Moving away from the side of the road 

Clutch down to the floor and into 1st gear, if on a steep downwards hill you can use 2nd gear but we’ll explore this option in moving off downhill..

Next apply the gas, push the pedal down by the thickness of a £1 coin, so that the engine begins to rev slightly. If you check the rev counter, the needle should be on average at just over a thousand revs. The rev counter usually shows single digits for example 1, but this relates to 1,000 RPM (revolutions per minute) so use this tool to help you set the gas.

Now bring the clutch up slowly to its biting point: this is the point when the engine is ready to drive the car, just like when you bring the leading pedal on a cycle to the one O’clock position to give you leverage. You might feel a slight tug as the engine starts to pull the car, but the handbrake will be holding the car steady. If the car engine feels like it’s dragging, press the clutch down by the thickness of a £1 coin, and slightly more if necessary.

At this point, hold your left foot still and keep you right foot on the gas slightly too. The car is now ready to move.

Effective Observations.

You must be certain not to pull away from the kerb until it’s safe, so make effective observations by considering your environment. If you have driveways on the left side of you, or houses close to the kerb, you might have to check you left shoulder, and left door mirror for cars pulling out of driveways. As a minimum, you must check your interior mirror and right door mirror, with a final check over your right shoulder into the blind spot. The blind spot refers to the area you can’t see through your mirrors. Imagine looking into a shop widow on the right that is slightly behind you, that’s the blind spot. Once you have looked over your right shoulder and you are sure it’s safe to move off, you will need to release your handbrake.

Now signal if necessary, meaning if there’s any other road uses or pedestrians you think might benefit from knowing what you are doing, then signal right.

Once you have released your handbrake the car might start to roll slightly forward. This is perfect but don’t release the clutch, instead lift the clutch pedal by the thickness of a £1 coin and hold the pedal still. Count to 4 seconds before gradually releasing the clutch pedal, because this will allow the car to gain momentum. whilst gradually bringing the clutch up, steadily increase the gas bit by bit. It is important that you co-ordinate these two pedals together.

As the car begins to move forward, turn the steering wheel slightly right to come away from the kerb. A great tip here is while you are parked at the side of the road, watch the position of vehicles passing you and driving ahead. Now when you move from the kerb you can the same space in the road as they use. You can also ask your instructor for a focal point when you are driving so that you can position your vehicle a good distance from the kerb.

Remember to cancel your signal if it’s still on, as other road users might find it misleading.

Once moving and the clutch is fully up, relax and look ahead to where you want the car to go. Follow the tracks that other cars ahead have used to guide you. Avoid look over the end of the bonnet as you will start drifting. Have you ever tried walking on a narrow plank of wood, or a white line looking down at your feet? Yes you guessed it you’ll struggle balancing.

Tips

Stalling: This is usually a clutch control issue. Imagine riding away on a cycle in a very high gear, you’ll have to use a lot of energy to get the pedals turning, and you’ll wobble until you start getting momentum. If you lift the clutch pedal too far too early you’ll stall simply because you haven’t let the car get momentum.

The gas should always be set first; however, in a diesel it is usually easier and more forgiving to move away if you have forgotten the gas.

Remember: when at biting point don’t release the clutch, instead lift the clutch pedal by the thickness of a £1 coin and hold the pedal still. Count to 4 seconds before gradually releasing the clutch pedal, because this will allow the car to gain momentum.