top of page

The move off process

Prepare your car

First you need to get your car ready to move off.  You do this by pressing your clutch and selecting the correct gear. 

 

We normally move off in first gear.

 

To select first gear you place your hand on top of the gear stick, push the gear stick towards the passenger side of your car and then push it forward, towards the front of the car

Neutral

Push forward to 1st gear

gear%20stick%20neutral_edited.jpg
gear%20stick%20across%20for%201st_edited
gear%20stick%201st_edited.jpg

Push to passenger side

Left blind spot check

Check over your left shoulder

Left side mirror

Check your passenger side mirror

Centre mirror

Check what's approaching from behind

Check the road ahead

Look for anything approaching you from in front

Is it safe to move?

Before you move off you need to check it's safe for you to leave the side of the road. 

 

You can check it's safe for you to move off by checking your mirrors.  There are also areas around you that you can't see in your mirrors, we call these your blind spots.  You can see an example of what may be in one of your blind spots here.

 

You always begin your checks starting from the place of least hazard and ending with checking the place with the greatest risk of hazards. 

​

A hazard is described as anything that may cause a driver to change their speed or direction.

 

The step by step order of checks,  assumes we are moving off from the left side of the road.

Right side mirror

Check your driver side mirror

Right blind spot check

Check over your right shoulder

Tell other road users you're joining the traffic

You need to let other road users know that you plan to join the traffic.  To do this you use your right indicator by pushing the indicator stalk upwards.  You'll know your indicator is on as you'll hear a clicking noise and see a green, right arrow on your dashboard

R%20ind_edited.jpg
R%20Ind%20Dash_edited.jpg

Join the traffic

Have a quick final check that you're still safe to move off. 

 

If you're on the flat remove your handbrake. 

 

Apply a gentle pressure to the accelerator whilst keeping your clutch pressed.

​

Allow the clutch pedal to push your left foot up until the clutch is fully lifted.  Use a gentle pressure to prevent the clutch from raising too quickly.

pedals_edited.jpg

Your Pedals

Once your car is moving smoothly you can fully release your clutch pedal.

bottom of page