Getting to Know the Car, Controls and Cockpit Drill
Before your very first drive, it is worth taking a few minutes to get familiar with the car itself. This is often called the "cockpit drill", a simple routine for making sure you and the car are properly set up before you move off, and it is one of the first things your instructor will run through with you.
Reviewed by Aqua Driving School. Last checked: 28 September 2026.
The main controls
- Steering wheel. Adjust the seat first so you can reach it comfortably with a slight bend in your arms, not fully stretched or cramped.
- Pedals. In a manual car, there are three: clutch (left), brake (middle), and accelerator (right). In an automatic, there are only two: brake and accelerator, since there is no clutch to operate. See our changing gears guide for more on manual gear changes.
- Gearstick (manual) or gear selector (automatic). In a manual, this is where you change gears; in an automatic, you will typically select Drive, Reverse, Neutral, or Park.
- Handbrake. Used to hold the car stationary, whether parked or paused at a junction on a hill.
- Indicators, lights, and wipers. Usually operated by stalks either side of the steering wheel; your instructor will show you exactly where these are on the specific car you are learning in, since positions vary between models.
A simple cockpit drill routine
A common way to remember the setup routine uses the acronym DSSSM, standing for Doors, Seat, Steering, Seatbelt, Mirrors:
- Doors. Make sure all doors are properly closed.
- Seat. Adjust your seat position and height so you can reach the pedals fully and see clearly over the steering wheel.
- Steering. Adjust the steering wheel position, if adjustable, so you can hold it comfortably.
- Seatbelt. Put your seatbelt on and check it fits properly.
- Mirrors. Adjust your interior and door mirrors so you have a clear, full view without needing to move your head far to check them.
Doing this routine every time, even once you are experienced, means you always start a drive from a properly set-up position rather than adjusting things mid-journey.
Getting comfortable before moving
Before your first attempt at moving off, it is worth simply sitting in the car, engine off, and practising finding each control without looking down: the pedals, the gearstick, the handbrake, the indicators. This "feel" for where things are becomes second nature quickly, but a few minutes of deliberate practice at the very start saves confusion later, especially once you are also trying to observe the road.
Why this matters for confidence, not just safety
New drivers who feel physically comfortable and familiar with the car's layout tend to relax more quickly into actual driving, because they are not also trying to remember which pedal is which while also watching the road. A calm, unhurried start to each lesson pays off through the rest of it.
Related reading
Ready for your first lesson? See our manual driving lessons or automatic driving lessons pages, or get in touch to book.