Among the important things, you’ll study in a driving class is how to pull over safely. Though it may appear to be simple, it only needs much focus.
Even if you don’t like to pull over, you’ll be surprised to learn that you’ll have to pull over countless times during your driving test.
However, practice makes perfect. So, if you want to know how to pull over safely like an expert, you’ve come to the perfect spot!
Let’s get started!
Pulling Over to the Right
1. Locate an Appropriate Area for Pulling Up
When it’s safe, the examiner will advise you to pull up to the right. As a result, it will be totally up to you to decide where to park.
Ensure you don’t panic and take the first empty place you come across. Instead, follow the same rules while pulling up on the left.
You also need to find a spacious area with lots of room to park your vehicle close to the curb.
NOTE:
- If you’re on a tight road, don’t pull over across from parked cars, it will make it difficult to rejoin traffic.
- Avoid obstructing driveways where you could obstruct automobiles arriving or exiting. However, you are permitted to do so for this maneuver if necessary.
- Avoid approaching crossroads, curves, or bus stops too closely since you may cause an obstruction or an accident if vision is limited.
- If possible, avoid pulling up behind another vehicle since it will obstruct your view of oncoming traffic when you need to reenter the road.
2. MSM and Proper Placement
Once you’ve decided on a location, you need to employ the MSM (Mirrors, Signal, and Move) process to move to the right securely.
- Examine your inside mirror, your right-hand mirror, and the blind area over your right shoulder. If everything is clear, signal to the right.
- Move your car to the right side of your lane as if you were making a right turn at a crossroads. It’s critical not to rush here. Instead, wait to see if you need to create a way to incoming traffic. If you have to wait, double-check your mirrors. You never know what has changed!
- Once it’s clear, double-check your mirrors and your right shoulder blind spot.
3. Pull Up to the Right
As a general guideline, leave around eight-vehicle lengths between where you’ve stopped to give way to oncoming traffic and where you plan to pull up. This will give you plenty of space to maneuver and straighten your car.
- Try to move in using a shallow angle when it’s safe to draw up on the right. If you do it at a sharp angle, you will be more likely to contact the curb and have more difficulty putting your car parallel to the curb.
- Get near the kerb as possible, around 20-30 centimeters. Your teacher will most likely have provided reference points for pulling over, such as “You’ll be parallel once the side of the kerb reaches the windscreen of the car.”
- Before stopping, try to get the car parallel to the kerb and straighten the wheels. This will make things easy for you when you have to reverse.
- Come to a complete stop, apply the handbrake, and pick neutral gear.
4. Reverse and Exit
After you’ve come to a complete stop, the inspector will instruct you to reverse back for roughly two vehicle lengths. If you followed our advice and stopped parallel to the curb, this should be a breeze.
- Begin by selecting reverse gear. Before you begin moving, ensure sure there is no approaching traffic. Wait for the vehicles to pass if there is one.
- It’s now time to check your mirrors and blind spots. Check your right shoulder blind spot, right-hand mirror, interior, left-hand mirror, left shoulder blind spot, and finally, the rear window in an anti-clockwise motion.
- As you reverse, keep an eye on the rear glass and glance in all directions for other road users. For example, you must redo your inspections if you have to stop for pedestrians or bikes.
- Stop the car after moving two car lengths, apply the handbrake, and choose neutral. Keep your reference point in mind as you reverse and align with the kerb. When it’s time to go, the examiner will notify you.
- When you’re ready, shift into first gear and do your checks. Examine your internal mirror, the left-hand mirror, and left shoulder blind spot. Check for incoming traffic, and then indicate left and proceed. That’s all there is to it! It may appear difficult at first, but once broken down, it’s as simple as pie.
Pulling Over to the Left
Here are several steps you have to follow while pulling over to the left:
- Once you’ve found a decent parking location, check the inside mirror to assess the speed and position of the cars behind you, then check the left door mirror for any bicycles.
- When it’s safe, give a left signal to confirm your desire to pull over, and then begin to slow down by softly braking. (Do not brake before checking your mirrors or signaling since there may be a car behind you, and you might catch them off guard and get rear-ended.)
- Once you’ve passed the final car on your left, begin steering into the gap. The amount of steering required will be determined by the width of the space you’re entering and the speed of your vehicle. The quicker you drive, the more you’ll have to steer, so it’s generally better to draw into the spot at a strolling pace and manage the speed with the brakes.
- Steer a quarter to the left, let your car enter enough, then steer a quarter to the right to straighten the body of the vehicle, and finally steer a quarter to the left to straighten the wheels.
- Aim to park somewhat near the kerb and no more than a steering wheel width away from it. If the car is still too far from the curb, repeat the process, but be careful not to park too near the vehicles in front of you.
- When you’re satisfied with your kerb distance, secure the car by lifting the handbrake and choosing neutral. Once you’ve completed this, the examiner will know you’re finished and will give you your next instructions.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the mentioned steps will make it easier for you to operate on the road. You’ll also be sure to pass your road test if you’re waiting for one.
It only needs a little bit of practice! Start your driving lessons today to become an expert and more confident driver.