By Ashraf Al Shafaki
Practice various maneuvers by repeating them so many times.
The learner can practice various driving activities using visualization. This kind of mental exercise can be used in conjunction with real hands-on training to complement it, emphasize it and speed it up but should not be used as a replacement of hands-on-training. Visualization can be used to practice such exercises as changing between different gear combinations as well as various driving maneuvers.
Various driving skills should not be attempted all at once for the beginner. The learner should first start with a basic skill (such as gear change) then repeat it so many times (and perhaps visualize it as well for extra 'offline' practice) until an acceptable level of confidence and proficiency is reached. Then and only then should a learner move on to learning an additional basic skill (such as reversing for instance).
Basic skills should be built like that one after the other (changing gear, reversing, stopping, moving from rest). Upon mastering the fundamental skills of driving further more complex driving skills should be built over those fundamental skills. More complex driving skills would include various maneuvers such as various parking methods, changing lane, making u-turns, overtaking and so on.
Drive with extremely slow speed, with extremely high speed, extremely near to the pavement ... etc. Trying extremes that are outside the normal day-to-day driving situations helps the learner become in confident control of driving. It enables the learner to drive with confidence and control during normal driving conditions and in cases of extreme conditions as well. Stretching the driving maneuvers during practice times to extremes help accomplish this.
Changing gear (the different gear combinations, starting with the more common ones first)
Moving the car from rest (first gear)
Reversing
Reversing in a curve
Overtaking
Changing lanes
Parking (various kinds)
Extremely slow traffic
Lights (emergency lights, turning lights, headlights)
Wipers
Gauges (reading, monitoring and using)
Adjusting (seats, mirrors).