Learning to Drive Manual

In most parts of the country, you will find that drivers' education classes focus on vehicles that have an automatic transmission. First of all, it is probably a good idea to just learn how to drive a stick-shift. Driving a vehicle with manual transmission is a fun thing to do, and eventually becomes something not unlike riding a bike. For example, driving a small car with manual transmission will be entirely different than driving a big pick-up truck. By knowing how to drive a stick shift, you will be a more well-rounded, well-prepared driver in the future. If you have the opportunity to do so, take advantage of the experience it will be to learn how to drive a stick-shift vehicle. 

When learning to drive a manual, you will receive a full, unrestricted driving license, which will allow you to drive any vehicle within the class of the license - regardless of whether it is a manual or automatic. For those taking their test driving an automatic car though, they will receive a license that only allows them to drive automatic cars, which can be a problem as the majority of cars on British roads are manuals.

In conclusion, there are always going to be people who want to learn to drive automatic cars, but those who pass in a manual have a massive advantage. 

Do you think that learning to drive a stick shift car is unnecessary? You might miss out on some incredible things in life if you do not know how to drive a stick shift.

How is it possible that not knowing how to drive a manual transmission car at any way affect your life? I looked down and noticed that it was a manual transmission car.

In my life, I have never rented a car that has a manual transmission. I didn't even know that this was a possibility because I thought that all cars in rental car agencies had automatic transmissions.

I did not know how to drive a stick shift. Driving a stick is like learning a new language: you need practice to iron out the wrinkles. 

This happened to me when I learned how to drive a stick shift. Little did she know of my conviction to get my driver's license, and a car, while they were out of town.

So, I had a goal of getting a car and a driver's license quickly. However, how do you get a car without a driver's license? Well, I called my friend Jenny who gratuitously offered to drive me to the car dealership. I had searched for the best new car incentives and picked out my car in the newspaper. Upon visiting the dealership, I quickly realized that the car in question had a manual transmission.

The car died. After about one hour of driving around in my neighborhood, I had basically learned how to drive this stick shift.

Driving tests: cancelled or stopped tests and bad weather

Sometimes the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has to cancel or stop driving and riding tests because of things like bad weather or vehicle problems. Find out what happens if your test is cancelled or stopped, and what you need to do when there's bad weather.

More information at DirectGov: Driving tests: cancelled or stopped tests and bad weather

Changes To The Theory Test From 23rd January 2012

From 23rd January 2012 the multiple-choice questions used in the Theory Test will no longer be published.


Alternative questions to assist in learning and revision can be found in commercially available books, software and other Theory Test study materials.


The format of the Theory Test itself will not change.


See Changes to the theory test: the facts for more information.

Directional Change

Directional Change is somewhat the same as vertical parking. It's just a lot easier because the reversing lot is 1 metre wider than the vertical parking lot and if you haven't already notice, it's actually almost the same size as a handicap parking lot.
As the name suggests, we are changing the direction of our vehicle within a limited space.


Upon turning into the directional change course, position your car in the center of the lane and slowly move forward and stop once you see the front kerb below your right side mirror. (look out of your driver's side window to see the front kerb)







Immediately engage to reverse gear and signal right.
( Check to see if there's a vehicle in the reversing lot, if there is wait till the vehicle moves out of the lot before doing your safety checks.)
Do your safety checks, Front, Left and Back.
Check your blindspot on the right.



Once safe, reverse your vehicle and turn the steering wheel full lock to the right.
Check the right side mirror to ensure that the rear right wheel doesn't hit the kerb.
Check to your left to make sure it's safe to continue reversing to the right.

Continue to reverse slowly till the car is almost straighten (parallel with the left and right kerb), then turn the steering wheel 2 round to the left to straighten the wheels and vehicle.



Stop the vehicle after straightening the wheels, turn your head and look behind before reversing into the lot.
Reverse till your side mirrors covers the left and right kerbs then stop. (make sure you know the position of your vehicle in the lot as it determine how you going to turn out.)



Immediately engage to drive gear and signal left.
Check for safety left and right before turning out.

Blitz on drivers using mobile phones while driving

SINGAPORE : The Traffic Police went on a 3-hour blitz on Thursday to catch those who drive and use their mobile phones at the same time.

IT MAY be a convenient way of finding your way around - but using an iPhone app while driving could be a short cut to a fine or jail sentence.

Many motorists do not realise it, but keying in destinations or looking at a smartphone for directions while driving is illegal.

2,609 motorists have been caught so far this year for using their mobile phones while driving. 

That is just a slight 6.4 per cent dip over last year, when 2,788 drivers were caught for the offence.

It is a dangerous habit that the Traffic Police wants to see curtailed.

Thursday's operation covered areas such as Geylang, Bedok and Tampines.

Two drivers were caught red-handed.

The officers trailed the suspects' cars for at least 10 seconds before approaching them.

Their phones were confiscated, but their SIM cards were returned to them.

The mobile phones can only be retrieved after about two weeks to a month, when the fines are settled.

A first-time offender can incur 12 demerit points on top of a S$200 fine for using a mobile phone while driving.





- CNA/al

Changes To Theory Test: DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests. This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers. 

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

"The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

"No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers.

"I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads."

In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

Source: http://dsa.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX728C-A78385E5

Don't leave the engine on

Motorists get a message: Don't leave the engine on 
More complaints, but few fined for infringing this little-known law 
By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent 

THE number of complaints against motorists who leave the engines of stationary vehicles running has been rising. 

Last year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) received more than 2,700 complaints from the public, up from about 1,600 in 2008 and just over 1,000 in 2007. In the first seven months of this year, it received more than 1,300 complaints, most of which are from people in residential estates and passers-by, annoyed by the noise and fumes. 

But even as the number of complaints goes up, just a handful of motorists have been taken to task. Only four have been fined $70 each since last year, and about 600 issued warning letters. 

The NEA, which could not provide infringement figures for earlier years, has enforced the law with a light touch because it understands that motorists want to keep their engines - and air-conditioners - running in this hot and humid climate. 

As part of an 'education' process, however, it has issued 'advisories' to some 6,400 motorists who have been reported by the public in the last three years. Discussion threads in online motoring forums indicate that not many drivers know it is illegal to leave their vehicle engines running while stationary, say, when they are waiting for someone to turn up. 

Going by the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, which date back to 1999, the only time it is all right to do so is when a vehicle is in traffic. The law provides for offenders to be charged in court and dealt fines of up to $2,000 for first-time infringements and $5,000 for repeat cases. 

'Leaving an engine running while stationary is inconsiderate,' an NEA spokesman said, as it creates unnecessary noise and air pollution. 

Observers say more can be done. 

Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw described switching off the engine while waiting as 'a minor inconvenience', hot and humid as it is here.'We don't have 40-degree temperatures, and we have plenty of shade,' he said. 'It's a matter of winding down the windows or getting out of the car.' (getting out of car? also can fine for unattended vehicle) 

Idling engines are a problem when taxis wait in line for passengers, like at the airport, or when coaches wait by the roadside while tourists shop, he noted. 'They contribute significantly to CO2 emissions,' he said. 

Retiree Lee Chiu San, 64, said: 'If I'm alone in the car, I wind down the windows and kill the engine as a matter of principle. 'But with passengers, there can be serious disagreement.' 

'I think it is a great law that now needs to be enforced here, CO2 emissions being the biggest reason, of course.' 

Meanwhile, European car manufacturers from Fiat to BMW are incorporating stop-start mechanisms in their cars. These cut off the engine when the car comes to a stop at the lights, and restart it when the accelerator is depressed. 

The technology is beginning to appear in cars imported into Singapore. Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion 1.2TDI is one such model. 

But the issue of leaving engines running even when the motorist is not in traffic remains. Some cabbies here have two sets of ignition keys - one to keep the engine and air-conditioning running and the other to lock the vehicle with while they have their breaks. 

Cabby Tony Pang, 60, said: 'This is so passengers don't complain of the heat. 

'It used to be a common practice, but not so now, since diesel is so expensive. But I know some older drivers still do it. It's a matter of choice.'