Moving Off and Stopping: A Simple Guide for Learner Drivers

To move off safely: prepare the car, check all around including your blind spot, signal if it would help anyone, and only move when it’s safe. To stop: check your mirrors, signal if needed, ease towards the kerb and brake gently. This lesson is all about smooth control and good observation.

Lesson Journey: this guide is part of our lesson-by-lesson series for learner drivers.

• Lesson 1: The cockpit drill (DSSSM)
• Lesson 2: Moving off and stopping (you are here)
• Lesson 3: Turning left (MSPSL)
• Lesson 4: Turning right (MSPSL)
• Coming next: roundabouts and more

Next: Turning left (MSPSL) →

Many instructors teach moving off as POM: Prepare, Observe, Move.

1. Prepare: clutch down, select first gear, set a little gas, and bring the clutch up slowly to the “biting point” (you’ll hear the engine note drop and feel the car want to move). In an automatic, foot on the brake and select D.
2. Observe: check your interior mirror, your right door mirror, and look over your right shoulder for your blind spot. Look ahead too.
3. Signal if needed: if anyone would benefit, such as a driver behind, a cyclist or a pedestrian, signal right.
4. Move: when it’s safe, release the handbrake, and bring the clutch up a little more while adding gas. Move off smoothly and cancel your signal.

The Highway Code says to move off only when it is safe, after checking mirrors and blind spots. If something approaches while you’re preparing, wait, and check again before you go.

1. Choose a safe, legal place: not on a bend, near a junction, opposite another parked car on a narrow road, or blocking a driveway or bus stop.
2. Mirrors: check your interior and left door mirrors.
3. Signal: signal left if it would help anyone. Don’t signal too early if there’s a side road before your stopping place.
4. Position: steer gently towards the kerb, ending up parallel and close to it, without touching it.
5. Speed: ease off the gas and brake gently. Just before you stop, push the clutch down so you don’t stall.
6. Secure the car: handbrake on, select neutral, then take your feet off the pedals and cancel your signal.

• Practise finding the biting point on a quiet, flat road until it feels natural.
• If you stall, don’t panic: handbrake on, clutch down, neutral, restart, and go through your checks again.
• Small movements are key: move the clutch slowly, especially near the biting point.

Learning in an automatic? There’s no clutch, so moving off is simpler. See manual or automatic lessons to compare.

• Forgetting the blind spot check over your right shoulder.
• Signalling automatically without checking if anyone is there to benefit.
• Stopping too far from the kerb, or bumping it.
• Leaving the signal on after moving off.

Why it matters on test day: not moving off safely is the 3rd most common reason people fail the driving test in Great Britain. See all top 10 reasons people fail.

Next, put these skills together at junctions in Lesson 3: turning left.

Our DVSA-approved instructors start you on quiet roads until moving off and stopping feel easy. Manual and automatic lessons across Greater Manchester, from £35 an hour, 7 days a week from 7am to 11:30pm.

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with an instructor near you, or call 07758 837589.

The Highway Code, GOV.UK. Checked 12 November 2026. Routines like DSSSM and MSPSL are how instructors teach the Highway Code; your instructor may use a slightly different version.

What is the biting point?

In a manual car, the point where the clutch starts to connect the engine to the wheels. The engine note drops slightly and the car is ready to move.

What does POM mean in driving?

Prepare, Observe, Move. It is a routine many instructors use for moving off safely.

Do I always need to signal when moving off?

Only if it would help or warn another road user. Always check first, and never rely on a signal to make it safe.

How do I stop stalling?

Bring the clutch up slowly near the biting point, add a little gas, and push the clutch down just before the car stops. Practice on quiet roads helps.