SuperDriver Learning Centre - Moving Off and Stopping
Moving Off and Stopping
So now you know all the controls, it is time to set off and stop. It is clear why you need this! On your driving test you will be asked to set off and stop on a gradient, from behind a parked car (referred to as an Angled Start), on a busy road, on a quiet road and maybe just before you are asked to do a manoeuvre or Emergency Stop. It could be asked of you around 5 times on a driving test.
You must park in a Safe, Convenient and Legal Position. What does this mean? Here's a few areas you cannot park - you can't park within 10 metres of junction, on double yellow lines, on single yellow lines (restricted parking), zig zag lines, at a bus stop, opposite a parked car if it blocks the road, block a driveway (unless it is yours) on the pavement unless a sign says you can.
And you really do not want to hit or graze the kerb. It can cause damage to your alloy wheels, tyres and the cars tracking and balance. These things could be costly!
MOVING OFF
We start this exercise in a Safe, Convenient and Legal Position on a nice straight road.
PREPARE
Our first job is to prepare the car, we will assume the engine is on. Preparing the car will be to
Level Road
1. Using your left foot, put the Clutch Down
2. Select First Gear
3. Using your right foot apply a tiny amount of gas
4. Find Biting Point (bring the clutch up half way), the bonnet will raise slightly as if the car wants to go.
Down Hill
1. Using your left foot, put the Clutch Down
2. Select First Gear
Up Hill
1. Using your left foot, put the Clutch Down
2. Select First Gear
3. Using your right foot apply slightly more gas than on a level road
4. Find Biting Point (bring the clutch up half way), the bonnet will raise slightly as if the car wants to go. If it doesn't, it means you don't have biting point so you need to raise it further.
OBSERVE
If you cannot set off safely because cars are coming from in front of you or behind you, then you must wait.
Your observations will be left shoulder to right shoulder including all your mirrors. You need to check your left shoulder (blind spot) one last time and if its still safe, signal right (if someone will benefit - this might include cars coming towards you, pedestrians and parked up but occupied vehicles.) and ...
MOVE OFF
Release your parking brake, bring your clutch up slowly all the way and add more gas. You are now moving, steer about 1 inch to the right to move away from the kerb. When you have moved away you need to straighten your car by steering left and then back to straight. If it is an angled start, you will steer more to the right (a car door length gap from the obstacle) and check your blind spot more. You will be slower on Angled start hence the reason to check more.
At this point most learners keep their left foot hovering above the clutch and their right foot gently on the gas.
This is you POM routine (Prepare, Observe, Move Off) in a manual car.
In an automatic there is no clutch. Prepare will mean putting your right foot on the brake pedal and selecting D (Drive). Observations are the same as in a manual car. If it is safe Move Off will be to release the parking brake and move your left foot to the gas and apply it gently. It is the same regardless of the gradient.
STOPPING
You will use your Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre routine to pull over on the left.
Look for a Safe, Convenient and Legal Position to Park. The Mirrors to check are interior and left. If there is someone to Signal to that will benefit, then you must. This might include cars behind or coming towards you, pedestrians and parked up but occupied vehicles.
Now it is time to ease of the gas pedal, gently drift to your left and start braking, when you are at less than 10mph put the clutch down. If you keep drifting left, you will hit the kerb. When you are close to the kerb steer right and then straighten.
A photo shows how to find the kerb, when parking (not angled), drift left until your reference point lines up with the kerb, when it does steer right and then straighten. This reference point does not work for everyone. If it doesn't work for you it is simple to find another. When you are moving slowly there is no problem glancing at the door mirror to check your position.
Remember how to use the brake pedal. Think about how you brake on your bicycle - you gently squeezed the brakes to slow down and when you had almost stopped you reduced your pressure. The reason for this is that you need less braking force when you are going slower. The same should be applied in the car. But using your foot.
SECURING THE CAR
You are now parked on the left. We need to secure the car.
In a manual you will keep the clutch down and your right foot on the brake. You need to apply the parking brake and put the gear stick to neutral. You may now release your feet from the pedals. The car is secure.
In an automatic car you should keep your right foot on the brake. Apply the parking brake and put the car into P (Park) or N (Neutral). You may now release your foott from the brake pedal. The car is secure.
