Waiting first in line at a traffic light

Brow

Went for a lesson in the build up for my test next week (gulp!) and one thing my previous driving instructor never taught me was if i was first in a queue at a junction and traffic light, to keep the car in first and wait on it. Previously i would have it out of gear and then put it into gear once i saw the light was green as Ive been told (many mechanics in the family) that ill burn the clutch out holding it in all the time like that. Which is the more correct way to go for the test?

Del2005

Brow wrote: »

Went for a lesson in the build up for my test next week (gulp!) and one thing my previous driving instructor never taught me was if i was first in a queue at a junction and traffic light, to keep the car in first and wait on it. Previously i would have it out of gear and then put it into gear once i saw the light was green as Ive been told (many mechanics in the family) that ill burn the clutch out holding it in all the time like that. Which is the more correct way to go for the test?

Leaving it in 1st with the handbrake on shows you are aware of your position on the road and you don't want to be slowing other drivers behind you. Another thing you can do is if you can see the oposite lights put the car into gear when they go amber, again it shows awareness.

You'll only burn your clutch out if holding it on the biting point. If it's fully on or off you are doing no real harm as this is the way clutches are designed to work.

Alanstrainor

Brow wrote: »

Went for a lesson in the build up for my test next week (gulp!) and one thing my previous driving instructor never taught me was if i was first in a queue at a junction and traffic light, to keep the car in first and wait on it. Previously i would have it out of gear and then put it into gear once i saw the light was green as Ive been told (many mechanics in the family) that ill burn the clutch out holding it in all the time like that. Which is the more correct way to go for the test?

Both methods are fine, and neither puts any extra pressure on the clutch provided you have the clutch on the floor and not at the biting point. I would tend to agree with your method, if stopped for more than a couple of seconds and you know the lights wont turn, then handbrake and neutral, and watch the lights.

DriveSkill

As the others have said both methods are acceptable for the test.

The main reason that instructors tell pupils to wait in 1st Gear when first in line at the traffic lights is to ensure they can move off fairly quickly once they get a green light. The added task of selecting 1st Gear and then having to find the biting point and release the handbrake can add too much pressure onto some learners. If they end up being too slow moving off there is the possibility of getting a fault under 'Progress'.

In most situations, if you can see the other traffic signals then it is best to wait in Neutral and select 1st as soon as the other lights go Amber.

..Summergirl..

That is was driving instructor told me, that I suppose to put on gear one and wait. But by doing so I've burned my clutch, and after that I've stopped driving like that.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

NothingMan

Just remember it it's a 2 lane road, rev the engine and stare at the driver in the other car.
Then with the handbrake on and in first gear, jerk the car back and forth, then when the light goes green the first person to clear a quarter mile wins.

This is very important, if you lose the drag race section you will fail your test!

..Summergirl..

Honestly I don't know how I was holding:), maybe that was the reason, or maybe i was using it often:rolleyes:. But I agree, on the test day you won't pass the test if you will not put on gear one and wait. And as well instructor told me that also when you are on the line first, you have to apply your hand brake.

WexCan

It's good practice to apply your handbrake when you've stopped for more than just a second or two.

Waiting in neutral/first is more of a personal preference thing. It's usually easier for a learner driver to stay in first with the clutch pedal down just below the biting point so they can be ready to go straight away, whereas some are confident enough to be able to change into first and find the biting point quickly.

As has been said though, always make sure when you're stopped in gear that you don't hold the clutch *at* the biting point.

Richie15

NothingMan wrote: »

Just remember it it's a 2 lane road, rev the engine and stare at the driver in the other car.
Then with the handbrake on and in first gear, jerk the car back and forth, then when the light goes green the first person to clear a quarter mile wins.

This is very important, if you lose the drag race section you will fail your test!

Not only that, but you lose your car and girlfriend to the other driver and you have to give the tester a jockey-back back to the test center. True story, happened to a friend of my neice's teacher's daughter!