Traffic lights driving test - automatic car

Katgurl

After multiple driving test fails, (and multiple pretests) I have switched to an automatic car.

My test is booked for two days time. I took a lesson with a local instructor and she said to never put the car in neutral at traffic lights, to leave it in drive and put the handbrake on.

It seems counter intuitive as the car is trying to creep forward but I am quite obviously in no position to argue. Does anyone know if she's right?

terminator74

Katgurl wrote: »

After multiple driving test fails, (and multiple pretests) I have switched to an automatic car.

My test is booked for two days time. I took a lesson with a local instructor and she said to never put the car in neutral at traffic lights, to leave it in drive and put the handbrake on.

It seems counter intuitive as the car is trying to creep forward but I am quite obviously in no position to argue. Does anyone know if she's right?

I would leave the car in drive and depress break (not handbreak). My instructor advised me to do as your instructor but noted that its not something the Driving test/tester will mark against you when coming to a stop or moving off.

Best of luck with test

biko

Come to a stop and leave car in D.
Press the footbrake until it's time to leave.
The car will not try to creep with footbrake applied.
If instructor says to also apply handbrake then do that too.

cherryghost

I leave in D and always press footbrake.
When behind traffic and not at front of lights, I apply the handbrake (still leave car in D, and footbrake down ofc)

Wishbone Ash

Katgurl wrote: »

....It seems counter intuitive..

Moving the selector to N or P causes unnecessary wear on the transmission and defeats the whole purpose of having an automatic.

(I wouldn't be a fan of leaving my foot on the brake as it isn't very courteous to the driver behind especially at night.)

Sleeper12

Absolutely nothing wrong with applying the handbrake at every traffic light. Definitely leave the car in D /Drive throughout the test until its time to P/Park. The N/neutral is isn't the same neutral as a manual car. An automatic car is not unlike dodgem /bumper cars. Stop & start

smellyoldboot

I have never used the neutral in my auto car, no idea why it's there tbh. lol. Do as the instructor says , it will make life a lot easier when you get the manual style of driving out of your mind. More often than not Won't use the handbrake when stopped at lights even, just the foot take unless it looks like you'll be sitting there for a while. Best of luck.

oleras

smellyoldboot wrote: »

I have never used the neutral in my auto car, no idea why it's there tbh. lol. Do as the instructor says , it will make life a lot easier when you get the manual style of driving out of your mind. More often than not Won't use the handbrake when stopped at lights even, just the foot take unless it looks like you'll be sitting there for a while. Best of luck.

If being towed.

smellyoldboot

oleras wrote: »

If being towed.

Thanks. It makes sense now. lol

thelad95

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Absolutely nothing wrong with applying the handbrake at every traffic light. Definitely leave the car in D /Drive throughout the test until its time to P/Park. The N/neutral is isn't the same neutral as a manual car. An automatic car is not unlike dodgem /bumper cars. Stop & start

How is it not courteous? Brake lights aren't exactly blinding?

I have an automatic and if it's what I know is a long light, I put in neutral and put the parking brake/handbrake up, otherwise just use the peddle brake.

Wishbone Ash

thelad95 wrote: »

How is it not courteous? Brake lights aren't exactly blinding?..

In some models they are quite bright and irritating at night. When I was learning to drive, it was the done thing to show courtesy to the driver behind (bearing in mind that brake lights were not as bright then).

Darc19

It's down to judgement.

If you know that it's a long red, I'd put in neutral and have foot on the brake.
When lights go green, engage to D and move foot from brake to accelerator

I've never used the "parking brake" except when parked.


But I don't think there's any right or wrong way, you simply have to show control of the car.

Good luck.

Katgurl

That's great, thanks for all the replies.

Katgurl

I passed

Thanks everyone.

Darc19

Well done.

I don't know why more people don't just go automatic.

Most cars are available as auto. They are more economical and way easier and more comfortable to drive and I believe safer too.