Cars are one of the first things kids want to draw, and they are easier than they look. This guide shows how to draw a car from the side using simple shapes: a long box, a roof, two circles and a few small details.
The free PDF has a step-by-step sheet, a tracing page, a practice sheet with a grid and a coloring page with a car zooming down the road. Once you know the basic shape, you can turn it into a race car, a taxi or a police car.
What’s in the PDF
- Step-by-step sheet with 6 numbered steps; new lines are black, earlier lines are grey
- Tracing page with a large car in light grey to trace over
- Practice sheet with a small reference and two boxes with a light grid
- Coloring page with the finished car in bold outlines
How to draw a car step by step
- Draw the body. Make a long box with slanted corners at the front and back. This is the bottom half of the car.
- Add the roof and windows. On top of the body, draw a roof that slopes down at both ends, then two windows inside it.
- Draw the wheels. Cut two round bumps into the bottom of the body and draw a big circle in each one.
- Add the details. Draw a small circle in each wheel for the hubcaps, a line for the door and a short line for the handle.
- Add the lights and bumpers. Draw a round headlight at the front, a small square taillight at the back and a bumper at each end.
- Make it move. Draw a road under the wheels, a few speed lines behind the car and two little puffs of exhaust.
Keep the wheels the same size and line them up at the bottom. If the car looks too tall, make the body box longer.
Trace it first
If drawing freehand feels hard, start with the tracing page. Go over the grey lines with a pencil, pressing lightly, and you will learn the shapes and the order without worrying about mistakes. Then try again on the practice sheet.
Practice on the grid
The practice sheet has a small finished car for reference and two boxes with a faint grid. The grid helps with size and spacing: count how many squares tall the car is in the reference, then draw it the same way.
Color the finished drawing
Red, blue and yellow cars are classic, but you can paint racing stripes, flames or polka dots on yours. Color the windows light blue and the wheels black or dark gray.
Drawing tips for kids
- Use a coin or a cup to trace perfect round wheels.
- Draw the body lightly first, then go over the lines you want to keep.
- Turn your car into a race car with a number on the door, or a taxi with a sign on the roof.
- Draw a whole street: houses, trees and a few more cars in different colors.
Download the pages one by one
Prefer a single page? Click a link to open the full-size PNG, then print it or save it. The full PDF with all pages and a cover is in the download box.
- How to draw a car: step-by-step sheet (PNG)
- a Car tracing page (PNG)
- a Car practice sheet with grid (PNG)
- a Car coloring page (PNG)
More drawing guides: how to draw a star, how to draw a cat and how to draw a snowman.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw a car?
Start with simple shapes: a long box for the body, a smaller shape on top for the roof and two circles for the wheels. Add the details last.
How do I make my car look fast?
Add speed lines behind it, a puff of exhaust and a slight forward slant to the roof. Racing stripes help too.
What paper should I print it on?
Plain US Letter printer paper works. Use cardstock if your child will color with markers or wants to keep the drawing.
Can I use it in my classroom?
Yes. The pages are free for personal and classroom use. Print a copy for every student, and link to this page instead of sharing the PDF file.
