How to change gears.

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It is essential that you learn to change gears without looking at the stick. If you make a mistake and go into the wrong gear you should also be able to stay calm and recover without having to look at the lever.

Some people have difficulty with the gears as this can be another thing to think about whilst trying to cope with steering and paying attention to the hazards on the road. If you want to you can learn in an automatic car and even do a test in an automatic car, however, you will then only be able to drive an automatic once you pass your test.

Before sitting the practical driving exam you should be able to:
• Change gears smoothly and efficiently.
• Change gears without stalling the vehicle.
• Choose the appropriate times to change gear, such as approaching a corner.
• Change down a gear well in advance of any serious hazard.
• Keep up with other drivers by not waiting too long to change gears, for example – after traffic lights, moving from 1st to 2nd.
• Operate reverse gear on the car proficiently – always ensure you are familiar with the reverse gear on each car as how it operates is determined by the manufacturer.

Which gear to use for each situation?

First Gear

Moving off, Careful manoeuvring (Turn in the road etc), Very slow driving, Heavy Traffic, Junctions.

Second Gear

When you are on a very steep downward incline, Traffic and Junctions – Cornering.

Third Gear
Gathering speed, Driving in town (speeds of 30 miles an hour or less), Ascending steep inclines.

Fourth Gear
For speeds above 30 miles an hour and the roads are clear (ie. No hazards)

Fifth Gear
Driving on the Bypass and national speed limit roads, 60 mph. The main use for this gear is fuel economy and easy of driving whilst on fast roads.

When changing down gears do not go through the gears consecutively, if you are in fifth gear, for instance, driving along the Bypass and you approach a hazard and wish to slow you can just go directly to third or second and skip fourth. When puling over you will approach the kerb in third, brake and apply the clutch moving to either first or neutral.
This is a more efficient and controlled way of driving than changing gears in sequence.