Embarrassing.. But need advice please - How to drive up hill

TrickyWicky

Dave_C wrote: »

Err .. Doesn't the driving test involve a hill start?

They can't test you on something you don't have in your area. Remember the test is just that, a test. Not a test with travelling time to each part of the test miles away from the test centre.

You did think about that before posting didn't you?

cyclonebri1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Evening Keyboard Warrior,

Just like to remind you the op was asking for help not a slating from those up on the moral high ground Perhaps you missed the bit where they said they learned in london on mainly level ground?

Regards..

Ground control to major Tom, we have an escapiee

All tests include a hill start.

This poster needs more help than the OP.

TrickyWicky

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Ground control to major Tom, we have an escapiee

All tests include a hill start.

This poster needs more help than the OP.

So what happens in an area where there isn't any hills? - How come I never did a hill start for my test? - I'm an escapiee ?

Hill start wasn't listed here either:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022540

WestonDave

As stated, its largely an issue of unfamiliarity and lack of confidence. I'm sure there are parts of the test syllabus that most of us don't use - I don't tend to do that many 3 point turns (not that it would bother me). Having an additional driving lesson makes sense to get some practice and confidence but other than that don't worry. You'll soon get much more confident that the car will keep rolling whilst you change gear, and that you really do have to push most cars quite badly to make them stall.

If you end up in Bath just go for a bit of practice at a quiet point in the day - following one of the tour buses up Lansdown Hill is good practice for low speeds on hills. (Oh and if anyone tells you there is a nice shortcut up Rosemount Lane - tell them to get stuffed as they are winding you up - its almost vertical!). We're also used to people stalling on hills - because we still manage it from time to time even though we think we are perfect drivers!

cyclonebri1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

So what happens in an area where there isn't any hills? - How come I never did a hill start for my test? - I'm an escapiee ?

Hill start wasn't listed here either:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022540

Yes you must have been or maybe with no disrespect you were totally engaged in passing your test you missed this bit;

Quote;

During the driving test, approaching a suitable incline, the examiner will direct you to "Stop on the left hand side of the road, please"

Check your mirrors, and look ahead for a safe and legal spot to stop.

When you spot a suitable position, check your interior and left hand mirror, indicate left and pull in smoothly and gradually.

Stop with the front wheels pointing straight ahead, put on the handbrake, select neutral and cancel the indicator

He may now ask you to demonstrate the hand signals, when finished he will then tell you to "Drive Off, when ready"

Depress clutch, put the car in 1st gear (palm facing away).

Rev the engine, slightly more than if you were moving off on level ground.

Now hold your right foot still.

Let up the clutch smoothly to the biting (or holding) point.

Because you are on a hill, you must let the clutch "bite" a little more than normal, so that the car is actually pulling very slightly against the handbrake.
However you must ensure that you do not let it up too far and have the engine labouring.

A few ways to help you find this position.
The bonnet of the car will "lift" - if a front wheel drive car
The rev counter reading will drop
Watch the right hand mirror, you should see the ground move.
The engine note will deepen

Now, HOLD YOUR FEET STILL

Check your interior and right mirror, your blind spot and if clear signal right and release the handbrake, and HOLD YOUR FEET STILL

The car should now start moving slowly forward, keep HOLDING YOUR FEET STILL, also do not turn the steering wheel
Wait until the car has gained a little speed then let up the clutch smoothly whilst giving a little more gas.


Now, check your outside mirror, your blind spot and move out to your normal driving position (1 meter from the left)

If the car does not move forward on releasing the handbrake, give little more gas, let the clutch up slightly, so that it moves slowly forward..

If it rolls back you did not let up the clutch far enough when finding the holding point, so next time let it bite a little more. Or if it jumps forward and stalls, or rolls back you MOVED YOUR FEET.

cyclonebri1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Evening Keyboard Warrior,

Just like to remind you the op was asking for help not a slating from those up on the moral high ground Perhaps you missed the bit where they said they learned in london on mainly level ground?

Regards..

Did the op say they learnt on mainly level ground?, no, only in your mind.:(

barbiedoll

OP, you probably drive on more hills than you realise, London isn't THAT flat!

I do hill starts all day long, including from outside my house first thing in the morning. But I absolutely hate going up Blackheath hill, a long and steep(ish) climb which is normally stop/start all the way up. I have a real phobia about it and avoid it at all costs. Which is annoying as the only other way home for me is through Greenwich town centre.
I did that all the way through the Olympics and I dread to think how much petrol I wasted by sitting in traffic for hours at a time.

Find a local, scary hill and go out late at night or early on Sunday morning and practice, practice, practice. It will soon become second nature and you'll wonder why you were so bothered about it. It's just confidence, there's no reason why you (and your car) can't cope with it. I'm off to Blackheath with my mum at the weekend, she's always very encouraging (probably can't believe that I've finally got my license after 40-odd years!) and if I c0ck it up, she won't shout at me like OH would!
Good luck!

mkirkby

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I too couldn't believe anyone that had passed even a basic driving test would post this.
Sorry op, but driving uphill is 25% of your driving, 50% on level, and the last 25% downhill.

Not if you come from Norfolk. very very flat and very very boring scenery (unless you can see the sea)

Idiophreak

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I too couldn't believe anyone that had passed even a basic driving test would post this.
Sorry op, but driving uphill is 25% of your driving, 50% on level, and the last 25% downhill.

I don't believe this is a serious topic, or rather I don't want to:eek:

I can't believe that's a serious reply, to be honest.

I'd say < 1% of my driving is on a significant hill in either direction...

cyclonebri1

Idiophreak wrote: »

I can't believe that's a serious reply, to be honest.

I'd say < 1% of my driving is on a significant hill in either direction...

Move to Derbyshire, you'll believe it then. And just keep in mind that most towns, or settlements as they were are situated in sheltered hollows. There are 7 main roads out of my nearest town, all lead uphill.

Norfolk, went there once, found an area that was below sea level:eek:, must have driven uphill to get out of it.

Significant doesn't come into from a driving test point of view, enough to allow the car to roll when the handbrake is released is all they are looking for.