how to drive a car process essay

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How to Drive a Car

Last Updated: April 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Simon Miyerov . Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,886,812 times.

Learning how to drive is a lot easier than it looks. It looks intimidating from the passenger's seat, or in films, but once you get behind the wheel and gently put your foot on the pedal, the process becomes very intuitive. Learn to take things slow in the beginning and you'll be well on your way to mastering the basics. This article assumes you'll be driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission. If you're not driving an automatic, you'll need to read about the basics of driving stick-shift (manual transmission) instead, although the general process will still be similar.

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Getting Comfortable with the Car's Controls

• Even if you feel more confident using your left foot, always use your right foot to reach both pedals. It will feel strange at first if you're left-footed, but getting used to it is very important because it's proper technique and ultimately much safer.
• Never use both feet at once to reach the pedals. Only use one foot — your right foot — to use each pedal. This will make it impossible to accidentally press down on both pedals at the same time, which can be dangerous and can damage your car.

• Your rear-view mirror should be positioned so that when you're in your normal driving position, you can see directly behind you and as much of the rear windshield as possible.
• The Society of Automotive Engineers has one recommendation for how to position your outside mirrors in order to eliminate blind spots. It recommends positioning the mirrors further outward than normal, so that they just overlap with the viewing angle of the rear-view mirror. [3] X Research source Although disorienting at first, this positioning actually allows the driver to see cars in their blind spots which they might otherwise only be able to spot by looking over their shoulder.

• If your gear stick is engaged in Park and you turn your ignition on, the car won't move forward no matter how hard you press down on the accelerator.
• If your gear stick is in Neutral , your car's natural momentum will continue to move it forward.
• If your gear stick is in Reverse , your car will move backward instead of forward when you take your foot off the brake.
• If your gear stick is in Drive , your car will move forwards when you take your foot off the brake.
• In most modern vehicles, the lever is either in a straight line on the right side of the driver or is a lever on the steering wheel. The "lever" may actually be a knob depending on your car. If you're stuck, read the owners manual when you have the time.

• The speedometer is probably the most important dashboard display in the car. It tells you how fast your car is traveling, in either miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (kph).
• The RPM gauge tells you how hard your engine is working. Most RPM gauges will have red areas starting at 6,000 or 7,000 RPM. When the dial in the gauge, travels into the red, learn to ease off the acceleration.
• The fuel gauge tells you how much fuel your car has left. It usually has a dial, like the hand of a clock that travels between "F" and "E," with "E" signaling "empty" and "F" signaling "full." Some more modern cars have digital fuel gauges; where electronic bars are displayed like the battery symbol on a mobile phone, and gradually decrease in quantity depending on how much fuel is in the car.
• The temperature gauge in the car tells you whether your car's engine is overheating. It usually has a dial that travels between "H" and "C," signaling "hot" and "cold." Your dial should normally be in the center of the gauge.

Getting the Basics Down

• Put your car in Reverse and double-check . If your car isn't in Reverse, your car won't go backwards.
• Look over your shoulder and turn your head to get a good view of where you're going.
• Gently remove your foot from the brake pedal and do not put your foot on the accelerator. For your first couple of times backing out, don't worry about putting your foot on the accelerator. You can move your car simply by removing your foot from the brake. Your car will move slowly, but you won't risk accidentally running into something or someone.
• Remember that the steering wheel is "reversed" in Reverse. When driving your car forward, if you turn the steering wheel to the right, your car will also turn to the right, and vice versa. This is because your wheels turn that way. When going in reverse, turning the steering wheel to the right will make your car turn to the left , while turning the steering wheel to the left will make your car turn to the right . Keep this in mind as you back your car out.
• Use your brake whenever you need to slow down. Press your foot down gently but firmly on the brake pedal to slow the car down if necessary.

• If you're making a harder turn, use the "hand over hand" method. Say you're turning right. Turn the steering wheel clockwise, leading with the right hand. When your right hand gets to the 4 or 5 position, release it and cross it over your left hand. Re-grip the wheel and continue turning.
• To straighten out the car after a turn, simply loosen your grip in both hands and the steering wheel will automatically begin correcting itself. Apply more pressure to slow down the correction; apply less pressure to speed it up. Your hands should stay stationary as the steering wheel moves back to its original spot.
• Indicate with your blinkers for at least two seconds before beginning to switch lanes. This lets other drivers know what you are planning to do.
• Quickly scan your mirrors and look over your shoulder to check for any cars in your blind spot(s). Don't just rely on your mirrors to tell you where other cars are; use your eyes to quickly look for yourself before actually switching lanes.
• Slowly move the car into the other lane. Turn your hands on the steering wheel ever so slightly in order to change lanes. It only takes a very slight movement of the wheel; as most modern cars are fitted with power steering. It should take anywhere from one to three seconds for you to change lanes. Any less and you're doing it too quickly; any more and you're doing it too slowly.

• To judge this, watch as the car in front of you passes a fixed object on the road, like a billboard. As soon as the car passes that object, begin counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand.... How many seconds does it take for your car to pass the same object on the road?

Putting It All Together

• Don't assume that other road users will obey the rules, or pay attention, or be cautious . Rules of the road are enforced to make sure that everyone is safe. Often those rules are broken by selfish or clueless drivers. Don't assume that drivers will use their blinkers before they turn, for example. Don't assume that drivers will slow down for you to merge. Don't assume that drivers won't drive past red lights.
• If you see a potentially dangerous situation, avoid it before it happens . Don't linger immediately to the right of a big semi-truck, for example. Don't try to pass a drunk driver who's swerving in and out of lanes.
• Use all your senses to be aware, at all times, of what's happening on the road . Drivers often learn to tune out the rest of the world and "get in the zone," simply because they've done the same thing hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Don't get too complacent behind the wheel. Use sight to monitor other cars' speeds and their habits. Use hearing to listen for car horns and the sounds of screeching. Use smell to be aware of burnt rubber or other caustic aromas that may indicate an accident.
• Try to never pass a truck on the right. Trucks and semis are far larger than normal cars, meaning that their blind spots are far bigger. Trucks often stay in the rightmost lanes and switch lanes to the right, rarely switching lanes to the left. Passing trucks on the left, therefore, means you're driving your car out of their territory, lowering your risk.

• Winter creates more difficult driving situations; with colder temperatures as well as icy and snowy surfaces.

• Use your horn to alert other drivers, not to chide them. The horn is a powerful device. Use your horn when someone merges into your lane without seeing you, or when a light has turned green but they're still sitting idle. Don't use your horn because you're stuck in a traffic jam to express your frustration.
• Use a wave to thank someone. When someone lets you into their lane, wave your hand to thank them. It doesn't take much effort, and it's a nice acknowledgment of "thanks" for keeping you in mind.
• Don't disobey the rules of the road just in order to be courteous . This is important. If you stop at a four-way stop and you get there first, you're the one who gets to go first. Don't stop and let the person who got there after you go. It holds up efficiency and often creates confusion.

Mastering Advanced Driving Techniques

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Wear your seat belt. This is the easiest way to be safe in a car, and it's illegal in many countries not to wear one. Thanks Helpful 67 Not Helpful 11
• When driving bigger cars, make sure you are clear of the road ahead before overtaking. Thanks Helpful 48 Not Helpful 7
• Be sure to slow down before making turns. Thanks Helpful 59 Not Helpful 10

Tips from our Readers

• Periodically check your side and rearview mirrors as you're driving so you are aware of your surroundings and what the cars around you are doing.
• Study your country's driving rules and regulations so you know what different signs, signals, and roads mean.
• Always slow down before you make a turn.

• This article can only guide you on your way to driving so don't depend on it as your only source. Thanks Helpful 43 Not Helpful 4
• Always indicate before turning, and use dipped headlights when there is an approaching vehicle or when there is a vehicle ahead of you. Thanks Helpful 26 Not Helpful 2
• While changing lanes, be observant. Check all mirrors, put on your indicator and swiftly change. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you're in the correct lane when driving. Thanks Helpful 28 Not Helpful 3
• Be aware of any limitations of provisional licenses, for example in the UK; you cannot drive on a motorway without a full license. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 3
• Always wear your seat belt and ensure any other passengers do so. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 5
• Avoid parking illegally, your car may be towed, or you may be cited and have to pay a fine. Thanks Helpful 38 Not Helpful 7
• Keep on the slow lane (left or right for left- or right-handed driving countries respectively), unless you overtake. After overtaking, return to the slow lane. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 3
• Always follow the rules of the road for your state or country. Make sure you know all the rules before starting to drive, or else you or your car might be badly damaged. Thanks Helpful 32 Not Helpful 6
• Make sure you practice uphill starts when learning to drive a manual car. Because starting a manual from a stop requires letting off the brakes and engaging the clutch (essentially placing the car in neutral), the car will roll backward until first gear is engaged. To stop this from happening, apply the handbrake, then release it as you release the clutch and the car begins to move forward. Otherwise, you risk rolling into the car behind you. Practice this technique on a sloped driveway or car park where it's safer to make mistakes. Thanks Helpful 28 Not Helpful 5
• In some cities, shifting late (just before red-lining) not only makes you sound like a maniac, it can also be considered "reckless driving", which is illegal and can get you a nasty ticket/fine. Thanks Helpful 28 Not Helpful 5
• Avoid the temptation to use your mobile phone, a few seconds distraction can cause a serious accident, so the best way to do it is to turn off your cell phone until you get to your destination. Better yet, park your car in a safe location when there is a need to answer a phone call. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 7
• Street racing is extremely dangerous, and illegal in most countries. If you wish to race your car, then taking your car to a track day would be the safest thing to do. These are usually well supervised. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 5
• This is by no means a replacement to going to driver's ed. Thanks Helpful 26 Not Helpful 6
• Some vehicles come with built-in safety features (besides airbags). Do not rely on safety and comfort features to work while driving. This technology can easily malfunction (i.e. the brakes may apply unexpectedly or the car does not brake at all), and is not a replacement for attentive driving. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 3
• This article is aimed at American readers. Road rules are different in every country. Thanks Helpful 26 Not Helpful 8
• In Israel, you're required to carry fluorescent vests in the car and wear them when you are outside the car when making repairs or refueling etc. If you get stopped in Israel and your car does not carry a fluorescent vest, you WILL be fined. In France, you must wear one when driving at night, and also if you need to repair a puncture/bulb on a motorway. Thanks Helpful 20 Not Helpful 8
• Always enforce that people who are passengers in your car must wear seatbelts. If they refuse, don't drive them. You're better off creating an awkward situation than to be held liable for a bodily injury they sustain if you're in an accident. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 4
• NEVER drink and drive . That's the worst thing you could possibly do. You could kill yourself or someone else. It is also illegal to drive with more than a certain amount of alcohol in your body e.g. in the UK you must not drive with a breath alcohol level of more than 35 micrograms per 100 milliliters (3.4  fl oz) or a blood alcohol level of more than 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters (3.4  fl oz). This is roughly the equivalent to 2 cans of strong lager. In the US you may not have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of more than 0.08% if you are a non-commercial driver 21 and up. Restrictions are tighter on commercial drivers and drivers under 21. If you are going to drink this much alcohol, arrange another means of transport. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Drivers need to be licensed. Driving without a license or with a suspended one can get you arrested, cited, and/or towed and can potentially ruin your record. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Never shift into low gears at high speeds (i.e. 1st gear at 50 mph/80 km/h). This will greatly damage or destroy your car's engine and transmission and can even cause you to lose control. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• ALWAYS wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts reduce risk of injury and death by a wide margin, and in many US states, you can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
• ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
• ↑ https://dmv.ny.gov/older-driver/safety-tips-about-your-vehicle
• ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/driving-test-criteria/pre-drive-checklist-safety-criteria/
• ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/steeringtechniques.pdf
• ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-ministry-transportation-mto-motorcycle-handbook/lane-change
• ↑ https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/safe-driving/safe-stopping-distance
• ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/recreational-vehicles-and-trailers-handbook-2011/defensive-driving-techniques-for-all-drivers/
• ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/changing-positions
• ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/driving-night-and-bad-weather
• ↑ https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-7-parallel-parking
• ↑ https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/traffic-safety-methods/roundabouts
• ↑ https://drive.govt.nz/restricted-licence/skills/parking-turning-around-and-hills/hill-driving-manual/
• ↑ https://afdc.energy.gov/conserve/behavior_techniques.html

About This Article

To drive an automatic car, first put on your seatbelt and adjust all of the mirrors so you can see out of them. Make adjustments to your seat so you’re comfortable and can easily reach the pedals. Then, press down on the brake pedal with your right foot so the car doesn’t move when you start it. Next, turn the car on by putting the keys in the ignition and turning them clockwise. Hold the steering wheel with your hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. If you need to reverse out of a parking spot, move the gear stick from “park” to “reverse,” and look over your shoulder so you can see what’s behind you. You should always look over your shoulder and check your mirrors whenever you're reversing or changing lanes. Gently remove your foot from the brake pedal so the car starts moving, but don’t press on the gas pedal. When you’re in reverse, you’ll need to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go. If you need to turn left, turn the steering wheel to the right, and vice versa. Once you’ve backed out of the spot, press your foot down on the brake pedal, and move the gear stick from “reverse” to “drive.” To drive forward, take your foot off the brake pedal and slowly press down on the gas pedal. The harder you press down on the gas pedal, the faster you’ll go. Keep both of your hands on the steering wheel as you’re driving, and turn it in the direction you want to go. If you need to make a sharp turn, like turning at an intersection, cross your hands over each other as you turn the wheel. Then, when you’re ready to straighten out again, loosen your grip on the wheel so it turns back to the starting position. Remember to turn the car’s blinker on to alert other drivers whenever you’re making a turn or shifting lanes. To come to a stop, take your foot off the gas pedal and slowly press on the brake pedal. When you’re ready to park, move the gear stick from “drive” to “park,” then turn the car off by turning the keys in the ignition. To learn more about how to adjust how you drive to the road conditions, keep reading below! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Why You Should Learn to Drive – The Benefits of Driving

Transport is a large part of our lives. Even if you live in a remote area, you still have to head out of the house for supplies once or twice a week. For people who study or work, commuting is most likely a daily affair. A driver’s license is a sought-after qualification that offers the freedom of driving. But, aside from getting someone from A to B, are there other benefits of learning to drive?

The Benefits of Driving

Driving grows your brain.

Managing multiple tasks during driving helps develop neuroplasticity. Basic driving involves coordinating your hands and feet to simultaneously steer and work the pedals. Add to that listening to music, watching other cars, following navigation instructions, or drinking coffee, and your brain is being trained to process large amounts of information at once.

As you learn new driving routes, visualize how various roads connect, and figure out the fastest route to take, you also improve your memory and your ability to interpret and retain visual information. A study of trainee taxi drivers found that learning the streets of London resulted in hippocampus development and higher cognitive functions including spatial memory.

Driving offers mobility and convenience.

The main reason why most people learn to drive is that it offers mobility. After a long day at work, instead of waiting for public transport in the cold and rain, you can simply hop into your car and be on the way home. Daily commutes aside, driving makes it more convenient for you to make quick trips like popping out to the store or taking your dog to the vet.

Your car also comes with more space. It can fit several people and a large amount of shopping. Instead of having to lug bulky grocery bags to the bus stop or take the train with kids in tow, you can load everyone and everything into the car. In addition, you have the freedom to make multiple stops and pick up the shopping, the kids, and dinner all in one trip.

Driving offers independence, privacy, and security.

There is a reason why obtaining a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many young adults. Driving fosters a sense of responsibility and independence from having to rely on busy parents or family members. Learning to maintain a vehicle and manage vehicle expenses is good practice for the responsibilities of adulthood.

When you take public transport, common riders can easily learn your daily schedules. In hire cars, drivers know where you live and can listen in on your conversations. For people who value their privacy, driving is a better option. Moreover, having a private car can also provide a stronger sense of security for those who have to travel at night or on isolated routes.

You could save money.

With the current gas prices, owning and maintaining a car may seem costly. But for many people who live in areas with limited public transport options, driving can be much more affordable than hiring private taxis. Furthermore, there are numerous ways where you can have a car without breaking the bank such as buying second-hand or sharing the family car.

You could get a job.

Once you have passed your driving test, you have your license for life. This license can come in handy when you are looking for employment. Many companies prefer to hire people who are licensed drivers in case they need to make an urgent delivery or meet a client in a hurry. Besides, you always have the option of becoming a ride-hail driver in your spare time.

How to Learn to Drive

Driver’s licenses are required by law for anyone operating a motor vehicle in the United States. Licenses are issued by the state in which you live and the processes and regulations vary from state to state. Typically, you can start your driver’s education at 14. Download or purchase the relevant driver’s handbook for your state from your local DMV.

You can generally apply for your learner’s permit between the age of 14 and 16. Most states, such as California, will require you to complete a state-approved driver’s education course or basic knowledge test before you can apply for a learner’s license. It is recommended that you find a reputable driving school and online driver’s ed resource to help you from this stage onwards.

With a learner’s license, you can take driving lessons and accumulate the minimum required number of supervised driving hours. Some states also have mandatory auxiliary programs such as the Impact Texas Drivers Program. When you have completed the requirements and reached the minimum age for your state, you can apply for your provisional driver’s license.

To receive your provisional driver’s license, you will need to pass a comprehensive written exam and a driving skills test. The provisional driver’s license comes with certain restrictions such as passenger numbers and driving hours. In some states, you can upgrade to a full license as young as 16 and 6 months while you have to be 18 in others. Once you have your full license, you are good to go!

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Driving A Car For The First Time Essay Example

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Vehicles , Pedal , Brake , Turn , Foot , Driving , Road , Wheel

Published: 01/24/2021

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This is the way I was taught how to drive a car. First, open the car door either with a key or with a keyless entry system where a button is clicked then the door will unlock. Once inside the car, adjust the seat in any direction so that you can reach all the controls easily and adjust the mirrors so that you can see behind and sides of the car. Fasten your seat belt and whoever in the car should do the same. Stick the key into the ignition and twist it forward until you hear the engine start and here is when you are safe and ready to go. From here, I was instructed to place my driving foot on the brake pedal, the right hand on the steering wheel and the free hand on the shift selector. Move it from park to drive mode if the car is facing the direction you want to drive to or from park to reverse if the car is to be reversed. Slowly release the pressure on the brake pedal and the car will start to move slowly. I was told to take my foot off the brake pedal and used the same foot to press the gas pedal gently and the car started moving faster. When the car moves, turn the steering wheel to the left to turn the car left and to turn the car right, turn the steering wheel to the right. Finally, I was instructed to apply brakes to slow or stop the car by taking my foot off the accelerator pedal and move it to the brake pedal, applying gradual pressure so as not to stop hastily. I caused a scene when I did this on my own. After starting the engine and moving successfully for some metres on the road, a stupid sheep ran across the road and instead of pressing the brake pedal, I accidentally pressed the gas pedal as much as I could and the car raced with an astonishing speed and rammed into an oncoming lorry went right through it and landed on a ditch beside the road. I was unfortunate to escape with minor injuries all over my body but the car was written off but when the police arrived, it was a different story all together.

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How to Write a Process Essay

The process essay, also known as the "how-to" essay, is commonly written for people or companies that need tutorials or a set of instructional steps. Whether it's building a robot or cooking a chocolate cake, process essays use a similar format for any variations. They follow a step-by-step style, with the initial step influencing the second, which influences the third, and so on. Each step carries its own importance, and a poor explanation of one step can ruin the entire process. It's important to stay concise and efficient. However, before you begin writing your essay, you should do some small preparations. Let's discover them with our research writing service .

What Is a Process Paper?

A process essay is a type of essay that explains a process step by step and gives guidance for a certain process, working mechanism, procedure, etc. Process essays range from very simple ones, such as instructions for how to ride a bicycle, to more complex ones, such as a chemistry lab report of an oxidative reaction experiment. The goal of a process paper is to give its readers guidance and directions. 

Feeling Overwhelmed Writing a Process Essay on Your Own?

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A process paper is characterized, first of all, by explaining a process using a description. Some words that are frequently used in process essays are “further”, “then”, “next”, “first”, “last”, “finally”, and “initially”. It is really important to remember that every process essay includes features, such as:

• clear and straightforward narration - the last thing you want to do is to confuse your reader with complex language and an unorganized thought thread;
• chronological order - avoid skipping steps and shifting them around, as it will result in misunderstanding and frustration for the readers;
• transition words - make sure to separate the next step from the previous ones by using transition words;
• descriptions of the steps - make sure your steps are clear and easy to follow.

There are several types of process essays. The first one is directional - it explains the “how to” for something. It can take on a wide range of subjects, such as how to apply for a credit card, how to get your driver’s license, how to plan a wedding, etc. The outcome of the directional essay should be a result. In the cases of the examples above: a credit card, a driver’s license, or a carefully planned wedding. The other type of process paper is informational - it explains how something works. Here are some examples: how a weather forecast is determined, how a space rocket works, how intermittent fasting changes your body, etc. An informational essay explains something to a reader and does not necessarily end up with a result, like directional does. 

Another type of essay that is similar to a process essay is a process analysis essay. The biggest difference is that a process analysis essay not only explains the steps, but also analyses them in depth. It has all of the characteristics of a process essay, although goes into more detail about the causes and consequences of every step.

If you need any additional information for process analysis essays, check out our article: HOW TO WRITE A PROCESS ANALYSIS ESSAY

Writing a process essay is not extremely difficult. By following simple rules and a set of steps, a successful, well-structured essay can be guaranteed.

Prepare The Small Stuff

Here we gathered some small general tips and advice that you should follow throughout your writing process to make sure that all of the expectations of a process paper are met.

• Determine the Audience's Skill Level. It's important to base the level of complexity of the essay on who the readers will be. For example, if you need to teach a friend how to do a simple fix or create a certain tool, then it would be most reasonable to stick to more basic terminology. However, if you are writing an essay for your astrophysics professor about the creation of a black hole in the universe, use more sophisticated and informative terminology.
• Make a List of Materials. Obviously, the creation of anything comes with some prerequisites. Whether it's items or ideas, the importance of knowing the necessities beforehand and having them ready to go is essential. Make sure to place each item in accordance with its importance. The more impactful a part is, the higher up on the list it should be. 
• Write out Each Task. In a step-by-step tutorial, each individual task carries some sort of weight. Since an entire process can not be complete if a step is skipped, it's crucial to write out every single step. However, don't go overboard in your explanations. It's not necessary to bring the tutorial to a microscopic level, but each step should be understandable and competent.

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Process Essay Topics

Choosing a topic for a process paper can be quite challenging. A good place to start is with your passions. If you pick something you are excited about, you can make it interesting for your readers and fun for yourself to write about. If your professor limits you to write a process essay on something you have very little knowledge of, choose a topic that is intriguing and triggers your interest. Then, conduct enough thorough research to make sure you understand everything perfectly before you go ahead and try to explain it to someone else. 

Another very important thing to consider while writing a process essay is your audience. It is highly unlikely that college students are interested in instructions for “How to Get Into Your Dream School” or “How to Pass Your SATs”. Make sure your topic relates to the subject you are studying and you are following your professor’s prompt guidelines.

Here are some ideas that might be of interest for you:

• How to lose weight on a keto diet
• How your immune system fights COVID-19
• How to start selling on Amazon
• How to improve your credit score
• How to decrease your social media usage
• How to apply for unemployment insurance
• How to improve your college performance 
• How to open your first bank account

It's important to note that these essay topics are just some common examples used by several college students for their course papers. Feel free to use any one of them if you want, or think of one on your own. Just make sure it's a PROCESS!

Process Essay Outline

Most essay outlines follow the standard scheme: Intro > Body Paragraphs > Conclusion . follow the standard scheme: Intro > Body Paragraphs > Conclusion. A good process essay outline should look like this:

• Introduction — brief your reader on your topic, explain why you have chosen it and how you are planning to approach the explanation of the process. 
• Body — the biggest part of your essay that should be divided into paragraphs for easier understanding and structure. Make sure each paragraph is flowing smoothly into the next one with connective words.

Paragraph 1. First step of the process. Explain what the step is, what the best way to perform it is, and how to avoid common mistakes when doing it.

Paragraph 2. The next step of the process (the same as in Paragraph 1). Thoroughly explain what this step is about.

• Conclusion . Here you need to explain why your instructions are valuable. It is your opportunity to persuade your reader(s) that the steps you presented and the process they learned will be useful for them in the future. 

Every process is different: some can take a couple of minutes, while others can take months or years to complete. The length of the essay is generally based on the difficulty and number of steps it takes. However, the structure doesn't maneuver.

Introduction

The first thing that you want to do as a writer for your process paper is to help your readers be interested in your individual process. Be descriptive about it, paint a picture for your readers. A joke or a personal reference can be a great attention grabber and can pull your reader right in. For somebody to be keen on approaching your process, they have to express interest in it. Though, it generally goes without saying that many writers ignore this fact. Let's break it down into subsections:

• Give a little bit of historical background. People often want to know the origins of whatever it is that they're working on. Introducing this part of the process helps to intrigue your readers, as well as give them a sense of purpose for the task.
• Create an approximate timeframe. Unfortunately, your readers don't have all day to spend on this one event. In addition to learning about its purpose, people want to know how long the task will take. This way, they can decide how to break up the work. If it's a quick fix, then they can knock it out in one session. However, if it's a large-scale operation, then your readers will obviously have to create their own time schedule.

For example, let’s say that the topic of your essay is “How to Save Money”. You can start the introduction of your process essay by explaining that as a college student, you often find yourself in need of extra money and you are stuck with bad money habits. This will create a good connection with your readers, because almost everyone has been in a situation of needing to be savvy with their finances. Another thing you can mention is the importance of saving money and the multiple opportunities it presents, such as being able to invest it, being able to pay off a credit card debt, or being able to save up to avoid taking out a student loan.

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Body Paragraphs

This is the point in the process essay where you start introducing the step-by-step process your readers will need to take. A lot of the time, it helps to break down each process into subsections. For example, if a step has many parts to it, it would be clever to create a paragraph on its own just for that step. Remember, it's important to keep things smooth and efficient. Break down the body paragraphs in unity with the steps. Let's go into more detail about each step:

Each step should be carefully explained.  Every step will vary in length. Think about it: every instruction manual has several steps. Some are more difficult to comprehend or perform than others. For this reason, create your steps and explanations accordingly. You should be able to get a sense of their length and difficulty based on the explanation.

Don't forget to explain the purpose.  People don't want orders barked at them aimlessly. Besides just accomplishing a task, people want to learn as they perform.

• Why did they do this?
• What was the purpose of this method?
• Why did we do it this way and not this other way?

To make everything flow smoothly use transitions.  Make the steps flow one after another to create a well-structured essay. As you introduce the next step, consider using transition words like “next”, “now”, “then”, “so that”, etc.

Before writing the steps out in full sentences, it is a great idea to create an outline for your body paragraphs. Here is an outline for the body paragraphs of a process essay on “How to Save Money”:

Paragraph 1:

• keep track of your expenses
• organize your collected data
• decide what you can skimp on in your spendings

Paragraph 2:

• create a realistic budget
• check weekly to ensure you are sticking to it
• save 15% of every monthly income
• set a tangible goal for saving, such as a car

These process essay examples use only two body paragraphs, but feel free to include more to ensure a better understanding and cohesive flow for your paper. Although, do not include excessive unnecessary details that clutter your essay and make understanding it even more difficult. While writing your essay, include small brief explanations for each statement. For example, “Even though eating out and grabbing a coffee on your way to class sounds tempting, setting a budget and saving 15% of each of your monthly earnings aside can help you have enough to put down a downpayment on a new car.” Here the reader will understand that there is a direct relationship between each step and the result it is going to give. 

Showing the readers that they are learning and not just repeating is one of the most effective ways to lock down their attention and keep them coming back!

After going through every step meticulously and explaining the whole process, a process essay needs a confident conclusion. This paragraph should be short, sweet, and to the point. It's main goal is to accomplish the following tasks:

• Discuss the main result. After the readers have completed the process, they should be left with a final result. It's important that you explain to your readers what the end result will look like, and what can be done with it.
• Restate the process’s general purpose. After completing the task, you obviously would like to know its overall purpose. When your readers feel that they have accomplished a challenge, learned something from it, and have a path to take the result towards, they will be satisfied!
• State your Overall Conclusion. To put a pretty tie around your process essay means that you need to neatly wrap things up! Restate some of the highlightable points as well as the process’s key overall purpose. Make sure that your readers feel accomplished after going through your process, and  ensure that you strengthen the necessity of its purpose with a nice concluding sentence!

The conclusion of an essay on “How to Save Money” would explain that the completion of all of the steps will result in saving money that can be used for a specific goal or for rainy day fund purposes. You can mention the importance of every step and briefly repeat some of the key points. 

Post-Writing Tips

Here are some final tips to wrap up your writing process. Use them as a checklist for a successful and coherent essay. 

• Make sure the work is simple enough to follow. Worst-case-scenario: its author creates a feeling of absolute confusion in the reader’s mind. To avoid this problem, always remember that your readers can be beginners. Do not try to impress them with complicated words or sentences, use simple language to provide clear directions on how to do something. Give as many details as possible, but do it plainly. "Why is he making me do this?" "What was the purpose of this?" "I don't understand this step at all!" If the reader is asking themself these questions, then it's time to do some editing!
• Experiment and try it for yourself or ask a friend. There's no better way to experience success than to actively attempt your process through your own instructions. If everything truly makes sense, then you should have no problem solving the task using your own words. Even better, ask a peer to try it through your words to get an outside point of view.
• Choose the right topic for you and research it well
• Maintain a logical order of steps, make it easy to follow
• Avoid using imperative sentences - you do not want to sound like an Apple TV manual
• Explain terms that are most likely outside of most people’s range of common knowledge 

If you have a ready-made essay but need to make significant changes to it, you can use our rewrite my essay service .

Process Essay Examples

Now that you know all about process essays and how to write them, we have prepared some great essay topic ideas in case you are stuck and cannot choose one:

Building a business from scratch is an intricate process that entails a number of steps. Each of these steps should have specific objectives and measurable outcomes.The following analysis gives the basic steps followed when building any business from scratch.

Saving can be defined as a differed consumption or keeping aside a portion of your income for unexpected future uncertainties or plans. Read for reason and actual steps for saving more money

Read also a thesis statement example from our author. In this article, you can learn something useful for yourself.

Still Need Help?

If you still feel like you could use some help with your process essay, do not hesitate to seek help from our writing service. Our writers specialize in a wide range of essays of different types including creative writing essay , process essays, and would be more than happy to assist you with writing, editing, or direction if you are feeling uneasy. Click the button below and college admission essay writer will process your requests fast.

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Why People Should Study Driving? Essay

Introduction, works cited.

Driving plays a significant role in a person’s life. It is an act that allows people to move from one place to another with ease and convenience. In learning driving, a person is only able to move or drive a car, but other life important aspects such as attitude, efficiency, responsibility and risk management among others are earned.

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles notes that a good driver has to own likable actions which can contribute to his or her driving experience. Perhaps having an accuracy of observation, attention, and apt use of a car control can increase his or contentment in driving.

Sobel and Nesbit argue that awareness of their personal limits and off the road and matching a car speed and the direction in the context can equally make driving a fulfilling undertaking (83). Driving skills are not meant for the road; a person who develops good driving can achieve success in ordinary life too. This is noted through their self-confidence, strong relationships with others, among other ethics. It is on this note that people should develop a habit of studying driving.

Effective drivers are efficient. Efficiency appoints maximum output for minimum input. Efficiency drivers ensure that whatever they do has a purpose and a reason hence there is no duplication of actions and their procedures are fulfilled with utmost economy. Besides, their engagements emerge to be smooth and stylish.

The drivers’ efficiency is extended to the vehicle. In this case, drivers show mechanical sympathy; they handle the vehicle’s controls carefully with coordination and feel that upholds tear and wear. They also complete their journeys at a considerably increased speed whereas using a reduced amount of gas than their counterparts with matching cars.

Texas Defensive Driving content that driving is a habit, a driver gains a habit when he or she continuously drives. However, ineffective driving can be a consequence because it leads to a crashing habit. The strength of a habit lies in what a driver does when he or she don’t consciously try to concentrate on what is supposed to be done. Texas Defensive Driving offers new insights into gaining driving habits. A driver should try to see and think about the familiar. This will construct new behavior of thinking.

Driving encourages responsibility. A person is the sole charge while driving hence all the decisions is perked on him or her. Drivers therefore accept responsibilities for everything they feel, think and do thus they are in control of their own actions. Drivers who avoid responsibility are always accompanied by guilt. This occurs because when they perform insufficiently they blame others or their car for their own failings. So, avoiding responsibility marries poor performance creating the feeling of being powerless and stressed.

Driving demands high awareness collected by a drivers’ senses. This awareness includes the emotions and other users of the road. According to Sobel and Nesbit (73) a driver should be aware of various stakeholders who use the roads. They include the pedestrians, a walker, individuals with disabilities on a wheelchair or on foot, a roller skater and a runner among others. The drivers need to be aware of these stakeholders.

The driver should be conscious to take all precautions or to be on a look-out not to harm these categories of people. It is the role of the driver to be cautious and be on a look-out not to harm these categories of people. Also, driving enables drivers to learn about various pedestrian victims such as the drinking public, small children and an older person Sobel and Nesbit (71).

These people, because of their circumstances and their position, can be vulnerable to risks connected to driving. A driver is therefore encouraged to be on alert and be on the lookout while driving to avoid risking the life of these stakeholders (South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles).

According to Industrial and Commercial Training, driving equips a person with great knowledge, to enable him or her succeed while moving and controlling a car (50). One important skill that drivers win is they know how to drive during various seasons of the year as in present times, weather patterns have become unpredictable. When it is supposed to be summer, we notice storms, when we believe it is cold, we see temperatures rising.

Hence, this situation has demanded new driving knowledge beyond the traditional learning skills acquired in a driving school. For example during the rainy season, a driver may go beyond the ordinary known driving skills learned, to a more creative or innovative approach. Skills which are acquired innovatively during this period are paying more attention when it rains after a long season of a dry spell.

Although this condition may seem a common sense issue, most people who have acquired driving skills seems to overlook it. Wells and Stacey (58) notes during a prolonged dry season, grease and engine oil heap and condense on the road surface. When it suddenly pours and the road or highway gets wet, the oil and grease mix hence making the road more unsafe than normal.

Another area of importance is the breaking system of the car. This is an important safety feature thus without it driving is almost impossible. It is therefore important for a person driving to guarantee his or her safety and that of others by clearly understanding the breaking system of his or her car (Industrial and Commercial Training, 49). Many things can happen or go wrong with the braking system of a car. To be on the safer side, regular inspection and preventive maintenance is important to avoid missing brakes while on the road.

The beauty of driving is stemmed from on defensive driving. Defensive driving allows a person to nurture good driving techniques. This includes; being able to manage time and space, proper planning and have the right attitude. This means using the available space a driver has to maneuver and time to react. Time works to the advantage of any apprentice to compensate for their inexperience and is worthless in reducing risk in traffic.

Kennedy (31) asserts that when driving defensively do it with the flow of other cars. Defensive drivers also should try to embrace anticipation. This is one of the most valuable arsenals for a defensive driver. The driver should anticipate the moves and needs of the neighboring drivers. Defensive driving is best utilized when the driver understands the road better. Knowing the road enables a driver to embrace defensive driving safer and better.

The change that a driver makes in driving largely influences other essential activities in his or her life. These activities are relationship with others, play and work among others. For example, by becoming a confident and competent driver will increase a person’s life esteem, being energy efficient will leave you with enough energy to do other activities. Besides, reducing anxiety from road relationship will have a positive effect in building strong relationship with others, and being judgmental on the road will support a person sporting activity.

Driving strengthens one’s effectiveness, responsibility and technical knowledge of a person. Rather than these skills being practiced in the driving field, they are part and parcel of a person’s life. They help a person to establish a healthy relationship with others and develop confidence. This is why driving is a must for everyone to learn.

Alexander, Don. Stock Car Driving Techniques . Minneapolis, Motor Books International, 2002. Print.

Industrial and Commercial Training. “Drivers Direct Reaches Training Milestone”, Industrial and Commercial Training , (2011); 46-69. Print.

Kennedy, Bill. The Most Complete Book on Advanced Defensive Driving , Kansas: Bill Kennedy Driving School, 2009. Print

Sobel, S Russell, Nesbit M Todd. Automobile Safety Regulation and the Incentive to Drive Recklessly: Evidence from NASCAR. Southern Economic Journal, (2007): 71-84. Print.

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Important Driving Tips; Sharing the Road with Pedestrians , 2011. Web.

Texas Defensive Driving. The Importance of Driving, 2011. Web.

Wells, John, Stacey Margaret. Learn to Drive , London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2009. Print.

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How to Write a Great Process Essay

Otherwise Known as a How-To Essay

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How-to essays , also known as process essays, are much like recipes: They provide instruction for carrying out a procedure or task. You can write a how-to essay about any procedure that you find interesting as long as your topic fits the teacher's assignment.

Start by Brainstorming

The first step in writing your how-to essay is brainstorming. Here are tips to help you:

• Draw a line down the middle of a sheet of paper to make two columns. Label one column "materials" and the other column "steps."
• Write down every item and every step you can think of that will be needed to carry out your task. Don't worry about trying to keep things in order yet. Just empty your head.
• Number your steps on your brainstorming page. Just jot a number beside each item/step. You may need to erase and scribble a few times to get the order right. It's not a neat process.

Create an Outline

First, determine the format required for your essay; ask your teacher if you are unsure. Your essay could contain a numbered list (like the one in the previous section), or it could be written as a standard narrative essay. If you are instructed to write a step-by-step without using numbers, your essay should contain all the elements of any other essay assignment, including an:

• Introductory paragraph : the section that identifies the  topic , arouses interest, and prepares the audience or readers for the development of the thesis
• Body : the part of an essay that develops the main idea
• Conclusion : the sentences  or paragraphs that bring the essay to a logical end

Regardless of the essay format—whether your teacher allows for numbered paragraphs or sections or simply wants you to craft a narrative report—your outline should center on these three areas.

Creating the Essay

Your introduction will explain why your topic is important or relevant. For example, your paper about "How to Wash a Dog" would explain that dog hygiene is important for your pet's good health.

• Your first body paragraph should contain a list of necessary materials. For example: "The equipment you will need depends somewhat on the size of your dog. At the very minimum, you will need dog shampoo, a large towel, and a container large enough to hold your dog. And, of course, you will need a dog."
• The next paragraphs should contain instructions for following steps in your process, as enumerated in your outline.
• Your summary, or conclusion, explains how your task or process should turn out if it is done correctly. It may also be appropriate to restate the importance of your topic.

Topics to Write About

You may believe that you are not expert enough to write a process essay. This is not so. There are many processes that you go through every day that you can write about, including:

• How to make a perfect paper airplane
• How to dye your hair
• How to wear makeup
• How to survive a weekend with your family
• How to play basketball
• How to play (a popular video game)

The goal in this type of assignment is to show that you can write a well-organized essay and clearly explain to the reader how to do what you are instructing.

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Learning to Drive a Car

Updated 24 April 2021

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When It’s Time for an Aging Driver to Hit the Brakes

The “car key conversation” can be painful for families to navigate. Experts say there are ways to have it with empathy and care.

By Catherine Pearson

Sherrie Waugh has been yelled at, insulted and wept upon in the course of her job administering driving tests. Typically these extreme reactions happen when she is forced to render an upsetting verdict: It’s time to hang up the car keys.

Ms. Waugh, a certified driving rehabilitation specialist with The Brain Center, a private neuropsychology practice in Indiana, often works with older drivers, putting them through an assessment that measures things like visual skills, reaction time and processing speed.

“I had one gentleman, who had early onset dementia, who was just sitting here crying,” Ms. Waugh said. “His wife was out in the car and she was crying. And we all came back, and we were all crying. Because it’s so hard.”

Decisions about when an older person (or someone whose physical or mental circumstances make operating a vehicle dangerous) should stop driving are often agonizing. They can rock the driver’s sense of independence and identity, and add to the responsibilities that many family caregivers shoulder.

“It’s a major, major loss for older people,” said Lauren Massimo, an assistant professor at Penn Nursing. “It’s been described to me as dehumanizing.”

But it is important to raise concerns as soon as you have them, experts said, and there are ways to make the car key conversation less painful for older drivers and their loved ones.

Get a good look at the problem.

Before you ask a partner or parent to give up driving, do your research, experts say. Ms. Waugh, for instance, is surprised by the number of caregivers she sees who raise concerns about older drivers they haven’t actually driven with recently.

“If they need to pick up something at the grocery store, hop in the car,” she said. Take note: Are they missing traffic lights or safety signs? Are they struggling to maintain the speed limit or stay in their lane? Are they becoming confused about directions, particularly on familiar routes? Those are all signs that their driving skills may be waning.

And beware of ageism, especially when figuring out how to approach the conversation.

“It’s really not about their age,” said Marvell Adams Jr., the chief executive officer of the nonprofit Caregiver Action Network. “It’s about changes in their ability, which can happen to anyone.”

Mr. Adams suggested this opening gambit for a talk: “‘Hey, you know, I noticed it looks like your tires are getting beat up. Are you hitting the curb more often?’” His own mother made the decision to stop driving herself, he said, after she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

Pin the decision on someone else.

The driving conversation is one of the hardest parts of Dr. Massimo’s job as a health care provider who works with patients with neurodegenerative disease, she said. But she is happy to relieve caregivers of that burden.

“Make the provider the bad guy,” she said.

Many of Ms. Waugh’s clients come to her through referrals from primary care doctors, neurologists or eye doctors, though family members also reach out directly. She charges $175 for a 90-minute clinical assessment, and $200 for a road evaluation — fees that she acknowledged might be prohibitive for some families. (She has not succeeded in getting insurance to reimburse her clients.) But, experts say, professional driving evaluations can offer objectivity and clarity.

Ms. Waugh recently saw an older client who used to teach driver’s education and was miffed that his wife and doctor had been urging him to stop driving. During the evaluation, he struggled to finish short-term memory tests, including a simple maze and a counting exercise. When Ms. Waugh showed him his results, he finally understood that he posed a safety risk to himself and others on the road.

Have solutions ready.

Although giving up driving is rarely easy, services such as grocery delivery and ride-sharing apps can lessen the inconvenience and offer continued autonomy and independence, Mr. Adams said.

Make a plan for how you will help a retired driver get around. In addition to ride-sharing apps, the experts also mentioned public transportation and car pools, as well as friends and family members who might be able to give rides.

Consider risk-reduction strategies, too, Mr. Adams said. Maybe your partner or parent is safe to drive during the day, but not at night and not on the highway.

Even though older drivers and their family members may be loath to do it, look ahead.

“Make this a part of the conversation early,” said Cheryl Greenberg, who coaches seniors and their families on life transitions and planning in North Carolina. “You know, ‘You’re 60 years old and you’re driving just fine, but Mom, what would you do if the time came and you were less comfortable and less able?’”

All of the experts said that it was important to make space for big emotions around these conversations.

“Be empathic,” Dr. Greenberg said. “Don’t just go in and say, ‘Well, now you’re done driving.’ Listen. Ask questions that might help them be centered in the process.”

Catherine Pearson is a Times reporter who writes about families and relationships. More about Catherine Pearson

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We traveled from Canada to Seattle by ferry with a car for $150. After 5 ½ hours, I wished I'd just left my vehicle at home.

• I travel between Canada and the US often, and I recently took a route that used a car ferry.
• With two passengers and a car, the trip cost about $150, and it took about five and a half hours. 
• I don't necessarily think having your car adds to the trip, so I'd take a passenger boat next time. 

Nearly 400,000 people travel between Canada and the US daily, and one of the best parts of living in Victoria, British Columbia, is its relative proximity to the state of Washington.

It's common for locals to spend a weekend in Seattle to catch a sports game, see a concert, or do some cross-border shopping.

But even though the cities are pretty close, getting there can be a headache if you don't know what you're doing. Victoria, BC , is located on an island, so unless you're flying, you'll need to take a boat.

Under ideal conditions, traveling there with your car takes at least four to five hours. But when you factor in ferry times, potential delays due to weather, border wait times , traffic, and stopping for gas, it can easily become an eight-hour journey.

Recently, a friend and I took the car ferry between Victoria to Vancouver to get to Seattle. Here's how it went, and what you need to know before booking a trip.

There are several options for getting to mainland Washington from Victoria, BC.

The Victoria Clipper offers the fastest direct route between Victoria and Seattle, but it's a passenger-only ferry.

If you want to take your vehicle, you'll either need to take the Blackball "Coho" Ferry to Port Angeles, Washington, or BC Ferries to Vancouver and drive two to three hours to Seattle.

We wanted to stop at Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, Washington (about an hour outside of Seattle). And since we'd be stateside, we'd have the opportunity to stop at Trader Joe's to stock up on our favorite American snacks.

Having a car would make both pit stops easier, so we decided to book tickets on BC Ferries.

Tickets vary depending on your vehicle, the number of passengers, and their ages. Vehicles under 20 feet cost 67.40 Canadian dollars, or about $49, each way. But that cost doesn't include the driver or any other passengers.

Adult fares are 19.10 CAD each way, so our total for one way on the ferry was 105.6 CAD.

If you’re traveling on a weekend, make a reservation and get there early.

Since we were taking our car, we needed to factor in the driving time to the ferry dock in Swartz Bay, located about 30 to 45 minutes outside of Victoria.

BC Ferries serves travelers from all around Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of British Columbia. Weekends are typically busy, and popular sailings can sell out.

Traffic is also busier on the weekends , so give yourself plenty of time and arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.

I recommend booking a reservation online to guarantee your spot on a specific sailing. Reservations cost an extra 20 CAD, but I think it's well worth it.

Even if you have a ferry reservation, know that there's a chance your ferry can get canceled or delayed due to weather conditions — forcing you to take the next sailing in one or two hours.

There are gorgeous views throughout the ride, which made up for the lack of Wi-Fi.

One of the things I love about taking the 90-minute boat from Victoria to Vancouver is the incredible scenery and ocean views . If the weather is decent, I recommend sitting outside.

There are picturesque islands covered in lush forests, and you may even spot a pod of whales or dolphins if you're lucky.

But if you plan on catching up on your favorite shows, download content before the ferry departs. There were no Wi-Fi options on board.

Since mobile reception is also spotty, I used the trip to catch up on work using offline apps and take in the scenery.

There’s a restaurant on the ferry, and it's actually decent.

The onboard cafeteria offers everything from coffee and desserts to local specialties, like Nanaimo bars (a classic BC layered treat) and White Spot burgers.

Surprisingly, I don't mind the ferry food, even though it tends to be pretty expensive. If you're not sure what to get, skip the prepackaged salads and get the poutine.

At about 7 to 8 CAD, it's one of the cheapest things on the menu, and it's tasty and filling.

But if you don't want to deal with lines or crowds, you should bring your own meals.

There's pretty much always a line at the cafeteria — on my last trip, I waited 30 minutes to order a burger and a Diet Coke. The dining area is also jam-packed with fellow travelers and has the vibe of a crowded mall food court at sea.

The arrival process is pretty straightforward.

The crew makes an announcement asking passengers to return to their cars 15 minutes before docking. That's when I usually sneak in a last-minute trip to the restroom before heading down to the car deck.

We spent about 10 minutes in the car waiting for the boat to dock before driving off.

We made our way to the Peace Arch Border Crossing.

The ship docks in Tsawwassen, a small town outside of Vancouver, and it's about a 40-minute drive to the Canada-US border.

This drive always gives me anxiety because you can't predict how long the wait will be.

We were lucky and only had to wait about 20 minutes on this trip. But hours-long queues at the border are common, especially if there's a special event happening in Seattle like a Taylor Swift concert or a Mariner's game.

If possible, avoid driving into Seattle during rush hour.

Traffic jams are also common on what should be a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the border crossing to Seattle, especially as you get closer to the city.

There have been previous trips where it's taken me four hours because I got stuck in a gridlock, so I always do my best to avoid getting there anywhere near rush hour.

We opted to stay overnight in Seattle.

It's technically possible to go to Seattle for the day via the car ferry, but you'd only have a few hours in the city before turning around and catching the last ferry home at 10 p.m.

I recommend booking a one-night stay at The Edgewater — an iconic Seattle hotel with a storied history of hosting legendary musicians like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Pearl Jam.

My room cost 329 CAD, and we loved the incredible waterside views, the central location, and the easy car access.

I kind of wish I didn't have my car in Seattle.

Since we stayed in downtown Seattle, we were within walking distance of Pike Place Market , the Nordstrom flagship store, and buzzy dining options in Belltown.

We also spent an afternoon exploring the trendy Capitol Hill neighborhood, located a 10-minute drive from downtown. But we ended up taking an Uber because we knew it'd be easier than finding our own parking on the weekend.

The city has a public transit system that includes a light rail, a monorail, and streetcars, so it's pretty easy to get around without a car.

When I compare the time and money spent, I wish I’d left the car at home.

In addition to the roundtrip ferry fare (with corresponding fees and taxes), my friend and I spent about 82 CAD on gas, bringing our total transport costs for the weekend trip to 323 CAD, not including the hotel stay .

I've taken the Victoria Clipper passenger ferry to Seattle for past trips, and although it's more expensive (344 CAD per adult, roundtrip), I found it to be a much more relaxing experience.

Our car-ferry journey took about five and a half hours, start to finish. But on the passenger ferry, I've boarded the boat at 5 p.m. and made it to my Seattle hotel by 8:15 p.m.

As a single woman who'd rather spend her weekend exploring one of her favorite cities than sitting in traffic, the passenger ferry is my preferred mode of transportation.

With that said, the car ferry has its advantages.

If you're traveling as a family or group, it's considerably cheaper than the passenger ferry. A roundtrip for a family of four on BC Ferries costs around 231 CAD, whereas the same trip on the Victoria Clipper would be around 866 CAD.

Additionally, if you plan on doing a lot of shopping or any outdoor activities outside of Seattle, it usually makes sense to have a car.

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