For many young people, driving is a delightful experience but, at the same time, a complex process for those who are starting to learn to drive. Registration and especially starting can be stressful, particularly when the basics of the car contours. One of the most common questions new drivers ask is: Is the right side the accelerator and the left side the brake?

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However, let me tell you, it makes sense to know these pedals if you want to stay safe and confident on the roads. In this guide, we will help you understand everything you need to know about the gas pedal and brake pedal, as well as the differences between each, as a new driver should bear in mind.

The Basics: Understanding Your Pedals

In most vehicles, there are three pedals on the floor in the driver’s seat: The gas pedal, the brake pedal, and the clutch pedal. Automobiles with manual transmission systems. Since there is much information to discuss, let’s start with the primary pedals used in all vehicles – the gas and brake pedals, regardless of whether they are automatic or stick shift cars.

The Brake Pedal

The brake pedal is typically placed in the center of the vehicle, which is the gas pedal, and close to the clutch, where, in some models, it is present. This is applied to control the speed of the car or, indeed, halt it. Usually, when you step on the brake pedal, the brakes of your car work, and your vehicle slows down till it stops.

Quite often, the braking pedal is not exactly as responsive as the acceleration phase and sudden heavy pressure can make the car stop as quickly as that. In other words, to begin with, use the brake pedal sparingly as and when need be and then in intervals as well.

The Clutch Pedal (for Manual Transmission Cars)

If you’re learning to drive a manual transmission (stick shift) car, there’s a third pedal to consider: the clutch. To shift the gears of the car on the road, there is the clutch on the left side of the brake pedal. However, as this is the guide for the gas and brake pedals, we will move to the clutch in the next lesson.

How to Use the Gas and Brake Pedals Effectively

That’s now you understand which pedal is which, so let’s move forward to the tips for using them appropriately while driving.

Pressing the Gas Pedal

In this period, when you start the car, the driver's foot should be put on the brake as it stops the car from moving. When you are set, meaning the car is in gear and the steering wheel is in your hands, ready to move forward slowly, you should slowly let go of the brake pedal and, with your toes and your right foot, gently ease down on the accelerator.

Don’t just step on it hard—floor it, especially at the beginning: gradually press on the gas pedal. Slight, constant pressure on the pedal, which is the gas pedal, will prevent your shifting position and the car from making jerky movements while driving.

Pressing the Brake Pedal

To slow down/s) just press the brake pedal. As you do with the gas pedal, you would like to gently apply the brakes because if you speed up, you would need to use firm pressure to slow down. Suddenly, the braking of a car could lead to the car slipping and/or cause the passengers in the car to have an uncomfortable ride.

However, ensure that when, at some point, you have to stop the car and start again, this will require constant and strong pressure on the brake pedal. Sometimes, it is necessary to stomp on the brake pedal harder, for instance, when approaching a red light- signal or a stop sign.

Tips for New Drivers

We know that learning which pedal applies the power (gas) and which one slows down or stops the car (brake) is just the beginning. Here are a few additional tips to help you feel more confident behind the wheel:
Practice in a Safe Area: If you want to avoid the risks of causing an accident, avoid roads that have other motorists on them first, and then go to practice on a parking lot or a deserted street. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the pedals without distractions.

Use Both Feet Properly: As mentioned, use your right foot for both the gas and brake pedals. This ensures better control and avoids confusion.
Maintain a Safe Distance: In case of car breakdowns, always ensure that you leave enough space between yourself and the car in front of you. This will allow you to better respond if you have to stop suddenly.
Don’t Rush: A novice can easily become nervous or desire to go faster. It is best to exercise patience here and to study the basic functionalities of the tool closely. You will feel much more confident as time goes on.
Know When to Use the Pedals: The owner has to control the movement by using the gas pedal, saying that it is used to ‘go,’ and the brake pedal to say ‘stop.’ Knowing when to use them and how hard you have to push them will make you a safer and better driver.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Everyone has a slip now and then on the road, and even the most experienced drivers always do, but it is useful to know the various mistakes that can be made, more so when one is a novice.

Pressing Both Pedals at the Same Time: The first and quite general mistake is wrongly applying both the accelerator and the brake at the same time. This is easily confused by the car’s system and can even become detrimental over some period of time. And, of course, always aim to work with one pedal at a time.
Over-Braking: New drivers occasionally over-brake by applying the brake with the intended jerking motion. Though it is always safe to stop, excessive use of the brakes can cause uneasiness and sometimes lead to an accident. Take time and practice the use of the brakes to minimize instances when there will be abrupt jerking of the bike.
Speeding Up Too Quickly: Footing on the accelerator pedal may ensue and cause a wrong movement. Acceleration at high speed may cause a loss of control over the car. Step-by-step acceleration also enables you to keep the car steady and, thus, no added pressure.
Not Giving Enough Space: One of the biggest rookie errors is failing to keep enough distance from the car in front of you. In this manner, you should always leave some room between yourself and the vehicle in front, simply to afford you time for braking if there is a cause.

As with most things, practice makes perfect when it comes to driving, and it is important for everyone who will be operating a car to learn the best techniques for using the accelerating and braking pedals. As you learn all of these basics throughout the text, and as you take your time to practice, you will feel more at ease on the road. They will remind you that the gas pedal is for moving forward, and the brake, with the machine’s surface, is for backing off. Both call for careful and mindful approaches, and you’ll be well on the way to success.

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To beginners, there’s no reason to rush into it; rather, keep on practicing until you get the hang of it. Soon, you will be a proud possessor of the car and will be able to freely operate the pedals, distinguishing between the gas and the brake.

So, next time you’re behind the wheel, take a moment to check: tell the difference between the accelerator and the brake and take the car for a spin!