I don't believe this

Truley

When stopping at junctions or lights I had always gone by the principle that if you were first in line, you put the handbreak on and stayed in first gear with the clutch fully down. Any further back, you stayed in neutral until the lights change.

However today my driving instructor told me that if you are four cars back or closer you should always stay in first with the clutch kept at the biting point. Not doing so will give you marks for progression.

Personally I find this extremely daft and hard to believe. It feels so unnecessary and my legs are wrecked from doing it all day. Could anyone here confirm that this is absolutely necessary, and if so why??

Many Thanks!

spotsanddots

i was told nothing about being in first and ready to take off..but i normally stay in first anyways just not to hold traffic up

ch252

I was always told to only be in first gear if I was first, and I'd have it at the bite too, not with the clutch down. I did that in my test also and didn't get marked down on it

Emmerz

Im just happy that I can get to 3rd gear without crashing! lol well I did do it in a deserted area...with speed bumps....:cool:

3DataModem

My instructor said first in line is in gear, all others are in neutral.

MascotDec85

It can come down to how long the sequence of the lights are i.e. not long on red before changing back to green or if you have joined the queue and can see that they were at red for a while on your approach.

If you think you've time to use the handbrake and go into neutral do so but being near the front of the queue you should have the car ready to move off promptly. You should try and watch the other lights to see them go red to help anticipate when yours go green and prepare yourself accordingly

DriveSkill

Truley wrote: »

However today my driving instructor told me that if you are four cars back or closer you should always stay in first with the clutch kept at the biting point. Not doing so will give you marks for progression.

The most concerning point to me here is the comment on keeping it at the 'biting point' !! That is certainly untrue and very bad practice if you are sitting at traffic lights as you will very quickly burn out your clutch.

The decision on whether to stay in first gear or neutral is on a case-by-case basis and there is no specific rule for the driving test - either is acceptable. Your instructor is correct in that the most likely fault would be on progression if you are first at the lights and are not able to move off pretty quickly as soon as they change - hence the recommendation of most instructors to stay in gear if first in the queue as it allows you to move off relatively quickly. However, the clutch should be fully depressed while waiting!

As pointed out above, keep an eye on the other lights and as soon as they go AMBER/RED then if you are first in line then you can start to find the biting point and be ready to move as soon as you get GREEN. Remember you still need to be sure its safe to proceed and its not a racing start they are looking for just nice smooth and progressive driving.

Alanstrainor

DriveSkill wrote: »

The most concerning point to me here is the comment on keeping it at the 'biting point' !! That is certainly untrue and very bad practice if you are sitting at traffic lights as you will very quickly burn out your clutch.

The decision on whether to stay in first gear or neutral is on a case-by-case basis and there is no specific rule for the driving test - either is acceptable. Your instructor is correct in that the most likely fault would be on progression if you are first at the lights and are not able to move off pretty quickly as soon as they change - hence the recommendation of most instructors to stay in gear if first in the queue as it allows you to move off relatively quickly. However, the clutch should be fully depressed while waiting!

As pointed out above, keep an eye on the other lights and as soon as they go AMBER/RED then if you are first in line then you can start to find the biting point and be ready to move as soon as you get GREEN. Remember you still need to be sure its safe to proceed and its not a racing start they are looking for just nice smooth and progressive driving.

Couldn't agree more with everything above. Spot on.

BikingChick

Disagree about keeping it on the biting point also - clutch burn out! I was told to have it in 1st gear ready to go, and only put it in neutral if the situation shows that you will be waiting a while without moving forward. Handbrake when needed of course, but don't put it on and delay yourself if you are going to be waiting for only a couple of seconds. They are marking down for racing starts or heavy acceleration/braking whatever the situation - environmentally friendly driving apparently - cleaner, greener way to drive and burn less fuel!

superflyninja

DriveSkill wrote: »

The most concerning point to me here is the comment on keeping it at the 'biting point' !! That is certainly untrue and very bad practice if you are sitting at traffic lights as you will very quickly burn out your clutch.

wow this is really concerning. my driving instructor never told me anything either way just that it is important to move off very quickly once the lights change. as a result even if im 10 cars back im always in first with the bite.

Alanstrainor

There is no rule that says you have to be in first gear at a set of traffic lights. You could just as easily pop on the handbrake and pop it into neutral. The only cause for concern is progress, if you're not prepared and take too long to get going you will get a mark for lack of progress. But if you pay attention to the lights and the junction there should be no problem putting the car into neutral with the handbrake already applied.

Either way will be fine, so long as it doesn't result in you failing to make sufficient progress.

Permabear

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cantdecide

If your legs are killing you from this there are 2 things to consider IMO 1) assuming you're a learner, you will climatize to this quickly enough and/ or 2) you may need to adjust your seat.

superflyninja

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

aye aye! well from here on in Ill be putting that into practice cheers.

daveharnett

Truley wrote: »

However today my driving instructor told me that if you are four cars back or closer you should always stay in first with the clutch kept at the biting point. Not doing so will give you marks for progression.

That's way too keen imo. I would generally stay in first if I'm in first or second position at the lights (sometimes not even then - if I can see the opposing set of lights, or I know the timings). Any further back, you should have plenty of time to get in gear before the car in front of you moves off.

Del2005

cantdecide wrote: »

If your legs are killing you from this there are 2 things to consider IMO 1) assuming you're a learner, you will climatize to this quickly enough and/ or 2) you may need to adjust your seat.

Sitting for a long time holding the clutch at it's biting point would hurt my legs and I've been driving for years.

I've done tests in all vehicles and I've never held the clutch at it's biting point with the handbrake on, I've more respect for it. If I can see the other lights when I'm 1st in the queue I've often taken the vehicle out of gear and taken my feet off the pedals, you just need to be sure that when you see the other lights going amber to get into gear.

I'd hazard a guess that some testers would mark you down for holding a vehicle's clutch on it's biting point while the handbrake is on.

OP I really hope you where in a school car not you're own when you where doing this.

Truley

Thanks for the replys guys! Yes I was in the driving school's car. My dad would kill me if he saw me do that to his car :P

I think I'm going to go with my gut and leave the clutch depressed. I'm quite good at taking off in time if that makes a difference. Will ask the instructor about it next time.

DrivingTestTips: Brian

Truley wrote: »

I think I'm going to go with my gut and leave the clutch depressed. I'm quite good at taking off in time if that makes a difference.

If you feel it is not correct to do what your instructor is telling you, ask him/her to explain why you should do it their way.

A good instructor should be able to explain why.

You are correct the keep your clutch in while waiting and as for staying in gear, it is up to you and it is ONLY advised. Not a rule.

jendafer1

I'm just going to add my 2 cents worth here, generally if I'm first at lights (and i've seen them turn red as is usually case when you're first) I would come to a stop, handbrake on, into neutral and give my feet a little rest

From first in the cue you should have a great view of the other lights and so once they have turned amber, I put car into first, find the bite then release handbrake and move off just as my lights turn green.
As some one already mentioned, the problem that could arise is if you arent ready to move off when the lights are green then you could get marked for progression. But if you are watching the lights it shouldnt be a problem.
Another poster mentioned in this forum concerning the handbrake - if you have time to think "should I put the handbrake on" then you should! This has stuck in my head so I generally use the handbrake everytime now I'm at lights, or stuck in traffic (which isnt moving)