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Driving Lessons for Moving Off and Stopping

Our Driving School can tailor a driving course that will help you cope with all of the following. Your driving instructor can help you with this.

your-first-driving-lesson

You should normally use 1st gear for moving off except when moving off down a steep hill, then it may be best to use 2nd gear. The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:_

Get ready to move - Take your first look to the front and into the mirrors for traffic and pedestrians and then get yourself ready to move. Press the clutch down as far as it will go. Select first gear.

Set the gas (press the gas pedal slightly and then hold it still). Press it to generate sufficient power to move. Listen to the engine noise. Don't let the engine roar! Bring the clutch up until the sound of the engine drops slightly and then keep both feet still (this is called the biting point)

Check it's safe - Look in your interior and door mirrors again and look round to check the blind spots (the areas you are unable to see in the mirrors). Be prepared to wait if the coast is not clear. Decide if you need to signal.

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The rule about signals in any circumstances is that they should be given "to help other road users". If there is not the slightest chance of any-one being affected by you moving off, including oncoming traffic and pedestrians, there is no point in signalling. But if there is any sign of life anywhere near you, why risk it? Have your hand on the handbrake ready for release.

Move away - It's safe. Let's go. Are you 100 per cent sure? Check the blind spot again by looking over your right shoulder ( see diagram on the left ) and release the handbrake. The car should slowly move forwards. If the car doesn't move, let the clutch up a little more.

To increase your speed, press the gas pedal gently and gently raise the clutch and take your foot away from the clutch pedal. You will need to change into 2nd gear soon after moving away.

Now you are on your way - Keep to the left, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. The exceptions are when you want to overtake, turn right or pass parked vehicles or pedestrians in the road

Stopping and Parking

Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside

  • do not park facing against the traffic flow
  • stop as close as you can to the side

    high street parking

    do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out

  • you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
  • you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
  • you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic
  • it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
  • put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure
  • lock your vehicle

    overtaking motorbike

    You MUST NOT stop or park on

  • the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency
  • a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines a clearway taxi bays as indicated by upright signs and markings
  • an urban clearway within its hours of operation, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers (see 'Traffic signs')
  • a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers
  • a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
  • a cycle track

    illegal parking cycle lane 3

  • red lines, in the case of specially designated red routes unless otherwise indicated by signs

    DO NOT stop or park

  • near a school entrance
  • anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
  • at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
  • on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
  • opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
  • near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
  • opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
  • where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
  • where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
  • in front of an entrance to a property
  • on a bend

    illegal parking cycle lane 2

  • where you would obstruct cyclists use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary traffic