Learner Question

therambler

Hi, I'm a learner driver and I've a question about how to approach a situation on a route that's common in the town I'll be doing my driving test in.

You drive along a minor road and there is a steep incline before it meets the major road at the top of the incline. There is a stop sign. You are asked to turn left. I'm confused about what to do when the way is clear. My instructor says you still need to stop momentarily. But if you stop for an instant without using the handbrake, how do you take off without either conking or rolling backwards?

Alanstrainor

therambler wrote: »

Hi, I'm a learner driver and I've a question about how to approach a situation on a route that's common in the town I'll be doing my driving test in.

You drive along a minor road and there is a steep incline before it meets the major road at the top of the incline. There is a stop sign. You are asked to turn left. I'm confused about what to do when the way is clear. My instructor says you still need to stop momentarily. But if you stop for an instant without using the handbrake, how do you take off without either conking or rolling backwards?

If you have stopped on the hill, at a stop sign, then you should approach this just like the hill start. Handbrake, first gear, find biting point and release handbrake and proceed if it is safe to do so.

tolosenc

It's a stop sign, therefore you must come to a complete stop at the line. At that point, move of like a regular hill start. Take all the time you need.

therambler

Thank you for your replies. So just to clarify, if the way is clear I should still put on the handbrake and move off like a regular hill start and it wouldn't be classed as hesitant?

spottybananas

It's irrelevant if the way is clear or not, it's a stop sign so you stop, not just slow briefly and drive on.

therambler

Just wanted to make sure! Thanks

kerry4sam

therambler wrote: »

Hi, I'm a learner driver and I've a question about how to approach a situation on a route that's common in the town I'll be doing my driving test in.

You drive along a minor road and there is a steep incline before it meets the major road at the top of the incline. There is a stop sign. You are asked to turn left. I'm confused about what to do when the way is clear. My instructor says you still need to stop momentarily. But if you stop for an instant without using the handbrake, how do you take off without either conking or rolling backwards?

Always stop at the stop-sign and use your handbrake.

I remember my own test and being marked on this once. It was a stop-sign. The way was clear on both sides so I just slowed, never stopped, and proceeded. Still angry with myself over that!

Every other time I stopped at the stop-sign and made a point of using my handbrake to show instructor that I was in fact stopped& not just slowed down ; then into gear ; then proceeded again.

Doesn't matter if way is clear. Stop and use your handbrake. Then proceed once way is clear

Best of Luck in your test,
kerry4sam

therambler

It's tempting to just keep going, especially when you can see there's nothing coming, but I know better now!

tolosenc

therambler wrote: »

It's tempting to just keep going, especially when you can see there's nothing coming, but I know better now!

In my town there is a stop sign physically attached to a Garda station at a pretty blind corner and I swear I'm the only one who doesn't fly straight through it. I imagine you'd hardly be the only one if you went through the one you mentioned, but that doesn't mean it's right.

Reoil

If there's a stop sign, handbrake on. Full stop.
Immediately check clearance again and then turn left using the usual procedure.