Moving off at an angle normally occurs when you have a parked vehicle or other obstruction in front of your vehicle. It requires careful co-ordination of both your steering and speed, together with careful and continuous observation. Usually this exercise is included in the driving test. Fear not though, as your "Really Good" driving instructor will teach you to carry out this manoeuvre safely!

Prepare
To make this manoeuvre safely takes a much slower speed than normal and careful preperation is essential. Consider whether you are moving off on the level, uphill, or downhill. if on the level set gas and find bite, then push the clutch pedal about 1cm. below bite. This will ensure the car will not surge forward when the handbrake is released and also give you time to get your left hand back on the steering wheel before the vehicle moves off.
If you are moving uphill, remember you will need gas and bite before releasing the handbrake or the vehicle may roll back.
If you are moving off downhill, depress the foot brake and keep the clutch down before releasing the handbrake, then use the foot brake to control your speed.

Observe
After preparation you will need to look ahead just as for moving off normally, but with the additional consideration of oncoming traffic. It may be unsafe to move due to the distance you have to move out to clear the obstruction. If space would be limited - wait. If clear ahead, use your mirrors to see if you have a safe gap behind. Remember you will be moving off slower than normal, so you will need a bigger gap behind than normal also. Finally, the Blind Spots will have to checked to confirm moving off is safe. By now enough information will have been gathered to decide if a signal is needed. Often, when there is a line of parked vehicles in front it is better to signal as someone may be about to move at the same time as you.

Manoeuvre
If it's safe to move, release the handbrake slowly, making sure the clutch is kept still while doing so. Now return your hand to the steering wheel and ease the clutch up a little until you feel the car just beginning to "creep" forward. Just moving, steer to the right -possibly fairly briskly - making sure your car is "clearing" the obstruction in front. Make a second blind spot check at this point ( about half a car width out) as things can change quickly behind you. If it's no longer clear, wait. When sure your vehicle is clearing the obstruction you will need to begin steering to the left to get parallel. Be careful at this point because as you steer left the vehicle will have a tendency to gain speed. counteract this by "clutch control" - depressing the clutch a little below "bite." Still moving at a crawl, you will now be achieving a parallel position, and need to "straighten up" by centering the steering. Before gaining speed and driving away, check the mirrors again to make sure no-one is passing you.

Top Tip

Many accidents on the road occur when drivers fail to take effective observation when moving off so maintain your observation all through the exercise. Never cause anyone to have to slow down or stop for you. If in doubt wait.

Return to learner resources