Useful Tips for Good Driving

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Being prepared and feeling comfortable improves your driving. So good reach to pedals, steering wheel and correct seating position helps you drive safely allowing you to  respond well to hazards due to fewer distractions.

Try the following:

1. Instead of trainers, wear narrower shoes if possible as there is less risk of catching the brake pedal as you begin to clutch down.

2. Focus more on a better timed and a smoother gear change. The new car has 6 forward gears and upward changes should be: 

To 2nd at 10mph

To 3rd at 20mph

To 4th at 30mph

To 5th at 40mph

To 6th at 50mph

with 1500 revs of gas between gears. Remember to release the clutch slowly for a smooth transition to the next gear. 

4. Remember to set the gas when moving off, especially on an upward incline.

5. When stationary, put handbrake on 2 clicks (3 on a hill), slowly and gently.

6. Maintain road position at all times by adjusting your speed according to road layout.  

-  Avoid the Kerb 

- Avoid potholes wherever possible

- Avoid puddles

7. Sharp braking is dangerous. Remember anticipate bends, downward hills and T Junctions. Start braking early so that the braking is soft all the way to your stop position.

Finally, please remember close doors gently!

Please ask if you wish your instructor to give you a 5 minute demo on all of the above.