Moving Off on Hills

Your vehicle will tend to roll backwards, so you’ll need to coordinate the clutch, accelerator, and parking brakecarefully.

Press the clutch pedal fully and select first gear.
Press the accelerator slightly more than you would on level ground.
Bring the clutch to the biting point (slightly higher on hills).
Check mirrors and blind spots; signal if needed.
Release the parking brake while pressing the accelerator a bit more.
Let the clutch up gently until you feel the car move forward.
Release the clutch smoothly as you gain speed.

Hill-start control:
If your vehicle has a hill-start assist system, follow the manufacturer’s instructions in your vehicle handbook.

Avoid common errors:

Releasing the handbrake too early → vehicle rolls back
Bringing the clutch up too fast or too far → engine stalls
Not applying enough gas → loss of momentum

Practise until you can do this smoothly and confidently.

Remember:

Leave extra space between you and other vehicles when starting uphill.
Don’t cut across or block vehicles already climbing the hill.

Moving off downhill is easier, but control is vital.

Press the clutch and select an appropriate gear (often second gear).
Keep the footbrake applied while releasing the parking brake.
Check mirrors and blind spots.
Signal if necessary.
Release the footbrake and smoothly raise the clutch as the vehicle starts to move.

Tips:

Use a lower gear for better control on steep hills.
Allow extra room for vehicles coming downhill — they need more time to slow or stop.