Practical - Basic Skills

Question 1

Changing Gear

Answer 1

Always have the clutch down to change gear
Rough rules for gear:
- 1st gear = up to 10mph
- 2nd gear = up to 20mph
- 3rd gear = up to 30mph
- 4th gear = up to 40mph
- 5th gear = up to 50mph, or above, depending on how many gears the car has
Always change it smoothly and look forwards while changing gears
When you stop the car, but the gear in neutral before you lift your foot off the clutch

Question 2

Clutch Control

Answer 2

When starting the car, always have the clutch fully down
Once ready to move off, find the biting point and complete all other steps, before continuing to slowly lift the clutch to move off before accelerating
Never have the clutch down while your foot is on the accelerator
Always have the clutch down to change gears
If you need to fully brake, have the clutch fully down, or you will stall the car

Question 3

Cockpit Drills & Safety Checks

Answer 3

Ensure your seat is in the correct position - it should be the distance so you can comfortably push the clutch all the way down, but not so close that your hip presses into the seat when it is fully down
Position your mirrors - you should be able to see the handle in the bottom inner corner of both wing mirrors and have a full view of the back windscreen from the rearview mirror
Ensure your head restraint is in the correct position
Have your seat belt

Question 4

Move Off Safely

Answer 4

POM
P = Prepare
- clutch fully down to start the car
- put the car into first gear
- find the biting point
- put your hand on the hand brake
O = Observations
- check all of your mirrors, wing mirror, rearview mirror, wing mirror
- end with looking over your shoulder for the blind spot
M = Move
- if it is safe to do so, turn off the handbrake
- slowly lift the clutch and move off and accelerate

Question 5

MSPSL Routine

Answer 5

For turning corners
M = mirrors
- check that is it safe to turn a corner, such as no one is going to overtake you
S = signal
- use your indicator to make other aware of your intentions to turn
P = position
- make sure you are in the correct lane and the right side of the lane to turn
- e.g. if you are turning right, you need to ensure your are on the right hand side of your lane
S = speed
- make sure you are at a good speed to turn the corner
- also ensure you are in the correct gear
L = look
- double check that it is still safe to make the turn

Question 6

Steering

Question 7

Stop Safely