I mentioned in my last blog post that I was having problems stalling while driving, well I was having different problems on my last driving lesson.
I've now been taught 2 driving maneuvers, and my instructor has pointed out that I'm doing the same thing wrong on both, I keep going too fast, and not taking or making effective observations.
I've been told that the reasons many people fail their drving tests while doing manouvers, is that they drive the car too fast, usually losing control and this fast speed doesn't allow them to take effective observations, missing hazards in the process and resulting in unsafe driving!
We therefore spent a lot of time during the driving lesson making sure that while performing both the turn in the road and the reverse parking exercises that I concentrated on having a slow car, looking all around and allowing the eyes to register what was happening around me.
I was told to always drive as if I was on a practical test with a DSA examiner, and not do anything during the lesson that I wouldn't do if it was a test. Well I've got a lot of work to do over the next couple of lessons in that department, but I will try my best even though I can't always remember everything and still drive the car smoothly!
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Turn in the road
Showing posts with label POM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label POM. Show all posts
Stalling on Driving Lessons
My driving lessons have been going well so far, but lately I have been having problems stalling the car when moving off particularly at junctions and traffic lights, and the thing is a lot of the times there is nobody behind me, so I can't even attribute it to being under pressure from other road users.
My instructor has said I need to make sure I set the gas properly and make sure that I smoothly bring up the clutch and not to be too much in a hurry to get the car moving. If I concentrate hard, then the car doesn't stall, but sometimes I'm trying to make sure it is safe to proceed, that I either move my left foot too quickly, or don't use enough gas!
Apart from stalling the car, my driving maneuvers are getting better, and I'm working very hard on the parallel parking exercise as this is a skill I'll need a lot when I pass my driving test and get a car, because it is always hard to find parking spaces in the Hampstead streets here in NW3 London.
I'll continue to update my driving lesson blog with my progress, and am looking forward to getting close to driving test standard.
Driving Lesson Video Stalling Car
My instructor has said I need to make sure I set the gas properly and make sure that I smoothly bring up the clutch and not to be too much in a hurry to get the car moving. If I concentrate hard, then the car doesn't stall, but sometimes I'm trying to make sure it is safe to proceed, that I either move my left foot too quickly, or don't use enough gas!
Apart from stalling the car, my driving maneuvers are getting better, and I'm working very hard on the parallel parking exercise as this is a skill I'll need a lot when I pass my driving test and get a car, because it is always hard to find parking spaces in the Hampstead streets here in NW3 London.
I'll continue to update my driving lesson blog with my progress, and am looking forward to getting close to driving test standard.
Driving Lesson Video Stalling Car
Driving lesson 10
Today marked 10 hours of driving lessons, and while it is not a milestone by any means, having read my blog, I don't think I'm doing too bad with learning to drive a car here in the UK, and if all goes well, I should be taking my driving test pretty soon hopefully.
Today my driving instructor just made me practice what we've been learning so far, so a lot of moving off and stopping, with particular attention taken to make sure I was using POM properly.
I also dealt with all sorts of junctions, turning left and right, emerged at T-Junctions and had to work hard on LADA, as it is not easy following the rules when other cars behind you want to get past you. I don't like having to deal with traffic, as it seems most of London's drivers are always in a hurry, never patient with Learner drivers' and having 'L' plates displayed seems to have the wrong effect as they try to squeeze through the narrow NW2 streets in Cricklewood even though I have the right of way, and they should be yeilding!
I also had more practising of my 3 point turn manouver, this time on more narrow and sometimes busy roads, learning what to do when cars turn up during the exercise, the importance of using the handbrake (parking brake to the Americans), and looking out for pedestrians.
I sometimes forget to look behind me when reversing instead using the interior mirror when my driving instructor says is wrong and will be marked down on during the test by the DSA examiner. I don't know where I got that bad driving habit from, but my ADI seems to be on top of it, so I won't be getting away with it. Roll on the next driving lesson, and you'll be the first to read of my adventures in this blog.
Today my driving instructor just made me practice what we've been learning so far, so a lot of moving off and stopping, with particular attention taken to make sure I was using POM properly.
I also dealt with all sorts of junctions, turning left and right, emerged at T-Junctions and had to work hard on LADA, as it is not easy following the rules when other cars behind you want to get past you. I don't like having to deal with traffic, as it seems most of London's drivers are always in a hurry, never patient with Learner drivers' and having 'L' plates displayed seems to have the wrong effect as they try to squeeze through the narrow NW2 streets in Cricklewood even though I have the right of way, and they should be yeilding!
I also had more practising of my 3 point turn manouver, this time on more narrow and sometimes busy roads, learning what to do when cars turn up during the exercise, the importance of using the handbrake (parking brake to the Americans), and looking out for pedestrians.
I sometimes forget to look behind me when reversing instead using the interior mirror when my driving instructor says is wrong and will be marked down on during the test by the DSA examiner. I don't know where I got that bad driving habit from, but my ADI seems to be on top of it, so I won't be getting away with it. Roll on the next driving lesson, and you'll be the first to read of my adventures in this blog.
Turn in the Road First driving maneuver
My driving lessons have been going well so far, and while it is a lot to learn, and very hard work, I seem to be making progress, and having been looking forward to today's lesson, because I will be doing my first driving maneuver, the turn in the road (my adi instructor said it used to be called the 3 point turn).
As usual, we had a recap of previous driving skills I had learnt, with my instructor using Q&A to findout where I would look while reversing and clutch control and what was the meaning of POM because as he explained, I will be using these skills while performing the turn in the road.
It was time for the now familiar driving lesson briefing before a new DSA syllabus topic from the driver's record was covered, and to keep things simple, this lesson briefing explained the maneuver as a 3 point turn.
First I learnt how to use SCALP to chose the right spot to carry out this driving exercise, making particularly sure I don't do it too close to a junction.
Next I was reminded that I must use the POM System for all maneuvers and when carrying out my observations I must make sure there is no one around that will be affected by my driving. This also means that I don't need to use any signals for this or any of the other set exercises.
It is important that I keep the car very slow using clutch control, and that any steering that needs to be done should be with fast hands, hence I have been told to remember the slogan 'slow car, fast hands'.
The first point: Once it is safe, having prepared the car, I should put the handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly forward, I should steer full lock to the right, using a little more gas to overcome the additional resistance caused by the steering and any road gradient. As I get closer to the other side of the road, I should get ready to use the brake and clutch to stop as I steer to the left, if necessary easing off the brake to allow finite movements forward to position my right exterior wing mirror to sit on top of the kerb edge. A bit hard to explain, but I know what it looks like.
Once I stop, I should put on my handbrake.
Second Point: select reverse gear, find the biting point and then carry out my full 6 points observations, and if safe handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly, steer all the way to the left full lock, looking behind and around as the car moves across the road. As I get closer to the other side, slow down, look over my right should so I know where the kerb is and avoid hitting it as I stop close to it, steering to the right.
3rd point: Using POM move off forward, steering to the right, and continue up the road, driving in the opposite from where we came.
It all sounded simple when he explained it, but doing it practically was a different ball game. My first attempt of this new driving maneuver was not bad even though my instructor was giving me full talk through, I was nervous, and sometimes I would zone out, and not hear what I was being told probably because of panic fearing I would drive straight over the road and the opposite pavement! I had 4 attempts, on this very queit road, and was very thankful I didn't have to deal with any cars on this part of the lesson.
We drove around a bit to take a break from the maneuver, then I had a few more attempts, and this time it was getting better, with my clutch control improved now that I was no longer in panic mode!
It was soon time to go home, and before we swapped driving seats, my driving instructor and I filled in my driver's record and I was able to tick the turn in the road, with a 3 next to it. I totally enjoyed today's driving lesson!
My north west london driving instructor also recommended a DVD a visual guide to passing the driving test which I have been watching, and comparing notes with what I did today, and am quite happy that I'll be able to do it when the time for my practical driving test arrives, though that won't be for a few weeks now.
Turn in the Road Video
As usual, we had a recap of previous driving skills I had learnt, with my instructor using Q&A to findout where I would look while reversing and clutch control and what was the meaning of POM because as he explained, I will be using these skills while performing the turn in the road.
3 Point turn
It was time for the now familiar driving lesson briefing before a new DSA syllabus topic from the driver's record was covered, and to keep things simple, this lesson briefing explained the maneuver as a 3 point turn.
First I learnt how to use SCALP to chose the right spot to carry out this driving exercise, making particularly sure I don't do it too close to a junction.
Next I was reminded that I must use the POM System for all maneuvers and when carrying out my observations I must make sure there is no one around that will be affected by my driving. This also means that I don't need to use any signals for this or any of the other set exercises.
It is important that I keep the car very slow using clutch control, and that any steering that needs to be done should be with fast hands, hence I have been told to remember the slogan 'slow car, fast hands'.
The first point: Once it is safe, having prepared the car, I should put the handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly forward, I should steer full lock to the right, using a little more gas to overcome the additional resistance caused by the steering and any road gradient. As I get closer to the other side of the road, I should get ready to use the brake and clutch to stop as I steer to the left, if necessary easing off the brake to allow finite movements forward to position my right exterior wing mirror to sit on top of the kerb edge. A bit hard to explain, but I know what it looks like.
Once I stop, I should put on my handbrake.
Second Point: select reverse gear, find the biting point and then carry out my full 6 points observations, and if safe handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly, steer all the way to the left full lock, looking behind and around as the car moves across the road. As I get closer to the other side, slow down, look over my right should so I know where the kerb is and avoid hitting it as I stop close to it, steering to the right.
3rd point: Using POM move off forward, steering to the right, and continue up the road, driving in the opposite from where we came.
It all sounded simple when he explained it, but doing it practically was a different ball game. My first attempt of this new driving maneuver was not bad even though my instructor was giving me full talk through, I was nervous, and sometimes I would zone out, and not hear what I was being told probably because of panic fearing I would drive straight over the road and the opposite pavement! I had 4 attempts, on this very queit road, and was very thankful I didn't have to deal with any cars on this part of the lesson.
We drove around a bit to take a break from the maneuver, then I had a few more attempts, and this time it was getting better, with my clutch control improved now that I was no longer in panic mode!
It was soon time to go home, and before we swapped driving seats, my driving instructor and I filled in my driver's record and I was able to tick the turn in the road, with a 3 next to it. I totally enjoyed today's driving lesson!
My north west london driving instructor also recommended a DVD a visual guide to passing the driving test which I have been watching, and comparing notes with what I did today, and am quite happy that I'll be able to do it when the time for my practical driving test arrives, though that won't be for a few weeks now.
Turn in the Road Video
Moving Off and Stopping
My first driving lesson had not gone as I had expected because I did not drive the car, but I had now booked my second session which was 2hrs and was told by my driving instructor that we would definately be covering moving off and stopping and if I made good progress might even get to do junctions turning left during this lesson.
The first thing I had to do once I got into the driver's seat was my cockpit drill, once I had completed this, my driving instructor then gave me a lesson briefing on moving off and stopping. The first thing he talked about was POM.
My ADI explained the POM stood for Prepare, Oberserve and Move, and that I should use this routine everytime I was moving off or beginning a manouver.
I prepare the car by find the biting point, this involves putting the clutch down (you don't have this pedal if you are driving an automatic car, only manual transmission) and keeping it down, selecting first gear, then using the right foot to set the gas, next comes lifting the left foot up slowly until I hear a reduction in the engine noise (I had to do this 3 times because I kept stalling the car).
Observations
I was taught the importance of looking all around the car before moving off when parked on the side of the road and everytime I stopped while performing a maneuver.
I was told to do a 6 point check, starting by looking over my left shoulder, then left exterior mirror, interior mirror, the road ahead, right mirror and finally over my right shoulder. My driving instructor emphasied the importance of make sure I had checked my blind spots as it is very easy when on the driving test to miss another road user, and this could cause me to fail, so I should develop the habit right from now!
Moving Off in the car
Once I've made sure it is safe, my left hand should go on the handbrake, I should do a final check the right side of the car, put the handbrake down, bring the left foot up slowly (clutch), steer into the road, continue bring the clutch up, and once in the road, check my mirrors and give it a little gas!
It sounds simple, but I had problems doing all that together, and kept stalling the car. Once I finally got it, I started panicking as I was driving the car, but couln't steer straight! My ADI instructor had to keep helping me, as I couldn't press the gas with the right amount of pressure, look down the road even though it was wide I was still drifting towards the parked vehicles. It is hard learning to drive a car, I didn't expect to find it this tough!
Soon it was time to stop on the left, and I had to use MSM for the first time, checking the interior then left external mirrors, there was nobody around on the quiet road we were driving on, so I didn't need to use the indicators to signal, so I came off the gas, steering a bit to the left. When he said cover the brake, I slammed my foot down, and the car jerked to a stop! Oops. OMG, I had just driven a car, I was exicted and wanted to try harder to get this thing right. Now I was enjoying my driving lessons as this was what I signed up for.
I must always use SCALP to select where I stop the car. I must stop the car in a Safe, Convinient And Legal Position. So much to memorise and remember.
I had another go at moving off, stalling only once, started getting better at steering the car on a straight course and worked harder on using MSM when it was time to stop on the left. There is so much to learning to drive a car especially the way that the DSA examiners want it here in the UK, and I'm finding it hard to remember everything.
I got to do some reversing on the driving lesson, learning that I should look back, not using the mirrors, and was explained clutch control to keep the car slow when perfoming a manouver.
Before I knew it, time was up, and my driving instructor was driving me back to my NW3 Hampstead flat via the busy Finchley road dual carriageway. One day I'll be able to drive myself home from my lessons.
Don't forget the highway code is the standard expected, so master it as it could save you from make a simple error that would result in failure, revise it when not taking practical lessons!
The first thing I had to do once I got into the driver's seat was my cockpit drill, once I had completed this, my driving instructor then gave me a lesson briefing on moving off and stopping. The first thing he talked about was POM.
POM system
My ADI explained the POM stood for Prepare, Oberserve and Move, and that I should use this routine everytime I was moving off or beginning a manouver.
I prepare the car by find the biting point, this involves putting the clutch down (you don't have this pedal if you are driving an automatic car, only manual transmission) and keeping it down, selecting first gear, then using the right foot to set the gas, next comes lifting the left foot up slowly until I hear a reduction in the engine noise (I had to do this 3 times because I kept stalling the car).
Observations
I was taught the importance of looking all around the car before moving off when parked on the side of the road and everytime I stopped while performing a maneuver.
I was told to do a 6 point check, starting by looking over my left shoulder, then left exterior mirror, interior mirror, the road ahead, right mirror and finally over my right shoulder. My driving instructor emphasied the importance of make sure I had checked my blind spots as it is very easy when on the driving test to miss another road user, and this could cause me to fail, so I should develop the habit right from now!
Moving Off in the car
Once I've made sure it is safe, my left hand should go on the handbrake, I should do a final check the right side of the car, put the handbrake down, bring the left foot up slowly (clutch), steer into the road, continue bring the clutch up, and once in the road, check my mirrors and give it a little gas!
It sounds simple, but I had problems doing all that together, and kept stalling the car. Once I finally got it, I started panicking as I was driving the car, but couln't steer straight! My ADI instructor had to keep helping me, as I couldn't press the gas with the right amount of pressure, look down the road even though it was wide I was still drifting towards the parked vehicles. It is hard learning to drive a car, I didn't expect to find it this tough!
Mirrors Signal Move
Soon it was time to stop on the left, and I had to use MSM for the first time, checking the interior then left external mirrors, there was nobody around on the quiet road we were driving on, so I didn't need to use the indicators to signal, so I came off the gas, steering a bit to the left. When he said cover the brake, I slammed my foot down, and the car jerked to a stop! Oops. OMG, I had just driven a car, I was exicted and wanted to try harder to get this thing right. Now I was enjoying my driving lessons as this was what I signed up for.
SCALP
I must always use SCALP to select where I stop the car. I must stop the car in a Safe, Convinient And Legal Position. So much to memorise and remember.
I had another go at moving off, stalling only once, started getting better at steering the car on a straight course and worked harder on using MSM when it was time to stop on the left. There is so much to learning to drive a car especially the way that the DSA examiners want it here in the UK, and I'm finding it hard to remember everything.
I got to do some reversing on the driving lesson, learning that I should look back, not using the mirrors, and was explained clutch control to keep the car slow when perfoming a manouver.
Before I knew it, time was up, and my driving instructor was driving me back to my NW3 Hampstead flat via the busy Finchley road dual carriageway. One day I'll be able to drive myself home from my lessons.
Don't forget the highway code is the standard expected, so master it as it could save you from make a simple error that would result in failure, revise it when not taking practical lessons!
