The Cockpit
DOORS -
Check they are all securely closed. You are responsible for the safety of your passengers. An insecure door may open as you drive along.
SEAT -
Ensure seating position allows comfortable use of foot controls and steering. Push the clutch pedal (far left) fully down to the floor. You should be able to do this without stretching and leaving a slight bend in the knee.
STEERING -
Adjust seating position for comfortable steering. Do not get too close as you may find it difficult to fully release the pedal and may even knock your knee on the steering wheel.
Ensure all seatbelts are secured correctly without any twists. The law requires that all passengers wear seatbelts where fitted, unless they have an exemption certificate. The driver is responsible for ensuring that children under 14 are correctly using the seatbelt.
MIRRORS -
Adjust your mirrors (where necessary). You should be able to see clearly in the mirror with the minimum of head movement. When adjusting centre mirror hold the mirror edges keeping your fingers off the glass. Adjust the door mirrors to reduce any 'blind spots'.
Setting Off
Look to the front, left mirror, left shoulder, front, rear view mirror, right mirror, right shoulder 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 by pressing the gas pedal slightly and then hold it still. You only require to press it to obtain sufficient power to move the vehicle. Listen to the engine noise. Don't over rev. Bring the clutch up until the sound of the engine drops slightly and then keep both feet still (clutch & gas)this is called the biting point
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 road is not clear. Decide if you need to signal. The rule about signals is " a signal is required if there is anyone around that may benefit" this includes pedestrians. But if there is any person or moving vehicle close by then signal. Have your hand on the handbrake ready for release.
When it's safe, re-check the blind spot again by looking over your right shoulder and release the handbrake. The car should slowly begin to move forwards. If it doesn't then let the clutch up a little more, about the thickness of a pound coin.
To increase your speed, press the gas pedal gently and gently raise the clutch until fully up and take move your foot away. You will need to change into 2nd gear soon after moving off.
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
Gear Changing
In most vehicles the first 4 gears form an 'H' appearance on the gear lever. Neutral is the middle position in the 'H' formation on the gear stick.
1st Gear -
Used for moving off, maneuvering and for creeping slowly in traffic and at junctions. Anywhere between 0 - 10mph
2nd Gear -
Used for moving off down very steep hills, building up speed after moving away and driving at low speeds. 8 - 20mph
3rd Gear -
Used to build up speed and when you need more power for climbing hills. It also improves your control when going down steep hills and dealing with some bends.
4th Gear -
Used for driving at speeds of around 30 mph or more where the road is clear.
5th Gear -
5th gear is used to give better fuel economy on open roads or when travelling continuously at higher speeds.
Steering
To steer accurately you should look well ahead to where you are going. You must be able to operate the main controls without needing to look at them. Looking away from the road ahead may result in your car wandering from side to side
Always try to keep both hands on the wheel whenever braking or cornering.
Although you should keep both hands on the wheel as much as possible, there are times when you will need to change gears or operate other controls such as lights, wipers etc. Whilst in the early stages of learning, find a straight, quiet road where you can practice steering with one hand while you use the other controls.
When approaching right bends, move your right hand to the top of the wheel ready to pull it down to steer round the curve in the road.
When approaching left hand bends, move your left hand to the top of the wheel to pull it down to steer round the curve in the road.
Try not to cross your hands over one another while turning.
When making a left turn it is important for you to try to maintain a distance of about 1 meter from the kerb. This will ensure that the rear wheels do not roll over or strike the kerb potentially damaging the wheel and / or tyre
Emergency Stop
The Examiner will ask you to stop at various places during the driving test. Whenever you stop, you should do so in a place thatr is safe, legal and convenient. The Examiner will not trap you by asking you to stop in a illegal place, but you have to select a safe position for normal stops.
During one of these 'stops' the Examiner will explain that very shortly he / she will ask you to stop the vehicle as in an emergency. They will explain clearly the signal they will give you as they say'Stop'. Generally the signal Examiners use is putting their right hand onto the windscreen and saying 'Stop'.
This is the only occasion in the test when you don't follow the 'mirrors-signal-manoeuvre' routine. Before giving you the signal to 'Stop' the Examiner would have already checked the road behind with a look over their right shoulder. They will not ask you to stop if there is any danger to you from following traffic.
On getting the signal, immediately come off of the gas and start to apply firm continuous pressure to the brake pedal until the brakes are on the point of locking. Hold the pedal still and as the car comes to a standstill, gradually release the pressure. During braking, always keep both hands on the steering wheel keeping the car in a straight line. Be alert for the first signs of the wheels locking. If the car has ABS continue to brake however if your car is not fitted with ABS and you feel the car beginning to skid, ease the pedal fractionally but don't release it completely, and then re-apply the pressure.
Apply the clutch just before you stop. This will give the car extra braking from the engine. Once safely at a standstill, and with the clutch and brake pedals still depressed, apply the handbrake and select neutral. Then relax your feet.
Move on again when told to do so by the Examiner, not forgetting your all round checks.