Control and positioning (skills 5 to 7)
Contents
Introduction
Learning to control your car smoothly and position it correctly takes time and practice. These skills form the foundation of safe driving and will become second nature as you gain experience.
Why these skills matter
Loss of control is a factor in many serious collisions, especially when drivers feel rushed or distracted.
Learning smooth control and good positioning helps you stay calm, avoid sudden mistakes, and feel more confident behind the wheel.
5. Controls and instruments
Getting to know your car’s controls helps you drive more smoothly and safely. Every car is slightly different, so understanding your specific vehicle matters.
You should be able to:
- use the foot controls (accelerator, brake, clutch) smoothly and progressively
- operate the hand controls (steering, indicators, lights, wipers) confidently
- read and understand the instrument panel, including warning lights
- adapt quickly when driving a different vehicle
You should also understand any driver assistance technology fitted to your vehicle, such as cruise control, lane-keeping assist, or automatic emergency braking. These features are designed to support a skilled, attentive driver – not to replace concentration or control.
Things to think about
Do I always take time to understand the controls and instruments before I drive an unfamiliar car?
Would I stay in full control if a driver assistance feature activated unexpectedly?
Would I ever assume a driver assistance system would handle a situation for me, rather than staying fully in control myself?
What could happen if I drove without fully understanding how my car’s features work?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
What driver assistance features does this car have, and how should I use them safely?
6. Moving away and stopping
Moving away and stopping safely are skills you will use every single time you drive. Done well, they set the tone for the whole journey.
You should be able to:
- use the mirror – signals – manoeuvre (MSM) and position – speed – look (PSL) routines consistently
- move away safely on flat roads, hills, and at an angle
- stop the car smoothly and in full control in different situations
- carry out thorough all-round checks before moving off
Things to think about
Do I always check it is safe before I move away or stop?
Would I still take my time to check carefully if I was late for something important?
Would I ever move away without checking properly because I felt confident nothing was coming?
What could happen if I moved away or stopped without checking first?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
How consistent am I with my checks before moving away and stopping?
7. Safe positioning
Where you position your car on the road affects your own safety and the safety of everyone around you. Good positioning helps other road users predict what you will do next.
You should be able to:
- drive in the correct position for the road and situation
- keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
- use lanes correctly, including on multi-lane roads
- understand how your position affects other road users
Things to think about
Do I always make sure I am in the right place on the road for the situation I am in?
Would I keep my position right if I was unsure about what was coming up ahead?
Would I ever drive closer to parked cars because I felt confident I could judge the space?
What could happen if I was in the wrong place on the road?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
In which situations do I need to think more carefully about my road position?
Not feeling completely prepared?
Only take your driving test if you’re feeling completely prepared.
You can move your driving test back if you’re not feeling quite ready yet.
It’s free to change your appointment time, as long as you do it at least 10 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before your test.