Driving test with automatic car

Gish83

Hello.

I will soon do my driving test in an automatic. I read in an earlier post on here, that while waiting at traffic lights, you should just keep the car in D and use foot brake, (someone failed for changing to N apparently) is this true? This is what I do, but I thought in test situation, maybe more formal moving to N and handbrake was required?

Note: i also just got this email response from a driving instructor to my Q:

The general rule is to stay in drive if you are at the front of the queue at the lights with the handbrake on. This way you can move off promptly but the car is secure in the meantime. Hope this helps.

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

jimgoose

Gish83 wrote: »

Hello.

I will soon do my driving test in an automatic. I read in an earlier post on here, that while waiting at traffic lights, you should just keep the car in D and use foot brake, (someone failed for changing to N apparently) is this true? This is what I do, but I thought in test situation, maybe more formal moving to N and handbrake was required?

Note: i also just got this email response from a driving instructor to my Q:

The general rule is to stay in drive if you are at the front of the queue at the lights with the handbrake on. This way you can move off promptly but the car is secure in the meantime. Hope this helps.

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98383231&postcount=63

Gish83

Hi, I will soon do my driving test in an automatic car. I have completed my 12 EDTs but my instructor wasn't 100% sure on automatic test etiquette. So i have a couple of situations where I am confused about proper procedure:

Hill-Start:
Some people say use both feet (left foot brake/ right ready on gas) but I think this is better... Put car in D, have foot slightly on gas and remove hand brake. Car shouldn't roll then. Suggestions?

Traffic Lights:
I usually just keep Car in D and my foot on foot brake. After reading various info, I think correct procedure is to keep Car in D and put hand brake on.
Some people have said N and handbrake, but I have heard someone failing for this reason.
So, keep in D and use handbrake?

Some advice on the driving test in auto would be much appreciated! Thanks

biko

Moved from old thread.

MascotDec85

You can use either N or D

NEVER use your left foot to brake in any circumstance!

dennyk

Kept mine in D with the handbrake on at lights, didn't get any marks for it. Generally, you'd never want to shift into neutral in an automatic unless you actually need to disengage the drivetrain (e.g. for pushing a disabled vehicle). Handbrake on at lights is preferred even in an automatic because that way if you get hit from behind and your foot slips off the brake, your car won't roll as far.

They don't specifically do a hill-start test for automatics, as most should never roll back unless you're on a very steep hill or something's broken anyway. They may stop you in the usual hill-start spot for the hand signals, though. Just do whatever you normally do when starting off in your car and you should be fine (and remember your observations!). If you want to be certain, check your car's manual; some will engage a "hill assist" mode that will make certain the car doesn't roll even on a steep incline if you switch to manual mode or shift to low gear.

Don't ever left-foot brake. Right foot for gas or brake, leave the left foot on the floor (or the dead pedal if your car has one).

redline2015

Keeping your car in drive for the whole test is fine,

Tests in automatics are still required to perform the hillstart.

Gear marks are still marked on automatics and are fairly common mainly because the applicant does apply P or N when stopped and because this is not the norm for them they then try to pull away still in park. .....So stay in drive and do what you normally do.

bliger

as redline2015 said, do not play with P,N, hand brake on lights. Hand brake - hill start only.

Wishbone Ash

A vehicle with automatic transmission is designed to be kept in D. Moving it to N while stopped at the lights causes undue wear on the transmission.

Galbin

What is wrong with braking with your left foot in an automatic?

ohnonotgmail

Galbin wrote: »

What is wrong with braking with your left foot in an automatic?

because of the potential to hit both the accelerator and the brake at the same time.

Gish83

Thanks for the responses guys. I have my test next week!
So to confirm:
When stopped in traffic/lights, keep the car in D (never N) but apply handbrake is correct procedure?!

Any other tips for driving test in an auto? Thanks

neonsofa

Gish83 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses guys. I have my test next week!
So to confirm:
When stopped in traffic/lights, keep the car in D (never N) but apply handbrake is correct procedure?!

Any other tips for driving test in an auto? Thanks

No need to apply handbrake I had read before.

froggus

Can I just hijack this thread and ask also, if using the automatic, and asked by the instructor to pull over, you remain in D with handbrake on, not P?

dennyk

If you are pulling over and stopping, you should engage the handbrake and put the car in park. If you are just stopped at a traffic light or are otherwise still part of the flow of traffic, you should leave it in drive, however.