UK syllabus › Vehicle controls and moving off
Part 2 of 8

Vehicle controls and moving off

The cockpit drill, the pedals, steering, gears and braking: the foundation skills of your first lessons.

Topic 1

The cockpit drill (DSSSM)

Doors, seat, steering wheel, seat belt and mirrors: setting up the driving position before you start the engine.

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Topic 2

The dashboard, gauges and warning lights

What the instruments and warning lights mean, and which ones mean stop now.

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Topic 3

Pedals and main controls

Accelerator, brake, clutch, handbrake, gear lever, indicators, lights, wipers and horn: what each does and how they work together.

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Topic 4

Clutch control and the biting point

Finding the biting point, smooth clutch control, creeping and avoiding stalls.

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Topic 5

Moving off safely

The prepare, observe, move routine: moving off on the level, at an angle and from behind a parked car.

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Topic 6

Pulling up and stopping safely

Choosing a safe place to stop, using the mirrors, signalling, and where you must not stop.

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Topic 7

Steering

Hand positions, pull-push steering, steering on bends and keeping a steady course.

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Topic 8

Using the gears

When to change up and down, block changes, selecting the right gear for speed and hills.

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Topic 9

Braking and stopping distances

Progressive braking, thinking and braking distance, the two-second rule and wet-weather distances.

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Topic 10

Hill starts and driving on hills

Moving off uphill and downhill, using the handbrake, coasting and engine braking.

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Topic 11

Lights, wipers and demisters

Dipped headlights, main beam, fog lights, hazard lights, wipers and demisting.

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Topic 12

Driving an automatic

Automatic gearbox modes, creep, using your left or right foot, and the automatic-only licence.

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Check what you know

Quiz: Vehicle controls and moving off

Ten random questions from across this part.

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