---
title: Moving Off
---

# Moving Off

## Manual Transmission

1. Press the **clutch pedal** fully down with your left foot.
2. Select **first gear**. If it doesn’t engage, return to **neutral**, release the clutch, and try again.
3. Press the **accelerator** slightly with your right foot and hold steady.
4. Slowly lift the clutch until you feel or hear the engine note change — this is the **biting point**.
5. Hold the clutch steady at this point.
6. Perform **safety checks** — use mirrors and look over your shoulder to check **blind spots**.
7. **Signal** if necessary, but avoid waiting with the clutch at biting point for too long.
8. If it’s safe, release the **parking brake**, then lift the clutch slightly to move off smoothly.
9. Gradually press the **accelerator** for speed and release the clutch fully.

Avoid harsh acceleration — it wastes fuel and increases emissions.

## Finding the Biting Point

The **biting point** is where the clutch plates begin to engage. Practise finding it until it becomes natural. While pressing the clutch down can be quick, lifting it must be smooth and controlled.

Every car feels slightly different, so practise in each vehicle before driving on public roads.

## Automatic Transmission

1. Ensure the **parking brake** is on.
2. Press and hold the **footbrake**, then move the gear selector to **Drive (‘D’)**.
3. Complete your **safety checks** — mirrors and blind spots.
4. **Signal** if necessary.
5. When safe, release the **parking brake**, then the **footbrake**.
6. The car may start to move forward — apply light pressure to the accelerator to move off smoothly.

Avoid aggressive acceleration, as it increases fuel use and emissions.

 

## Safety

Whether driving a manual or automatic vehicle:

- **Never** signal and move off without checking it’s safe
- **Don’t** wait with a signal on if you can’t move safely — this confuses other drivers

## Defensive Driving

Always:

- Check **all around** before moving off
- **Signal** only when it’s necessary and safe
- **Avoid** moving into the path of oncoming traffic
- Take your time — do not rush

#### QUICK NAVIGATION

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