DAY 74: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.04 Directional Change

In today’s lesson, I spent some time at the beginning revising the crank and ‘S; course. The instructor felt that my technique for ‘S course was weak as my car was not kept to the outer part of the lane, resulting in the need to turn the steering wheel more and the back wheel was very near to the kerb. In addition, I tend to end up near to the right kerb at the end of the course due to the excessive turning. He advised that I should try to keep to the outer part of the lane and just before I clutch in to stop at the end of the ‘S course, I should return the steering wheel to the centre position.

Next, we moved on to directional change. It was not as difficult as I imagined. There were 'indicators' within the car which I could use to judge and gauge while doing the different actions, It made me wonder whether all these indicators are doing good or harm to a learner. Yes it made it easier to do the maneuvers (and probably helps in passing the test) but I don't think all these indicators will work when you really try parking at the car park (ok perhaps there will be other indicators).

Here I will attempt to describe how to perform directional change (For better visualization and clarity, it is better to refer to the Practical Training Handbook)

After entering the directional change slot:

1. Drive straight to the end with the right kerb just below the left door window. Front kerb ~10cm below the right side mirror
2. Check left/right blind spot and rear mirror.
3. Reverse straight until horizontal kerb is at the centre (or slightly back) of the rear right window. Use cluch/unclutch technique for low speed control
• A tip from another instructor: if you already position your car such that your shoulder is at the 2.5 rectangle of the right kerb (counting from the front), you can immediately do a full right reverse
4. Immediate turn steering wheel fully to the right
5. Check left windown and blind spot before car reverse rightward into the slot (to make sure no car is coming in from the left)
6. Check right side mirror to make sure right rear wheel does not strike right kerb
7. Check left side mirror to make sure left rear wheel does not strike left kerb
8. Once car is almost straightened, immediately return steering wheel to the centre.
9. Check rear mirror before reversing straight until left side mirror is in line with the left kerb of outgoing lane
10. To move off, check left and right for any car
11. Move car forward until left door handle is inline with the left kerb of outgoing lane
12. Turn steering fully left at low speed (clutch/unclutch for low speed control)
13. Return steering wheel as car is almost straighten

Expenditure

Practical                 $77.04
Total cost so far:     $1749.85