2Emergency 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 ". 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 you have secured, the
car, you will be told that
- " you dont have to do the exercise again " Move away
safely when instructed, 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.
3Left reverse : control
/ observation. (
Video clip) ..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 "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
5Reverse 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 distance from the car in front. Stop when you
are finished. Do not wait for a prompt.
6
Turn in the road : control / observation. (Video
clip )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 " 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.
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 :
Signs, markings, lights, 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
Road
markings - should be adhered to, especially at
roundabouts and traffic lights where they will point you
to the most convenient route through the hazard. Looking
at the junction board ( photo ) as well as the road markings
will help you to maintain the correct course. Photo examples
show : directional sign ( sharp left hand bend ) and junction
board @ traffic lights.
Traffic
lights - act promptly on lights, especially green to amber
- this is a stop signal ! Check your mirror
as you approach, anticipate the speed of following traffic
and be aware of how close they are to you, so you can pull
up in time if the lights change. You must STOP behind the
line. If you think a following driver is too close, or you
will end up OVER the line, you must clear the junction smartly!
Filters : you may go on if you intend to go in the direction
of that filter light. Right filters : like the normal sequence,
but the filter to the right( facing you if you are turning
right ) will come on after the oncoming
traffic has stopped against their red light. Make sure they
all stop.
Signals
/ other road users :Take the appropriate action early when
a driver ahead of you signals left / right, you are being
warned that they are changing speed - this affects you !
Watch out for brake lights from the driver ahead this means
they are slowing down or stopping ! If a driver ahead signals
left to turn and you cannot overtake, it will not hinder
your progress much if you have to hold back until he turns
( gear down ). If a driver ahead shows a right turn signal
and you get caught behind them, this would be a serious
fault. If the driver has to wait a long period in busy traffic
to complete the right turn, you will be waiting also. If
this is a junction controlled by traffic lights, you may
have to wait for the lights to go through a full sequence
again ( red, red amber, green ).
18
Use of speed :
When
the speed limit is higher and the road conditions allow,
do the speed limit for that road. Keep watching the road
signs, and be prepared to accelerate / decelerate if there
is a change in speed limit for a new road. Use speed wisely
and keep in mind it may not always be safe to do the speed
limit for that road, remember the sign represents the "
maximum ". Some roads may be heavily trafficked, or
have physical hazards like blind bends or the crest on a
hill which may restrict your view, these circumstances may
hide parked cars and subsequently, push oncoming traffic
nearer to your side of the road.- Be prepared to slow down
when the road narrows. At some point you may have to stop
for larger vehicles taking up more space than you ! Look
out for children
playing near parked cars
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.
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 !
Uphill
junctions : The photo shows the approach to an uphill junction,
where the centre line may give the impression it is a main
road continuation. When you see this marker, it warns you
that you are approaching a " Give Way " You are
behind the line and have to give way to traffic from your
left and right ! Try and use the hill to slow down, by decelerating
over a couple of car lengths distance, select 1st gear just
at the right time, and hold the car on clutch control (
on or just below the biting point ), check the junction,
and emerge safely. If you have to wait for some time, take
the strain off the clutch and apply the handbrake until
you can safely move off again.
In
the next section, roundabouts and unmarked crossroads are
covered.
