Lesson 5: Correct positioning 2

By the end of this topic you can

• You can keep a safe position consistently while keeping a safe braking distance
• You can position correctly in traffic lanes, at junctions and at roundabouts in busier traffic
• You can share the road space safely with other vehicles
• You can reverse, turn the car around and park in more challenging places
• You can stop in traffic in a safe position

What you need to know and understand

• Lesson 5 covers the straight, bends, junctions, lane changes, slip roads, roundabouts, reversing, turning, parking and stopping.
• In a queue, leave enough room behind the vehicle in front that you could steer around it if it broke down.
• Keep clear of yellow box junctions unless your exit is clear (or you are turning right and only blocked by oncoming traffic).
• When parking, avoid places that cause obstruction, such as on footpaths or yellow lines.
• The driving test includes reversing around a corner, a turnabout and a hill start.
• Learners must be accompanied by a full licence holder of at least two years in the same category.

From quiet roads to busier traffic

Your ADI will choose a route with more traffic and more lanes than lesson 2. You will need to choose lanes early, keep to them, and adjust your position for parked vehicles, cyclists and junctions without weaving.

Reversing, a turnabout and parking are also covered, so you can show you can place the car accurately at slow speed while watching all around.

Stopping in traffic safely

1. Check your mirrors as you see the traffic ahead slowing.
2. Slow early and smoothly so drivers behind have time to react.
3. Stop with a clear gap to the vehicle in front.
4. Stay out of box junctions, side road entrances and pedestrian crossings while queuing.
5. Keep watching ahead and in your mirrors while stopped.

What you should show by the end

The RSA outcomes are that you can consistently keep a safe road position with a safe braking distance, make safe and appropriate use of shared road space, and perform parking, reversing and turnabout manoeuvres in challenging situations.

To prepare, the RSA suggests about three hours of practice on correct positioning in different situations, plus reading the Rules of the Road sections on positioning.

Common mistakes

• Stopping too close to the car in front in a queue. Leave room to pull around it.
• Drifting across lane lines on bends or at roundabouts. Keep within your lane.
• Rushing manoeuvres. Slow, controlled movement with all-round observation is what counts.
• Parking where it causes obstruction or is illegal. Check signs and lines before you stop.

Test yourself: Lesson 5: Correct positioning 2

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

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