Vehicle Controls, Manoeuvres and the Practical Driving Test
This domain covers the physical skills assessed in the practical examination: control of the pedals, steering and gears, plus the standard manoeuvres performed to a set standard of observation and smoothness. Examiners mark what you do before, during and after each move.
Cockpit drill and controls
Before moving: doors secure, seat adjusted, steering reach comfortable, seat belt on, mirrors set, gear in neutral, handbrake applied. Learn the clutch bite point, use the handbrake on any slope, and steer with a push-pull action keeping both hands on the wheel except when changing gear.
Core manoeuvres
- Moving off: mirrors, blind-spot check, signal, clutch to biting point, release handbrake, move smoothly.
- Hill start: handbrake on, biting point held, mirror and blind-spot check, release handbrake and add gentle power.
- Three-point turn: full observation at each phase; slow, with accurate steering.
- Parallel and bay parking: slow speed, constant observation, stop and re-adjust rather than scrape.
- Emergency stop: both hands on the wheel, clutch and brake together, no handbrake until stopped, then secure the vehicle.
- Reversing: look back through the rear window, use mirrors, keep speed walking pace.
Worked example
On a hill start the car rolls back slightly as the handbrake is released. The fault was releasing the handbrake before the biting point was held. Correction: clutch to the biting point so the bonnet lifts slightly, hold it, glance at the mirror and blind spot, then release the handbrake and add light power.
Traps
Coasting in neutral or with the clutch down; riding the clutch; dry-steering while stationary; omitting the blind-spot check before moving off; and pulling the handbrake during an emergency stop, which can lock the rear wheels.