basic procedures

Moving away, changing gears and stopping

Manual Transmission:

To move away,

With the engine running, depress the clutch and engage 1st gear. "Set the Gas" and then carefully find the "biting point" on the clutch. Check the rear-view mirror and the right Blind-Spot. If it is safe to move away release the handbrake and SLOWLY bring the clutch up. The car will move away as you do this.

Remember that 'On Test' your examiner is looking for an 'Eco-Safe' drive, so accelerate gently and smoothly.

To stop,

Use MSM. Carry out a mirror check, and signal where necessary. Gently bring your right foot off the gas and over to the foot-brake. Brake smoothly and just before the car stops, depress the clutch. If parking, keep the brake and clutch down until you have "secured the car" ie applied the handbrake and put the gears in "neutral". If the stop is a short one, eg at a "Give Way" junction, then engage 1st gear as you stop and decide if you need to use the handbrake. Remember to keep the clutch down until you can move away.
You can stop in any of the forward gears...it is not necessary to change down through the gears when stopping. This is distracting you from the more important task of braking, and you will not need the intermediate gears anyway, although changing into 1st gear when stopping at a junction will leave you ready to move away once you can.

Changing Gear

As you change the speed of the car you will need to change gear. The procedure is the same whether you are increasing or decreasing your speed. The gear selected should be the gear most suited to the new speed, so when accelerating, build the speed smoothly and at the appropriate moment change up to a higher gear. When slowing, adjust the speed (using the foot-brake) to the speed you judge is appropriate for the manoeuvre you intend to carry out, then select the best gear for the new (lower) speed, missing gears where appropriate (eg 4th to 2nd if slowing from a high speed to a much lower speed). You should finish all the braking before changing gear (avoiding any overlap), and also finish the gear change (clutch up slowly), before you arrive at the hazard or have to steer the car.
The procedure for changing gear is
1) Ease off the gas.
2) Depress the Clutch.
3) Carefully and slowly move the gear lever to the desired position.
4) Slowly and smoothly bring the clutch all the way up. (The biting point is not important during gear changes)
5) If appropriate, return to the Gas pedal.

Use the highest convenient gear for the speed you are travelling at as this uses less fuel and is 'Eco-Safe'.

Automatic Transmission:

To move away,

With the engine running, push down the footbrake and engage "D" (drive). Perform any necessary safety checks around the car eg. mirrors and blindspot(s), and release the handbrake (if applied). Bring up the footbrake and gently add some gas. The car will move away as you do this.

To stop,

Use MSM. Carry out a mirror check, and signal where necessary. Gently reduce the gas and apply the foot-brake. Brake smoothly until the car stops. If parking, apply the handbrake and move the gear selector to "P" (park). If the stop is a short one, eg at a "Give Way" junction, the gear selector may be left in "D". You may keep the car still with the footbrake until moving away, but use the handbrake if necessary.

Changing Gear

The car will change gear as needed as you drive, but there may be times when you will need to manually select a more appropriate gear. Your instructor will give guidance on this, and will also explain how and when to use "kick-down" where more acceleration is required.

All Cars:

Steering

You must always have the car fully in control, and one important part of this is the way you steer. The only acceptable method of steering is the "Pull and Push" technique, which your instructor will introduce to you within the first couple of lessons. When mastered, this will prove to be a quick and easy, accurate, and very safe way of steering, but it does take a bit of getting used to. A full understanding of the technique coupled with lots of dedicated practise is the order of the day here. The more effort you put in early on, the better.

Please Note

These guidlines are intended to help you remember the basic procedures, but are not comprehensive or definitive. Follow your Instructors guidance, and you will soon develop the skills needed for good driving.