One of the first things you'll learn in a driving lesson is how to pull over safely. It might seem basic, but it actually takes a good deal of planning and awareness, and you'll be expected to do it several times during your driving test. The good news is that practice makes perfect. This guide breaks down exactly how to pull over and move off, what the examiner is looking for, and how to handle the trickier versions: moving off from behind a parked car and on a hill.
When Will I Pull Over on My Test?
Once you've got to grips with the cockpit drill and know which pedals are which, your instructor will move you on to one of the most fundamental skills in driving: pulling over safely and moving off. It's something you'll do countless times in everyday driving, and it plays a real role in your test.
During the test, the examiner will ask you to pull over on the left and then move off, and they'll build in a few different conditions:
Normal stops at the side of the road, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle, and a hill start. Unless you're being asked to demonstrate the "pull up on the right" manoeuvre, you'll only ever be asked to pull over on the left, and you can expect to do so at least twice. The examiner will say something like: "When it's safe to do so, please pull over on the left."
What Is the Examiner Looking For?
The examiner watches every part of the manoeuvre, from your control of the clutch and brake right up to the moment you stop, apply the handbrake and select neutral. Their main focus is on four things:
Awareness and planning. You should use the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine, show awareness of other road users, and plan ahead to pick a safe place.
Judgement. Your chosen spot must be safe, legal and convenient, without getting in anyone's way, and you should make your intentions clear to other road users.
Use of mirrors. You need to use all your mirrors when pulling over and moving off, and check your blind spots carefully for any road users or hazards.
Accuracy. You should finish parallel to the kerb, close to it but without blocking the road for oncoming traffic.
How to Pull Over Safely, Step by Step
Step 1: Find a Safe Place
Your spot needs to pass three tests: is it safe, is it legal, and is it convenient?
Safe: stay clear of junctions and bends, and avoid stopping opposite a bus stop or another parked vehicle, which would make it hard for others to pass.
Legal: don't stop within 10 metres of a junction, next to a bus stop, in a cycle lane, or on double yellow lines. Near a school, be especially careful.
Convenient: don't block a driveway or anyone's access. Always think about how your stop affects other road users.
Step 2: Use the MSM Routine
The Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine is one of the most fundamental skills in driving, and you use it for everything from roundabouts to parallel parking.
Mirrors: check your side and interior mirrors to judge whether you have time to pull over. If a cyclist is coming up on your left or someone's tailgating you, it may be wiser to wait.
Signal: once you're happy it's safe, indicate left to signal your intention. If it stops being safe, cancel the signal promptly.
Manoeuvre: begin your move, slowing down and preparing to stop. Check your mirrors and blind spots again as you go, because the situation can change from one moment to the next.
Step 3: Pull Over
Resist the urge to turn the wheel sharply left. Approach at a shallow angle instead, a steep approach risks hitting or mounting the kerb, which is a serious fault, and makes it harder to finish parallel. Steer gently to the left and ease towards the kerb. As you get close (around 20 to 30 cm away), straighten up so your wheels are parallel, which makes moving off easier. Once you're happy, stop, apply the handbrake and select neutral.
Step 4: Move Off
When the examiner tells you to move off in your own time, don't rush, this is where many learners panic and stall. Take a moment.
Before you change gear, release the handbrake or signal, check your mirrors and blind spots thoroughly. Work anticlockwise: right shoulder blind spot, right mirror, interior mirror, left mirror, left shoulder blind spot. When it's safe, select first gear and signal. Do one final check that nothing has changed, then gently apply the accelerator, bring up the clutch to the biting point, release the handbrake, and move off smoothly when it's safe.
Moving Off From Behind a Parked Vehicle
This isn't much harder than moving off on open road, but it demands more precise control. As long as you've left a decent gap to the vehicle in front, you'll have room to pull out.
Once told to move off, check your mirrors and blind spots, then signal. Select first gear and bring the clutch up to, or just above, the biting point, staying in full control of the clutch so you don't jolt forward into the car ahead. Release the handbrake, steer gently out, keep about a door's width from the parked vehicle, and watch your mirrors and oncoming traffic throughout.
Moving Off on a Hill
Plenty of learners find hill starts nerve-wracking, so don't worry if the thought makes you tense, it's all about preparation and practice. The key is to avoid rolling back.
Check your mirrors and blind spots first. When it's clear, signal, select first gear, and bring the clutch to the biting point while applying a little more accelerator than usual, because you need more power to pull away uphill. Release the handbrake only when you feel the car ready to move, so it doesn't roll back. The examiner wants to see you move off smoothly, without rolling back and without over-revving, so stay in first gear a little longer than you would on the flat.
Summary:
Pulling over safely comes down to picking a spot that's safe, legal and convenient, using the MSM routine, approaching the kerb at a shallow angle, and finishing parallel and close to it. Moving off means thorough mirror and blind spot checks, then a smooth, unhurried pull-away. The trickier versions, from behind a parked car and on a hill, just need extra clutch control and, on hills, a bit more power to avoid rolling back. You'll be asked to pull over at least twice on your test, so practise these steps until they're second nature and you'll pick up easy marks rather than faults.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times will I have to pull over on my driving test?
You can expect to pull over on the left at least twice during your test, in different conditions such as a normal stop, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle, and a hill start. The examiner will ask you to pull over "when it's safe to do so."
Where am I not allowed to pull over?
Avoid stopping within 10 metres of a junction, next to a bus stop, in a cycle lane, on double yellow lines, opposite another parked vehicle, or across a driveway. Near schools and on bends, take extra care. Your spot must be safe, legal and convenient.
How close to the kerb should I be when I pull over?
Aim to finish parallel to the kerb and close to it, roughly 20 to 30 cm away, without mounting it. Approaching at a shallow angle rather than steering sharply makes it much easier to end up straight and correctly positioned.
How do I move off without stalling?
Take your time rather than rushing. After your mirror and blind spot checks, bring the clutch gently to the biting point while applying light accelerator, then ease off the clutch smoothly as you release the handbrake. Rushing is the most common cause of stalling when moving off.
How do I do a hill start without rolling back?
Bring the clutch to the biting point and apply a little more accelerator than on the flat, then release the handbrake only once you feel the car is ready to pull away. This holds the car steady so it doesn't roll back, and stops you over-revving.
Ready to Master the Basics?
Pulling over, moving off and hill starts all get easier with practice alongside a professional instructor. Find your local DRIVE instructor and book your lessons today.