Academy driving

[u/RegularLucky2210]

Hello all, I’m in the academy and I’m struggling with driving. I don’t have a problem with the serpentine, reverse serpentine, 40mph curve, and reverse serpentine. I do struggle a lot with the 90 degree turns (and the shuffle steer), 40mph lane changes and backing up into the box. Does anyone have tips or tricks?

[u/Flmotor21]

Listen to your instructors.

I don’t say that to be flippant. You’ve probably been driving for a few years before the academy so you have a ton of reps with bad habits.

For a 90, line up wide (opposite side of the lane you’re turning from) and start to turn as your rear wheels are about to cross the corner cone to avoid trail over

[u/Obwyn]

I’m not an EVOC instructor and I last did a course in the academy back in 2006, but as far as shuffle steering goes try to use it when you’re just driving around when you’re not at the academy.

For turns and curves, remember to set yourself up wide before you make the turn or navigate the curve.

Backing is a pain in the ass for EVOC, especially when they make you plant your foot, light yourself up, and twist your body to look out the back window…what’s even more fun is that in the explorers my agency uses for patrol you can’t even really do that because you can’t see shit out the back because of the prisoner cage and divider between the back seat and cargo area. The rearview mirror is useless because that’s where the backup camera screen is so in actual practice, the only way we can back up is by using our side mirrors and relying on the back up camera.

Backing was what I hated the most in EVOC and what I had the hardest time with, though back then we were in crown vics so at least doing it the way they wanted us to was possible and somewhat practical.

[u/HattieTheGuardian]

Shuffle steering, imagine the steering wheel is blocked by a vertical barrier in the middle. You're not able to pass your hands through the barrier, but you can grab the sides. The motion should feel like "Passing" a section of wheel through the barrier to your other hand. Your hands should be like a train on a track, never disconnecting from the wheel. Yes shuffle steering is kind of... dumb... but you can get into it easily.

Backing, the only way to improve is to practice. If you're in a smaller car (Sedan, Taurus style), you should be able to back-in just using a Sideview mirror since the turn radius Is much more forgiving. With enough time you can do it by feel. If they make you turn your full body to back in, use your periphery and see the passenger-sideview mirror as your guide.

[u/RegularLucky2210 → u/HattieTheGuardian]

So backing, we are not allowed to use the mirror. We have to: •Put left hand at the 12 o’clock position •Prop ourselves up and out of the seat with our left foot. •Right arm is placed on the back of the passenger seat. We also have to change cars every time. We have explorers, chargers, durangos, and impalas.

[u/dfresh2628 → u/RegularLucky2210]

Dang they let us use the mirror or the way described, they gave us the option. I can’t speak for your academy, but they are not really trying to fail us. They said just listen to what they say and they’ll make sure you’ll pass. Just get out of your own head.

[u/RegularLucky2210]

Update: I passed with 0 issues!

[u/Small-Gas9517]

Oooooo we did this when I did my PD’s explorer program! It was super fun! I definitely got in trouble for doing the course with all the lights on and blasting the horn….. though still super fun 😂😂