Unit 2 - LO3(B)
Be able to drive and manoeuvre a car/light van safely on different road surfaces and in different weather conditions
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Monitor and respond to information from instrumentation, driving aids and the environment Respond appropriately to gauges and warning lights when driving Use switches and other controls in response to changes in road surfaces and weather conditions as required (lights, wipers, climate and ventilation controls, windows, demister etc) | Know the meaning of dashboard warning lights and how to respond to them appropriately. Understand the implications of changing road or weather conditions for the handling of your vehicle Know how to operate controls in response to changes in road surfaces and weather conditions for example demisters, fog lights, traction control etc. Know the rules regarding driving in adverse weather conditions, for example when to use fog lights if fitted. Understand the risks of not knowing the location of switches and controls while on the move. | Allow the driver to practice using ancillary controls when stationary and discuss the risks of being distracted by the operation of controls whilst on the move. Discuss operating the controls in relation to all aspects of driving in adverse weather conditions, such as rain, fog, ice and snow. Explore misconceptions around the application and capability of safety devices such as ABS/Traction Control |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Employ a safe and systematic routine such as 'mirror, signal, position, speed, look' Make effective use of mirrors, and other aids, to monitor other road users and hazards | Understand the use and limitations of internal and external mirrors and how different types and shapes of mirror can make an object appear to be closer or further away than it is Know how to apply a safe and systematic routine such as 'mirror, signal, position, speed and look' Know when and how to check mirrors to monitor the actions of other road users | Discuss the different images portrayed on convex and concave mirrors. It is important to recognise that there are other mnemonics being used to teach correct manoeuvring discipline e.g. 'IPSGA'. It is not critical which one of these is used so long as the driver is capable of safely manoeuvring in a systematic and coordinated way. |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Indicate your intentions effectively to other road users | Understand when and how to indicate your intentions, e.g. to stop or change direction, appropriately when driving Understand how to safely signal your intentions by means of indicators and arm signals. Understand how to use other 'signals', e.g. positioning on the road, to indicate or reinforce your intentions to other road users. | Discuss with the learner how to make the judgement about when to use/not to use indicators. Discuss the extent to which communication of intention is a two-way process and the benefits of eye-contact etc, especially when interacting with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Operate the accelerator smoothly and effectively to maintain and change speed | Understand the adverse impact on your ability to drive safely and the potential consequences of erratic or excessive use of the accelerator, especially in slow moving traffic Understand the adverse impact on the environment of inappropriate use of the accelerator, e.g. excessive production of harmful emissions or excessive noise. Know when it may be appropriate to allow the engine to over run by not using the accelerator. Understand the use of cruise control systems and their benefits to the environment and potential adverse effects such as driver fatigue and safety | Discuss the environmental impact of over acceleration and benefits of engine braking when decelerating. Discuss the relationship between the requirements of safe driving iding and ECO-driving e.g. engine braking Discuss the operation of cruise control systems and how to engage and disengage them safely while on the move. |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Operate brakes effectively brake safely using appropriate braking techniques stop accurately as and where necessary make appropriate use of the parking brake stop the vehicle in an emergency safely and under control | Know how much pressure to apply to the brakes in varying road and traffic conditions. Understand the principles of varying braking systems, for example anti-lock, and know how to brake effectively. Understand how overall stopping distances vary with different speeds and road and weather conditions and are broken into thinking distance and braking distance. Understand the importance of looking well ahead to be able to stop within the area you can see to be clear. Understand the physical and dynamic implications of braking on bends Know how to stop the vehicle as quickly and as safely as possible in an emergency Did you know? All sorts of vehicles can aquaplane. Aquaplaning results from driving too fast on wet roads and can result in total loss of steering control. | Provide examples of stopping distances using reference physical points, for example using a landmark. Discuss the importance of progressive application. Discuss ways to remember safe stopping distances and ensure safe separation is maintained, e.g. two-second gap on a dry road & a four-second gap on wet roads. The tunnel issue derives from EU legislation. Drivers can be reminded of the catastrophic fires which have occurred in European tunnels in the last decade and which were made worse by vehicles leaving inadequate separation distances. Discuss brake lights and the role of hi-level lights. Discuss the difference between non and anti-lock brakes and the different application when braking in an emergency. Explain what is meant by the term aquaplaning and discuss the risks. |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Use gears correctly change gears smoothly and in good time use a suitable gear for speed and driving conditions use automatic gear box effectively if fitted | Understand the use of gears to progress safely and efficiently in a variety of conditions and with varying engines. Understand and demonstrate selective gear (block) changing in relation to vehicle speed and road and traffic conditions. Understand the environmental impact of inappropriate use of gears Understand the effect of vehicle loading and timely gear selection when ascending and descending gradients Understand the use of gear selection when leaving the vehicle parked on a gradient Understand the use of 'kick down' to the next lowest gear on vehicles with automatic transmission Understand the use of 'lock up' on automatic transmissions Manual drive cars involving clutch operation only Know how and when to use the clutch around the biting point to vary very slow pace of the vehicle for tight control. Know how to use of the clutch to enable smooth operation when moving away, changing gears or stopping Understand the problems of not fully releasing the clutch or "riding the clutch" during normal driving | Discuss varying gear configurations and the environmental impact of poor gear selection. Use visual aids to explain the function of the clutch when changing gears. Discuss the environmental impact of poor gear selection. Talk through the use of 'lock up' in regard to holding a gear when appropriate, for example descending gradients. |
| What you need to be able to do | What you need to know and understand | Illustrative guidance for trainers |
| Manoeuvre vehicle coordinate the use of clutch, gears, accelerator, brakes - accelerator and brakes on an automatic - and steering to undertake manoeuvres safely and responsibly reverse to left within allowed parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas reverse to right within allowed parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas perform controlled stops with due regard to other road users perform parallel forward parking correctly within controlled parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas perform parallel reverse parking correctly within controlled parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas perform forward parking correctly within controlled parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas perform reverse parking correctly within controlled parameters with due regard to other road users and awareness of blind areas turn in road correctly within controlled parameters with due regard for other road users and awareness of blind areas | Understand the importance of coordinating the use of clutch , gears, accelerator, brakes, and steering, and the effects of inappropriate use Understand the effects of controlled use of the accelerator in conjunction with the brakes when manoeuvring a vehicle with automatic transmission. Understand the use of vehicle creep and when to apply it when a vehicle is fitted with automatic transmission. Know how to select a safe, convenient and legal location for manoeuvring Understand the relevance of a safe and systematic system such as Mirrors - Signal - Position - Speed - Look routine when preparing to carry out and during a manoeuvre. Know how to take 'effective observation' when executing any manoeuvre with particular attention to vulnerable road users. Know the various braking techniques to stop the vehicle effectively and efficiently under full control. Know the correct procedure for safely reversing into a side road on the left Know the correct procedure for safely reversing into a side road on the right Know the correct procedure to safely carry out a turn in road/U-turn manoeuvre Know the rules relating to prohibition of U-turns and why you should not reverse your vehicle further than necessary Know the correct procedure for safely carrying out any reverse parking exercise on road and off road, for example how much space is required if parking on the road Know the correct procedure for safely carrying out a turn in the road Understand why you should not reverse your vehicle further than necessary | Talk through real world situations asking the driver to provide examples of when they would need to carry out a manoeuvre. Take some time to consider the different manoeuvring characteristics of other type of vehicle, e.g. motorcycles Discuss the blind spots on a vehicle and the importance of making blind spots checks where and when necessary before and when performing a manoeuvre, with particular attention to vulnerable road users. Discuss the importance of multi-tasking within the car and the relevance to maintaining control. Discuss how this can help with independent driving, for example driving and reading signs. Highlight the dangers and benefits of vehicle creep. |
