Practising
Things to remember, and for your accompanying driver to remind you about, when you go out practising driving in your own car.
It's best to print this and take it with you.
The system of car control
Use on the approach to any hazard
- Course (where am I going?)
- Mirrors (two of)
- Signal if necessary
- Position (correct lane)
- Speed (slow down or speed up)
- Gear
- Is it safe to proceed? Decide...
- Act.
Mirrors
Two mirrors first, as soon as you see the possibility you may need to
- change speed
- signal
- change direction
Don't wait until you're doing it!
Moving off/pulling out
Gas before clutch
Get the car ready first, then check it's safe:
- mirrors and blind spot (at kerb), OR
- five-point check (manoeuvring, car parks etc)
Slowing down/stopping
Mirrors!!! then signal (only) if necessary
Brakes
- before clutch, unless rev counter is already down to 1
- before gears (see System)
- therefore handbrake before neutral
Gears
- No need to change down if stopping (but you can change the plan!)
- Having stopped, first gear (or handbrake and neutral)
Merging
- match your speed to the traffic you are joining before moving over
- going in front of someone, go at least as fast as they are
Emerging
- at T-junctions and into roundabouts, look for gaps, not vehicles
- "Can I go after that one, or that, or that ... ?"
Bends, corners, obstructions
(and hazards generally)
- Your slowest point is just as you enter the hazard (just as you start to steer)
- Gently on the gas and go as you enter the hazard
- Look where you want the car to go, not where it is going
Manoeuvres (details here)
(and any difficult negotiations)
- do it slowly, its easier
Pass parked cars/overtake
in three stages:
- Mirrors and move out
- Pass parallel to kerb
- Mirrors and move in
You don't usually need to signal to pass a parked car. Always signal to overtake (to the vehicle you are passing!)
In difficulty
If you are not sure what to do:
- Doing nothing is probably not an option!
- Do something safe (never mind if you go the wrong way)
- Don't panic! ie don't rush things, brake suddenly and viciously, or make sudden unplanned changes of course