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Driving Test Advice

Sound Driving School advice

Moving off/Stopping

Hi all, this advice is intended for all you students out there who would like to read up on Moving off and Stopping. If this your second driving lesson than by now you would have been introduced to the cockpit drill routine. Once you have demonstrated to you instructor that you can do the cockpit drill, you need to do the safety precautions before starting the engine, (this is done by making sure that the gears are in the neutral position followed by checking that the handbrake is applied.

You are now ready to start the engine. Once the engine is started you driving instructor will talk you through the POM routine, and explain what each letter means. In the mean time we have tried to explain what POM is used for.

The POM routine (Prepare, Observe, Move)

To prepare, start by clutching down to the floor and select first gear, slowly bring the clutch upwards to the biting point (bonnet of the car may rise up a little, also you may notice that the engine sounds a little quieter (engine revs go down slightly). Once the above is achieved with your right foot progressive gas about the thickness of a pound coin, then keep both feet still. That is the prepare part completed.

Next is the second part of the POM, the observe routine

You need to take effective all-round observation. This is done by starting to look in your centre mirror followed by your directional mirror and finally looking over your right shoulder to cover the 'blind spot’. Do not forget that you also need to signal to warn other road users of what you intend doing. (Remember a signal is meant to inform and not confuse).


If all is clear and safe press release the hand break, keep the pressure on the gas pedal so you have a 'lively hum' sound from the engine, then as you move ease pressure off the clutch but only by the thickness of a pound coin, the car will now start to move, (if it seems to be going too fast then slight pressure on the clutch will bring the speed under control) as the car gains momentum then ease off the clutch a pound coin thickness at a time, once the car is going at around five MPH (walking pace) you can then take your foot off the clutch.


As the car starts to move you should steer to the right into a 'normal driving position' (about one metre from the kerb) and point the car in the direction you wish to travel using the 'push - pull' method of steering


When the car has straightened up in the direction you wish to travel do not forget to check in your centre mirrors, before gently accelerating if all is safe.


Stopping Routine: This routine should be explained along side the POM routine

Start of by understanding where you are allowed to stop. What you need to think about is choosing a safe, legal and convenient place to stop (not on or near a blind bend or brow of a hill, on double yellow lines or blocking someone’s driveway are a few examples of where NOT to stop)


Use the Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre routine Check the centre and left mirrors and indicate left if anyone would benefit from it, this includes pedestrians that you may have to move towards

If all is safe (no cyclists coming up on your nearside for example) begin slowing the car down by coming off the gas pedal and applying the footbrake progressively, if there is a need to lower your gears, you can do so by using the block change technique.


Start Steering the car towards the kerb then steer back slightly in order to position the car parallel to the kerb use quick glances at you left mirror to judge how far you are from the side of the kerb. You should end up about 6 inches or less away from it (your instructor will give you a reference point to help you to judge this)


As the car is coming to a stop REMEMBER to push the clutch pedal down to the floor, and use the breaks progressively and keep you foot on it until the car stops completely.
When the car has stopped completely keep your feet still until you have applied the handbrake and put the gear lever into the neutral position, you can then rest your feet and cancel the indicator.

Sound Driving School covers all of the areas below and more please check our area we cover to find out more

Why not give it a try? Call 0845 644 9405 to book a confidence-boosting £10 * trial lesson.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are seen by many learner drivers to be a waste of space and are deemed to be difficult to understand the principles of how to negotiate them. Before we discuss how to deal with roundabouts a recent survey found that roundabouts are safer than both traffic circles and traditional intersections—having 40% fewer vehicle collisions, 80% fewer injuries and 90% fewer serious injuries and fatalities (according to a study of a sampling of roundabouts in the United States, when compared with the intersections they replaced). Roundabouts also reduce points of conflict between pedestrians and motor vehicles and are therefore considered to be safer for them.

If you are starting to do roundabouts, than by now you driving instructor should have explained the MSPSL (mirror, signal, position, speed, Look) routine. Also you should be reading the Highway Code where the rules of roundabouts are explained.

When approaching a roundabout make sure you start your MSPSL routine early so that you can decide which lane you need before you get to the roundabout, also it is a good idea to look early so that you can anticipate the most appropriate gear to negotiate the roundabout.

As an example if you are going left and taking the first exit you should indicate left and approach in the left hand lane, keep to the left and maintain the left signal throughout, as you exit it is advisable to check your left mirror for any cyclist that could be turning.

















To take the second exit one should again stay in the left hand lane using the MSPSL routine, however, you should not signal on approach to the roundabout and only give a left signal as you exit the roundabout, (it is very important that you check your left wing mirror before you signal).


To turn right (third exit) approach in the right hand lane using the MSPL routine, give a right signal, maintain your lane until you have passed the second exit at this point look at your left wing mirror and give a left signal to inform other road users that you intend to leave at this exit.

There are various roundabouts that your driving instructor will take you on, for example if you are taking your driving lesson in Tooting than you would use the Church Lane roundabout. If you live in Earlsfield than your instructor will use mini-roundabout on Garratt Lane.

Sound Driving School covers all of the areas below and more please check our Areas we cover page to find out more Balham, Clapham, Earlsfield, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, Norbury, Streatham, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon & more...

Why not give it a try?

Call 0845 644 9405to book a confidence-boosting £10 * trial lesson.