Emergency Stops

Emergency Stops. Throughout your driving test your aim will be to slow down in good time and pull up gently, except in the emergency stop exercise, which will show your competence in taking immediate and effective action.

From 4th May 1999 the emergency stop will be conducted at random during one-in-three car tests to enable extra time to be spent in normal driving.

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:- 

·  Stop the car promptly.

·  Keep the car under control without locking the wheels.

·  Stop the car in the shortest possible distance.

·  Stop the car without endangering other road users.

Know Your Traffic Signs 2

It's that time of the week already; welcome to the second Know Your Traffic Signs! 

Let's get going:

What is the following traffic sign telling you? 

Click on 'read more' to see if you were right!

Know Your Traffic Signs 1

Welcome to the first of (hopefully many!) Know Your Traffic Signs! 

Each week we'll be posting an image of a random traffic sign for you to test yourself on, and improve your road knowledge. In addition, this will be of much use if you're yet to take your theory test!

So let's get started:

What is the following traffic sign telling you?

Click on 'read more' to see if you were right!

Moving Off

You should normally use 1st gear for moving off except when moving off down a steep hill, then it may be best to use 2nd gear.

The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:

·  Move off safely and under control on a level road, from behind a parked vehicle and on a gradient.

·  Use the MSM routine.

·  Check your blindspot for traffic and pedestrians.

·  Make balanced use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.

·  Use the appropriate gear. 

Hill Starts

In this post, we're going to take you through the dreaded hill start. After a bit of practice, you should find this to be much easier than you first thought!



When you can move off safely and smoothly on a level road, the next stage is to move off on a hill. 

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:- 

·  Move off safely and under control on a gradient.

·  Use the MSM routine.

·  Check your blindspot for traffic and pedestrians.

·  Make balanced use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.

·  Use the appropriate gear.

·  Avoid rolling back. 

Reverse Parking

In this post, we're going to help you tackle the reverse park.



Reverse parking

This takes advantage of a car's manoeuvrability when driving in reverse gear. When doing this you will be something of an obstacle, so use of the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine is important. 
It is also vital to keep a look-out for passing traffic.

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:- 

·  Reverse into a space of about two car lengths.

·  Park your car at the kerb safely, smoothly and under control. 

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:- 

·  Take all-round observation

·  Do not get too close to the parked car

·  Do not mount the kerb

·  Stop reasonably close to the kerb 

The Cockpit Drill

To get off to a good start on your driving test, you've got to be comfortable in the car and everything must be in order. If you fail to adjust your mirrors (if needed) then you may struggle later on in the test. This could cause you to fail your test, so make sure you go through the cockpit drill!



The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:- 

·  Make sure all the doors are closed.

·  Ensure your seat and head restraint are properly adjusted.

·  Check your mirrors are properly adjusted.

·  Fasten your seatbelt. 

The examiner will also be looking to see that you make sure the hand brake is on and the gearstick is in neutral before starting the engine. 

100mph drivers face having to take tougher driving test to get licence back.

Motorists caught driving at more than 100mph on motorways face being forced to take an extended driving test before getting their licences back under Government proposals. 

To read the full article, click here.