How To Drive For Test

[annieigma]

Hi,
i am trying to teach a youngster how to drive. she is reasonable, but after talking to a recently passed friend, it seems i am not doing this right. question is: If you are in top gear, and approaching a junction where you have to stop, do you change down? if so, to what gear at what speed? do you continue in high gear and let the car slow using the brake, then dip the clutch at the last minute? I.m afrais that i have been driving so long that i just put the car into neutral and let it roll to a stop, no wear on the clutch and silent. i am only teaching her to get used to a car, then she will have proper instruction.
thanks,
Annie.

[Baldric]

/// i have been driving so long that i just put the car into neutral and let it roll to a stop,///

And you're teaching?

[retrocop]

Do not teach someone to drive I suggest. You should NEVER coast in neutral to a stop. Stay in gear and brake. You select the gear according t your speed and can change down from 5th of 4th direct to 2nd.. Depress clutch as vehicle halts. Engage handbrake and then neutral.
You would be as well to purchase and read "Roadcraft". It is a manual which is the advanced drivers system of driving. It will teach you rules of braking,steering acceleration and other correct safe driving techniques.One is also published for motorcyclists. Drive "to the system" and you should have no problems passing a driving test.

[sunny-dave]

And don't listen to old farts (like me) who advocate using 'engine braking' - it may be sensible (you are always engaged in the correct gear to react to unexpected events), but it is no longer acceptable to examiners.

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you coast around in neutral you are not in control of the vehicle you are in charge of. An accident waiting to happen!!

[Pete65]

Professional teaching is a must.
Surely you do not want the person to learn your bad habits?

[furrypusscat]

She needs lessons first then in addition to lessons, someone sitting with her whilst she practices what has been taught to her by a professional qualified driving instructor. That way she will not have already been taught bad habits which the instructor then has to get her out of. I was a qualified instructor.

[DTCwordfan]

advanced driving teaches you to be in a relatively high gear, keeping an eye on clutch control, appropriate for the conditions out there - however, for a beginner, it's a run down through the gears so that they are in control, very different indeed.

[retrocop]

Another highly dangerous habit you should avoid is to pull up at a stop line on a traffic light controlled crossroads with your feet on the brake and clutch with the gear in 1st waiting for the amber light. So many do it.!! If you were shunted accidentally by a vehicle coming up behind you the impact may cause you to lift both feet off the pedals and you catapault yourself into the middle of a busy junction !!

[Davemano]

I fully endorse the post by Retrocop. I was taught to drive using the Roadcraft which no only gives advice as to how you drive, but also teaches you to read what other road users and pedestrians are doing or likely to do, and to be prepared for the unexpected. It contains a section what is called 'the system of car control' which itemises the course of action to take when doing any manoeuvre, including turning and approaching junctions. A first class book, which, if the guidance is followed, will certainly give any driver confidence

[retrocop]

DTCwordfan
I beg to differ.Roadcraft was the police drivers manual .From novice driver to Advanced Class 1 driver I must have taken about 8 different driving courses. All driving techniques came from the same book "Roadcraft" The principles and applications of safe driving techniques were pretty much the same. Known as "the system." Mirror, signal ,brake, gear ,mirror ,manoevure, Acceleration point 1,acceleration point 2.
Those procedures were considered at the approach to hazards. Not necessarily all but some considered and used in sequence accordingly
depending on the road conditions at the time.
I am sure"the system" can be googled.

[DTCwordfan]

TRC near Reading Advanced Driving and all instructors were ex-road cops......

[Davemano]

Retro we must have crossed posts.

[DTCwordfan]

the skidpan was fun and instructional - that really ought to be mandatory as should motorway driving....

[Davemano]

DTC Skidpan was not very funny for On The Buses Blakey.

[retrocop]

Davemano
Thankyou. That book was the police driver's manual.It has stood the test of time. I believe the driving advice in it was given many years ago by,I think,a Lord Cottenham? He was a racing driver. Probably Bentleys. The police adopted his technique and it works at all standards. I started reading and learning it from Novice driver up to Standard driver, van driver,Intermediate driver and then Advanced Driver. Also used the Roadcraft motorcycle manual to attain the Advanced class1 motorcycle qualification. HGV2 and PSV1. I am still alive after driving high speed pursuit cars and motorcycles so I can endorse that book as a lifesaver. :-)

[retrocop]

DTCwordfan
I agree. It would be extremely helpful for learner drivers to experience a skid pan and the use of Cadence braking. ( Now superceded by another method of car control when traction is lost). Joining and exiting motorways, lane discipline, would be useful as well as a Night drive.

[retrocop]

db
Trust me it will kick in if you need it. I can talk from experience on that.

[annieigma]

Sorry, i am not teaching her to coast in neutral, i have been making her change down gears, but thats so cumbersome,fuel wasting and clutch burning. . plus, My other Granddaugther has just passed her test, and her instructor just told her to stay in whatever gear, be it top or lower, then as she came to a standstill, to press the clutch down, so she in effect, has stopped in top gear with the clutch down, this would not slow you down if you let the pedals go, just cause shaking. she passed her test doing this, and now her boyfriend is teaching her how to use the gears to slow down. this is why i questioned it.