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andrea10163 · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:16 pm Post subject: Learner Driver Arguments

My daughter is learning to drive and I am being extremely brave in taking her out for extra practice, but we seem to be at loggerheads over some points and I was wondering if anybody could help sort them out.

1) She says she has been told that she should change down through the gears approaching a junction but she should change into 1st gear before stopping. I always was taught that you should slow down and stop in 2nd and then when stopped, change into 1st gear for moving off again.

2) She says that her instructor has told her that it is compulsory to check all mirrors even during changing of gears. If this is so...can anybody say why as I dont feel it absolutely necessary when on a straight stretch of road and no manouevres being undertaken. Although I know its important to regularly check mirrors.

3) Can you clarify if it is allowed to turn the steering wheel of the car as in doing a turn in the road manouevre, without actually moving the car. My daughter says she has been told that the car must be moving when turning the wheels. I feel that this can use up a lot of space unnecessarily.

I think thats all for the moment. Laughing

Cheers Andrea

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4658 Location: Bath

Daughter 3 Mum 0 Laughing

1. You should change down as you approach the junction ending up in first gear ready to move if the road is clear.

1a. Some junction are give way and you can often pull straight out, whilst other you should be in neutral with the hand brake on, same as traffic lights.

2. The important one Rolling Eyes

Rear view mirrors are the most important part of the car outside the driving bit. Its imperative to be fully aware of whats behind you at all times, if you have to make a sudden movement a swerve into another lane on the Mway for example, whats on your outside or inside how far back, is there a motorbike on the inside/outside the list is endless and the knowledge of whats about you could just save your skin oneday.

get used to looking in the mirrors without moving the head and you will be able to see both mirrors and whats in front, and on that note don't look at the car in front but focus on the what the ones 4 or 5 in front are doing, it works like an early warning system and gives you an extra 100yrds stopping distance, when brake lights come on for sure all the cars behind it are slowing or stopping.

3. Bad habbits wear tyres out, strains the steering and makes hard work of a simple manoeuvre, moving could be a few inches, if you learn to balance the clutch, a skill thats also handy on hills.

andrea10163 · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:29 pm Post subject:

omg thats not what I wanted to hear lol Laughing

I understand what you say about being in first ready to move off, but when did the understanding that 1st gear was a "moving off" gear and not a "slowing down" gear. My car does not like going into first gear while moving much more than a snails pace, so I dont really see the point in changing down to have to change up again. Secondly, if I am driving along a straight stretch of ordinary road with one lane going in each direction, apart from the very regular checking of mirrors, why is it necessary then to check mirrors to change from 2nd to 3rd and then to 4th and 5th gears. I feel that this is an unnecessary action an could potentially lead to missing something that is happening up front.

Oh and I will look after my tyres from now on....and yes it is good clutch control to be able to inch forward a little, which I can do perfectly....lol, unfortunately my daughter cant as she seems to think that turning the steering wheel quickly means moving faster and moving slower means turning the steering wheel...a few more lessons required methinks Wink

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4658 Location: Bath

You change into 1st at the last few yards not after you have stopped, not seeing the point of changing gears is not the point Laughing

It's good practice to be in the right gear ready to pull away, unless your stuck at a juction.

As I said practice looking at both mirrors and straight ahead at the same time, as for looking at the mirrors there could be an emergency vehical going like a bat out of hell and closing fast, as I said behind is just as important as in front.

AlanE · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

3 - 0 is a bit harsh I think Scruff! It is always hard to compare the driving habits (even of a good driver) with those taught to a learner.

Having held an Emergency Fire Appliance Drivers qualification (roughly equivalent to police class 1) for a number of years (not for some time now since change of occupation) and attending several advanced driving courses we were always taught to be in the correct gear for the (perceived) hazzard ahead- as distinct from just road speed.

The hardest part for a learner is they have no experience upon which to base this judgement so they are often taught to change gear to match road speed. There is nothing wrong with changing from say 4th to second on the approach to a junction with the intention of proceeding without stopping. Second gear is an adaquate gear for moving off from 5 to 10mph. No way does this require a change to 1st.

To change to first when approaching the junction, in readyness to move off, would imply sitting stationary at the junction in gear with the clutch depressed. However again a learner would be inclined to stop at every junction so moving off in first would be required.

Rear view mirrors are a MUST as is a full awareness of what is happening ahead (and the further ahead the better), on the pavement and also what is happening where any other road meets the one you are on. Remember 'reading the road' and acting accordingly can prevent many an accident without having to perform an emergency stop or a sudden change of course!

Turning the steering wheels without moving, albeit very slowly, is a definite no no. It puts unnecessary strain on the tyres, the steering and suspension linkage and also on the arms of the driver as well.

Incidently another no no is the pratice of applying the handbrake and allowing the rachet to click all the way. Sooner or later the rachet will fail and release the handbrake unexpedly! These are just two examples of causing unnecessary wear and stress to the vehicle components.

andrea10163 · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

Thank you Alan for your input on this matter. I would like to think that I am a thoughtful and safe driver, and I hope to be able to pass this on to my daughter when I take her out for practice sessions. I do feel that she needs to be more aware of things ahead....ie, traffic lights changing, kids on pavements, car door opening etc etc...but I suppose that will come with experience of being out and about as a driver rather than as a passenger.

She had delivered a brand new car this week so hopefully she will be wary about going too close to other cars and damaging it. lol Wink