Welcome to Section Three

In this section you will work towards perfecting a skill that is alien to many, if not most, drivers... The skill of driving smoothly.

Finesse is essential for smooth advanced car control. By practising this section's exercises you will start to gain the skills needed to keep your car on the road and to lull your passengers to sleep.

By perfecting your 'emergency stop' skills you will also have a way out if things go wrong!

This section is designed to start 'smoothing out' your driving, the key focus is on gear changing.

Many drivers never learn to change gear smoothly, or to always use the correct gear for the circumstances. The smoothness required for advanced test gear changes can almost be compared with the grace of a ballet dancer (the Smooth Driving project will rate you on the 'Swan Lake' scale).

A full understanding of the theory and practice of smooth, effective gear changing is essential if you are going to become a safe, smooth driver.

The emergency stop project is included in this section to give you some practical experience of stopping quickly – something that you should rarely, if ever, have to do during normal driving.

The material provided does not answer the 'Why' and 'When' questions related to the emergency stop. Your experience as a driver, combined with your experience completing the project, will enable you to answer these questions.

In addition to all of the above you will start the development of your commentary driving technique and a 'vehicle discovery' car care project.

And a reminder – there is no substitute for getting practical experience as directed in the tutorials and worksheets.