Driving Questions

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Phexx

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#108209 26-Aug-2012 19:21

Hey everyone,

I have had my learners liscene for about 2 weeks now. I've done plenty driving in that time including driving (and revsering) a trailer...

Anyway, I have a couple of questions regarding some fairly minor stuff. I've obviously had a supervisor in the car with me when driving but some of these may be more opinion based rather than the law.

1. Crossing arms - I make an effort to avoid doing this but according to my dad it is an insta-fail (in the UK anyway). Would I fail my restricted test if I did cross my arms? Also, hands at quarter to three, is it required?

2. Parking brake when stopped at lights - same as above, I try to do it, but is it required for a pass? Also, putting the car into neutral (for auto tranny)?

3. Both hands on steering wheel - same again, I try to do this but would I fail if I was steering with one hand casually?

I got 4 driving practices with the AA from my parents for my b'day so I'll be taking those in a few months, I just wanted to know now so that I don't start any poor habits.

Also, does anyone have a basic tips for learning, things they like to catch you out on? Thanks!

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#677237 26-Aug-2012 19:39

If you've got four lessons from the AA, get one of them as soon as you can - they'll let you know the answers to your questions, and also pick up on any bad stuff you do, before it becomes a bad habit (and hard to break!).

wasabi2k

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#677238 26-Aug-2012 19:44

depends entirely on the person doing the test - but in my opinion:

1. not sure
2. I didn't and passed
3. 2 hands on the wheel at all times during test.

freitasm

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#677242 26-Aug-2012 19:51

Phexx:

1. Crossing arms - I make an effort to avoid doing this but according to my dad it is an insta-fail (in the UK anyway). Would I fail my restricted test if I did cross my arms? Also, hands at quarter to three, is it required?

No crossing arms. And hands at ten to two.

Phexx:

2. Parking brake when stopped at lights - same as above, I try to do it, but is it required for a pass? Also, putting the car into neutral (for auto tranny)?

No parking brake at lights, and keep the car in "D".

Phexx:

3. Both hands on steering wheel - same again, I try to do this but would I fail if I was steering with one hand casually?

Always both hands on steering wheel.

Phexx:

I got 4 driving practices with the AA from my parents for my b'day so I'll be taking those in a few months, I just wanted to know now so that I don't start any poor habits.

Do it. Do it now.

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Phexx

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#677249 26-Aug-2012 19:56

I didn't realise I should take the lessons this soon. I'll book the first one some time soon then. Thanks

khull

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#677259 26-Aug-2012 20:12

Check the road code book first

1. I believe crossing arms is acceptable technique when turning.

2. Not that I'm aware of. Beware if driving auto, shifting to neutral is generally 'disliked' by assessors and considered unnecessary task to worry about.

3. 2 hands at all times (according to the book its 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock position - not discussing the appropriateness of the recommendation at this stage). Watching a learner behind a wheel will make anyone nervous - not just the assessors. I know I would be myself if I do not know the driver.

What is more important - watch for signs and your speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit or failing to stop will be an instant fail

sbiddle

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#677263 26-Aug-2012 20:20

The whole 10 to 2 vs 9 to 3 is very much a matter of personal opinion. The later is becoming increasingly popular and many would argue is better.

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Gilco2

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#677264 26-Aug-2012 20:20

freitasm:
Phexx:

1. Crossing arms - I make an effort to avoid doing this but according to my dad it is an insta-fail (in the UK anyway). Would I fail my restricted test if I did cross my arms? Also, hands at quarter to three, is it required?

No crossing arms. And hands at ten to two.

Phexx:

2. Parking brake when stopped at lights - same as above, I try to do it, but is it required for a pass? Also, putting the car into neutral (for auto tranny)?

No parking brake at lights, and keep the car in "D".

Phexx:

3. Both hands on steering wheel - same again, I try to do this but would I fail if I was steering with one hand casually?

Always both hands on steering wheel.

Phexx:

I got 4 driving practices with the AA from my parents for my b'day so I'll be taking those in a few months, I just wanted to know now so that I don't start any poor habits.

Do it. Do it now.

exactly this. Much better control with hands at 10 to 2 than quarter to 3. In 30 years field service mechanic I drove a lot of roads majority Kiwis wont see in forests. Gravel and sand roads.

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TheUngeek

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#677333 26-Aug-2012 23:15

Funny how no race or rally driver uses ten to three...

You will not fail if you keep both hands on the wheel and in the range of the two positions in this thread.

Talkiet

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#677336 26-Aug-2012 23:28

TheUngeek: Funny how no race or rally driver uses ten to three...

You will not fail if you keep both hands on the wheel and in the range of the two positions in this thread.

To be fair, competition cars are an entirely different story. They usually have much smaller wheels and quicker racks (less turns lock to lock)... My toy car is only 2.2 turns lock to lock and the steering wheel is tiny (only 260mm) so I have my hands pretty much at 3/9 to get the maximum control of the wheel.

That said, OP, keep your hands at 10/2 for the test and then afterwards figure out what the best setup is for you and your car.

One thing to consciously do however is cycle through checking all 3 mirrors regularly - some assessors expect you to check the mirrors every 5 seconds.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

tardtasticx

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#677349 27-Aug-2012 00:32

Phexx: Hey everyone,

I have had my learners liscene for about 2 weeks now. I've done plenty driving in that time including driving ?(and revsering) a trailer...

Anyway, I have a couple of questions regarding some fairly minor stuff. I've obviously had a supervisor in the car with me when driving but some of these may be more opinion based rather than the law.?

1. Crossing arms - I make an effort to avoid doing this but according to my dad it is an insta-fail (in the UK anyway). Would I fail my restricted test if I did cross my arms? Also, hands at quarter to three, is it required?

2. Parking brake when stopped at lights - same as above, I try to do it, but is it required for a pass? Also, putting the car into?neutral?(for auto tranny)?

3. Both hands on steering wheel - same again, I try to do this but would I fail if I was?steering?with one hand casually?

I got 4 driving practices with the AA from my parents for my b'day so?I'll?be taking those in a few months,?I?just wanted to know now so that I don't start any poor habits.

Also, does anyone have a basic tips for learning, things they like to catch you out on? Thanks!

1. I picked this habit up out of nowhere. Driving instructor yelled at me once for doing it, got a new one because he was way out of line. New guy never mentioned it. Did it during both my restricted and full tests and passed both with 100% first time.

2. I never learnt to drive manual, but in autos you have to have break on when stopped because it goes forward slowly if you don't. Lol.

3. Yes try to always have 2 hands on steering wheel, except for when changing gears or something, but yeh, try to keep hand usage to a minimum while driving, only for necessary things. During your test, set up all air conditioning etc. before you start driving, and no radio.

Just do a lot of practicing around suburbs. That way you're doing more indication, turning, give ways, stops etc.

Oh btw, when there's a stop sign, stop completely so that your body jolts forward a little. Ive known 3 mates who failed their full licence test instantly because they did a rolling stop (slowing down, almost stopping but not completely, big no no)

And remember to give way properly. It's dumb. I got told off for giving way to someone I didn't have to, which is lame but apparently you can't do that either. Just practice practice practice! Best of luck! :D and get insurance! Atleast 3rd party. Saves you a whole lot of trouble down the line. Trust me. Learner driver scraped my car the other day, no insurance for her, cost $1702 to repair my car. Little things add up. Cars aren't cheap.

Edit: misread question two. My bad. Do not do that at all. My father used to, very stupid in some situations. Unless you're on a very insanely steep hill, but still. Dont, not while the car is on.

farcus

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#677352 27-Aug-2012 01:20

I guess this might answer some of your questions

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/driving-skill-syllabus/lesson-4.html

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timmmay

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#677387 27-Aug-2012 08:12

I read something about "de gloving", which is what an air bag can do when you have your hands at 10 and 2 when it goes off. Apparently lower's better for that.

sbiddle

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#677408 27-Aug-2012 09:02

Gilco2: Much better control with hands at 10 to 2 than quarter to 3. In 30 years field service mechanic I drove a lot of roads majority Kiwis wont see in forests. Gravel and sand roads.

If you watch any professional driver such as a V8 supercar, WRC car or F1 car their hands are always at quarter to three and the steering wheel is purposely designed for this position. This allows much better control across the full turning circle of of the car, something you can't get at 10 to 2 without your arms crossing.

freitasm

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#677412 27-Aug-2012 09:08

tardtasticx: 2. I never learnt to drive manual, but in autos you have to have break on when stopped because it goes forward slowly if you don't. Lol.

When you stop at lights you use the foot brakes regardless of being manual or automatic.

tardtasticx: And remember to give way properly. It's dumb. I got told off for giving way to someone I didn't have to, which is lame but apparently you can't do that either.

It's not dumb. People have to drive with the same rules. Decisions are made on a split second. If there are someone behind you that expects you NOT to give way then you slowing down to do so can cause an accident.

Rules are rules. If you have the right to go you should go, unless it's a clear situation where the other driver is not paying attention an accident will occur.

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Gilco2

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#677424 27-Aug-2012 09:28

sbiddle:
Gilco2: Much better control with hands at 10 to 2 than quarter to 3. In 30 years field service mechanic I drove a lot of roads majority Kiwis wont see in forests. Gravel and sand roads.

If you watch any professional driver such as a V8 supercar, WRC car or F1 car their hands are always at quarter to three and the steering wheel is purposely designed for this position. This allows much better control across the full turning circle of of the car, something you can't get at 10 to 2 without your arms crossing.

yes thats correct. Different steering wheels, different conditons and steering boxes different so wheel doesnt have to be turned so much.

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