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Moving off and Stoping

To move off safely, you must do so without creating a hazard to other road users.

Approaching Junctions to turn left or right

This will mainly be when you are leaving a main road to turn into a road on your left or right. To do so you should follow the M-S-M routine.

Emerging at T-Junctions

This will mainly be when you are leaving a minor road to join a main road to turn left, right or possibly needing to cross a main road to follow the road ahead (at crossroads). Where the junction is not light controled you will have either "Give Way" markings or a "Stop" sign.

Meeting approaching traffic

Meeting approaching traffic - with the exception of very narrow roads meeting traffic will mainly be where there are obstacles in the road (most of the time parked cars) and you have oncoming vehicles.

Emergency Stop

Example:- if a child runs out in front of you! You will need quick reactions and good control of the car to stop promptly and safely. As this is an emergency then mirror checks will only delay your reactions therefore are not necessary - if you looked in your mirrors as often as you should then you would have an idea of following traffic anyway (i.e. mirrors checked for moving out when passing parked cars).

Pedestrian Crossings

There are two main types of crossings - There are zebra crossings and signal controlled crossings.

Awareness and Planning

To drive responsibly you should be constantly observing what is happening around you in order to respond safely to other road users. As well as checking ahead you should be looking frequently in your mirrors to be aware of whatís going on behind you and to your sides. When you are aware of a hazard (anything that may cause you to change speed or direction) you should follow the M-S-M routine.

Progress - Main Roads

Circular signs give orders - where there is a red circle around limit, this is the maximum legal speed allowed. On main roads 30mph is safe whilst clear of hazards and when you donít have poor weather conditions.

Roundabouts

This diagram shows the benefit of having a roundabout

Now the roundabout rules apply people only need to give way to the right allowing traffic to flow much more freely.

Dual Carriageways

These are multi-lane and mainly high speed roads which have a central reservation / barrier separating the two carriageways. There are three ways of joining a dual carriageway:

 

  • Your road may simply turn into a dual carriageway ahead
  • You may need to join via a slip road
  • You may need to emerge directly onto dual carriageway

Turn in the Road

Why would you need to?

The road you're on may be blocked off or be a dead end (no through road). This will mean you will need to turn your car around using forward and reverse gears doing so safely and under control. Try and turn your car around in three moves, however if the road is narrow it may take you more.

Reverse parking into a bay

POINT OF TURN (P.O.T.)

Work out your P.O.T. by practicing in a quiet car park - most bays are the same width or very close. You can use your body position as a guide to judge at what point should you turn in order to end up as central as possible in the bay you require.

Reverse Parking / Parrallel Parking

It is easier to manoeuvre your vehicle when reversing into a parking space and you will need much less space than if driving in forwards.

Reversing into a road

WHY WOULD YOU NEED TO?

The road you are on may be blocked off or be a dead end (no through road). There may not be enough space to turn your vehicle around in the road, therefore you may need to reverse into a side road to be able to continue your journey.

Show me tell me

At the beginning of the driving test the examiner will ask some basic vehicle safety checks. You must ensure the vehicle to be used is in good working order, taxed and insured otherwise the test may not go ahead. Aswell as the basic vehicle checks, make sure you know how to use all functions of the vehicle used for test - windscreen wipers, de-misters, etc.

Cockpit Drill

Getting yourself comfortable to drive and able to reach all the controls - follow the D-S-S-S-M routine