driving along

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Find your keys / take them out of your pocket: I usually keep my keys in one place. But sometimes, I misplace them and have to find them. Here are more examples:

• I can’t find my keys!

• Have you seen my keys?

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Unlock the car: these days, most cars are unlocked electronically.

• Can you unlock the car? I forgot to take my bag out.

• Do you lock your car at night?

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Get in the car: if you have young children, this can be challenging! To get back in the car is often used at service stations/rest stops.

• Come on, get in the car

• Let’s get back in the car

• I can’t get out of the car because I hurt my knee

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Put on/fasten your seatbelt: Both of these terms are used.

• I can’t put my seatbelt on – it’s stuck!

• Come on, put on your seatbelt

• We’re not going anywhere until you put on your seatbelt

• Don’t take off your seatbelt yet

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Take off / release the handbrake: this is called a parking brake in the USA.

• So, I was driving the other day and realized that I had forgotten to take off the handbrake. No wonder it was driving slowly.

• It’s hard to take off the handbrake!

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Put it into…..: this is how you talk about changing gears

• Put it into 2nd

• I put it into 5th as soon as possible on the motorway

• Drop it into 2nd at this roundabout (to go from 3rd to 2nd)

• Put it into drive

• Put it into reverse

• Put it into park

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Step on the…: this is the verb used to talk about the various pedals in cars. You can also use hit.

• Step on the brake

• Step on the gas/accelerator a little more

• Hit the brake

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We’re doing/going 70 MPH: you can use both verbs here – MPH = miles per hour

• we’re doing about 70 mph

• he must be going at least 110 mph

• I was only going 73 mph and I got pulled over

• can you go a little faster?

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Speed up and slow down: you can also go faster/slowers

• slow down a little – these are tight bends

• speed up a little – you’re only going 45 in a 60

• can you go a little slower? I’m getting car sick

Turn left – take your second right: Giving directions is always fun!

• turn left after this pub

• take this right

• go straight ahead at this roundabout

• you missed your turn again!

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Rush hour traffic: Nobody likes getting stuck in traffic!

• I’m going to be a little late. I’m stuck in traffic.

• Has there been an accident? We’re just not moving.

• Try and avoid rush hour if you can

• It’s bumper to bumper

To set off: this means to start a journey

• Let’s set off at 7 AM

• Do you think we should set off early morning?

• Do you think we should set off before 7?

• Have you set off yet?

A long/short drive: this describes the length of the car journey

• It’s a long drive – let’s get a good night’s sleep

• It’s only a short drive – the kids should be fine

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Start the car: You can also turn it on.

• I’m sorry I’m late. The car wouldn’t start

• Come on, let’s go – start the car

• Turn the car off!

  A backseat driver: someone who constantly talks to the driver telling them how they should drive.

  • Stop being a backseat driver

  • He’s a bit of a backseat driver

  • You’re a bit close to that car in front