How To Move Off And Stop

Moving off and stopping from the side of the road is the first practical experience a learner will have on the road. Learning how to move off and stop, can be very daunting to new drivers- especially nervous drivers. Understanding the core competencies is crucial to maximising the practice session of this manoeuvre. The main element in learning how to move off and stop is learning how to control the car and the application of the MSPSL routine.

What is moving off and stop?

Moving off and stopping is learning who to move the car away from the side of the road, and parking on the left in a safe, legal and convenient place. When you first learn how to move off and stop- you may not be able to concentrate on all aspects of the manoeuvre. Try breaking this up into manageable practice sessions. Learning how to move off and stop will become easier with time.

Why is this important? 

Learning how to move off and stop is important, as it is the first physical driving lesson a learner will learn and practice. If a learner isn’t able to control the car foot pedals to move away- then learning to drive inevitably wont profess any further.

What is the use of the MSPSL routine?

The MSPSL routine is a routine that is used to encourage a learner driver to perform set tasks in an orderly routine. The routine is very important to maximise the approach to certain obstacles, such as move off and stopping, side roads and T-junctions. For a better understanding of the MSPSL routine, you can check here for some more information. When learning how to move off and stop, it is important to get the MSPSL routine good from an early point- otherwise the driver may gain driver habits.

Where do you practice ‘How to move off and stop”?

It is best to start this manoeuvre in a quiet residential area. It is best to start this when the roads are quiet and not in rush-hour traffic. It is also ideal to make sure, the road chosen to start this manoeuvre is quite long. This will enable the learner lots of practice of the manoeuvre without disturbing the flow of the practice. There is nothing worse, then having to stop at a T-junction after one practice session. This can panic new learn drivers.

 

The Method Of How To Move Off And Stop

One of the main methods we use during the ‘how to move off and stop” manoeuvre is the Use of POM. Here is a break down for the use of POM.

Preparation– It is important to prepare your feet to start the preparation of the movement of the vehicle. This method includes:

• Put the clutch down all the way to the floor
• Select 1st gear
• Lift the clutch to the biting point (until you feel/ hear a change in the engine’s noise)
• Set-your gas (Approximately 1000 RPM)
• Keep your feet still until you complete the following:

Observation– It is important to make sure observations are done properly. The following guidance MUST be followed:

• Check your rear-view mirror
• Check your right-wing mirror
• Apply a signal if needed
• Check the right blind spot (over your right shoulder)
• Once you decide it is safe to move, complete the following:

Manoeuvre– the part when you move the car.

• Release the parking break
• Move the clutch upwards to the point of movement, and then keep the clutch still
• As you manoeuvre forward, steer the wheel 2-3 inches to the right and line the car up to 1 metre away from the side of the road
• Take your left foot away from the clutch once the gear is engaged
• Increase your gas to build your speed up
• Check your read-view mirror as you increase your speed
• Cancel the indicator

 

How To Move Off and Stop – Part Two

When it comes to stopping on the left– or parking, it is important to select a safe place to park the car on the left. When deciding where to stop, it is important to consider the following:

Is it legal?- Parking on the left requires you to remain legal at all times. If a driver stops in a an illegal place, this could have consequences if the driver is caught. A few places where a driver isn’t allowed to stop are:

Illegal Places

• Double yellow lines
• Single yellow lines (during operational hours)
• Zig zags during a pedestrian crossing and schools
• If a no stopping sign is displayed
• On a motorway/dual carriage-way

Unsafe places

• On a bend
• On a brow of a hill
• Within 10 metres of a junction on the left
• Opposite a side road on the road

Inconvenient places

• Driveways
• Blocking Drs surgeries
• Blocking medical establishments
• Garages
• Disabled bays

Once the driver can identify where a safe place is, the method of bringing the car to a stop is as follows:

1. Select a safe place on the left
2. Apply the MSPSL routine
3. Check your mirrors- rear-view and left wing mirror
4. Signal to the left if safe to do so
5. Position the car to the left (one foot from the curb)
6. Slow down with the foot break
7. Plan your breaking to match where you want to stop
8. Look well ahead at all times, for any hazards and pedestrians near pavements
9. Once stopped. Secure the car by applying the hand-break and select neutral

 

Other articles of interest

Side roads to the left and right

How to emerge at t-T-junctions

Use of the MSPSL routine

Use of the POM routine

Use of gears