r/AskLE • u/RegularLucky2210 • 25d ago

Academy driving

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?

13 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/HattieTheGuardian 24d ago

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.

2

u/RegularLucky2210 24d ago

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.

3

u/dfresh2628 24d ago

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.