Meeting Traffic Situation
1. As you approach parked cars on the left, position your vehicle slightly closer to the centre line to improve your forward view and avoid confusing traffic behind.
2. Change direction/position from when you can read the number plate of the parked car.
3. Avoid meeting traffic situation where possible. Stop and assess if the road is wide enough.
4. Check left door mirror then right door mirror and right blind spot when you are convinced the road is wide enough, before moving off
5.if you are already committed and an oncoming vehicle appears, react promptly by slowing down smoothly to around 10 mph or less and move reasonably close to the parked cars on the left.
6.The closer you are to parked cars on the left, the slower speed(less than 10mph) you should drive.
7. It is better to make an Undue Hesitation fault than to commit Clearance fault, as poor Clearance fault is considered more serious.
Roundabouts
1. Approaching a Roundabout: Look right in good time for any reason to stop. Braking late can cause serious accidents. Make sure the clutch is up before looking, unless you are approaching in 1st gear or shifted down in 2nd or 3rd gear.
2. Do not approach roundabout in 4th gear, change in 3rd gear in good time and keep clutch down.
3. Start looking as soon as you brake and apply brake as soon as you signal if necessary. Do not look if traffic is waiting in front of you
4. Do not use Gas while deciding.
5. Make decision in 2 seconds or change in 1st gear.
6. Use 2nd gear for mini-roundabouts and 3rd gear for main roundabout if clear.
7. If the roundabout is busy, use 1st gear and focus more on traffic on the inside of the roundabout.
8. Look before positioning at the roundabout. Decide within 2 seconds whether to stop, otherwise position correctly and double check.
9. Look in this order below:-
•First, look at traffic from right outside of the Roundabout from your position more than two car lengths back from the Give-way line - Look for any reason to stop.
• Second, look at traffic inside of the Roundabout from your position not more than two car lengths back from the Give-way line - Look for Safe Gap and go briskly.
10. Do not wait for other drivers to change their mind. Select 1st gear and stop if unsure.
11. If there is a reason to stop: Position correctly and stop. Positioning late can cause serious accidents.
12. If there is no reason to stop: Position correctly and look to go before traffic inside of the Roundabout. Do not rely on the signals, as some drivers may not indicate.
13. If you are waiting at the roundabout: Watch the traffic inside of the Roundabout- keep an eye on the vehicle’s movement and position, ignoring the signal. Look for safe gap and go briskly
14. Do not give way to traffic on your right that is already waiting at the roundabout.
15. It is better to make an Undue Hesitation fault than to commit Position fault, as incorrect Position fault is considered more serious.
Moving Off Control – Hill Start
1. Keep the clutch fully down and hold the footbrake.
2. Select 1st gear.
3. Slowly lift the clutch slightly — about a pound coin’s height — towards the biting point.
4. Remove your foot from the brake and place it over the gas pedal.
5. If the car starts rolling back, quickly lift the clutch slightly more to the biting point before pressing the gas pedal.
6. If the car does not roll back, gently press the gas pedal while lifting the clutch slightly more.
7. As the car moves forward, instead of lifting clutch fully up, press clutch fully down and change in 2nd gear, however make sure speed is over 10mph.
Emerging Left – End of Road
1. Check mirrors early.
2. Signal left.
3. Approach in 1st gear with the clutch fully down. Change in 1st gear as soon as signal.
4. When you can no longer see the line, turn the steering wheel 180 degrees to the left, before checking right for a safe gap.
5. Make sure clutch is fully down and speed under 4mph, then position correctly before checking right for a safe gap
6. Stop and check again if needed. Taking a second chance is safer than poor positioning.
7. Turn the steering to allow space for traffic behind turning right.
8. Join the main road and straighten the wheel when the car is parallel with the centre line.
9. Look ahead before applying gas.
10. Position correctly before fully checking the junction.
11. It is better to make an Undue Hesitation fault than to commit Position fault, as wrong Position fault is considered more serious.
Emerging Right – End of Road
1. Check mirrors as soon as you intend to turn.
2. Signal right and move close to the centre line.
3. Approach in 1st gear with the clutch down. Change in 1st gear as soon as signal.
4. Watch the give-way line and stop close to it. Then check left and right for a safe gap.
5. Move forward until the car is near the kerb or hedge, then turn sharply to join the new road.
6. Straighten the steering when the car is parallel with the centre line.
7. Look ahead before applying gas.
8. Position correctly before checking the junction.
9. It is better to make an Undue Hesitation fault than to commit Position fault, as incorrect Position fault is considered more serious
Turning Right – Major Road into Minor Road
1. Check mirrors early.
2. Signal right.
3. Check ahead for a safe gap before positioning close to the centre line and shifting gear down. Decide within two seconds whether to stop or go.
4. Use 2nd gear if confident and safe.
5. Use 1st gear with the clutch down if unsure or visibility is poor.
6. Use 1st gear when turning into a narrow road
7. Position near the centre line if visibility is clear.
8. Position nearer the kerb if visibility is limited.
9. Brake gently until ready to turn; turn at under 15 mph.
10. Enter the new road near the centre, then move smoothly left into normal driving position.
11. Use hatched markings if available when turning right
Turning Left – Major Road into Minor Road (Closed or Narrow Junction)
1. Check mirrors.
2. Signal left.
3. Approach in 1st gear with the clutch fully down.
4. Turn slowly into the road, staying away from the centre line. Straighten the steering once parallel.
5. Use hatched markings if available when turning right.
6. Use bus stop if available when turning left.
Turning Left – Major Road into Minor Road (Open Junction)
1. Check mirrors early.
2. Signal left within 20 metres of the turn.
3. Approach in 2nd gear.
4. Brake gently and turn at under 15 mph.
5. Start turning when the kerb is no longer visible.
6. Enter the road away from the centre line and straighten once parallel.
7. Use bus stop if available when turning left.
Position Normal Stop - Pull Up on the Left
1. Check mirrors, signal early, and press the clutch fully down.
2. Look for a safe, legal place to stop.
3. Slow down smoothly and position close to the kerb. Avoid harsh braking.
4. Brake gently for up to 20 metres before stopping.
5. Once stopped, apply the handbrake immediately.
6. Select neutral and take both feet off the pedals.
7. Cancel the signal.
Appropriate Use of Gears
• T-junction (emerging) – 1st gear
• Passing parked cars – 2nd gear
• Passing cyclist – 2nd gear or 3rd gear
• Approaching a mini or small roundabout – 2nd gear
• Approaching a main roundabout – 3rd gear
• Turning at a junction (major to minor road) – 2nd gear
• Closed mini roundabout – 1st gear
• Closed turning junction – 1st gear
• Going over a speed hump – 2nd gear
• Driving into a car park – 1st gear
• Driving in a 10 mph speed zone – 1st gear
• Driving in a 20 mph speed zone – 2nd gear
• Driving in a 30 mph speed zone (clear road) – 3rd gear
• Driving in a 40 mph or higher speed zone – 4th or 3rd gear
Guide to Correct Road Positioning
• T-junction (Emerging) – Position before looking (even if late)
• Approaching parked cars – Look before positioning and check mirrors
• Approaching a mini roundabout – Look before positioning
• Approaching a main roundabout – Look before positioning
• Turning at a junction (major to minor road) – Look before positioning
• Closed mini roundabout – Position before looking
• Closed turning junction – Position before looking
• Dual carriageway roundabout – Position, look, then adjust position
Moving Off Safety - Application of P.O.M Routine
1. Press the clutch fully down and apply the foot brake before starting the car.
2. Select 1st gear, then release the handbrake.
3. Carry out a six-point observation check.
4. Check mirrors for traffic behind. If moving off from behind a parked car on the left, also check for oncoming traffic.
5. Check the blind spot again just before moving off and look ahead.
6. Signalling is not always needed unless traffic behind is waiting.
Reverse Parallel Parking
1. Pull up on the left before the parked car without using mirrors.
2. Apply the handbrake and select neutral.
3. Adjust mirrors to see both door handles.
4. Move forward to line up with the parked car, then select reverse.
5. Turn the steering wheel one full turn to the left.
6. Reverse until the back door handle reaches the kerb.
7. Straighten the wheels and reverse until the marker (yellow ribbon on front handle) reaches the kerb. Check blind spots.
8. Turn full lock right and reverse until the car is parallel with the kerb using the small mirror.
9. Reverse slightly to check tyres and road surface.
10. Carry out all-round checks whenever you stop.
11. Stop for pedestrians and passing traffic.
12. Check left blind spot mirror and right blind spot while reversing.
Reverse Bay Parking – Right Side
1. Select 1st gear before entering the car park.
2. Do not drive over bay lines.
3. Press the clutch fully down unless speed is less than 4 mph.
4. Position close to the bay on the right without using mirrors.
5. Use the shoulder as the reference point in the centre of the space.
6. Adjust mirrors to see the marker (Magnet).
7. Turn full lock left and move forward until the marker (Magnet) meets the second inside bay line.
8. Turn full lock right and reverse until the car is straight in the bay using the small mirror.
9. Reverse until the front handle reaches the back line/kerb.
10. Open the door to check positioning.
11. Carry out all-round checks whenever you stop.
12. Check left blind spot mirror and right blind spot while reversing.
Reverse Right – Pull Up on the Right
1. Quickly check your mirrors and signal as soon as you are told to pull up on the right, ensuring it is a safe place.
2. Signal immediately to prevent following traffic from attempting to overtake.
3. Check for oncoming traffic and make sure the gap is wide enough to complete the manoeuvre safely.
4. Keep your signal on until you have completely stopped.
5. If you are giving way to oncoming traffic, stop in the same position you would when turning right at a junction. Select first gear before stopping and check your right blind spot before moving off.
6. Stop in a safe, convenient, and legal position, reasonably close to the kerb.
7. Secure the car once you have completed the pull-up on the right.
8. Wait for instructions to reverse approximately two car lengths.
9. Carry out the six-point check before reversing and keep your speed below 5 mph.
10. Check both blind spots every two seconds while reversing.
11. Reverse in a straight line.
12. If you notice you are reversing too wide, stop immediately and correct your position.
13. Stop and give way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians on the right pavement.
14. Ask the examiner if you have reversed far enough; stopping on driveways is allowed if safe.
15. Wait for instructions before driving on and re-joining the road.
16. Carry out the six-point check again before pulling away.
17. Check your left blind spot shortly before pulling away to re-join the road.
18. Steer sharply when re-joining the road.
19. A signal is not necessary when moving off if it is safe and no one will benefit from it.
Turning Right at a Crossroad – Near Side to Near Side
1. If oncoming traffic is turning right, move off slowly and stop just after the stop line. Position the car slightly angled to the right to clearly show your intention to turn “near side to near side.” Check for traffic coming from the left-hand lane and give way if necessary. If it is safe, proceed and turn right into the road.
2. If oncoming traffic is crossing straight ahead, move forward and position as you would for a normal right turn at a junction, then give way.
3. If oncoming traffic is turning left, move forward and position normally for a right turn at the junction and give way.
Common Learner Driver Faults
1. Only press the clutch down when changing gear or stopping. Keeping the clutch down unnecessarily is considered coasting.
2. Press the clutch down at least 20 metres before stopping to avoid juddering.
3. Look at the roundabout only when speed is below 20 mph.
4. Keep steering steady before checking mirrors, signalling, and changing gear.
5. Look road ahead to change gear to avoid drifting.
6. Giving way to stationary traffic can be a serious hesitation fault.
7. Trying to make the steering wheel perfectly straight can actually cause you to drift to the left & right without you realising it
8. Select 1st gear before stopping in traffic.
9. Do not forget to brake as soon as signal, to warn the following traffic.
10. Always reduce your speed by braking before downshifting to a lower gear.
11. Approach a T-junction in 1st gear as obstacles such as parked cars, buildings, or trees may limit your visibility.
12. When approaching a junction or roundabout after shifting down, keep clutch fully pressed until you decide whether to stop or go.
13. You can travel at speeds as low as 10mph in 3rd gear and 6mph in 2nd gear without using the clutch and without stalling.
14. Releasing the clutch too quickly to move off speedily will drop the RPM below 1500, causing the engine to stall.
15. Make sure the clutch feels firm under your foot when the vehicle is in first gear.