To think what the driving instructor has told Dd is wrong?

[JacobReesMogadishu]

Apparently you never do a shoulder check unless you’re stopped. So if you’re changing lanes on a motorway or coming down a slip road you just use your mirrors and don’t do a quick shoulder check. I know it’s a long time since I took my test but I was told you must because of blind spots.

Second thing is apparently when stopped at traffic lights, etc you don’t need to put your hand brake on. Again I was told you must so if someone rear ends you hopefully you don’t crash forward into the person in front. She’s driving an automatic if that makes a difference.

So last week when driving with me she was stopped at lights with quite a hill start and hadnt got the hand brake on. It’s a good job she is in an automatic or she’d have rolled backwards when she took her foot of the brake to move forward!

She has her test in less than two weeks! 😱

I would agree with you.

Doesn't sound right to me.

The driving instructor is wrong.

It’s definitely wrong!!! You’re not going today fail you’re test if you do them but you will if you won’t. You’re meant to put your handbrake on whenever you’re meant to stop eg traffic lights and at stop signs (potentially give way) as then you have proof you’ve definitely Come to a complete stop which is a requirement!

No she’s being taught correctly, at least the handbrake. Automatics cant roll back so it’s correct to sit with your foot on the bare until you pull off.

As for the shoulder check, I imagine all car mirrors cover blind spots better now and whilst moving, looking over your shoulder is more likely to make you drift. I learnt in 1991 and was told this

How on earth do you check your blind spot before changing lanes without a shoulder check? 😳

You always do a shoulder check in case someone has raced up into your blind spot.

I was taught, you put your handbrake on at the lights, unless you are in the first car at the lights.

You're correct on number one as blind spots wouldn't be seen with just wing mirror on motorway for example.

Autos don't need handbreak at traffic lights only at 'STOP' signs (for purposes of test anyway).

She should be using her mirrors on motorway, and with that she needs to know how to properly position them so all angles are covered.

Second thing is apparently when stopped at traffic lights, etc you don’t need to put your hand brake on. Again I was told you must so if someone rear ends you hopefully you don’t crash forward into the person in front.

This is absolute rubbish, even more so if she is driving an automatic.

I agree with you.

Help your daughter find a new instructor.

I learned 8 years ago. I was definitely told to check blind spots for lane changes.

I honestly can’t remember about handbrake but I don’t use it at lights now unless I’m on a hill. I drive an automatic.

Hmm. I'm sure a driving instructor hangs around here, I'm trying to remember their name.

Is the shoulder check thing because when moving we should be aware of what's coming up on us? There's never anything unexpected over my right shoulder, though I do always check. Left shoulder is different, I find people can sneak up on you there.

@aintnousernamelikenousername

It’s definitely wrong!!! You’re not going today fail you’re test if you do them but you will if you won’t. You’re meant to put your handbrake on whenever you’re meant to stop eg traffic lights and at stop signs (potentially give way) as then you have proof you’ve definitely Come to a complete stop which is a requirement!

Not in an auto. She’s being taught right

I passed in March in an automatic and yes you don't need to put a hand brake on really in an auto. I also was told the same thing about turning head, I guess its because in a lane change situation you've probably been on the road long enough to know who is around you and a slip road you don't need more than your mirrors? I think it to make sure you are focused on the road ahead and any changes in front which you have more control over than someone behind you.

@BillMasen No they don't.

I don't always use the handbrake at lights - bad practice on my part. I do if they've just gone red.

But I check my blind spot before changing lanes - wouldn't dream of not doing so.

@Wetweekend99 people can creep into your blind spot particularly bikes.

Highway code rule 159
Check your fucking blind spot.
Or something like that

From the AA website...

When should I check my blind spots?

Check your blind spots when moving left or right - for example, when changing lanes. Also, remember to take extra care on busier roads where it's more likely that a pedestrian, cyclist or car could slip into your blind spots.

Can I fail my test because of blind spots?

As part of learning to drive you'll get into the habit of checking your blind spots. Each time you move off from the side of the road, expect to be assessed on whether you check the offside blind spot. On the emergency stop, you'll need to check both the nearside and offside blind spot. Failure to do so will result in a fault, and if it's considered a potentially dangerous fault, it'll be marked as serious.

www.theaa.com/driving-school/driving-lessons/advice/blind-spots

In my advanced driving course (Police) many years ago we were taught not to do a shoulder check but to be checking our mirrors so frequently that I am aware of what is behind me. I still to this day only use my mirrors.

I think the theory is that as you turn your head your hands can follow and pull you off course.

DH used to be a driving instructor. He says that he was taught to do a shoulder check when changing lanes etc. When he took his driving instructor test (which he passed first time) he was told off for doing the shoulder check.

So, the driving instructor is technically correct.

You can check blind spots without looking over your shoulder though.

Ok I presume different instructors teach different ways. I was taught the same as her.

I know I’m right on the brake thing though

I drive up and down a busy dual carriageway every day and pretty sure I'd have had an accident every week if I didn't check my blindspots before changing lanes. I'd want a different instructor.

@BillMasen

How do you check your blind spot without looking over your shoulder? Genuine question.

I was taught that I should only use my mirrors to check (10 years ago now) but to be checking them constantly