Why Familiarisation Matters Before You Move

Getting into an unfamiliar car — whether it's brand new, a rental, or a recently purchased used vehicle — and driving off immediately is one of the most common ways drivers create unnecessary risk. Modern cars are packed with technology that can genuinely improve safety and comfort, but only when the driver understands how it behaves. A lane-keeping system that you weren't expecting to engage can feel alarming; a heads-up display you haven't adjusted can distract rather than inform.

This checklist walks you through what to check, configure, and confirm before you pull out of the driveway or lot. It's designed for any driver taking the wheel of an unfamiliar car — not just new vehicle owners. Work through it at your own pace while stationary, and refer to the owner's manual for model-specific details whenever you're unsure.

For a deeper look at what specific driver assistance technologies actually do, see our plain-language guide to modern car safety tech.

Never Explore Controls While Moving

All familiarisation steps in this checklist should be completed while the vehicle is stationary, parked, and — ideally — with the engine off or in park. Searching for unfamiliar controls or reading display menus while driving significantly increases the risk of an accident. If you encounter an unexpected alert or function while already driving, find a safe place to pull over before investigating.

What You'll Need

Before working through the checklist, gather these items and have them ready:

Required

Owner's Manual

The definitive reference for your specific vehicle's controls, warning lights, and driver assistance features — essential for any unfamiliar icon or system.

Required

Smartphone

Needed for Bluetooth pairing, CarPlay or Android Auto setup, and testing navigation before you drive.

Optional

Manufacturer's Companion App

Some vehicles offer a dedicated app that explains features, allows remote configuration, and provides digital manuals — useful if fitted.

Optional

Notepad or Notes App

Handy for jotting down questions or unfamiliar features to look up later without breaking your pre-drive flow.

The Familiarisation Checklist

Work through each group in order. Groups marked with must-have items are non-negotiable before you drive. Strongly recommended items improve safety and confidence significantly. Nice-to-have items can be revisited later but are worth completing when you have time.

Seating, Mirrors, and Visibility

Adjust the seat fore-aft position so your knee has a slight bend when the clutch or brake pedal is fully depressed. Must
Set the seat height and backrest angle so you have a clear view over the steering wheel and dashboard. Must
Adjust the steering column (tilt and reach, if available) to a comfortable position that doesn't obscure instrument cluster readouts. Must
Set all three mirrors — driver's side, passenger's side, and rear-view — to eliminate as much blind-spot overlap as possible. Must
Locate and adjust the head restraint so the centre sits roughly level with the top of your ears. Must

Dashboard and Instrument Cluster

Identify every warning light symbol on the instrument cluster; cross-reference unfamiliar icons with the owner's manual before driving. Must
Locate the fuel gauge and note the current level; identify which side of the car the filler cap is on. Must
Check whether the car has a heads-up display (HUD) and adjust its height and brightness for your line of sight. Should
Familiarise yourself with the driving mode selector (Eco, Normal, Sport, etc.) and understand what each mode changes before selecting one. Nice to have

Lighting and Wipers

Locate the headlight stalk or controls and confirm how to switch between auto, dipped, and full-beam modes. Must
Find and test the front and rear windshield wiper controls, including the intermittent speed adjustment. Must
Identify the hazard light button and confirm its location without looking away from a simulated forward-facing position. Must
Check for automatic rain-sensing wipers and understand how to override them manually if needed. Should

Driver Assistance and Safety Controls

Locate the button for each active driver assistance feature (lane-keeping assist, AEB sensitivity, adaptive cruise control) and read the relevant owner's manual section before engaging any of them. Must
Confirm how to fully disengage adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist if the system behaves unexpectedly. Must
If the car has a 360-degree camera or parking sensors, test the display and audio alerts while stationary to understand how they present information. Should
Review how blind-spot monitoring alerts are displayed — warning lights, audio tones, or both — so you're not startled when they activate. Should

Infotainment and Connectivity

Connect your phone via Bluetooth or USB and confirm that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (if fitted) launches correctly. Should
Set up or verify navigation inputs before driving — avoid programming destinations while the car is in motion. Must
Adjust speaker volume and identify how to control audio from the steering wheel so you can do so without looking at the screen. Should
Locate the voice command activation button or phrase and do a brief test so you can use it hands-free once moving. Nice to have

If you're evaluating an unfamiliar car's infotainment during a test drive rather than a purchase you've already made, our infotainment checklist for test drives covers what to look for before signing anything.

A Note on Driver Assistance Systems

Driver assistance features — such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist — are designed to support you, not replace your judgment. Each manufacturer implements these systems differently, and the way one car's lane-keeping assist behaves can differ significantly from another's. Some systems provide gentle steering nudges; others apply more assertive corrections.

Before relying on any of these features, read the relevant section in your owner's manual carefully. Know which button activates or suspends each system, and practise toggling them while stationary so you're not searching for controls while moving. Our Safety Tech hub explains many of these systems in plain terms if you want broader context.

Do Not Over-Rely on Automated Systems

Driver assistance features are supplementary safety tools, not substitutes for attentive driving. No currently available system provides full self-driving capability for everyday road use. Always maintain full attention to the road, keep your hands ready on the wheel when using assisted driving modes, and never assume any automated system will respond correctly to every situation it encounters.

Once you're comfortable with the car's technology and ready to drive, a structured walkround before any trip is a good habit to build. Our pre-journey safety walkround checklist covers the exterior checks that complement this interior familiarisation process.