Colorado · Handbook chapter 4 · 4 min read

Colorado's fitness-to-drive basics: vision, hearing and the earphone ban, fatigue, health, emotions and distractions, vehicle checks, mirror and head rest set-up, hand position, steering and backing up.

Why this chapter matters

Safe driving starts before you turn the key. The handbook's early pages cover your own condition, your car and how to hold the wheel, and these make easy exam marks.

Your condition

• Vision: have your eyes checked every year or two. If your license has a corrective lens restriction, you must wear glasses or contacts to drive.
• Hearing and earphones: you may not drive wearing earphones that cover all or part of both ears. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, helmet speakers and a device covering only one ear are allowed.
• Fatigue: tiredness slows reactions and decisions. Break long drives into two-hour segments, and if you get drowsy, pull off and rest.
• Health: even a bad cold or stiff neck can affect driving; conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and heart problems can make it unsafe.
• Emotions: worry, excitement, fear or anger hurt your driving. Do not give in to road rage.
• Distractions are the leading cause of driver error. Set your seat, mirrors, radio and temperature before you go, secure loose objects, and pull over safely to deal with anything urgent.

Vehicle checks

• Brakes, lights, wipers and windshield must work; replace a damaged windshield and worn wiper blades, and clear snow, ice or frost from all windows.
• Tires: worn or bald tires lengthen stopping distance and can cause hydroplaning; low pressure wears tires and hurts steering and fuel economy.
• Steering and suspension: if the car is hard to turn or keeps bouncing after a bump, have it checked.
• Exhaust: leaking fumes can kill quickly. Never run the engine in a garage or sit in a running car without opening a window.
• Horn: check it regularly.

Mirrors and head rests

• Driver's side mirror: rest your head against the left window and set the mirror so you can just see the side of your car.
• Passenger's side mirror: center your head under the inside mirror and set it so you can just see the side of the car.
• Head rest: adjust it so it touches the back of your head.
• Keep the floor clear so nothing can roll under the pedals.

Basic control

• Keep your right foot on the brake when you start the engine.
• Press the accelerator gently with the ball of your foot, heel on the floor.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go, forward or in reverse.
• Hold the wheel on the outside at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock, with a firm but gentle grip and thumbs along the face of the wheel. Never grip the inside of the wheel. Turn with the hand-over-hand or push-pull-slide method.

Backing up

1. Check behind the car before you get in; small children and objects cannot be seen from the seat.
2. Foot on the brake, shift to reverse.
3. Left hand at 12 o'clock, right arm over the passenger seat, and look over your shoulder through the rear window.
4. Mirrors and cameras help but do not show everything; use them in addition to looking back.
5. Back slowly and keep looking to the rear until you stop.