DRIVING TIPS
Did you know . . .
- As a new driver, you will find it easier to get the feel of the foot controls if you wear thin-soled shoes or trainers.
- The correct way to use the clutch is to bend the knee and keep the ball of the foot on the pedal. Your heel should lift off the floor as you raise your foot to find the biting point. Using your ankle to pivot upwards is awkward and difficult to control. Moving off smoothly and manoeuvring the car at slow speed becomes difficult. You will find yourself having to wriggle your foot back into place at regular intervals.
- Sometimes when trying to select reverse gear - it will not go in! It is not you! The gears do not always line up. Select a forward gear and try again. This time you should succeed.
- The car is on springs for a smooth ride - the suspension. When you stop the car on a hill it sinks on its springs. To find the biting point for an uphill start without fear of rolling back, feel the car lift (on its springs) and you have the weight of the car. You will not roll back.
- Oversteering on a bend is caused by steering the front of the car and not the wheels. The two do not point in the same direction on a bend. Steer the wheels and allow the front of the car to follow, this will help to stay with the curve.
- Dry steering (turning the steering wheel while stationary) is okay providing your vehicle has power-steering. Sometimes you need to, to recover from a manoeuvre. You will not be penalised for this.
- When slowing down you do not have to change down through the gears 4-3-2-1. Apply the brake and select the gear to match the slower speed when you know what it is. If you are stopping, just apply the brake followed by the clutch. You can select neutral once you have stopped.
- You are not expected to select neutral gear every time you stop temporarily. You have enough to do especially as lead car waiting at traffic lights. You can remain in 1st gear (preferably without biting point for too long), handbrake applied if needed.
- When pulling away from a bus stop the busdriver applies the footbrake and then releases the handbrake before signalling. In other words the brakelights come on before the right indicator. It does not happen like that every time but it is a very useful clue if you are considering passing the stationary bus.
- Flashing headlights should only be used to advise or warn other roadusers of your presence. However, it is a means of communication and should not be ignored if a driver flashes at you. Make sure you interpret it correctly and do make sure you look properly. You cannot rely on their observation if you are invited to emerge for example.
- Emerging on to a busy roundabout can be a mindboggling experience. Who’s going where and when? There is a basic rule. Vehicles on the roundabout have priority. You give way to your right but so does everybody else coming on to the roundabout!! Vehicles already on the roundabout will block the flow of oncoming traffic and you may have the opportunity to move forward. Watch the speed and the steering of the other vehicles, with practise you will get to recognise their intention earlier. Too many drivers forget the basic courtesy of signalling and sadly you cannot guarantee the accuracy of the signal even if they do signal. Their speed and direction are the only sure way of knowing what they are doing. If in doubt don’t!
- Examiners are examined. You could have a supervising examiner sitting in on your driving test. It would be a good idea to experience somebody in the back of the car as well as your instructor as part of your training. You will get the feel of the heavier car and how it affects steering, acceleration and braking.
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