Traffic lights - waiting in 1st gear or neutral

This might be a silly question but I'm at that stage where I'm questioning everything I do as my test is fast approaching

During your test can you wait at traffic lights in 1st gear instead of going into neutral? I've always gone into 1st and waited but would this incur a fail? I know most drivers go into neutral and I know waiting with the clutch below biting point can wear down the clutch but in a test situation is it acceptable to just sit in 1st?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

The Apprentice

10

if its long waiting time then handbrake, if you are confident you can get ready and shoot of when its green then stay in neut, but if not handbrake and get the bite. i stayed in neut in the test

Reply 2

Ed.

17

In real life, first gear waiting on the bite point no handbrake. In the test, first gear, handbrake on, clutch fully down.

Reply 3

2^1/2

11

you can stay in 1st and wait on the bitting point with the handbrake on, if you want in your test with no problems, i wouldn't do it after you have passed though as you will wear the handbrake.

You can put the car in neutral as well (make sure you put the handbrake on) and then go into 1st as the lights change, only problem is you are more likely to stall if you rush.

it's up to you, which ever one you prefer you won't fail for either.

Reply 4

stargirl001

OP

11

Cheers guys, I'll carry on going into 1st then

Reply 5

Mikimoto

12

To be honest, the way I judged it was the length of time you're kept waiting. If it's going to be a while, I put it into neutral, and if it's not long I'd put it into first.

Reply 6

Bavarian Motor Works

11

If its long, wait, handbrake up and neutral, if short time and on a slope handbrake up and gear 1. If short time brakes will do fine

Reply 7

Jackathon

More than 4s = Handbrake! But you can do it in 1st or neutral, I think I did both in my test. :P Neutral first, then prepped into 1st after a while.

Reply 8

ScottScott

6

As above, if its going to be a long wait then stick it in Neutral and put the handbrake on.
Obviously this can be hard to decide if you have no idea how long its going to be. But youll get used to doing it quickly as you get more experience doing it.

Reply 9

brightxburns

14

I always go directly to neutral, and give my feet a rest!

Reply 10

Tofufi

4

2^1/2

you can stay in 1st and wait on the bitting point with the handbrake on, if you want in your test with no problems, i wouldn't do it after you have passed though as you will wear the handbrake.

You should never keep it at the bite point when waiting at traffic lights.

To the OP, if I am at the start of the queue, and can't tell when the lights will be going green then I will keep the clutch down, in 1st gear, with the handbrake on.

If you're not first in the queue, than go into neutral, and then find the gear when they go green. You should be able to find first gear and release the handbrake in the time the lights go red>amber>green anyway.

:smile:

Reply 11

steelmole

10

I always thought it was stick it in first then put on the handbrake. I put on the handbrake pretty much all the time at lights etc. If your foot gets tired feel free to put it in neutral.

Reply 12

div curl F = 0

9

If any of you have ever had to change the slave cylinder on a car then you'll have probably learnt to knock it into neutral from that point onwards.

Reply 13

SpiritedAway

17

i've been taught ALWAYS in first whether handbrake is on or not :s-smilie:

Reply 14

Pheonixx

15

always first gear clutch fully down for a test, handbreak if extended stop

real life, once you know the junction, your leg is tired and its a long stop neutral is possible.

SpiritedAway

i've been taught ALWAYS in first whether handbrake is on or not :s-smilie:

you do....for the test anyway.

Reply 15

emilina

17

i was told to ALWAYS put the handbreak on at traffic lights, and if you will be there for a long time, then put it into neutral. but if you stay in 1st you wont be failed just for that!! lol i dont think you can even get a minor for it can you?

Reply 16

Bavarian Motor Works

11

SpiritedAway

i've been taught ALWAYS in first whether handbrake is on or not :s-smilie:

its not

, whoever taught you that is a tit

Reply 17

rye225

13

I always wait in first, then my clutch is ready on the biting point. When traffic starts moving i can apply gas and bring the clutch up and get going!!!

Reply 18

SpiritedAway

17

Bavarian Motor Works

its not

, whoever taught you that is a tit

my driving instructer taught me this :eek:

Reply 19

DirtyHarry

12

emilina

i was told to ALWAYS put the handbreak on at traffic lights, and if you will be there for a long time, then put it into neutral. but if you stay in 1st you wont be failed just for that!! lol i dont think you can even get a minor for it can you?

That's implying there's something wrong with doing it in the first place- which there isn't.

Traffic lights - waiting in 1st gear or neutral

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