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06 Numbers and Powers

PUBG Shoot While Driving: How It Works

Card No. 06·49725 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Average speed 30.00 km/h
Time per km
2.00 min/km
Result
Driving time
10 min
You entered
Distance driven
5 km
You entered
You enter
Driving time, Distance driven
You get
Average speed, Time per km
Rounding
2 dp

Yes, you can shoot while driving in PUBG, but only if you are a passenger, not the driver. The driver cannot fire any weapon while controlling the vehicle, so the standard tactic is to have a teammate drive while you shoot from a passenger seat. This article explains the mechanics, which weapons work best, common problems, and how the system differs across platforms.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average driving speed from the time you spent driving and the distance you covered. The formula is:

Average speed (km/h) = (Distance in km × 60) / Time in minutes

Time per km (min/km) = Time in minutes / Distance in km

Variables:

  • Time (t) – total driving time in minutes
  • Distance (d) – distance driven in kilometers

If you prefer miles, convert distance to miles and the speed will be in mph. The same math works for any unit pair.

Worked Example

Using the default values: you drive for 10 minutes and cover 5 kilometers.

  1. Average speed = (5 × 60) / 10 = 300 / 10 = 30 km/h
  2. Time per km = 10 / 5 = 2 min/km

The calculator shows 30 km/h and 2 min/km. This is useful for planning rotations or estimating how long a long-distance drive will take.

How Shooting from a Vehicle Works

In PUBG, every vehicle has designated passenger seats. When you are in a passenger seat, you can switch to your weapon and fire while the vehicle moves. The driver cannot shoot because they need both hands on the wheel (and the game does not allow it). On PC, you can free-look (hold right mouse button) to aim independently of the vehicle’s direction. On console, you use the right stick to aim while the vehicle moves.

Key points:

  • You can use any weapon, but some are far more effective than others.
  • You can also throw grenades or use melee weapons from a passenger seat, though this is rarely useful.
  • You cannot reload while the vehicle is moving at high speed? Actually, you can reload, but it takes the same time as on foot, and you are vulnerable.
  • If you are in the driver seat, you cannot switch to a weapon until you stop or exit the vehicle.

Best Weapons for Drive-By Shooting

Not all weapons are equal when shooting from a moving vehicle. The main challenges are recoil, bullet spread, and the need for a large magazine. The best choices are:

  • SMGs (UMP45, Vector, Micro UZI) – low recoil, high fire rate, large magazines. The UMP45 is a favorite because it is stable and deals decent damage.
  • Assault Rifles with a stock (M416, AKM) – the M416 with a tactical stock is controllable, but the AKM has too much recoil for most players.
  • LMGs (M249, DP-28) – the M249 has a 100-round magazine and is devastating, but it is a crate weapon. The DP-28 is also good but has a slow reload.
  • Shotguns (S12K, S686) – effective at point-blank range when you drive next to an enemy vehicle, but useless at range.

Avoid sniper rifles and DMRs – the bullet drop and sway make them nearly impossible to use effectively from a moving vehicle. Also avoid weapons with high vertical recoil like the AKM unless you are very skilled.

How to Shoot While Driving on PC and Console

The controls differ slightly by platform:

  • PC: As a passenger, press the weapon switch key (default 1-3) to pull out your gun. Hold right mouse button to free-look and aim. Left click to fire. You can also use ADS (right click) but it restricts your view.
  • Console (Xbox/PlayStation): Press the weapon switch button (Y or Triangle) to draw your gun. Use the right stick to aim and the right trigger to fire. Free-look is not as flexible, but you can still shoot.
  • Mobile: The mobile version has an auto-fire option, but you can also manually tap the fire button. The camera control is on the right side, so you can aim while shooting.

One common mistake is trying to shoot while driving – you simply cannot. If you are solo, you must either stop the vehicle or use a vehicle with a mounted gun (like the UAZ with a turret) which is only available in certain modes.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Players often run into these issues:

  • “I can’t shoot when I’m driving” – correct, you cannot. You need a passenger.
  • “My bullets don’t hit” – bullet travel time and vehicle movement mean you must lead your target. The faster you drive, the more you need to aim ahead.
  • “I get knocked out of the vehicle” – if the vehicle takes damage, you can be shot out. The game has a “vehicle health” system, and when it reaches zero, the vehicle explodes.
  • “Can I use a grenade while driving?” – yes, as a passenger you can throw grenades, but cooking them is risky because the vehicle moves.

Another misconception is that you can shoot from the driver seat in first-person mode – you cannot. The game disables weapon use for the driver entirely.

Strategies for Effective Drive-By Shooting

To be effective, you need coordination with your driver:

  • Communicate – tell the driver when to speed up, slow down, or turn so you can line up shots.
  • Choose the right seat – in a 4-seat vehicle, the front passenger has the best view, but the back seats are also usable.
  • Use the environment – drive along hills or buildings to get a height advantage.
  • Practice leading targets – shoot ahead of moving enemies, not directly at them.
  • Know when to bail – if you are taking heavy fire, it’s often better to stop and fight on foot.

One advanced tactic is the “drive-by” where you drive past an enemy squad and unload a full magazine into them. The UMP45 with a 40-round magazine is ideal for this.

Vehicle Types and Their Shooting Capabilities

Different vehicles have different seat layouts and exposure:

  • UAZ (Jeep) – open top, so you are exposed but have a clear view. The covered UAZ has windows that can be shot through.
  • Dacia (Sedan) – windows protect you slightly, but they can be broken.
  • Motorcycle – the passenger can shoot, but it is very unstable and you are highly exposed.
  • Buggy – the passenger seat is low, making it hard to aim over obstacles.
  • BRDM (Armored) – has a turret, but only the driver can use it? Actually, the BRDM has a mounted gun that the driver can operate, but it is not available in normal modes.

In general, vehicles with open tops (like the UAZ) give you better visibility but less protection. Vehicles with windows (like the Dacia) protect you but can distort your aim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you shoot while driving in PUBG Mobile?

Yes, but only as a passenger. The mobile version has a dedicated fire button, and you can aim with the right stick. The driver cannot shoot. You can also use the “auto-fire” feature, but it is less accurate.

Why can’t I shoot when I’m the driver?

PUBG’s design prevents the driver from using weapons to avoid making vehicles too overpowered. If drivers could shoot, a single player could drive and fire at the same time, which would be unfair. The game encourages teamwork.

What is the best weapon for drive-by shooting?

The UMP45 is widely considered the best because it has low recoil, a large magazine, and decent damage. The M416 with a stock is also good. Avoid sniper rifles and high-recoil weapons.

Do you need to lead your shots when shooting from a moving vehicle?

Yes, because both you and your target are moving. The faster you drive, the more you need to aim ahead of the target. Practice in training mode to get a feel for bullet travel.

Can you throw grenades from a vehicle?

Yes, as a passenger you can throw grenades, but it is risky because the vehicle moves and you might miss or even hit your own car. It is rarely worth it.

Does the vehicle speed affect accuracy?

Yes, the faster the vehicle goes, the more bullet spread and sway you get. It is easier to shoot when the driver maintains a steady speed, especially on flat terrain.

Related

Formula used
in t | Driving time | min | 10 | 0
in d | Distance driven | km | 5 | 0 | 100000
out speed | Average speed | km/h | (d * 60) / t | 2
out pace | Time per km | min/km | t / d | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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