The Student Room Group

Driving makes me cry!

Hello! :smile:
I've had around 12 driving lessons and I seem to be becoming insanely worse?!! I never understand what I'm doing and even though I ask my instructor I still seem to do everything wrong.

I have one specific question though- my instructor was asking me to 'trickle forward' when approaching a mini roundabout behind a few other cars (trickle is the weirdest word I have ever heard) and I didn't get if I had to move the car as if I were moving off normally, or if it was possible to just use the clutch to move?

I confuse myself so badly and I get so nervous before every lesson
:frown:
Don't be down about it! EVERYBODY that's on the road was once a learner and everybody was nervous whilst learning. If your instructor isn't explaining things clearly, ask them to clarify. If they're still not giving clear instructions, maybe try another instructor for a lesson and see if there's an improvement.

I think what your instructor was telling you to do was to 'creep forward' - this is when you use the clutch to move the car forward with no accelerator. Just find the bite point and allow the clutch to come up very slowly until the car begins to roll forward. This is normally easier done with your heel planted firmly on the carpet (so you're not putting strain on your leg if you're holding it for a while). Don't allow it to come up too much, or the dreaded stall will happen. If you're on a slope, you might need to apply a little accelerator; i.e. a very controlled hillstart.
when you stop you push your clutch down and press the break, and when you've stopped go onto the biting point whilst you're right foot is still on the break so it makes it easier for you to drive off. dw i'm learning too
In the future you should just ask your instructor "What do you mean by 'trickle forward'?"
Original post by ToastyCoke
Don't be down about it! EVERYBODY that's on the road was once a learner and everybody was nervous whilst learning. If your instructor isn't explaining things clearly, ask them to clarify. If they're still not giving clear instructions, maybe try another instructor for a lesson and see if there's an improvement.

I think what your instructor was telling you to do was to 'creep forward' - this is when you use the clutch to move the car forward with no accelerator. Just find the bite point and allow the clutch to come up very slowly until the car begins to roll forward. This is normally easier done with your heel planted firmly on the carpet (so you're not putting strain on your leg if you're holding it for a while). Don't allow it to come up too much, or the dreaded stall will happen. If you're on a slope, you might need to apply a little accelerator; i.e. a very controlled hillstart.


Ah this is so kind and helpful, thank you so much! I understood that he wanted me to move forward but I didn't have the slightest clue what I was doing! You've really helped me, thank you!
Original post by Safiya122
when you stop you push your clutch down and press the break, and when you've stopped go onto the biting point whilst you're right foot is still on the break so it makes it easier for you to drive off. dw i'm learning too


Thank you so much for your help- none of my friends are driving yet so I never have anyone to talk to about it haha
Original post by ToastyCoke
Don't be down about it! EVERYBODY that's on the road was once a learner and everybody was nervous whilst learning. If your instructor isn't explaining things clearly, ask them to clarify. If they're still not giving clear instructions, maybe try another instructor for a lesson and see if there's an improvement.

I think what your instructor was telling you to do was to 'creep forward' - this is when you use the clutch to move the car forward with no accelerator. Just find the bite point and allow the clutch to come up very slowly until the car begins to roll forward. This is normally easier done with your heel planted firmly on the carpet (so you're not putting strain on your leg if you're holding it for a while). Don't allow it to come up too much, or the dreaded stall will happen. If you're on a slope, you might need to apply a little accelerator; i.e. a very controlled hillstart.



A diesel allows you to do that. But with a petrol you'd still have to apply some acceleration.
Original post by ToastyCoke
Utter nonsense.


From my experience that's been the case. It's a hell of a lot easier to stall a petrol because they have less torque. I always apply some acceleration when moving off in my petrol car, times I haven't, I've stalled. I've only recently told my sister you don't need to apply gas in her new diesel car to move off, and she was pretty surprised because she's only ever driven petrols.

It may be possible to move off in a petrol car with no acceleration, but I'd never do it in my car. Nor would my parents, or my friends for that matter :dontknow:
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by TolerantBeing
From my experience that's been the case. It's a hell of a lot easier to stall a petrol because they have less torque. I always apply some acceleration when moving off in my petrol car, times I haven't, I've stalled. I've only recently told my sister you don't need to apply gas in her new diesel car to move off, and she was pretty surprised because she's only ever driven petrols.

It may be possible to move off in a petrol car with no acceleration, but I'd never do it in my car. Nor would my parents, or my friends for that matter :dontknow:


Look what the thread is about, it's about CREEPING not normal movement. If you want to normally accelerate around a really closed junction, be my guest. However, I'll stick to clutch control in my PETROL CAR.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by ToastyCoke
Look what the thread is about, it's about CREEPING not normal movement. If you want to normally accelerate around a really closed junction, be my guest. However, I'll stick to clutch control in my PETROL CAR.


pretty sure she was talking about creeping

i also apply a little gas when creeping, otherwise it's likely to stall a lot easier. didnt know that it had to do with torque though.
Original post by BullViagra
pretty sure she was talking about creeping

i also apply a little gas when creeping, otherwise it's likely to stall a lot easier. didnt know that it had to do with torque though.


It won't stall unless you let the clutch up too much. Heel firmly on the floor, moving your ankle it's easy. Heel floating in the air = easy to stall.

Quick Reply

Latest