Moving Off, Stoppoing.

Once you know the controls of the car, you need to know how to use them altogether to get the car moving. For some people, the biggest nightmare is that you might kangaroo-hop down the road.
With a good Instructor you will be able to move the car smoothly, even at the first attempt. The important thing is that you move away without endangering other road users.

Always remember the MSM routine.

M - Mirror

S - Signal

M - Manoeuvre

Here is an example picture of the area of road what you can see when inside of the car while looking through the mirrors.

The area behind not covered by the mirrors are called blind spots.

So from that example we can now see why it is important to use the Mirror Signal Manoeuvre routine.

Once you have the car prepared using the DSSSM routine, you need to look for a safe gap.

This means a gap that is big enough for you to pull into without causing any other road user to slow down, swerve or stop.

Do this by looking into your mirrors and by checking your blind spots by physically turning your head making sure that the road behind is clear for you to move away.

Remember your not only looking out for other vehicles but also cyclists or pedestrians.

This is all part of the MSM routine.

The manoeuvre part is any change if direction or change of speed. Give a signal if it would help another road user. Before you move make sure you have a final check all around, including the blind spots to ensure that it is still safe to move.


Once it is safe, you need to know how to move away under control. You need to be able to do this on a level road, on a gradient and moving off at an angle.

Level Road

Clutch down and Select first gear

Press your foot gently on the accelerator pedal.

Let the clutch up slowly to the biting point (all around car checks) Once safe, Release the handbrake.

Let the car creep forwards then Let the clutch up smoothly and all the way Steer to a normal driving position generally a metre from the kerb.

Gradient Uphill Road
Clutch down and Select first gear.
Press your foot gently on the accelerator pedal Let the clutch up slowly to the biting point.
Press down the accelerator pedal a bit harder.
(you're on a hill so the engine has more work to do) .
Don't forget all around car checks.
Once safe, Release the handbrake and let the car creep forwards.

Gradient Downhill Road
Clutch down and Select first gear, if the hill is very steep use second gear Apply the footbrake.
All around car checks.
Once safe, Release the handbrake Release the footbrake slowly, and as the car starts moving forwards,release the clutch smoothly then fully and press the accelerator gently.

Moving off at an angle
This procedure is similar to pulling away in a straight line and/or a gradient road. Only you need to give yourself more time to look around and make sure it is safe to fully move away.

You do this by using clutch control. Once at the biting point, and you have let your clutch up to make the car move you can control movement of the car going forwards by slight pressure back down on the clutch. Easing the clutch back up fractionally will move the car again.

STOPPING

The procedure for pulling in at the side of the road is quite easy with a little practice. Follow these simple steps and you can't go wrong.

Mirror.
Check your main mirror and your near side (passenger) door mirror. You never know, there maybe a motorcyclist or cyclist following close behind. By checking your door mirror, you will know what is happening near to the kerb.

Signal.
If there is a vehicle following you, or other road users ahead of you then signal left. Coupled with your brake lights, this will warn the driver that you intend to pull in shortly. However, if there is a junction on the left before your intended parking spot, be careful about the timing of the left signal. Signaling too early could suggest that you intend to turn left into the side road. If a there is a pedestrian standing where you would like to pull in, a signal will also benefit them. If there's no one to benefit from a signal, then don't signal.

Position.
Gently guide the vehicle towards the near side (left) kerb, so the vehicle is about 6 -12 inches from the kerb when the vehicle comes to rest. It's not advisable to get within inches of the kerb when you pull in, as the gutters tend to collect a lot of rubbish like glass, nails and so on, which could damage your tyres.

Speed.
Ease your right foot off the gas pedal and swing your foot to the brake and apply gentle, firm and consistent pressure to the footbrake. This will bring the vehicle under control. Always start your braking early and gentle, never late and heavy as this could cause the wheels to lock up and may result in the vehicle skidding.

Look.
Pick a convenient place to pull in. Never park near to or block the following:
Driveways.
Bus stops.
On the brow of a hill.
On a bend.
Double yellow lines.
Zig zag lines on a pedestrian crossing.


Assess
Assess whether it's safe and convenient to pull in or not.

Decide.
Base your decision on what you see. As the car comes to a halt, press the clutch pedal to the floor with your left foot and as the vehicle comes to rest slightly, release the pressure from the footbrake. This will allow the vehicle to come to a nice gentle halt. Pressing the clutch pedal to the floor will part the clutch plates, as we no longer require the power from the engine. Never put the clutch pedal down before the footbrake, as this would be coasting or free wheeling. Brake first then press the clutch pedal to the floor.

Coasting
Coasting occurs when the vehicle is moving, but either the: Clutch pedal being held down, or the gear lever is in the neutral position.

Coasting is wrong and potentially dangerous because it reduces the driver's control over the vehicle. Steering and braking are the main casualties when coasting takes place. Another important factor when the car is coasting, it may be difficult to select a gear if something did happen unexpectedly. If the vehicle is traveling down hill and coasting at the same time, the vehicle will pick up speed.

Once the vehicle has come to a complete halt, apply the handbrake and move the gear lever into the neutral position. Applying the handbrake first ensures the vehicle is secure.