Manual Gear Stick - iPass Driving School Edinburgh

Knowing how to drive a car before tackling the art of operating a manual transmission is recommended. Having to worry about shifting and what your left foot is doing is distracting enough, being uncomfortable behind the wheel no matter what transmission the car has makes it even worse. The area where you first practice should be flat, free of obstructions and obviously have no vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

When seated in the drivers seat, make sure you are sitting close enough to push the clutch (left pedal) all the way to the floor. The gear stick should also be within easy reach. It is handy to take time to familiarize yourself with the shift pattern (which is on the top of the gear stick) before you start driving and need to keep your eyes on the road. The typical car has four or five forward speeds arranged in an H pattern and one reverse gear. Neutral is in the middle when you can wiggle the gearshift left and right.

Once you are in a comfortable seating position and are familiar with the location of the clutch and gear patterns, double-check to make sure the hand brake is on and the car is in neutral by pushing down the clutch and putting the stick into neutral.

Push the clutch to the floor and start the car. Even though the engine will run in neutral, some modern cars (Renaults) have a lockout disabling the ability to start the car unless the clutch is fully depressed. Once the car is started, let the clutch up slowly, just to make sure the car really isn’t in gear.

The method that has been most successful here at Standardshift has been the no-gas method. Not using the gas pedal at all while engaging the clutch in first gear seems to help people clue in more quickly to the friction point of the clutch, sometimes called the “bite”, the all important point in which most of the engine power goes from idling freely to transferring through the gear box and then to the wheels. This varies from car to car. The friction point or bite can be felt with the car starts moving, and engine RPMs drop usually along with the noise of the engine. This is also the point that many beginners let the clutch out too quickly, resulting in the engine lugging and the car bucking. Don’t worry, at such a slow speed, no serious damage will occur to the car, just a nick to your pride.

Practice this a few times until you can smoothly get the car moving without the car lugging and without touching the gas pedal.

The next step is to add the gas pedal to the equation, allowing you to start from a stop at a normal rate of speed. Doing the same thing as you did before with your left foot on the clutch, when you start reaching the friction point, gently apply some gas will allow you to release the clutch more quickly until it is fully engaged. The faster you apply the gas, the faster you can release the clutch. To switch out of 1st into 2nd and to any higher gear, just hit the clutch and get smoothly on the gas as you release the clutch. You can let out the clutch very quickly in comparison to first gear, since the wheels are moving already. As for when to shift, most if not all car manuals give the recommended shift points. Most cars also have tachometers, revving within one thousand RPM to the redline and then quickly shifting into the next gear usually garners the best performance, while the best economy can be had by shifting at 3K RPM or 15 mph per gear. Best bet is to ask the individual helping you or asking others who drive the particular type of car in person or online as to what works best with your particular vehicle.

A habit that one needs to get used to is always make sure the handbrake is on when parking, especially on hills. Make sure apply the handbrake first and then take your foot off the brakes.

Moving down the gears without touching the brakes to stop is not recommended, the person behind you babbling on the phone might not notice you without your brake lights on, especially at night. You shouldn’t keep the gar in gear while waiting at a light. If a car hits you from behind, you foot will be off the clutch, which means your car would jump forward and possibly end up in the middle of a junction.

If there’s one thing other than stalling the car in the middle of traffic that scares a new learner, it’s starting from a stop on a hill. Make sure you are comfortable with flat terrain before attempting an incline, and it is best to start with a minimal slope that will allow the car to roll backwards slowly if in neutral. The key to learning how to start on a hill is the hand brake. It will allow you to remain in place and not roll backwards while you practice reaching the friction point quickly. And quickly is the key for starting on a hill to prevent rolling backwards. With the hand brake fully set, practice quickly releasing the clutch until the friction point or bite is reached and then back off. Next, quickly reach the friction point and then partially release the hand brake as you put your food down on the accellerator slowly and release the clutch some more. The idea is to give the car just enough power to overcome the brake and gravity, which will allow you start smoothly without rolling back. As you get better, you will be able to reduce the amount and time that the hand brake is on.

Automatic lessons are fantastic for clients who perhaps have tried manual lessons in the past and have not enjoyed having to constantly change gear and use the clutch, or simply prefer driving an automatic car.

Automatic lessons are the modern alternative to learning on a manual. The car will not stall or roll back on a hill and you can never be in the wrong gear!

When you pass your test in an automatic car you will only be licensed to drive an automatic. If you wanted to drive a manual car you would need to re-take your test in a manual car. But why make life difficult for yourself?

Some pupils find that learning to drive an automatic car is much EASIER than learning to drive a manual car.

In a manual car you have gears and a clutch pedal. In an automatic car there is no clutch pedal and the automatic gearbox ‘automatically’ changes gears for you. This means that some of the physical work is taken away, leaving you with both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road enabling the pupil to concentrate on more important things like steering and planning ahead. Some pupils find that it makes them safer, especially in busy traffic or long journeys.

It has been reported that pupils learn to start, stop and steer more easily. Of course, you will pull away from junctions and traffic lights without the fear of stalling. Some people will also find roundabouts much easier to negotiate without the gears & clutch to worry about, one can concentrate on passing your test and ultimately a safe, competent driving skill for life.

Automatic is a popular choice among young learners who have found it difficult to get used to the clutch and gears in manual lessons as well as being equally suitable for older people. Maybe you just want to be independent as quickly as possible?

Benefits of Going Automatic

• It could be cheaper as the average pupil may require fewer lessons
• There’s less information to process – with only two pedals to use
• No clutch means no roll-back, no stalling and no gear changes
• It can be safer as with no gear changes you can keep your hands on the steering wheel and get focused on the road ahead.

Approved Driving Instructor Edinburgh

Introduction

An Approved Driving Instructor who gives lessons in a motor car in return for payment must be on the Register Of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI’s). To gain entry to the register, prospective instructors must pass a series of examinations administered by The Driving Standards Agency (DSA). People training to become ADI’s who have part completed the examinations can obtain from the agency a licence to acquire practical experience which is strictly limited to six months. Once fully qualified and on the register, ADI’s are regularly tested by the DSA to check their continued ability to give instruction to the required standards. DSA and the driving instruction industry place great emphasis on professional standards and business ethics. The Code of Practice set out here has been agreed between the DSA and the main bodies representing ADI’s. It is a framework within which all instructors should operate.

PERSONAL CONDUCT:

The Instructor will at all times behave in a professional manner towards clients.

Clients will be treated with respect and consideration.

The instructor will try to avoid physical contact with the client, except in an emergency or in the normal course of greeting.

Whilst reserving the right to decide against giving tuition, the instructor will not act in any way which contravenes legislation on discrimination.

BUSINESS DEALINGS:

The Instructor will safeguard and account for any monies paid in advance by the client in respect of driving lessons, test fees or for any other purpose and will make the details available on request. The instructor should provide clients with a written copy of their terms and business to include:

>legal indemnity of the school/instructor with full address and telephone number at which the instructor or their representative can be contacted.

>The price and duration of the lessons.

>The price and conditions for use of the school car for the practical driving test.

>The terms under which cancellation by either party may take.

PROCEDURE FOR COMPLAINTS:

The Instructor should check a clients entitlement to drive to the vehicle and their ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance on the first lesson. When presenting a client for the practical driving test, the instructor should check that the client has all the necessary documentation to enable them to take the test and that the vehicle is roadworthy. Instructors will advice clients when to apply for the theory and practical driving tests, taking into account local waiting times and forecast of the clients potential for achieving the driving test pass standard. The instructor will not cancel or rearrange the driving test without the clients agreement. In the event of the instructors decision to withhold the use of the school car for the driving test, sufficient notice should be given to the client to avoid the loss of the DSA fee. The instructor should at all time, to the best of his/her ability, endeavour to teach the client the correct driving skills according to DSA’s recommended syllabus.

ADVERTISING:

Advertising of driving tuition shall be honest, claims made shall be capable of verification and comply with the codes of practice set down by the advertising standards authority. Advertising that refers to clients pass rates should not be open to misinterpretation, and the basis for which the calculation is made should be clear.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

All trainees must be in possession of a signed provisional driving licence on commencement of training, and must satisfy the eyesight requirement. 
INSURANCE: Fees include trainees cover for insurance liability claims whilst driving the schools vehicle, providing the trainee is duly licenced to drive and is accompanied by or under instruction of the instructor. PAYMENTS: The school reserves the right to charge for any training NOT CANCELLED at least 48 HOURS BEFORE the date booked.
Payment for training MUST be made in ADVANCE. Prepayments are refundable at the descretion of the management, on production of an official receipt, and any previous lessons will be charged at the full rate of £24 per hour. Any Learning Material Withheld Or Returned Used will be Charged at The full Recommended Retail Price.(RRP.)

BLOCK BOOKING/BUNDLES: Offers where the Theory Test or Practical Test are Included MUST BE USED WITH THIS SCHOOL. These Tests are NOT REFUNDABLE in ANY EVENT of Early Termination of Training.

BLOCK BOOKING INSTALLMENT ARRANGEMENTS: The Total Pre-Arranged Agreement Must be Paid in Full By the End of the Hours Used. Any Introductory Block must be used in 2 Hour Sessions.

CANCELLATION OF BOOKED LESSONS: 

At least 48 HOURS notice must be given by you or your instructor if there is a need to to cancel or arrange a lesson booking. Failure to give this notice will result in a valid claim for an equivalent value of compensation. 
OFFICIAL DRIVING TESTS: The school reserves the right to withhold training vehicles for the driving test if, in the instructors opinion, the trainee does not meet the required standard. The test fee will be forfeited if ten clear days notice is not given. This does not include weekends, bank holidays, the day of cancellation or the day of the test. The Instructor will provide sufficient notice for the client to make alternative arrangements if they wish to continue with the test appointment. 
APPOINTMENTS: Whilst every care will be taken to ensure that that receive the training at the requested time and with the instructor as booked, all bookings are made on the understanding that the school is not responsible for the postponement of training due to adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdown of equipment, absence or sickness of staff or any other cause beyond our control. Neither can the school be responsible  for driving tests appointments postponed by the Driving Standards Agency.

PERSONAL PROPERTY: 

Naturally every endeavour is made to to safeguard the personal property of any trainee, but I point out that the school accepts no liablity whatsoever for jewellery, cash, clothing, mobile phones or any other property left in the training vehicle or on their premises, unless the loss is caused by our own negligence.

Taking Your Practical Driving Test

The driving test is designed for you to show your practical skills and understanding of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

The quickest and easiest way to book your official Driving Standards Agency (DSA) practical driving test is online. When you book using this official service, you only pay the cost of the test – there is no extra booking fee.

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What you will need
To book your practical driving test online you will need the following information at hand:

• your valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland provisional driving licence number
• your credit or debit card details
• a theory test pass date and certificate number (if appropriate)

When you can book your driving test online
You can use the online driving test booking service between 6.00 am and midnight, Monday to Sunday. You can find it by clicking here.

If you need to retake your driving test
If you took your practical test today but didn’t pass, you can take another test of the same category after:

• three clear working days for a lorry, bus or motorcycle module one test
• ten clear working days for a car or motorcycle module two test

How long it takes to get a practical driving test appointment
The Driver Standards Agency aims to give you a practical driving test appointment within nine weeks for most types of driving tests. However, the waiting time varies around the country and throughout the year. So, you might have a shorter or longer wait depending on where and when you take your test.

Your driving theory test certificate number
You will need your driving theory test certificate number to book your test. If you have lost your certificate, you should contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Although DSA does not issue replacement certificates, they’ll be able to send you a brief letter containing your certificate number.

Driving Test Fees for a car
There are two separate fees for your practical driving test depending on when you would like to take the test:

• Weekday price: £62.00
• Weekday evening, weekend and bank holiday price: £75.00

To book your practical driving test, click here.

Theory Driving Test from the DSA

It is possible to take an official practice theory driving test at the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) website.

It is official and the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) practice theory tests are online free of charge. Practice tests are available for learner car drivers, motorcyclists, lorry, bus and coach drivers.

Each test contains 50 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 43 out of 50.

Car practice theory test 1

Car practice theory test 2

Each test is timed as it would be in the actual test and you can take it as many times as you want.

If you want to check out practice tests which are available for motorcyclists, lorry, bus and coach drivers, you can click here.

As one of the Edinburgh’s best and most popular driving schools, we pride ourselves on providing our pupils with the best service – including our fully-qualified driving instructors for both with both manual and automatic cars.

√  One to One driving tuition

√  Friendly and reassuring driving instructors

√  All driving lessons are one full hour

√  No extra charge for evening or weekend driving lessons

√  Pass your driving test quickly with our 5, 7 or 15 day intensive driving courses

√  Free help and advice on the theory test

√  Door to Door Service

√  Choose from Manual and Automatic dual controlled cars