FiveM drift techniques: get started and improve
Handbrake, weight transfer, countersteer: the core techniques to learn clean drifting on FiveM and link corners together.
Drifting is one of FiveM’s most popular disciplines: mastering the slide, holding the angle, linking corners without breaking your line. It’s also a skill that pays in car chases, where grazing and sliding earn style. Here are the basics to get into it cleanly.
Understanding drift
Drifting means making the rear of the car slide in a controlled way: the rear wheels lose grip, the car goes sideways, and you hold that angle through the corner with steering and throttle. The whole art is in control — not in spinning out.
The 4 fundamental inputs
- Handbrake initiation. Approaching the corner, a short handbrake tap breaks the rear loose. It’s the simplest method to start.
- Weight transfer. Briefly lifting off the throttle (or braking) before turning shifts weight forward and lightens the rear, which lets go more easily. That’s the key to a smooth handbrake-free drift.
- Countersteer. As soon as the rear steps out, turn the wheel into the slide (not into the corner) to catch and stabilise the angle. That’s the input separating a drift from a crash.
- Throttle control. Once sliding, the throttle drives the angle: more gas widens the slide, less gas closes it. You modulate constantly.
Choosing the right car
A car that drifts well is usually a rear-wheel drive with generous torque and suitable handling. Many drift servers offer cars already tuned for sliding; in competitive car chases, the car is often imposed and balanced, forcing you to improve through driving rather than gear.
Getting better
- Practise on a dedicated spot, no traffic, repeating the same corner until you feel it.
- Aim for smoothness before speed: a slow but held drift beats a big angle that spins out.
- Link transitions (left-right) once you’ve mastered the single corner.
- Look far ahead: anticipate the corner exit, not the hood.
- Try it in the rain: wet ground cuts grip, so the rear steps out earlier and initiation gets much easier — handy for learning the feel. See how to change the weather in GTA 5 and FiveM.
- Keyboard or controller: a controller gives analog throttle and steering that’s very handy for drift; on keyboard, use short, regular taps.
Drift in car chases
On a pursuit server like Chased, drift isn’t just cosmetic: sliding and grazing feed the style score (multiplied by a combo that breaks on any collision), which turns into cash. Drifting well means gaining style while keeping the control to shake off or corner your opponent.
Not installed yet? See how to install FiveM for GTA 5 Enhanced, then come test your slides in 1v1.