Changing gear! Changing gear is a very frequent thing when driving a manual vehicle, so easy concise gear changes are useful. Changing up and down When changing up a gear the technique is to place the hand on the gear lever in the position ready for the change, check...

The cockpit drill The cockpit drill sounds like were are setting off to go to outer space but when driving a car it is the drill when the driver sets up their driving position to reach and operate all the cars controls effectively. DSSSM Doors: Make sure all the doors...

This routine is used when moving off from the side of the road. Drivers should prepare the car first, then observe and finally move.  The importance of this routine is to have a guideline/routine of the order of things to do to move off safely and to help the student...

After preparing the car, the observations can now be done.  Covering all the observational points we use the six point check.  The six point check is left blind spot, left door mirror, centre mirror, look at the road ahead, right door mirror, and right blind spot. The...

Once you have prepared the car and have completed the observations and considered the signal it is time for the move part of the routine. Release the handbrake, apply more revs if needed as the revs will have dropped slightly when finding the bite and bring the clutch...

For many years the bog standard 1 hour lesson was the normal driving lesson time length, but was this always the correct length and is it correct for today’s driving lesson? 23 years ago when I had my driving lessons you got mostly the 1 hour lesson and for most it...

The 12 o clock rule refers to an idea of what you would do on the approach to roundabouts.  It really is a guideline more than a rule but it gives the driver a rough rule to use on approaching roundabouts. If you are approaching a roundabout and the turning left and...

Roundabouts were designed to keep the traffic flow going in more congested or busier areas, they are often in an area that is open and where the driver is able to see quite early if there are road users approaching and if the roundabout is busy or relatively clear.  ...

There are six ways that we can communicate with other road users.  These signals are essential for communications and for safety.   Many of them are often underused or used in inappropriate situations. Flashing headlights so we all know that most drivers will use...

The clutch is quite often in driving overused.  Drivers tend to put the clutch down very readily for any given reason but the clutch should only really be used in several circumstances, such as: Changing gear Stopping Manoeuvring the car at slow speeds (clutch...

When you are faced with a terrifying hill start which resembles the slant of Mount Everest, you may need to have a trick up your sleeve to help you, so therefore there is the handbrake trick. Of course on the slopes of mount Everest there isn’t a pile of cars behind...

One of the biggest changes in driver training over the last 30 years has been the use of block gear changes.  Many years ago in the 1960’s and 1970’s drivers had no choice but to change down through the gear box.  Brakes were so poor they needed the engine braking...

For as many years as I can remember in this country it is always been thought and indeed taught by driving instructors up and down the country that the correct, safest and best way to steer a steering wheel whilst driving a car is to push pull the steering wheel. ...

To signal or not to signal that is the question? Signalling or indicating can be a confusing thing, do I signal just to be on the safe side, or do I not need to signal all the time? Will I confuse or mislead another road users? Or sometimes more important to the...

Whilst in outer space there is plenty of room and the likelihood of bumping into someone or something else is very remote but down here on earth the chance of bumping in to someone or something is somewhat greater…… There is a need therefore to create a safety bubble...