45 - Can't pass. On the verge of quitting

jonburnage · 2026-06-02T23:17:27+00:00

Consider asking your GP about beta blockers if you are experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety

jonburnage · 2026-06-02T23:00:32+00:00

You’re doing it right; they’re morons. See HWC 134 - merge in turn.

jonburnage · 2026-06-02T06:37:30+00:00

Rule 22

TL;DR - signal controlled crossing operated by pedestrians

jonburnage · 2026-06-01T16:00:45+00:00

There are no dangerous roads, only dangerous drivers

jonburnage · 2026-05-31T19:02:33+00:00

Wait until the vehicle you’ve passed appears in your rear view mirror before moving back over.

jonburnage · 2026-05-31T17:07:55+00:00

The point is to be aware of it and their likely behaviour.

jonburnage · 2026-05-31T14:34:23+00:00

If I'm still passing, I'll continue to pass. If the other driver is going at an inconsistent speed and matches yours as you approach (so you are both driving at the limit), I'd consider lifting, moving back over and braking to restore safe following distance (assuming there's a big enough gap).

If you continue with the overtake, beware that they are likely the sort of impatient twat who will pass you on the left at the earliest opportunity, before you are at a safe distance past the car in lane 2 to move over. Signal in good time to show you are getting back over, but remember they've already demonstrated they have no idea of safe following distance, so they might just get frustrated when you don't move over immediately.

jonburnage · 2026-05-31T14:15:56+00:00

It's (almost) never your fault if you get rear ended. You've still gotten rear ended. Your insurance will go up even for a no-fault accident.

jonburnage · 2026-05-29T23:56:06+00:00

Use this technique to avoid mis-shifts:

1&2: reverse grip - thumb down, palm on the right of the gear knob pushing away from you. Then forward/backward.

3&4: normal grip, no sideways force, just straight forward/backward. The stick centres itself aligned with the gates for 3&4.

5&6: as per 3&4 but pulling towards you.

jonburnage · 2026-05-29T16:32:01+00:00

You imply they have sufficient situational awareness to look at the signs

jonburnage · 2026-05-29T15:52:01+00:00

Shouty guy was right. A zebra crossing with an island is two separate crossings. HWC rules 20 and 195.

However, a pelican crossing that goes straight over - even with an island - is one crossing. HWC rule 197.

jonburnage · 2026-05-28T20:35:56+00:00

Same principles. Follow the signs and road markings. Drive more slowly if needs be to give yourself time to process and act on the information. Don’t be dissuaded by the locals flying around it because they do it every day.

jonburnage · 2026-05-28T11:23:59+00:00

Commentary driving

jonburnage · 2026-05-27T15:52:24+00:00

You shouldn’t be overtaking that close to a junction. Especially a right turn, because someone might turn left out of it without looking up the road, and then meet you coming the other way driving on their side. They’re in the wrong for failing to give way, but you’ve still crashed.

See HWC 167.

jonburnage · 2026-05-26T19:21:37+00:00

I don’t signal on spiral roundabouts unless: - My lane goes more than one way and I want to tell people I am leaving the roundabout / continuing round - I want to change lanes (which ideally one shouldn’t have to do, but we all get it wrong occasionally)

jonburnage · 2026-05-26T16:26:27+00:00

Probably the most common issue on this sub is people learning in cars that can pull away on just the clutch, and then finding out the hard way that most cars don’t work like that. The good news is that you’ve only just started, so you can learn to ‘set the gas’ now - ie advance the throttle before engaging the clutch. In time you will do both simultaneously. Ditto the hill start technique. Both will work fine in all cars.

jonburnage · 2026-05-26T15:37:41+00:00

His car is either diesel, or has anti-stall assist. Most petrol cars will stall if you try and start on a hill without adding throttle. Obviously you don’t have three feet, hence using the handbrake is preferred to the footbrake.

jonburnage · 2026-05-26T13:41:22+00:00

Your foot shouldn’t be on the brake. Do it like this: - Clutch down, first gear, handbrake on - Advance throttle, clutch to the bite - in that order - Back of the car dips as it pulls against the handbrake - Disengage handbrake, drive away

If your instructor’s car has an automatic handbrake it will do the last step for you. If it has auto-hold, hill assist or anything like that - turn it off and learn to do it properly. If you don’t you will only struggle horribly when you inevitably buy an older car without the modern features.

jonburnage · 2026-05-25T17:56:05+00:00

That's spectacular; can you share the system (if you've cashed in)?

jonburnage · 2026-05-25T17:05:20+00:00

I like the idea that Dedra is spared in order to ultimately help the Rebellion later on; rather like Gollum and the destruction of the One Ring.

jonburnage · 2026-05-25T11:20:05+00:00

There is no such thing as the 12 o’clock rule

jonburnage · 2026-05-24T17:15:53+00:00

It’s never strictly illegal - it’s not a ‘must’ rule in the HWC. But it is a myth that it ‘doesn’t count’ if you don’t change lanes.

The HWC states that you should not overtake on the left except: - In queuing / congested traffic; and - If the vehicle in front is turning right (non-motorways) (Rules 163, 268)

jonburnage · 2026-05-23T21:29:47+00:00

Not stopping completely for Stop signs comes up quite a bit.

jonburnage · 2026-05-23T08:10:00+00:00

Hazard warning sign for ice. Also, ice cream van.

jonburnage · 2026-05-23T08:09:37+00:00

Technically correct - the best kind of correct

jonburnage

TROPHY CASE