Emerging left - Rolling first gear

Approaching the junction - Speed and gear

For a reason that remains unknown to us, some instructors encourage their pupils to emerge from T-junctions in second gear as a matter of course - why they do this is a mystery!

The reason that this confuses us is that most driving instructors and drivers emerge from most junctions, or at least most junctions in town - in first gear in their normal driving - you almost certainly did during Part-Two of your exam.

I suspect that the reason for allowing learners to 'grab second gear and hope that the road is clear' is because many instructors find it difficult to teach a 'rolling first gear' approach.

The good news is that teaching a 'rolling first' is dead easy if you follow the simple step-by-step approach outlined below and start practise away from a junction as explained in the video.

Step 1:

Make sure that your learner fully understands the concept of open and closed junctions (zones of vision).

Step 2:

Use the six-car length rule to help beginners to understand about speed and gear on approach; that is, if you can be sure that the new road is clear and can make your decision to emerge six car lengths back from the Give-Way line then second gear is fine, otherwise, use first gear (and possibly stop).

Step 3:

Introduce the concept of a 'controlled roll'. This means that the car is technically coasting but is going so slowly that it is fully under control.

To achieve this the car should feel as though it is going to stop one car-length short of the line, so much so that the pressure on the brake pedal needs to be eased to prevent the car stopping short. Note: stopping short is much easier to sort out than overshooting. Ensure that your pupil understands the concept of progressive braking.

Step 4:

Teach your pupil to press the clutch down approximately two or three car lengths back (depending upon the current gear) and slide first gear in at about one car length, keeping the clutch down until full observation has been made.

At busier junctions the 'Give-Way triangle' (painted on the road surface) can be a good marker point for easing off the brake and selecting first gear in the early stages of learning.

Next: Step 4 - Emerging issues.