Learner Drivers

Our Learner drivers section is designed to help you to get the most from your driving lessons.

Below you will find a collection of articles and tutorials designed to help you understand driving, safety, and the learning to drive and driving test process.

Driving and safety

Cockpit Drill

An important series of safety checks which must be carried out every time you get into the driving seat and always before driving.
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Moving off and stopping

Once you know the controls of the car, you need to know how to use them all together 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.
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Clutch and gears

The first thing to remember when you first come into contact with the clutch pedal and gear lever is that they both depend upon each other. One without the other and nothing will happen.
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Changing gear

Gear changing is probably one of the most important skills any new driver should develop as it not only allows the driver to move the vehicle from a standing start but also gives the driver the power to build up their speed by working through the appropriate gears.
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A safe gap, the two second rule

Many accidents on the roads are caused by drivers traveling too close to the vehicle in front, this is known as tailgating. This is a particularly dangerous thing to do and is the cause of many multiple collisions because drivers are unable to brake in time within the distance they have left clear.
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The MSM/PSL routine

The MSM/PSL routine is fundamental to safe driving. It is the routine we apply when performing any manoeuvre (a change of position or speed) and when dealing with any potential hazard (anything which may cause a change of position or speed). The routine offers us a logical system in our driving which helps to develop better vehicle control and safer driving.
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Stopping distance

This is the distance your vehicle travels from the moment you realise you must brake to the moment the vehicle actually stops. You will need to leave enough space between you and the vehicle infront so you can pull up safely if it should slow down or stop suddenly. To do this you need to be able to judge youroverall stopping distance.
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Crossroads

A crossroads is created when two roads cross paths. The procedure use when emerging from a minor road at a crossroads is the same as that which we use at T-junctions. However, there is the road ahead to consider. So what are the differences?
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Box Junctions

Box junctions are seen by many drivers, not just new drivers as something to fear and if possible to be avoided. This needn't be the case when you understand the concept and the procedures involved with this type of junction.
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Approaching Junctions

The key to dealing with all junctions safely is the MSM routine. When you first see the junction you should check the mirrors to assess the speed and position of following traffic. Look for the speed, type and density of traffic on the road you are joining, the width and gradient of the road and the presence of other road users, particularly pedestrians.
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Emerging from junctions

Emerging is what we do when we come to the end of a minor road and turn left or right into a major road. As you approach the end of a road, you may see road signs and markings which inform you of the layout of the junction ahead.
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Roundabouts

Roundabouts are designed to keep the flow of traffic moving where a number of roads merge and cross. This article explains the correct way to use them.
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Pedestrian Crossings

Pelican crossings are traffic light controlled and will only change if someone presses the button, which is located on the side of the traffic light pole. Where as normal traffic lights will change on an automatic sequence when the button is pressed, the Pelican crossing traffic lights will change to allow Pedestrians to cross safely.
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Meeting oncoming traffic

A meet situation occurs when you need to use the same piece of road at the same time as the oncoming traffic. This is quite a common occurrence in built up areas. It also happens on narrow country lanes where hopefully there will be passing places, but this is not always the case.
Before this can be done, you need to know about the holdback position.
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Overtaking

You need to be looking regularly into your far distance to identify early enough that an overtaking manoeuvre is necessary. Your forward planning skills are of foremost importance here.
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Dealing with emergency vehicles

Many of you when learning may have already encountered an emergency vehicle approaching you displaying all of its visual warning equipment and sounding its sirens or horns. 
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Driving manoeuvres

Reverse / Parallel Parking

Throughout the manoeuvre the speed must be controlled with either the gas and biting point, or the clutch down and brake method. Coasting is not permitted. Steering should be along the lines of the pull/push method. No crossing of the arms. 
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Bay paking

You can choose to reverse from a 90 degree angle into the parking space or alternatively drive into a position where you can reverse into the bay from an almost straight line.
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Left reverse around a corner

As you drive past the selected side road, check for any obstructions or children playing that could make your manoeuvre unsafe. Also look to see how sharp the corner you will be reversing around is.
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Reversing into a side road on the right

Reversing into a side road on the right is a useful manoeuvre when there is no side road on the left to use or on those occasions when you wish to park in a driveway, and this may be the safe option when you have no rear view, IE: you are driving a van.
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Turn in the road

In this manoevure, you turn the vehicle around, using forward and reverse gears, so that it ends up facing the opposite way down the road. You would usually use this manoevure when no convenient side road is available to reverse into.
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Emergency stop

It is important that you react quickly in an emergency. As soon as you see the danger, you need to brake firmly. Follow the rule of progressive braking, but unlike a normal stop, you will not need to ease off the footbrake as the vehicle stops.
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The Driving Test

About the UK Driving Test

A certain amount of nerves will show on the day of the practical test. This is perfectly normal. For some people however the practical test is a nightmare, affecting them far more than normal. It is so easy for your instructor to tell you that you will be all right. On its own this is no use to you what so ever if you are one of the people who are adversely affected by nerves. Performance related stress is the name for the stress that pupils experience before and during a driving test. The result of the test is extremely important to you because in many personal as well as financial ways you have invested a lot in learning to drive. Some pupils have the added pressure of a job offer depending upon the result as well.
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Show me tell me

These are the thirteen show me / tell me questions and answers that you can be asked at the beginning of the practical test. The questions are intended to challenge your basic knowledge of the vehicle. Technically proficient answers need not be forthcoming. Being trained as a mechanic is definately not an essential part of the course. If you have read these questions and answers a few times you should be fine. Your instructor will show you under the bonnet of their car and identify for you where the different bits and pieces are.
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