Driving skills syllabus

25   Incline start

Aim

• To legally and safely bring the vehicle to a stop on an incline.
• To start the vehicle on an incline and move off without rolling backwards or stalling the engine.

Situation

• In a 50 km/h zone, on a road with a moderate incline, where there is 50 metres of visibility ahead and behind.

The driver should

• When stopping:
  • Locate a safe parking space and check appropriate mirrors.
  • Smoothly slow down the vehicle.
  • Position the vehicle appropriately to move towards the kerb.
  • Indicate left for at least three seconds and check over left shoulder for hazards.
  • Stop the vehicle in a legal and safe position, parallel and close to the kerb (within 30 centimetres).
  • Disengage the clutch and select neutral (manual) or park (automatic) while pushing down the brake pedal.
  • Hold the brake pedal down while putting the handbrake/park brake on.
• When moving off:
  • Put the vehicle in first gear (manual) or drive (automatic).
  • Search ahead and behind for hazards, checking in mirrors and over right shoulder.
  • Indicate right for at least three seconds before moving.
  • Push down on the accelerator, giving a little more power than usual, and hold it in this position.
  • Allow the clutch pedal to come up slowly and smoothly until the sound of the engine changes.
  • Slowly release the handbrake/park brake.
  • Check in mirrors again and look over right shoulder to check the blind spot.
  • Move off smoothly, accelerating to an appropriate speed.
  • Perform the tasks at least three times.

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Last updated: 30 April 2009