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How to Handle Drive a Car With an Automatic Transmission Step by Step

When drive a car with an automatic transmission leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Adjust your seat

and mirrors and fasten your seatbelt. When you get into the driver's seat, make sure your right foot can firmly press the accelerator and the brake all the way to the floor. Adjust your seat if you need to, then check your mirrors for visibility. Then, fasten your seatbelt.

and mirrors and fasten your seatbelt.
When you get into the driver's seat, make sure your right foot can firmly press the accelerator and the brake all the way to the floor.
Adjust your seat if you need to, then check your mirrors for visibility.
Then, fasten your seatbelt.
and mirrors and fasten your seatbelt.

Shift the car into D or R to leave the parking spot.

Push in the lock button—it's usually on the side or the top of your shifter. Then, move it from P (park) to D (drive) if you need to go forward, or R (reverse) if you need to back out. You'll feel the shifter click when you line it up with the right gear. Let go of the button and you're good to go.

Push in the lock button—it's usually on the side or the top of your shifter.
Then, move it from P (park) to D (drive) if you need to go forward, or R (reverse) if you need to back out.
You'll feel the shifter click when you line it up with the right gear.
Let go of the button and you're good to go.
Push in the lock button—it's usually on the side or the top of your shifter.

Release the parking brake before you start driving.

The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift. Press the button on the end of the lever to lower it so it sits flush. Make sure you don't take your foot off the brake! With the parking brake off, the car will start rolling as soon as you release the parking brake.

The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift.
Press the button on the end of the lever to lower it so it sits flush.
Make sure you don't take your foot off the brake!
With the parking brake off, the car will start rolling as soon as you release the parking brake.
The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift.

Leave the car in D while you're driving.

This is perhaps the best part about driving an automatic! Once you get going, you don't have to mess with the gear shifter at all. Just keep it in D, regardless of your speed. Your car will automatically select and switch to the right gear based on how fast you're going.

This is perhaps the best part about driving an automatic!
Once you get going, you don't have to mess with the gear shifter at all.
Just keep it in D, regardless of your speed.
Your car will automatically select and switch to the right gear based on how fast you're going.
This is perhaps the best part about driving an automatic!

Use your right foot for both the accelerator and the brake.

If you've driven a car with a manual transmission, you're already familiar with this method—you used your right foot for the accelerator and the brake, and your left foot for the clutch. Drive an automatic the same way, just without the clutch pedal. Most automatic cars have a footrest on the left (also known as a "dead pedal") where you can rest your left foot.

If you've driven a car with a manual transmission, you're already familiar with this method—you used your right foot for the accelerator and the brake, and your left foot for the clutch.
Drive an automatic the same way, just without the clutch pedal.
Most automatic cars have a footrest on the left (also known as a "dead pedal") where you can rest your left foot.
If you've driven a car with a manual transmission, you're already familiar with this method—you used your right foot for the accelerator and the brake, and your left foot for the clutch.
Drive an automatic the same way, just without the clutch pedal.

Shift the car into R if you need to reverse.

Make sure you come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake. Then, press the button on the shifter and move it next to the R. When you take your foot off the brake, you'll be going in reverse.

Make sure you come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake.
Then, press the button on the shifter and move it next to the R.
When you take your foot off the brake, you'll be going in reverse.
Make sure you come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake.
Then, press the button on the shifter and move it next to the R.

Stay out of N unless your car is being towed.

In a manual car, you're in neutral a lot—basically every time your car is stopped. But not in an automatic! Automatic cars do have a neutral gear ("N" on your gearbox), but you're only going to use it very rarely.

In a manual car, you're in neutral a lot—basically every time your car is stopped.
But not in an automatic!
Automatic cars do have a neutral gear ("N" on your gearbox), but you're only going to use it very rarely.
In a manual car, you're in neutral a lot—basically every time your car is stopped.
But not in an automatic!

Pull the lever to engage the parking brake.

Keep your foot on the brake while you do this to keep your car from rolling. Push the button on the end of the lever, then pull it up until you hear it click. Take care not to pull it up too far or it could get stuck—you'll know when it's engaged. Let go of the button and take your hand off the lever.

Keep your foot on the brake while you do this to keep your car from rolling.
Push the button on the end of the lever, then pull it up until you hear it click.
Take care not to pull it up too far or it could get stuck—you'll know when it's engaged.
Let go of the button and take your hand off the lever.
Keep your foot on the brake while you do this to keep your car from rolling.

Turn the wheel if parking on a hill.

If you're parked on a steep hill, this gives you a little extra protection in case the brakes fail or someone hits your car and it starts moving. Generally, turn your wheels toward the curb if you're parking downhill or away from the curb if you're parking uphill.

If you're parked on a steep hill, this gives you a little extra protection in case the brakes fail or someone hits your car and it starts moving.
Generally, turn your wheels toward the curb if you're parking downhill or away from the curb if you're parking uphill.
If you're parked on a steep hill, this gives you a little extra protection in case the brakes fail or someone hits your car and it starts moving.
Generally, turn your wheels toward the curb if you're parking downhill or away from the curb if you're parking uphill.
If you're parked on a steep hill, this gives you a little extra protection in case the brakes fail or someone hits your car and it starts moving.

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