills on the road portion of the driving test, you must successfully pass a pre-driving test. During the pre-test, the examiner will make sure that you have an appointment slip, identification, and valid insurance. You must demonstrate that you are aware of basic car operation and safety skills, including engaging the parking brake, use basic hand skills, and brake effectively. For more information about the pre-driving test, watch this video clip.

To be sure that you are ready to pass your driving test, enroll in a driver’s education course at Greg’s Driving School of Maryland. Call us at (301) 703-9075 to learn more about our personalized driving education courses for teens and adults. 

Preparing your Teen for Summer Driving: Basic Tire Care Tips

While proper tire maintenance is important throughout the year, teen drivers should be aware of the elements of basic tire care that become most important during the hot summer months. During the summer, the excess heat in the air and on the road, along with long trips and heavy loads in the car, can put additional strain on your vehicle’s tires. Be sure that your teen knows how to keep the tires properly inflated, check the tire tread for wear, and observe safe driving speeds. These tire care tips will prolong the life of your tires and keep your teen safe out on the road. 

If your teen is ready to enroll in a driver’s education course, choose Greg’s Driving School. Our trusted Maryland driving school will provide your teen with knowledge about driving safety, weather conditions, car maintenance, and more. Call us at (301) 703-9075 to learn more about our course offerings. 

A Look at Maryland's Tougher Driving Test

In recent years, Maryland has made it more challenging for new drivers to pass the driver’s license exam. In addition to a closed course test, the exam requires new drivers to complete a new component that tests their skills out on the road. In this video from WBAL TV, watch as news reporter Kim Dacey takes the test and sees just how challenging the new test components can be.

The excellent driver’s education courses at Greg’s Driving School will prepare you for Maryland’s tougher driving test. Call us at (301) 703-9075 to get started on your driver’s education today!  Visit our website to learn more about our acclaimed driver’s education program.