Moving Off and Stopping
Moving off and stopping might seem like the most basic skills in driving, but they are also two of the most common places small mistakes creep in, because they need to be repeated correctly every single time, not just when you remember to think about them.
Reviewed by Aqua Driving School. Last checked: 28 September 2026.
Moving off safely
The standard routine for moving off is often taught as Prepare, Observe, Manoeuvre:
- Prepare the car: clutch down, first gear selected in a manual (or the correct drive mode in an automatic), and the handbrake ready to release.
- Observe all around the car. Check your mirrors, and look over your shoulder to check your blind spot, the area mirrors do not cover, particularly on the side you are pulling out towards.
- Manoeuvre only when it is clearly safe: signal if it will help another road user, release the handbrake, and move off smoothly, without stalling or lurching.
Always check your blind spot immediately before moving off, even if your mirrors looked clear a moment earlier, since a cyclist or pedestrian can appear quickly.
Choosing where to stop
Not every spot on the roadside is a safe or legal place to stop. Before you pull up, think about:
- Whether you are near a junction, bend, brow of a hill, or pedestrian crossing, all of which reduce visibility for other road users and are generally unsafe or restricted places to stop.
- Whether there are yellow lines, resident parking restrictions, or other signs indicating you cannot stop there.
- Whether you are leaving enough room for other vehicles to pass safely, and whether you are blocking a driveway or dropped kerb.
The routine for stopping
- Check your mirrors early to see what is behind you, and signal if it will help other road users understand your intention.
- Brake progressively rather than suddenly, bringing the car to a smooth stop rather than a jolt.
- Apply the handbrake once stopped, and select neutral in a manual car, so the car is secure while stationary.
- Check your mirrors again before opening a door or letting a passenger out, since a cyclist could be passing close to the car.
Why examiners watch this closely
Moving off and stopping happen repeatedly throughout a driving test, often several times without you necessarily noticing, because every junction, every parked stop, and every manoeuvre begins or ends with one of these two actions. A consistent, safe routine every time is a strong signal of a driver who has built good habits rather than one who occasionally remembers to check.
Related reading
Want to build a solid, consistent routine with an instructor's guidance? See our manual driving lessons or automatic driving lessons pages, or get in touch to book.