| 2 Emergency stop : The examiner will warn you ( when parked ) that " shortly he will require you to stop as in an emergency " he will demonstrate the signal that he will use, and then will say "when I give the signal - stop immediately under full control as though a child had run off the pavement ". ( Video clip ) The examiner will make sure it is safe to do the exercise . After you move off again, be ready for the signal. When the signal is given, act promptly, brake firmly and stop under full control, without locking up the wheels. When the car is secure, you will be told that - " you will not be asked to do the exercise again " Move away safely and watch for drivers who might be overtaking as you attempt to move off. One in every four tests will have an emergency stop exercise. |
3 Left reverse : control / observation. Instructions : " Pull up before the next road on the left. I would like you to reverse into this road on the left, drive past it and stop. Back in, and continue to drive for some distance in reverse - keep reasonably close to the kerb " ( Video clip) . If you have problems finishing too close - you may draw forward to correct the position of your car. Try and finish 18 inches to two feet away from the kerb and remain parallel until told to stop. 4 Right reverse ( for vans / commercial ) : control / observation |
| 5 Reverse parking : control / observation. ( Video clip ) Very similar obs to the left reverse, be prepared to stop as the nose swings out for any other road users. You will be asked to finish up within one to one and a half car lengths. Stop when you are finished. Do not wait for a prompt. |
| 6 Turn in the road : control / observation. Instructions : " I would like you to turn the car round to face the other way using forward and reverse gears.Try not to touch the kerb when you are turning ". (Video clip ) Move the car very slowly controlling the clutch, steer briskly, straighten up before you finish each stage to avoid "dry steering ". Again good all round observation. Remember this can be done in five if necessary ! |
| 7 - 10 These columns relate to other vehicle tests ( LGV / PCV etc ) |
| 11 Precautions : Before you start, make sure you are comfortably seated, mirrors adjusted, and all controls can be safely reached and operated. |
| 12 Control : Get off to a good smooth start by co-ordinating the controls well, accelerator, clutch, foot brake, handbrake and steering. If you stall the engine and attempt to start the car in gear, make sure the clutch is down (precautions). Have another look around in case the situation has changed before you move off again. Gears - be in the correct gear for the road and traffic conditions, and do not look at the gear lever - this will be marked as a gear fault. Do not clutch coast ( driving with the clutch down means the gear is NOT engaged ) Driving in neutral is gear coasting. Always brake in plenty of time for a hazard, and use the handbrake when necessary to prevent the car rolling backwards or forwards. Avoid harsh steering where your car may come into contact with other parked vehicles at corners, equally so watch you do not swing out on corners putting you in the path of approaching vehicles. Remember wise positioning before the turn can prevent touching the kerb with the rear wheel on a sharp left hander. Steer as smoothly as possible. |
| 13 Move off : Safely / under control. Remember to check the blind spot before you move off, and fit into a suitable safe gap in traffic without causing another driver to be inconvenienced. Check that you have cancelled any left signals prior to stopping before you move off again. Only signal if you have to, and only when you intend to move off. Keep it simple. You will need to demonstrate your ability to move off on the level, gradient and at an angle. |
| 14 Use of Mirrors well before : | Signaling, changing direction, changing speed |
| By checking mirrors more often, you are aware of the speed and position of following traffic earlier, therefore judging speeds as well as distance on lane changing becomes easier. It is also important to signal early for left and right turns to allow following traffic to react to you in time. Checking the mirror before you accelerate is important as it may not be safe to go quicker if someone is along side you with the same idea ( they may cut in quickly in front of you ) ! Slowing down and stopping at lights for example causes problems if you are not aware of how close a following driver may be. Check mirrors well before you get into situations like traffic lights that have been green for some time, where they may suddenly change to amber ( remember amber is a stop signal ) it may be safer to clear the lights smartly " if you are so close to the stop line that to pull up might cause an accident " Consider you and the safety of your passengers as well as other road users before you make a rash decision on positioning or heavy braking. |  |
| 15 Give appropriate signals : | Where necessary, correctly, properly timed |
| When pulling in to stop, consider a signal to drivers behind warning them well in advance that you are pulling over. Keep using the mirror even as you slow, as you may well have to run further forward if the driver behind cannot step out to overtake you - his right hand lane may be busy ! Remember you do not always have to signal when pulling up, if there's no other road users around ( ( include pedestrians ) do not signal. Consider if you intended to stop past a side road on your left, if you time your signal too early, a driver approaching this junction ( from your left ) may think that you are turning in to the side road where he is intending to emerge from. Would you be tempted to go if you were him ? When asked " take the second road on the left ", signal just after the first road. Similarly, when asked " at the end of the road turn left / right " make sure there are no roads before the T junction when you think of a signal. When asked " take the next road on the left / right " - check the mirror, signal, then look for the road. Do not wait until you see it then signal, it is too late. Traffic behind need time to react to your signal. |
| Make sure you are well clear of cyclists as you pass them, they may suddenly wander out in the road trying to avoid a pot hole, and not realise you are close behind them. (not all cyclists look over their shoulder before moving out) Leave adequate clearance to stationary cars (about 3 to 4 feet at least) in case a driver suddenly opens the door as you attempt to pass. In any of these circumstances, if you cannot get the width you need due to approaching traffic, slow down or stop until such times as you can ! |  |
| 17 Response to signs and signals : | Traffic
signs, road markings, traffic lights, traffic controllers, other road
users |
|
Act
promptly on all traffic signs and directional signs so you have the correct
position, speed, and gear well in time to deal with the hazard ahead.
Remember : MSM PSL
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| 19 Following distance : |
| Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front, as you may have to pull up at any time. Use the " 2 second rule " to insure you have enough clearance. Allow for double the braking distance in wet conditions (4 seconds) |
| 20 Maintain progress by : | Driving at an appropriate speed, avoiding undue hesitation |
| Driving at an appropriate speed. As before, drive at the speed limit for the road, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, ie weather conditions, tailbacks, or driving in side roads where there are parked cars, children playing and other hazards. Avoiding undue hesitation. Make sure you look early into junctions, realise some have better views than others, this will prevent you from an unnecessary stop . Be vigilant but patient at busy junctions, so as not to miss a gap. Emerge safely and quickly into traffic in case the situation changes again suddenly. |
| 21 Junctions : | Traffic light controlled and give way |
| Approach speed : Come in to the junction at a low enough speed that could allow you to stop easily if you had to. Have that speed matched with the correct gear, and you have more time to assess what's happening on the main road. |  |
Observation : Read every junction as you see it. If you have good visibility (open), you could probably approach in 2nd or 3rd gear. If the junction is a closed one, use 1st gear, and edge slowly to get the viewing position, avoid unnecessary handbrake use. At busier junctions, the handbrake must be applied, as you have enough to do watching busy traffic, without worrying about pedestrians walking behind you and possibly rolling back. Its very easy to miss a gap if you are " not ready for it ". Try and set the biting point a couple of seconds before the last car passes you so you can emerge into traffic comfortably. Keep in mind, the busier junctions you have to move your head quickly from left to right so as not to miss seeing a change in a driver's speed - this might be your opportunity ! When going ahead from minor road to minor road, look ahead as well as left and right, the main road may produce a chance to emerge, but a pedestrian crossing the road or other temporary obstruction at the exit side may change your plans - look at where you are intending to put your car. Remember large vehicles passing for example from your right may obstruct your view of who may be approaching from the left . Turning left : Into side roads, ,if you have the correct speed on approach, you will not "swing out " before you turn, and cause problems to overtaking traffic. Look well up the new road, you may have to position or stop early for hazards and there may be a driver close behind. Turning left onto a main road, as well as looking for traffic approaching from your right, check your exit path. Even when you are stopped, pedestrians may walk in front of you from left to right - Just a split second before the driver approaching from your right passes you- check the exit ! Turning right : Into side roads, always position with your right wheel close to the centre line on the approach from the main road, so if you have to stop and wait a while for a safe gap, traffic behind you can overtake on your left side. If you have to stop, remember its more difficult to turn if you are too far forward - you will have difficulty steering. You must have a position that prevents you cutting the right corner but yet avoids overshooting the turn. Look at where you intend to come to rest as well as watching the oncoming traffic. When meeting other drivers turning right there are two methods (offside & nearside). Turning right from a narrow side road (T junction) into a main road, here you must try and position the car defensively, so your vehicle is near the left hand kerb on the approach. This action will protect you if a car entering the junction is on your side of the road - other drivers sometimes cut corners ! |
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