Roundabouts Part 2

Last week, we tackled the problem of roundabouts and how to successfully navigate them. It was a large topic and therefore I decided to split it into two sections.
This section specifically targets Mini Roundabouts. After reading this, you should be ready to go out there and try it for real!

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!

Turn In The Road

Plenty of students struggle to perform a turn in the road, but it's much easier than you think! Have a read through this post to reinforce your knowledge on turning in a road.




The examiner on the driving test will expect you to turn your car around in the road:- 

·  Safely.

·  Smoothly.

·  Under control.

·  Making proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.

·  Without touching or mounting the kerb.

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

·  Are aware of other road users.

·  Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre. 

Roundabouts

We're tackling roundabouts this week. Roundabouts can be a large topic to talk about, so I've decided to split it into two separate blog posts; Roundabouts and Mini Roundabouts. The latter will be up next Monday!



On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

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

·  Use the MSM routine.

·  Position correctly and adjust your speed.

·  Choose the correct lane where there are lane markings.

·  Watch out for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

·  Take effective observations.

·  Assess the speed of traffic. 

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. 

Steering

Most people get the hang of proper steering once they've had a couple of hours of tuition, but if you're still strugging then we're here to help!



Fold your palms loosely over the rim and rest your thumbs lightly up the flat of the wheel.
Relax your shoulders and keep your arms free of your body.

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

·  Hold the steering wheel at either the ten-to-two or quarter-to-three position.

·  Steer at the correct time and smoothly.

·  Avoid crossing your hands over one another when turning.

·  Avoid letting the wheel spin back through your hands when straightening up.

·  Keep to the left normally.

·  Avoid weaving in and out between parked cars.

·  Obey lane markings.

The Bay Park

From 5th May 1999 you may be required to do the reverse park exercise as a reversing into a parking bay at the driving test car park.
If you are asked to reverse into a parking bay, you can usually choose whether to reverse from the right or the left.
Reverse parking into a bay must be carried out at the test centre at the start or end of the test, when there is a car park at the test centre. So if your test centre does not have a car park, you will NOT be asked to do this exercise.

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to do your bay parking:- 

·  Safely.

·  Smoothly.

·  Under control.

·  Making proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.

·  Without crossing the white bay marking. 

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

·  Are aware of other road users.

·  Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre. 

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. 

Changing gears

One of the first things you'll have to master when you begin learning to drive is changing gears. Some people will find it relatively easy and straightforward, whilst others may struggle. If you're part of the latter group, then don't worry! We're here to help you successfully master changing gears.


When driving, you should be able to change gears without looking down at the lever or your feet. Practise this sitting in the car with the engine switched off and the clutch pressed down. 



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

·  Use the controls smoothly and correctly

·  Balance the accelerator and clutch to move away smoothly

·  Accelerate evenly

·  Avoid stalling the car

·  Choose the right gear and change in good time before a hazard

·  Brake gently and in good time

·  Know how and when to apply the hand brake