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The controls are explained in the game.

•  ↑ : Accelerate
•  ↓ : Decelerate/Reverse
• ← and →: Steer left and right
• Shift+← or →: Drift
• Ctrl+ ↑  while booster full: Boost

• 1: Use item in Quick Item slot 1
• 2: Use item in Quick Item slot 2

• X held down: Rear view
• C: Change view

There are also two specials that can only be used if you have a part that allows them:

• Shift+ ↑  when stopped: Turbo Launch (Acts like boost, but doesn't use your booster.)
• Shift+ ↓  when moving: Super Stop (Stops faster than  ↓  alone.)

[edit] City-Only Controls

These controls can only be used in the city or in the Driver Dome.

• Esc: Brings up a menu that allows you to quit the game or change characters or servers. As of v0.13j, the help and options menu now appears as a part of this. If any on-screen button has an Esc label on it, that button will be pressed instead.
• F1: Drift City Communication Center. Basically a combination of the walkie-talkie, crew manager and a mail system.
• F2: User Information. Shows your license and current stats.
• F3: Inventory. You can equip and unequip parts, drift items, and stickers, use some general items, and put items up for auction from this window.
• F4: Drift Shop.
• F5: Coupon Book. Replaces and improves the function of the Coupon Lady Suyeon. Instead of coupons being listed by their requirements, they are listed by their V class. The coupon book also shows a preview of each car with a coupon, the car's purchase price, and the car's stats.

• M: Opens the full-sized map.
• +: Zooms the minimap in.
• -: Zooms the minimap out.

[edit] Other Controls

• Enter: When not chatting, allows the user to begin chatting. When chatting, allows the user to submit a line of text or stop chatting. If any on-screen button has an Enter label on it, that button will be pressed instead unless the chat box is currently open and active.
• `: Opens and closes the chat box.

• Space, Enter, Tab, and Esc when labeled on-screen: Same as clicking the button with the key as part of the button's label.

• R: Toggle emergency (hazard) lights on/off. Does not turn off automatically.
• [ or Q: Turn On Left Turn Signal. Turns off after a set amount of time.
• ] or E: Turn On Right Turn Signal. Turns off after a set amount of time.
• V: Toggle usernames on/off.
• B: In the Battle Zone or in Free Roam, toggles a rear-view mirror. The mirror can be dragged to wherever the user desires.