@Xenctuary In America, we don't have to use our "hand break" to pass our driving test. We have been taught to only use it (we call it an emergency break) in just that, emergencies only unless you are parking on a hill. The driving instructor makes sure we are informed about how to use it, but we surely don't use it very often.
When he says (for example) "turn the wheel left, full lock" it means turn it left as far as it will go. It doesn't actually involve a lock like a steering lock when you try to turn the steering wheel without the key in the ignition.
It is always best practise to turn the steering wheel whilst moving. Turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary is called dry steering and should be avoided as it will cause wear to your tyres and will put undue strain on the steering mechanism.
At my driving lessons they tried to learn me to drive in an safe, economic and comfortable way. Pulling the handbrake for every time you reach 0km/h won't do the economic part not much good. After one year you can replace your handbrake :p The normal brake is much more powerful and will do the job plenty.
Most people, once they have passed their test, will find they do NOT use the handbrake. However, learners are not learning to "drive"... they're learning to pass a driving test, which is a very different beast entirely - and on a driving test they WILL expect you to use the handbrake. Basically, this is a textbook 3-point turn. Exactly how it should be done and how they'll expect you to do it on a test.
Depending on the road the car might roll if you do that. Most experienced drivers can deal with it on the clutch but when you're learning (especially when you're nervous and just trying to pass your test) there's no reason not to use the handbrake when doing a manoeuvre like this.
Although crossing your arms was considered wrong, it isn't anymore. According to my driving instructor, as long as you are maintaining full control, you can cross your arms. I am a learner btw.
You only need to signal if there are other road users visible. As with all driving situations you signal in order to tell other road users your intentions. As no other road users were present in the clip signalling wasn't necessary.
If you really want to use the handbrake for doing a U-turn, get a bit of speed, like 20 km/h, slam the steering wheel to the right. Once the left springs begin to be being pushed in, pull the handbrake really fast and HARD ;-)
@grahamzx9r Hi Graham. I wasn't saying not to apply the handbrake - only that it's not necessary. If you teach that, it's cool. I don't teach that myself but I do ensure they keep the footbrake applied when stationary. But if they prefer to apply the handbrake, that's fine by me too. In my teaching I try to ensure they learn techniques that apply to life beyond the test. I'm teaching them to drive (that is my job after all!) not just pass a test.
@lisSUMMER infact the handbrake isnt that strong it wont lock the wheels unless your going slow enough this is due to the handbrake workong from cable and only prefent the back wheels from moving, in an emergency you use the foot brake because it stops all the wheels from moving :)
@MrWade365 No it's not. Either method is fine. As with any manouevre on the Test, there isn't a set way of doing it. So long as you keep the car under control, the Examiners aren't really bothered HOW you do it, so long as you do it SAFELY.
@dilly578 I still signal when no one's around, just as a good habit. I'm not saying you're wrong, just saying it helps me stay sharp so I don't do like some other people on the road and forget to signal when there ARE other road users around.
sure it will happen, if you release footbrake without raising your clutch first to the biting point. its the same method you can use for hill starts, and there are two. I really hope you teach your students to move up the slight slope from the footbrake too. example: I had a student who refused to use handbrake for moving off uphill. guess what... he passed. people should be encouraged to think for themselves, and learn to choose either brake when neccessary, and not because threat of failing.
I fail my test because of blind spot,but no explanation on turn in the road,the examiner told me to ask my instructor and I don't have one as I have full driving licence from Greece but I can not exchange it as it was the old fashion so I need to get the new one or go for driving test,in Greece it cost 1200 to get the licence but I can see here it is gonna cost the same as everytime I have to pay 62 for practical 20 an hour for instructor while I know how to drive
@renklauf Fair point but, I always advise my pupils to apply the handbrake, remember they are practicing for a TEST and examiners are looking for you to carry out the manouevre safely and under control, not quickly and expertly!.
@JustForFun248 lol i read this comment last night and trusted u and it worked i passed the road was too narrow she said it was better than going in the grass to do it that way my friend failed cuz he hit the grass thanks!
Well yeah but if your car is on an angle it might not move so you would have to accelerate and you don't really need to straighten the wheels but it'll be a better turn when you reverse
the hardest part of this is remembering all the (daft) head waving and flapping to show you're 'observing'. Left, right, left, right, right, left, behind, left, move off. LOL
Hi. I have my test monday. Does it matter how perfect i do the three point turn or any of the menovers or are they just examining me on how safely i do it?
good explanation. but teaching one method for all cars does not give greater skills then teaching both methods, AND letting them decide which to choose in different circumstances. on a steep incline using handbrake will be great idea, only most of the time drivers deal with slight incline, including manouvres. anyway they should find out what the car can do on a gradient in the first place. first manual lesson: finding biting point on slight slope. later you relate to it constantly
get up to 35 mph, turn to full lock pull handbrake, when spun round release handbrake keeping you right foot firmly in the carpet at all times, and away you go, suave,
If you're sitting there hoping the handbrake will sazve you while you're revving the engine with the clutch partially engaged, an unexpected tap from behind might well cause you to dump the clutch and floor it and the stupid handbrake won't do you any good there as you drive through someone's garage. You're much safer with your foot on the real brake, the engine at idle and the clutch completely disengaged. btw, why is that one car parked on the right side of the road?
No. You signal if it's necessary. If there is somebody that will benefit from the knowledge that you are now pulling away from the kerb (whether to do a turn or not) then you should indicate. If there is nobody around, instructors tell their learners not to.
Mmmh... "Find the bitting (?) point, observation : mirrors, black spot, then release the handbrake". Your clutch will be worn at no time doing this. Rather check before hitting the friction point you should be able to find easily after a few lessons. I learnt (and did the driving test) not using the handbrake at all. I use it on big hills and especially in winter. Otherwise, it's perfectly safe to not use it, as long you're comfortable enough to find the famous point quickly.
exactly: what to do if things go wrong? lot of instructors teaches only one set way of doing manouvres, or anything else, and just keep repeating it too perfection. what they should teach is how to solve problems. what are the other options. I heard many stories of drivers failing their exams, because they didn't know how to correct themselves. because, as they thought, they reach a point of 'no return'. they screw up and panic. this is effect of teaching routines, and not common sense
@theJACKSON10 I didn't indicate and I passed. You're already doing a TURN in a road, so it's obvious where you're going once the car is halfway turned.
i did a 57 point turn and failed. He kept sayin "Stop you already turned 20 times!" But i was all... "wait i can still do it!!!" and he punched me in the face, so i drovee the car off a bridge and he said i passed, showed me my drivers license, burned it in front of my face and said "SYKE!!!" Dammit....I'll get it next time...
You'd be surprised at the number of instructors who tell their students to turn the wheels while the car is completely stopped. That's stupid. It strains the car's direction and tires, as well as your arms...
wow that's so weird, i can't imagine doing that british style (right side) or driving right side for that matter, and why do you need to apply the ebrake? i would think that foot brakes would suffice.
i just now failed my driving test for the second time but this time it was because of not doing the 3 point turn right so ya im pissed and goin make sure it doesnt happen a third time
He's not driving from the right side of the car because he's in Europe. Out of all the places in Europe, only the UK, Ireland and Cyprus sit on the right side of the car. The rest of Europe, such as Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Poland etc etc, drive from the left side of the car, (right side of the road) like in the USA.
its extremely easy. all you neeed to know how to do is 3 point turn, left turn parking, and stopping at stop signs....well at least in florida anyways.
@Xenctuary "And, importantly for learners, it's (applying the handbrake) a requirement to pass your test." NO IT'S NOT! What a load of tosh! At the end of each phase, you have stopped the car with the footbrake, so just keep the footbrake on, select the appropriate gear, observe, bite point and move. Just like YOU, every Instructor and Examiner would do in their own car!! The handbrake, in this instance, is unnecessary and time consuming.
