This guide covers the fundamental routines that you’ll need to master while in a driving school before anything else.

As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect” To feel confident with all of these techniques you’ll need about 10 hours of lessons with an approved driving instructor for perfection. 

The 7 steps are briefly discussed below

1). Cockpit drill: 

The cockpit drill covers the things you’ll need to check and adjust each time you get into your car, before you start the engine. Be sure to check the Doors, Seat, Steering, Seatbelt, Mirrors etc to ascertain that they are in perfect condition. 

2). Use of mirrors

Checking and adjusting your mirrors forms part of the cockpit drill.

Adjusting your mirrors before you start the engine is essential if you share your car with anyone else. It’s still important to check your mirrors before every journey regardless. This is because they may have been knocked (especially wing mirrors, if you park on a busy street). They might also need clearing if the weather is bad.

3). Use of signals

Learn when and where to use signals — and which signals are appropriate in certain situations. The golden rule is to consider whether other road users will benefit from your signaling. Using signals incorrectly or not using them at all can have disastrous consequences and that is why it’s so important to practice your signaling skills until they become second nature.

4). Moving off using the POM routine.

POM stands for Prepare, Observe, Move.

First make sure that you are prepared to set off, then observe and see if there are no obstacles in front and behind.

 You will need to know how to find the biting point of your clutch and outline the six point checks, which covers your mirror and blind spot checks. 

5). Stopping using the MSM routine

MSM stands for Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre.

Once you’ve learnt how to move off safely using the POM routine above, you’ll then need to learn how to bring your vehicle to a stop. To safely stop your car, you’ll need to use the MSM routine.

6). Steering using the pull / push method

You will also need to know how to hold the steering wheel correctly and this is a skill you can perfect from time to time.

7). Changing gears (manual and automatic)

Learning to change gears is one of the most crucial fundamental driving skills. Once you have mastery of your gearbox you will be well on the way to becoming a safe and confident driver.