Control & Positioning: Master Your Vehicle
Smooth, confident vehicle control and correct road positioning are the marks of a competent driver — and a prerequisite for passing your test.
These three skills underpin every other skill on the list. Weak control makes junctions, roundabouts, and manoeuvres much harder than they need to be.
Track Your Control ProgressControls and Instruments
Knowing where every control is and how to use it — without looking down — is fundamental. The examiner watches for smooth, confident control throughout the entire test.
Key controls to master
- ✓Pedals: Clutch (bite point feel), brake (progressive), accelerator (smooth)
- ✓Gears: Smooth changes, correct gear for speed, block-changing
- ✓Steering: Pull-push technique, hand position
- ✓Handbrake: Applying and releasing smoothly on hills
- ✓Dashboard: Warning lights, speedometer, fuel gauge
- ✓Ancillary controls: Wipers, lights, horn, demister
The 5 levels for Skill 5
- 1 Introduced: Instructor explains each control individually
- 2 Helped: Operates controls with guidance and prompting
- 3 Prompted: Mostly smooth; occasional jerky inputs or wrong gear
- 4 Independent: Consistently smooth and confident across all controls
- 5 Reflection: Adapts technique to different vehicles and conditions
Moving Off and Stopping
Moving off smoothly and stopping under control are two of the most frequently assessed moments on a driving test. The examiner will observe your observations, clutch control, and positioning every single time.
The POM routine for moving off
- PPrepare — set gas, find bite point
- OObserve — mirrors, blind spots, over both shoulders
- MMove — if safe, release handbrake and move off smoothly
Signal if it will benefit another road user before moving.
The 5 levels for Skill 6
- 1 Introduced: Instructor guides through POM routine
- 2 Helped: Attempts routine; stalls or misses observations
- 3 Prompted: Usually correct; occasional missed blind spot check
- 4 Independent: Smooth, safe moves and stops without prompting
- 5 Reflection: Adapts to hills, traffic gaps, and pedestrians confidently
Safe Positioning
Where you position your vehicle on the road affects safety for you and every road user around you. The examiner assesses your positioning throughout the test — not just at junctions.
Positioning rules
- ✓ Keep left in normal driving — not too close to the kerb, not straddling the centre line
- ✓ Position correctly for the direction at junctions (left, straight, right)
- ✓ Stay in lane on multi-lane roads; don't drift between lanes
- ✓ Give cyclists, motorcyclists, and horses a wide berth
- ✓ Keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead (2-second rule)
The 5 levels for Skill 7
- 1 Introduced: Instructor explains road position principles
- 2 Helped: Position generally correct with guidance
- 3 Prompted: Usually positioned correctly; occasional drift or wrong lane
- 4 Independent: Consistently correct position on all road types
- 5 Reflection: Adjusts position proactively to hazards, road conditions, and other road users
Tracking Progress Across Skills 5–7
Introduced
Following instructor guidance
Helped
Improving with assistance
Prompted
Mostly independent, occasional prompts
Independent
Consistent, confident performance
Reflection
Understands the why — test ready
Your instructor records your level on each skill after every lesson. Aim for Level 5 on all 27 skills before booking your test.
Track Your Vehicle Control Progress
See your level on every skill after each lesson. Know exactly which skills to focus on — no guessing.
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