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Iowa driving lesson · Speed, Stopping & Following Distance

Starting, shifting, and accelerating

A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Speed, Stopping & Following Distance
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
39, 40

No manual can completely teach you to drive safely—the risk of a crash drops with experience gained through instruction and practice. Starting procedures vary by vehicle (fuel injection, transmission type), so check your owner's manual.

Automatic transmission (P-R-N-D-L)

Automatic transmission (P-R-N-D-L)
PositionWhat it does
P – ParkLocks the vehicle for parking
R – ReverseMoves the vehicle in reverse
N – NeutralLeaves the engine idle
D – DriveMoves the vehicle forward
L – Low gearLimits the engine's speed
Handbook p. 39 ↗

Know the rule

Low gear may also appear as '3, 2, 1,' showing the maximum gear the automatic transmission may shift to.

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Clutch

The third pedal in a manual-transmission vehicle, used to change between gears.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Shifting a manual transmission:

  • Step 1: Depress the clutch with your left foot
  • Step 2: Shift the gear stick with your right hand
  • Step 3: Slowly step on the gas while releasing the clutch
Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

Repeat the process when downshifting or slowing to a stop, and to move backward by shifting into Reverse from Neutral or 1st gear.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

Accelerate gradually and smoothly. Starting too fast can spin the drive wheels, especially on slippery surfaces, and make the vehicle slide.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

With a manual shift, practice using the clutch and accelerator so the engine doesn't run too fast or stall when shifting.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Put it into practice

Pulling away from an icy stop sign, you press the gas hard and the tires spin. Ease off and accelerate gently so the drive wheels grip instead of sliding.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

On an automatic transmission, what does the 'L' position do?
  1. Locks the vehicle for parking
  2. Idles the engine in neutral
  3. Limits engine speed to low gear
  4. Keeps the car in its highest gear

Answer: Limits engine speed to low gear

'L' or Low Gear limits the engine's speed, which may also be shown as a numbered gear like 1, 2, or 3.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
On a manual transmission, what is the correct order of steps to shift to a higher gear?
  1. Release the clutch fully, then depress it while shifting
  2. Press the gas fully, then shift, then find the clutch
  3. Shift gears without ever using the clutch
  4. Clutch down, shift gears, then ease onto the gas

Answer: Clutch down, shift gears, then ease onto the gas

The manual lists depressing the clutch, shifting the gear stick, then slowly accelerating while releasing the clutch.

Handbook p. 40 ↗
What does 'R' mean on an automatic gear selector?
  1. Regular drive
  2. Reverse
  3. Range (low gear)
  4. Rest (engine idle)

Answer: Reverse

'R' stands for Reverse, used for moving the vehicle backward.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
On a manual transmission, which pedal is used to alternate between gears?
  1. The brake pedal
  2. The accelerator
  3. The parking brake
  4. The clutch

Answer: The clutch

A third pedal called the clutch is used to alternate between gears on a manual transmission.

Handbook p. 40 ↗
What is 'N' used for on an automatic transmission?
  1. Leaving the engine idle
  2. Locking the vehicle for parking
  3. Limiting the engine's speed
  4. Moving in reverse

Answer: Leaving the engine idle

'N' stands for Neutral, used to leave the engine idle.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
'D' on an automatic transmission's gear selector is used to move the vehicle forward.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

'D' stands for Drive, used to move the vehicle forward.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
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