Stalling a car

It is common for learner drivers to stall the car when either moving off or
stalling when stopping the car during the driving test. Stalling the car on a
driving test can result from no fault recorded at all or as far as a serious fault.
We are often asked can you fail a driving test for stalling? How serious the
stalling is recorded by the examiner is determined by how many times you
stall the car, where you stall the car and how you recover from stalling the
car.
So to take a typical scenario on the driving test, a learner driver is asked to
pull up on the left, when they have completed this successfully, they are
asked to move off when they are ready.
Clutch bite point to prevent
stalling
The diagram to the right provides
a simple explanation of how the
clutch works in a car.
Engine A has the clutch pedal
depressed. This causes the clutch
plates to separate which in turn
disengages the engine from the
gearbox allowing you to change
gear. You can depress the clutch
pedal as quickly as you wish.
Engine B has the clutch pedal
fully released which in return joins
the clutch plates and making a
connection from the gearbox to
the engine. When the clutch pedal
is brought up too fast, it causes
the plates to slam together
abruptly which it when you stall
the car. Bringing the clutch pedal
up slowly allows the plates to join
smoothly which allows the car to
pull away.

When the learner tries to move off, the car stalls but has not moved any distance. This can be d
incorrect gear, releasing the handbrake too late or being too aggressive with the clutch. This m
single minor fault by the examiner, or it may not be recorded as any fault at all. It hasn't affect
really down to the discretion of the examiner. Stalling in this manor during the driving test isn't
trouble although excessive stalling, even if it isn't affecting other road users may result in a fail
vehicle.

A more serious example can be the learner is waiting in the middle of a crossroads for oncomin
turn right. When all clear, they attempt to move off but stall the car. The learner flusters around
dangerous situation for other road users. Stalling the car in this situation is much more likely to
How to stop stalling a car

This technique is used by some driving instructors to help prevent stalling the car when moving
car, ready to go with the engine started, handbrake on and of course your seat belt on.

Depress the clutch fully

Select first gear

Set the gas - press the accelerator slowly and gently until you have around 1500 revs on
revs in this area

Find the clutch bite point. (See diagram on above) Lift the clutch up very slowly until you
front of the car may lift slightly and you may hear some creaks as the car tries to move.
this time as the handbrake is on. If the car is creaking or making groaning noises, depres
coin thickness

Remove the handbrake. When you remove the handbrake the car may start to move forw
stationary. Either way, ever so slowly, begin to lift the clutch to allow the car to gain spee
for around 3 seconds or so and then ensure the clutch is fully raised
Although this technique is
effective in preventing stalling,
it is ultimately a rather
cumbersome and difficult way
of driving if using this technique
every time you move the car
off. This technique also
drastically increases wear on
the clutch, shortening it's life.

The above technique is

excellent for a novice driver to
gain an understanding of clutch
control and to prevent stalling
the car.
As a experienced driver
however, it is really only
needed if you need to move the
car off from a upward gradient.
Once you have mastered this
technique, move on to a better
technique which in the long run
is easier and much easier on
the clutch.

This technique is very similar to the above, but is a much more natural way of allowing the car
down into stages and to not try it all as one movement. As above, this assumes the car engine
belt on.

Depress the clutch fully

Select first gear

Set the gas as above

Slowly start to raise the clutch

Before the clutch reaches its bite point, remove the handbrake

The car will naturally start to move now as the handbrake isn't on. Ensure that at the poi
you are very gentle with the clutch and raise it extremely slowly

After 2 or 3 seconds when the car has gained momentum, the clutch can be raised faste

This technique needs practicing very slowly and breaking it down into stages until it becomes a
How to move off quickly in a car

Drivers will often need to move the car off quickly when moving off from busy roundabout or ju
when a learner driver is at most risk of stalling the car. To move a car off quickly, use the above
intend on moving off, supply more gas/revs. The more power/revs you provide, the faster you a
faster you bring the clutch up, the faster you can move off and as you have provided more pow

Be careful not to be too heavy on the gas and bring the clutch up too fast as it may result in th
Stalling the car when coming to a stop

It's important that you find the correct time to depress the clutch before stopping the car. Gene
very slowly in first gear, the clutch is depressed first, followed by the brake. Anything faster, th
followed by the clutch. When driving normally and you need to brake to a stop, use the brake in
around 3 to 4 metres from where the car will stop. This can be done in any gear and at any spe
much later than 3 to 4 metres, especially if in a higher gear such as 5th, is likely to result in the
Coasting

Depressing the clutch too early or leaving the clutch down whilst making left or right turns is ca
decreases the cars ability to brake. Whilst braking without the clutch depressed, the car uses th
well as the brakes. If the clutch is depressed, the engine is disengaged from the drive wheels, t
effect. Excessive coasting can be dangerous and during the driving test can lead to a failure if d
information on coasting and the impact it has on driving and driving tests can be obtained in th
Recovering from a stall

If you stall during a driving test try not to panic. The examiner simply wants to see you get goin
possible, but more importantly in a safe manor.

If stalling at any time whilst the car is in first gear, there is no need to put the gear stick into ne
ensure you keep the clutch depressed and apply the handbrake. Re-start the car and off you go

Moving off and stopping

One of the significant factors involving a driving test is a learner drivers ability
to move the car off and stop the car in a safe and controlled manor.

Driving examiners have a strict protocol in this area and missing a simple
manoeuvring, again leave the car in reverse, apply the handbrake to secure the car and re-star
check whether moving off or stopping can make the difference between failing
gear, apply the handbrake and select neutral.
or passing the driving test.
The tutorials in this section explain exactly what the examiner is looking for,
how it should beone, plus reference points for those that may need them.
Included is also a tutorial for making itarts and downhill starts.
Slipping the clutch
A car engine is spinning when turned on regardless of whether the vehicle is
moving or stationary. If the vehicle is stationary, so too are the wheels. A
clutch essentially allows the connection of a moving object or shaft to a none
moving shaft to ultimately allow them to rotate at the same speed.
The clutch can be thought of as two flat plates. One that is connected to and
spinning with the engine and the other connected to the static shaft which is
connected to the stationary wheels.
The two plates are pushed together slowly and very tightly making a single
connection when the cars clutch pedal is raised.
The clutch must be raised slowly to allow the two plates to join slowly else the
static plate connecting to the rotating plate will make the engine stall or
wheelspin will occur. This form of clutch control is called slipping the clutch.
Clutch pedal pressed

Slipping the clutch

Clutch pedal raised

The diagram demonstrates slipping the clutch plates just at they are
beginning to meet. Friction between the two plates allow them to grip each
other and begin to rotate at the same speed when the clutch pedal is fully
released. This gradual joining and separation allows the car wheels to start to
move at the same speed as the engine and when the plates separate allowing
the wheels to stop without stalling the engine. Slipping the clutch also allows
for the plates to rotate at different speeds which has other benefits.
Is slipping the clutch bad
Slipping the clutch is bad in the sense that it wears the clutch plate out.
Slipping the clutch is what it's designed to do however and is part of the
process of driving. Slipping the clutch is essential when for instance moving in
extremely slow moving traffic where the car needs to move slower than the
actual natural revolutions of the engine and where you would need to park the
car in a difficult location and very slow speeds are needed. Cases such as this
would require partially disengaging the clutch plates to reduce speed and gain

A driving examiner will require you to stop the car alongside the kerb and move
off again several times throughout the driving test. This is to ensure you have
keen observational skills in regards to other road users, are considerate to other
road users and that you can control the car safely when stopping next to a kerb.
A significant amount of driving tests are failed due to this procedure of moving
off and stopping. Test failures are often due to bad observation before moving off
and not issues such as stalling the car. See how to stop stalling a car and clutch
control for help in this area.
Whether you are a learner driver or an experienced driver wishing to take the UK
driving test, it is essential that you master the correct technique for moving off
and stopping until you become proficient at all times.
Tutorials for learner drivers
The moving off and stopping tutorials if taught, followed and executed correctly
will pass this particular stage of the driving test.
Moving off in a car
These tutorials are suited for either learner drivers or experienced
drivers wishing to pass the UK driving test. Complete and in-depth
tutorial for driving the car off from a stationary position at the side of
the road.

Cover
the
brake
Coverin
g the
brake
Braking in a car
and the
Anyone can push the brake pedal to stop a car. It does however take
clutch is
specific braking techniques such as progressive braking to stop the car an
safely. this tutorial explains how to learn progressive braking and how
importa
using such braking techniques are safe, save of fuel and wear on your nt
car.
techniqu
e to
learn
when
moving
off and
stopping
in
preparat
ion for
the
driving
test.
This
tutorial
explains
the
method
and

when it
should
be used.
Stoppin
g a car
Moving
off and
stopping
a car is
a
frequent
cause
for
driving
test
failure.
This
tutorial
provides
an
explanat
ion of
the
correct
procedur
e of
stopping
a car on
the left
side of
the road
parallel
to the
kerb.
this
guide
explains
stopping
on the
left only,
as the
examine
r will not
request
that you
stop on

the
righthand
side of
the
road.

Hill starts
Hill starts during a driving test depend largely on where your driving test centre is located. You can be
reasonably sure however, that if there is a road and a hill near your test centre, you will be doing a hill start.
Hill starts if done correctly, demonstrate to driving examiners excellent control of the car, plus safe all round
observations if moving off from a parked position.
This tutorial will explain how to do a hill start, a downhill start, what the examiner is looking for during a hill
start, frequent mistakes made by learners during a driving test and how to recover from a mistake and still
pass the driving test. The majority of this tutorial is for hill starts in a manual although hill starts in an
automatic is also explained.

Parking on a hill
It's common for the examiner to ask a learner to
park up on the left on a hill during a driving test.
Follow the tutorials for stopping a car and
kerbside parking for the correct methods to
parking up. When you have parked and stopped
on a hill however, ensure you keep your foot brake
firmly applied until you have applied the
handbrake. It sounds obvious but many learners
tend to release the foot brake once they have
stopped. On a hill, this will result in rolling
backwards if the handbrake isn't applied.

How to do a hill start

Another note on parking on a hill is that you may need to apply the
handbrake a little firmer than usual. Once you have parked and applied
the handbrake, if you hear a creaking sound, this can be a signal that
the car may roll backwards slightly, so apply the foot brake and pull the
handbrake up another notch.
How to do hill starts
When you have parked up on the left (the examiner will not ask you to
park up on the right), applied the handbrake and selected neutral, the
examiner will then tell you to move off again when you are ready.
Select 1st gear and slightly press the accelerator. The usual amount of
accelerator or 'gas' needed is around 1500 rpm on the rev counter. You
will need slightly more than this for hill starts, around 2000 rpm should
do. You can find more details on this technique in the how to stop
stalling a car tutorial.

Although many learner drivers use the

clutch bite point when generally moving off
to help prevent stalling, it's not often
necessary. For a hill start however, it is
essential to prevent rolling backwards. After
you have set the gas to 2000 rpm, find the
clutch bite point.
You will now need to look into your left blind
spot, through all mirrors and finish with the
right blind spot. You need to check all
mirrors and both blind spots to ensure a
pedestrian is not directly crossing behind
your vehicle as on a hill start there is a risk
of your car rolling back. Now decide if you
need to signal to the right before moving off
or not. See moving off tutorial for further
information on mirror checks and indicating
when moving off. Also information on the
blind spot.

If when you move off your car begins to roll back it is essential to take
action immediately as failure to do so will result in a failed driving test.
You have 2 options; either slightly raise the clutch to prevent rolling
back further or immediately depress the clutch followed by the foot
brake. The latter option is preferred if you are not too confident with
clutch control although it will require you having to start the entire
moving off procedure again. If dealt with quickly however, the driving
examiner will be happy. A great deal of emphasis on clutch control is the
basis of hill starts.
When you do move the car off, depending on how steep the hill is, your
car will have to work much harder to gain momentum. You may need to
release the clutch from the bite point area slower than usual to prevent
stalling, plus you may need to keep the car in lower gears (1st, 2nd etc.)
for longer than usual as the engine will have more power to clime the
hill in these gears.
How to do downhill starts

Parking downhill
During the driving test, as with parking uphill,
ensure you keep the foot brake firmly pressed until
the handbrake is applied. And again, ensure the
handbrake is firmly applied to ensure the car does
not roll forwards.
You will need to perform the Mirror Signal
Manoeuvre routine as above before moving off
from a stationary position. As you are moving off
downhill however, you do not need to be
concerned with any pedestrians behind your car
as there is no chance of you rolling backwards.

How to do a downhill start

For a downhill start, select 1st gear unless the slope is very steep then
2nd gear may be appropriate. Keep the foot brake firmly pressed and
after the safety checks, if it is safe to move off, release the handbrake
followed by releasing the foot brake. The car will immediately start to
roll forwards due to gravity. Gently raise the clutch all the way up. You
do not need to be concerned with the clutch bite point or the car stalling
as momentum will prevent the car from stalling.
Due to gravity helping the car gain speed and momentum faster, you
may need to change through the gears faster than with an uphill start.
As you are moving downhill, the car will gain speed much faster than
usual, so be careful with how much gas you apply and be ready to
gently use the foot brake is the car speeds up too quickly.
Hill starts in automatic car
One of the benefits of an automatic car is that they do not stall. Hill starts in an
automatic car are significantly easier than in a manual.
When performing a hill start in an automatic car, ensure the handbrake is applied
in the same way you would apply the handbrake in a manual car. Put the car into
drive and perform all the safety observation checks if moving off from a parked
position. If all clear, release the handbrake and simultaneously press the
accelerator.
On slight uphill gradients, an automatic car will not roll backwards when the
handbrake has been released. On steeper hills however, an automatic can roll
back unless your vehicle is fitted with Hill Start Assistant technology. For this
reason it is important to apply the accelerator simultaneously as you release the
handbrake to prevent rolling backwards.

did not notice the signs.

Failing a driving test for speeding can depend on
a few circumstances:

Every driving examiner is different.

Although they all have a fundamental
protocol to follow, each examiner uses
their discretion given a circumstance. For
example a certain examiner may see a
particular speeding situation as a driving
test minor, whereas another may see it as
a serious.

How much you have exceeded the speed

limit and the circumstances; if it was
unnecessary for example.

A repeat speeder during a driving test can

risk failure due to a limit of three of the
same minors being permitted.

Driving test driving too slow

Driving examiners are of course aware that a learner driver is inexperienced and nervous and s
hesitate a little more than experienced drivers. Although driving too slow during a driving test m
there can be a point where it can become dangerous. Driving too slowly can result in drivers be
and will to take risks to overtake. To be honest, even examiners find persistent learners who dr
tedious test to conduct.

An example of driving too slowly during a driving test would be a clear and straight 30 mph roa
learner may drive between 20 and 25 mph unnecessarily, not where hazards such as parked ca
may reduce the speed of a vehicle.

Persistently and unnecessarily driving too slowly can result in a serious or over 3 minors within
equates to a serious mark.
Inappropriate use of speed

Inappropriate use of speed is one of the major reasons for failing the driving test. This will typic
fast for the circumstances or conditions although remaining within the speed limit. These comm

Stopping in traffic

Whilst learning to drive you will or perhaps already have been in many situations where you are
roads. Constantly stopping and starting in traffic.

Driving in busy towns and cities also constantly requires stopping and starting due to many tra

Stopping in traffic may sound simple enough and on the whole, it generally is. There is howeve
all of which the examiner will be keeping a keen eye on during your driving test. Let's take a loo
in traffic and the common mistakes made during a driving test.

The correct method for stopping in traffic starts well before you stop with anticipation and plan
stop is a basic form of defensive driving.

Defensive driving offers the driver the ability to have complete awareness of their surroundings
vehicle which significantly reduces the possibility of an accident. Although generally associated
call it defensive driving light if you like.

Anticipation for an example can be that you are driving along a town road and well ahead you s
controlled by traffic lights.
Learner driver stopping in traffic
Learner driver stopping in traffic

Upon initial acknowledgement of the light they are green and as you get closer they still have n
anticipate them changing to green.

Another example is as you are driving, further down the road you can see a pedestrian crossing
Chances are, by the time you reach the crossing, the lights will change. Anticipation is what ma
When you can predict a situation then it no longer becomes a surprise and surprises are not ple

As you have no anticipated a situation, you can now plan for it. This can be to prepare to stop f
example. In plenty of time, take a glance into the rear view mirror, no one driving too close beh
off the accelerator in good time and gently brake to a stop.

Anticipation and planning is there for the most important aspect of stopping in traffic. Now for t

important not to stop too close behind another vehicle. There's little point in providing an actua
no way of gauging this whilst driving, especially for a learner. So a simple rule can be applied; t

Tyres and tarmac rule

Very simply, as you are slowing down preparing to stop behind another vehicle, stop your car s
fronts rear wheels and a little bit of tarmac. Nothing technical, just that simple. That should pro
so of distance between the front of your car and the rear of theirs.

This depends on a few things such as your height, height of your car, types of vehicle you are s
will provide a safe distance.

But does it really matter? The majority of the time no, not really. Reasons of benefit can be a ve
you. This will allow you enough room to manoeuvre round the vehicle to continue. Sometimes a
backwards, especially on a steep slope if they're not too great at hill starts or on a slight unnoti
backwards without realising. The tyres and tarmac rule will provide enough distance to take the

It may however even save your life in your driving career. Rear collision impacts are all too com
definitely not anticipating and planning and may have their attention elsewhere such as using

If you glance into your rear view mirror and notice a vehicle travelling towards your stationary
slowing or stopping, the last thing you want is to be unable to move out of the way due to bein
in front. It's highly unlikely you'll have time to reverse and move off.

So stopping too close to other vehicles not only shuts off any escape routes in the event of an e
done consistently during a driving test could likely result in a failure.

lude:

Approaching junctions too fast

Driving past parked cars or cyclists too fast with no clear view of the road ahead

Inappropriate speed for maintaining safe driving distance behind other vehicles

Inappropriate speed for approaching a hazard

Inappropriate speed for the weather conditions

Learning speed awareness

It's highly annoying for any
learner to fail the driving test
for driving too fast or slow,
especially if they otherwise had
an excellent drive. Learning
speed awareness is of course
requisite to achieving a driving
test pass and to maintaining
safe driving for life.

Your driving instructor will aid in

you developing speed
awareness. To become speed
aware, a driver must first have
a good ability and confidence to
control their vehicle without the
need to constantly focus their
attention on car controls. Once
this is achieved, greater
attention can be devoted to
observation such as road signs
and developing anticipation and
planning which will help to
anticipate potential or
developing hazards and plan an
appropriate action.

Remember that any new road that has a change of speed limit will have a sign or signs (both si
speed. Remember in general that most urban areas with street lighting will have a 30mph spee
go too slow than too fast. So for example if you're not sure whether you're in a 40mph or 30 mp
30mph. Though this has its own hazards associated with it and still has the potential for failing
of passing than if you are speeding.

Always keep a sharp eye for road signs and speed limit signs so you know exactly what speed y
times. Ensure that you fully understand all types of speed limit signs and to also understand th
mandatory speed limits and signs.

Listen to the examiner

A driving examiner can on occasions actually help you during a driving test, all be it in an indire
for instance, an examiner may what appears to you as spontaneously, ask you what is the spee

Bearing in mind that an examiner does not need to ask you any questions in a driving test othe
when they meet you, eyesight test and Show Me Tell Me questions, this question is clearly prov

They certainly wont tell you directly that you are driving at an excessive speed or too slowly, b
may be trying to tell you. This may apply to anything regarding the driving test and not just spe