Revision

POM Routine

Prepare - Observe - Move

Use this routine when moving away from the side of the road or whenever you are moving off from a stationary position during a manoeuvre.

Prepare - Press the clutch pedal in, select 1st gear, set the gas & position the clutch near the bite (at the bite if uphill). Cover the handbrake and right hand on the steering wheel.

Observe - 360°, usually from left blind spot, through each window and mirrors, finishing with the right blind spot. Signal if necessary for oncoming traffic or any other road-users.

Move - Release the handbrake, keep gas set (revving), gently lift clutch to the bite & hold the bite until the car reaches walking speed, gently fully release the clutch - steer into a normal driving position as the car moves off (1 metre, a door width from the kerb).

Revision

Following Distances

The highway code advises that you should always keep far enough back from the vehicle in front to be able to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear ahead.

You should always keep back at least your overall stopping distance (thinking and braking distance)
At 20mph, this is 12m (about a bus length)
At 30mph, this is 23m (about 2 bus lengths)
For speeds of 40mph and above, you should use the 2 second rule. As the vehicle in front passes a fixed object, you should only pass the same object at least 2 seconds later.

In wet conditions, allow twice the normal distance. In snow and ice, allow up to 10 times the normal distance.

Test Preparation

Show Me / Tell Me Questions

The 'Show Me / Tell Me' questions are asked at the start of the practical test and are based on general car maintenance and safety checks. A few examples of the questions are listed below:

Q - Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify dipstick, describe 'pull out, wipe clean', reinsert, take out again and check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers. Always check when engine is cold.

Q - Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
Demonstrate by applying parking brake that a firm resistance is felt before it reaches the end of it’s working travel, also when the ratchet button is released, the hand brake secures itself.

Q - Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
The recommended pressures are found in the manufacturer's handbook. A reliable pressure gauge should be used to check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.