Leaving and Returning to Kerb.
This next step has a number of factor to consider namely the road law, the road
craft procedures and finesse. Your instructor shall inform you of the law and the
process that is required to move the vehicle, the finesse is up to you to develop.
Finesse is the ability to operate the mechanical controls of the vehicle smoothly
and deliberately, without a sign of coarseness. Your ability to drive will always
be assessed by smoothness of operation as well as readiness for any action necessary
to deal with changes in conditions. Finesse will partly be reflected in the degree
of passenger comfort, there is no substitute for practice to remove the vulgarities.
Clutch Operation
To obtain your driving licence in a manual vehicle, you are required to be able
to use the clutch sufficiently to mobilise the vehicle and change gear, it is essential
to develop the correct method of operating the clutch, your instructor shall inform
you of the correct method, however, you will need to polish your technique, otherwise
you may give your testing officer a jerky ride which will reflect on your test score.
As soon as you move the vehicle for the first time, establish the directness and
lightness or otherwise of the steering.
Braking
You will find the accelerator control requires conscious effort and practice to
achieve accuracy. It is possible to reduce the speed of your vehicle by easing the
accelerator as the engine will act as a brake, however the engine is unable to stop
the vehicle completely.
You should practice smooth and progressive braking without causing passenger discomfort,
the brakes should be squeezed on, never hit them. To perform a comfortable final
stop, ease the foot-brake pressure just before the car stops. Your judgment in selecting
a stopping point accurately will also need to be developed, select a point at which
to stop, brake progressively and smoothly, and stop exactly at the point selected.