I have been watching your videos for over a year now to help me get back on the road after a medical licence suspension due to a seizure in 2019 (luckily never happened again and DVLA judge me fit to drive!) In many ways it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been on the road for 30+ years prior to my suspension but when my licence was returned I made it my goal to become the best driver I could be - "re-booting" my driving style as if I was learning again. Bottom line, I think I have become a much more sensible and "road aware" driver and so do the people in the car with me. I also do not get wound up by other drivers like I did in the past, for example, today I was driving at 25mph in a 30 zone because the road was bendy with many joggers and cyclists out for their Sunday morning exercise (also 3 sets of Pelican crossings to contend with). The Audi behind me was tailgating big style and honked me then overtook and shot off at at least 40mph - I was like "whatever". I have the whole thing on Dashcam, I have considered passing the footage on to plod, but given there was no accident I have decided to leave it! 10 years go, I would have been that muppet but no longer! So thanks Ashely, you videos should be watched by all drivers not just learners!
Perhaps consider passing it onto the police? Maybe no accident occurred but a warning or fine may convince said driver to drive a bit safer in the future?
@@edj4833 I would say send it to Ashley in the hope either the driver, one of his passengers or friends recognise them and bring it up. Education as opposed to persecution. But I do see what you are saying, valid alternative.
One very relevant general point that Ash made: Namely, that the same junction might require a very different way to handle on each occasion. I think there is a habit for drivers to treat familiar junctions / roundabouts etc in the same way every single time, especially if that approach applies the majority of the time. I myself have fallen victim to this, a classic example of which is when selecting the "lane of least resistance" along a particular stretch of road. I have tended to do this by habit based on my past experience...and occasionally found it was not at all the lane of least resistance. Better advanced observation and planning and basing my decision each time on that rather than what's happened in the past would have served me better. No harm done of course and all that it meant was that I didn't make as good progress as I could have done (whilst still remaining safe and legal of course) but it does illustrate Ash's comment.
I think there’s a similar thing on estates. People are familiar with the area so don’t treat them like normal roads, even though they are. Just because nothing came round that corner last time, doesn’t mean someone won’t this time.
I passed my car and bike test in the late 80's, when you were pretty much just taught to pass the test. 3 years ago I did some advanced riding, culminating in gaining my IAM advanced rider qualification. This introduced me to IPSGA (information, position, speed, gear, acceleration) this was a revelation for my riding but also driving. This is similar to what you are describing here. Its all about taking the information and then planning based on that info, you see so many drivers who dont seem to have any clue what is happening around them. But when you get this kind of technique to be instinctive, its much easier to adapt to others poor driving, especially important on 2 wheels.
Nice informative video, as a motorcyclist as well as a driver I’m always reading the road much further ahead and anticipating what drivers are going to do and after 45 years of doing this I seem to have developed a sixth sense but the most important thing is never be complacent someone or something will always catch you out
I do few learners these days, concentrating on company car and van drivers. Most of the drivers I see, whether they've been driving for just a few years, or for many years, will still focus on the give way line until arrival. So many stops when they could have kept moving. The person who is scanning and planning their emerge, is always behind you, not in front. Stop when unnecessary, the danger is behind you.
Stage E check out the caterham !!. On a serious note at 9:37 the Kuga is a great example of what you shouldn't do , too fast up to the line, brake harder using the pads and more fuel and then have to accelerate away when you look at the last minute. Great video as usual.
When you're on a main stretch of road sometimes you get people pulling to the end of a side road ready to give way to you but they approach that quickly that they look like they are going to dart out. Even so sometimes when they harsh stop at the give way line their bonnet is sticking over the line.
Love the channel even though I've been driving a fair few years its good to look back at the things I was taught and the bad habits I have picked up. I had a massive lucky escape at a pelican crossing a few years ago, nobody died, nobody was prosecuted but it woke me up and made me realise that your life can change in a second. One second would have seen me doing a stretch for manslaughter I'm sure. I was four up taking workmates home and a scooter in front, lights go orange about 10 feet from the crossing and I think the scooter is going to go but he stops on a sixpence, I was looking at the lights as he stopped and when I look back at the road I yanked the wheel to the right out of sheer instinct and missed him by inches. My luck carried on as the oncoming lane was empty and we all got home alive.
Thanks for formalising a rule set for something I do, I don't arrive and look, I look further down the road . The way I've been thinking about it is a particular r'about which breaks a 70mph dual carrageway. I approach with a little bit of speed and I ask 'If someone was to come round and block my path, would I be able to stop in time?'. When I confirm that my route is clear, I will go. If there is someone coming round I slow further and go behind In regards to Lights, I play a game. I approach and try to avoid coming to a complete stop. If there is a red light ahead there's no point in rushing to a queue of traffic, breaking hard and waiting for the guy ahead to move. You won't get further!
It amazes me how many people approach roundabouts and other junctions with a give way with the mentality of "I'm just going" it's almost like people panic about having to set off again from a stand still. In most if not all scenarios of junctions other than those that are super clear and you can see someone approaching from a long way off is slow down and expect to stop. The face on some people when I've approached a junction or especially a roundabout their planning has them in a panic where they have the look of fear where they shit a brick and floored it to escape danger because they've approached a roundabout still doing atleast 30 with no capability to stop. I do drive in London so that's a given that people in general are terrible impatient drivers
I would have thought that the driving in London would be better than average given the environment but thinking is a bit hard for some of us. I know I switch on a lot more when in busier places like cities because I don't want to die. I've never driven in London though and I don't plan to given the choice ;)
One of your best so far for me, variable, staged awareness approaching junctions/roundabouts is a big issue for a lot of drivers I find. It is also reassuring to drivers around you, along the lines of 'body language' of vehicles kinda theme. Love your vids mate, a great service you provide.
Good points as usual. Being a cyclist, whenever I approach a junction of any kind I think and look for bikes first. Way too many drivers tank into roundabouts too quick to properly see and plan.
Really useful video thank you! I passed my test in Feb however have recently been having a few issues that's really knocked my confidence, my anxiety takes over I panic and make everything 100 times worse. Thanks for the video has made me take a step back and think about what I'm going to do again, I need to remember I'm not an experienced driver!
I love being able to judge whats coming before cars in front, driving should be like second nature, if you think too hard whilst driving or be nervous driving in certain places, you shouldn't be on the road. Good vids mate and good too see you driving round my local area 👍
Hello mate, just wanted to thank you for your videos. I managed to pass my test on Thursday, your videos are/were a godsend. Thank you for making these and covering the range of topics/subjects you do. I'm still watching your every upload despite my pass, and I'm sure I will continue to do so.
Morning Ashley, what is your view on the partition boards put up at some roundabouts to prevent an early view? Obviously it is designed to slow the traffic down on the approach but prevents further observations and during busier times can cause the flow of traffic to slow through those particular roundabouts as people become more reactive as they are unable to observe effectively. Brilliant video as always can't wait for the next one.
Definitely needs a video. Daily, I face a roundabout with a dense forest inhabited by goblins covering the entire island. It is impossible to see more than about 120° round from the point of entry, and sometimes the traffic coming round is not hanging about and there's quite a lot of vehicles making that turn (the whole island is about 20 m diameter yet it's all NSL). It means that you can still get caught out by more 'enthusiastic' drivers once you've committed. Each year the growth gets worse, and it's a common practice around here to put these little magical kingdoms in the middle of islands. There's frequent accidents at these same islands.
@@PedroConejo1939 The driving test centre at Chippenham is situated in a trading estate with only one access, onto such a roundabout. If the poor test candidate can safely enter that roundabout, just a few hundred yards from the test centre, then the rest of the test is a doddle.
One thing I am coaching myself to do more on the approach to roundabouts: As well as advanced observation as to what's on the roundabout or approaching it from the next entry road to my right, I also observe what's approaching on the next entry road to my left. And together with this is to consider if my approach speed is appropriate to anyone that might be approaching on that next entry road to my left so as not to catch them by surprise. You may all remember that very recent viewer submission whereby they were struck on a roundabout by a National Express coach that wasn't visible till the last moment and likely approached the roundabout at considerable speed, as well as straight line-ing it to maintain a high speed throughout. There's also the consideration as to whether your exit road is clear, including of any pedestrians crossing it.
@@Wave1dave Yes very much so though I find myself having to be more aware to do this on roundabout approaches than when turning left at a junction, where I am very diligent at looking left before turning left. Perhaps it's because in the case of roundabouts everyone is going one way...but still no excuse not to check the path that I'm about to proceed in, including for the car in front of me to check that it's actually proceeded onto the roundabout. As you know, this gets a special mention in the HC.
You should always observe right and left when approaching a roundabout,especially one with four exits - They are crossroads! You shouldn't have to train yourself,you should always have done it.
Excellent video. 👍👍👍👍😁😁😁 At every stage you are assessing and adapting to change into the most appropriate action. As you approach you position and plan for what seems appropriate, and as you progress at each and every stage you are giving yourself the option to change depending on the next set of assessments. So no mater what the condition you find yourself in you have options to change into because you have already planed for it. *Brilliant*
8:30 sorry Ash but I have to disagree about 1st gear on mini roundabouts only being if you are turning right and it’s tight. Round my area, there’s a lot of mini roundabouts that have been installed that were previously Give Way junctions and they are on blind corners. If you try going through in 2nd, it’s way too fast to assess properly, they are 1st gear and creep. Too many Full Licence Holders fly through them without proper Observations as they have the “ it’s a roundabout so 2nd gear “ attitude. Hope you understand the point I’m making mate 👍
9:30 The way you caught up to that car and still approached at the same time was a perfect example of someone rushing there, then observing. Where as you did it more on an early approach.
Hi Ashley. I have watched your videos for a while and love your outlook and passion for driving, safety and people in general, and can definitely say I have learned a lot from your videos and although I would say I am a fairly competent driver I have still done lots of reflection using your videos and learned a lot. I am currently reading roadcraft for an upcoming response driving course at work (blues!) And hope to take lots of your knowledge with me to continue learning, thank you!
You reminds me of another driver instructor that I follow and that wrote few famous books, Ross Bentley. He has the same philosophy of keep learning, keep improving 👍
You can learn these stages on a motorcycle by seeing if you can complete a journey without dabbing let alone stopping with both feet down. You have no option but to look ahead, be aware, read the road , check other vehicles out and select a route. And hone your riding very slowly skills. Also as Hubnut was talking about the other day, smooth driving is energy efficient
9:30 Case in point the SUV that came past, had to brake quite hefty and you jus read the roundabout, hardly had to brake and put a lot less stress on the mechanicals of your car. There is a roundabout on my commute that you cannot see vehicles approaching from the right until you are over the give way line, thankfully most drivers are aware, they have recently put the give way signs on the entrances to the roundabout.
Re: traffic light sensors. Had a great one the other day, some numpty had parked his car by the "stop here when red light shows" sign for some sensor controlled temporary lights. As a result, they were only flowing in one direction. Took me taking a risk and going when it was quiet to trigger the sensor otherwise we would have been there for some time.
As if by magic at around 9:34, car on Ashley’s offside tanks it up to the roundabout then has to brake sharply because something is coming and they need to give way. Ashley goes a decent speed, observes and gets straight on to the roundabout without having to stop…
I agree with a lot of what you’re saying (I advise ALL my students to subscribe to you) but I find that when students choose a gear, they tend to stop breaking once they’re in that gear. I’ve found it’s far better to get them to get their speed down to match the situation, then change gear to match the speed. You wouldn’t be able to choose a gear if driving an automatic, you get your speed down for control etc to match the situation.
Whenever I encounter someone who passes parked cars by barging through on the other side of the road, I know I've met someone who has zero planning (unless the whole barging thing is a strategic decision rather than tactical). On the approach to roundabouts, the worst thing that can happen to mess up your careful planning is a large vehicle arriving in the lane to your right and totally blocking the view. You just cannot plan for what you cannot see. Same applies at T-junctions, either emerging left or right.
There's a stretch of road near me where cars park on one side and there is still enough room for 2 cars to pass although you have to go over the white line slightly. I'd say 95% of the time people just continue on like nothing, the locals shall we say. But occasionally you'll get a car that seems to get annoyed that you're either straddling the white line, or asking them to. I guess this could be seen as barging through, but the majority of people do it and accept it, not that makes it right of of course.
@@TheVanderfulLife If there's room to pass and the speeds are appropriate, I wouldn't call that barging through. I have in mind those who make others stop to let them pass parked cars. Many of them seem to think that they actually have that mythical 'right of way'.
@@kenbrown2808 Yep. I'm always aware of doing it to others and hold back if it's going to be an issue. Usually, because I drive a car with a long bonnet, I'm the one that gets the view blocked.
Plan to stop - look to go. So assume Ashley's stage C/D (dependent on expectation of long or short stop) unless through good early lateral vision it is identified that a 100% safe gap to continue is available, if so revert to stage A taking 2nd or 3rd to suit speed at the time of decision. In other words treat roundabouts & any give way scenarios in the same way as one would a red light which may or may not change to green before one arrives. It should be decision before gear selection as IAM ROSPA Police etc. advocate (both hands stay on wheel while brakes applied to reduce speed), there is always time & space for the gear selection if you plan for there to be by approaching slowly enough. So imho no "suck it and see" stage B 2nd gear on the off chance it's your lucky day, which I believe leads to some cutting it very fine chances being taken with some very doubtful gaps. Incidentally no committing to go until the vehicle in front is definitely going - no changing down on a closing gap. Remember the saying:- "I plan to stop but I look to go, I slow it down until I know, when I know I take the gear and go - and if I don't know/can't see I don't go".
Excellent video, loved the graduated plan approach. I have learned to follow the IAM adage: "plan to stop, looking to go". In other words, plan to stop at the Give Way line but keep Information coming in through Observations - so I can amend my plan and drive on if the way is clear. By doing that, I have virtually no more of the sudden stops I used to have to make, when I would be planning to go and then suddenly discover the expected gap was not there!
Congrats on the 100+k....... you educate and improve people who really want to understand and be more proficient, unfortunately the drivers who really need this type of education don't watch these sort of channels. Great job tho! 😁👍
Hi Ashley, a bit off topic for the video but I was wondering if you have any advice. I’ve recently passed and since driving on my own, I’ve noticed that even though I’m going at a reasonable speed, some people get quite aggressive driving right up behind me, so I reduced my speed a bit as my instructor taught me to reduce risk but it causes me a lot of stress. I was wondering if you have any tips on how to react in this situation. Thanks!
As long as by reasonable you don't mean you're doing 30 in a 40 or something for no good reason, then you're doing the right thing. It's hard but you can't let those people get to you, you're right and they're wrong, and they'll just have to deal with it until the limit changes or one of you turns off. Just make sure you're alert to them possibly trying a stupid overtake or something. Ultimately if you can demonstrate you won't be bullied they'll give up, but if you get flustered and try to speed up to appease them and demonstrate that you can be bullied then they won't leave you alone. That goes for anything outside of driving too!
@@ThatGamingGuy01 If you have a stubborn personality it helps, just focus on yourself and like the other comment says you are doing the right thing and you have every right to share the road as much as anyone else. I can be quite stubborn and I often enforce the speed limit on my home street with long line of cars behind me, I don't care that they get angry because I'm doing the speed limit. They cannot complain.
I once did a stage A approach to a large roundabout, spotted the gap for the car in front, hung back a bit, spotted my gap, selected second and went for it. The problem was that the car in front was a stop and look driver. Oops. By a strange coincidence, traffic lights appeared at that junction a few months later.
Took me a while to figure out what car you were driving there Ash. It's your red Golf GTI right? I kept thinking "That's not Ashley's Tesla" For one thing, it's a manual and that's definitely not a Tesla screen...and then the penny dropped. Your GTI definitely has loud indicators!
Could that van at 11:18 picked any worse of a spot to park at. So close to a roundabout and blocking visibility at a crossing. People really don’t think think.
Hey Ashley, what do you think about micro cars like the Aixam Coupe S, which are limited to 28mph and can be driven in the UK by 16 year olds on a moped licence? I was following one the other day and noticed other drivers being quite annoyed at the low speed, probably unaware that this vehicle could go no faster.
I remember the good old days when if you bought a new car you had to be gentle with it for a while. You'd see signs on cars saying ''New Car - Running In'' to let people know you had to drive slowly. Perhaps they could have a neon sign like that on the back saying 'Sorry - Can't Go Faster'. :-D
@@margaretnicol3423 I think a sign would be a good idea. I could have done with a sign last week in the Dales, having to go nice and gently round the bends so as not to make the kids travel sick!
@@shm5547 You need to move to the US/Australia/Canada where the roads go absolutely straight for hundreds of miles. I don't know why they bother with a steering wheel.🤣🤣🤣
Reminds me a little bit of DanDanTheFireman's the 5 Awareness Stages of a Motorcycle Rider (which I think also applies to car drivers). It's not exactly the same, but the underlying idea is similar.
One of the benefits of planning - instead of reacting - is that you can often utilise a gear change instead of relying on the brakes which, unless I'm mistaken, can also help with fuel economy. I'm not saying that this works in every scenario by any means but keeping momentum is a subject I believe you covered in an earlier upload. Taking a slightly slower approach can also allow more thinking time. Stay safe everyone 👍.
Not sure what you mean, utilising gears. But simply, brakes are for slowing down, , and you select the correct gear to accelerate away. It's much cheaper to replace brake pads/brake shoes, than a worn gear box 😉🙂
@@protarget1 Engine braking is the reason for a downshift which also works on an Automatic box. If you're on a downhill incline it's going to help prevent the risk of overheating the brakes. Classic cars can suffer from this and, as the owner of a 51 year old motor, I know that the brakes are rather poor when compared to modern vehicles; moreso when originally designed in the 1950's where the original car had drum brakes; no discs.... it takes forever to stop if you're at Motorway speed 🤔. Hope that makes sense.
@@grahamnutt8958 I can understand using the gears, older classic cars, but not with modern cars. as you said, In years gone past you were taught to go down the gears, (4:3:2:1:) to slow down, again as you said, the drum brakes on old cars were rubbish. But remember, using the gears to slow down puts excessive wear on the transmission and clutch. As cars became faster they became totally useless, hence the modern disc brakes, especially on the front wheels. Also when using your brakes to slow down, you also have the engine braking. This is why you shouldn't put the clutch down until it's time to select the correct gear to go forward, or to stop the engine from stalling just before you come to a stop . Every time you put the clutch down, you lose a vital part of braking for a few seconds 😉
@@protarget1 also @Jon. Interesting thread here guys. I am "old school" in many ways and, even when driving a modern car, still use the tried and tested methods instead of relying upon - for example - ABS..... Cadence Braking came into play on many occasions, particularly when driving a 7.5ton unit fully laden that has saved my bacon; and the contents from damage. I've never ruined a gearbox with up/downshifts nor a clutch.... Sometimes been known to do a clutchless gearchange and that's a hard one to accomplish. It got me out of trouble when my piece of 💩 Austin Allegro (many years ago and admittedly NOT my best ever purchase lol) clutch gave up the ghost with zero warning - I managed to "limp" it home which saved the cost if a towtruck. People used to have skills before the safety aids came into play. Many could benefit from driving a Classic in order to learn what has become a lost art. Anyway - that's my opinion and I do not disrespect other peoples experiences or perceptions. We're all here to improve. Respect, guys 👍.
The number of times I see drivers braking for a roundabout and I am preparing to put my foot on the gas.They just don't plan ahead,they stop then look! Braking wastes fuel!
02:00 AN says his tips might be useful to: learners, other instructors, less confident drivers, I’d add another category lover confident drivers” [as we’ll see in seven and a half minutes]. 09:30 the car that overtakes and has to brake harshly at the round-a-bout is a great example of over confidence, I wonder if he’s a viewer? 11:00 was the first and/or the second car coming the left (from a minor road to the major road) guilty of not looking before emerging when they should have been giving AN the right of way? 12:25 did AN just drive over a “turn right” lane marking then go straight ahead? There is a road/entrance immediately to the right but I think it’s referring to the turn right further ahead. I thought I had him for a moment 😂.
I failed my first test on Wednesday with one serious for judgement - meeting. I think what happened is I was going round some cars to turn left out of a junction, and someone turned into that same junction and had to stop on their side of the road to let me through. I believe I didn't see them in time so my awareness wasn't good enough. Also, the examiner asked me to turn right at the end of the road, and I took it as the right close to me intially, instead of the one at the end of the road, so I got a bit confused. Thanks for the video. I think I just need to start slowing it down a bit more for meeting situations and think a bit less about the give way line. Have you got any other videos along the same lines that spring to mind?
Look at his play lists and also conquer driving has lots of videos like this. Tough luck on your test by the way but just think of it as a learning experience and use it for the future.
@@Alan_Clark If you take the wrong turn it could be marked as a minor. Continuing to go in the wrong direction will result in a test being abandoned entirely. Following directions is a key part of the driving test.
@@54356776 The driving test is about driving safely and legally. It is not about obeying instructions because that is not what you do when you are driving normally. How is taking the wrong turn dangerous or illegal?
@@Alan_Clark I've already explained this. It's not just about being safe and legal, you have to be able to follow directions such as road signs, sat nav or verbal. That's a part of road safety, following the rules of the road and markings, signage and traffic signals. An examiner will be able to re route if you take the wrong turning but continuously driving the wrong way will result in the test being abandoned. A safe road user will be able to follow directions quite easily.
Ashley, a little off topic but watching your class 2 journey inspired me to train for my licence as well. Is there any way of asking you a question as your expert opinion about a certain scenario would be really insightful. I know you’re most probably very busy but I think with your extensive knowledge of Liverpool and the surrounding areas you may be able to help? Cheers 👍🏼
Coming from rainhill to rainhill stoops roundabout to take the m62w to Liverpool. The right hand lane is the correct lane on approach, if I stay in that lane a lane on my inside also says m62w a bit further around. In a hgv it’s best to leave the roundabout in the left lane so is it ok to change lanes on the roundabout and if so when? The roundabout is marked very unclearly 🤷🏻♂️ cheers
@@MichielvanderMeulen yea its a 2007 mini the biting point is really high up which I'm not used to getting more used to it now tho just needed to add some more revs aswell
I get this is meant as an educational channel but did you really need to do blind spot checks when parked with a ten foot brick wall behind you … I don’t think anything will be overtaking somehow 😂😂
How come people still drive manual transmission cars? I can see it being important to learn, but as papa Elon Musk says “All human input, is error” the less drivers have to think about while driving allows more time for analyzing the road way. -Canadian viewer
If you take driving test in an automatic, you have the retake test to be allowed to drive a manual. (At least it did when I took the test 40 years ago).Also it does help with the basic control of a vehicle. It does actually become easy and just a matter of muscle memory. I often watch TH-cam channels where the person has never driven a manual and finds it difficult to drive a manual.
I don't agree. The level of control in a manual is what I like. And in parking situations a manual is just unbeatable. Safer because the car doesn't creep automatically.
I have been watching your videos for over a year now to help me get back on the road after a medical licence suspension due to a seizure in 2019 (luckily never happened again and DVLA judge me fit to drive!) In many ways it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been on the road for 30+ years prior to my suspension but when my licence was returned I made it my goal to become the best driver I could be - "re-booting" my driving style as if I was learning again. Bottom line, I think I have become a much more sensible and "road aware" driver and so do the people in the car with me. I also do not get wound up by other drivers like I did in the past, for example, today I was driving at 25mph in a 30 zone because the road was bendy with many joggers and cyclists out for their Sunday morning exercise (also 3 sets of Pelican crossings to contend with). The Audi behind me was tailgating big style and honked me then overtook and shot off at at least 40mph - I was like "whatever". I have the whole thing on Dashcam, I have considered passing the footage on to plod, but given there was no accident I have decided to leave it! 10 years go, I would have been that muppet but no longer! So thanks Ashely, you videos should be watched by all drivers not just learners!
Perhaps consider passing it onto the police? Maybe no accident occurred but a warning or fine may convince said driver to drive a bit safer in the future?
@@edj4833 I would say send it to Ashley in the hope either the driver, one of his passengers or friends recognise them and bring it up. Education as opposed to persecution. But I do see what you are saying, valid alternative.
One very relevant general point that Ash made: Namely, that the same junction might require a very different way to handle on each occasion. I think there is a habit for drivers to treat familiar junctions / roundabouts etc in the same way every single time, especially if that approach applies the majority of the time. I myself have fallen victim to this, a classic example of which is when selecting the "lane of least resistance" along a particular stretch of road. I have tended to do this by habit based on my past experience...and occasionally found it was not at all the lane of least resistance. Better advanced observation and planning and basing my decision each time on that rather than what's happened in the past would have served me better. No harm done of course and all that it meant was that I didn't make as good progress as I could have done (whilst still remaining safe and legal of course) but it does illustrate Ash's comment.
I think there’s a similar thing on estates. People are familiar with the area so don’t treat them like normal roads, even though they are. Just because nothing came round that corner last time, doesn’t mean someone won’t this time.
I think the expression 'familiarity breeds contempt' covers it, great point.
I passed my car and bike test in the late 80's, when you were pretty much just taught to pass the test. 3 years ago I did some advanced riding, culminating in gaining my IAM advanced rider qualification. This introduced me to IPSGA (information, position, speed, gear, acceleration) this was a revelation for my riding but also driving. This is similar to what you are describing here. Its all about taking the information and then planning based on that info, you see so many drivers who dont seem to have any clue what is happening around them. But when you get this kind of technique to be instinctive, its much easier to adapt to others poor driving, especially important on 2 wheels.
9:28
I love that - approaching slower than the silver car but getting away earlier!
Nice informative video, as a motorcyclist as well as a driver I’m always reading the road much further ahead and anticipating what drivers are going to do and after 45 years of doing this I seem to have developed a sixth sense but the most important thing is never be complacent someone or something will always catch you out
I do few learners these days, concentrating on company car and van drivers. Most of the drivers I see, whether they've been driving for just a few years, or for many years, will still focus on the give way line until arrival. So many stops when they could have kept moving. The person who is scanning and planning their emerge, is always behind you, not in front. Stop when unnecessary, the danger is behind you.
Stage E check out the caterham !!. On a serious note at 9:37 the Kuga is a great example of what you shouldn't do , too fast up to the line, brake harder using the pads and more fuel and then have to accelerate away when you look at the last minute. Great video as usual.
It was the perfect how not to do it!
When you're on a main stretch of road sometimes you get people pulling to the end of a side road ready to give way to you but they approach that quickly that they look like they are going to dart out. Even so sometimes when they harsh stop at the give way line their bonnet is sticking over the line.
Love the channel even though I've been driving a fair few years its good to look back at the things I was taught and the bad habits I have picked up.
I had a massive lucky escape at a pelican crossing a few years ago, nobody died, nobody was prosecuted but it woke me up and made me realise that your life can change in a second. One second would have seen me doing a stretch for manslaughter I'm sure.
I was four up taking workmates home and a scooter in front, lights go orange about 10 feet from the crossing and I think the scooter is going to go but he stops on a sixpence, I was looking at the lights as he stopped and when I look back at the road I yanked the wheel to the right out of sheer instinct and missed him by inches. My luck carried on as the oncoming lane was empty and we all got home alive.
Thanks for formalising a rule set for something I do, I don't arrive and look, I look further down the road .
The way I've been thinking about it is a particular r'about which breaks a 70mph dual carrageway. I approach with a little bit of speed and I ask 'If someone was to come round and block my path, would I be able to stop in time?'. When I confirm that my route is clear, I will go. If there is someone coming round I slow further and go behind
In regards to Lights, I play a game. I approach and try to avoid coming to a complete stop. If there is a red light ahead there's no point in rushing to a queue of traffic, breaking hard and waiting for the guy ahead to move. You won't get further!
It amazes me how many people approach roundabouts and other junctions with a give way with the mentality of "I'm just going" it's almost like people panic about having to set off again from a stand still. In most if not all scenarios of junctions other than those that are super clear and you can see someone approaching from a long way off is slow down and expect to stop. The face on some people when I've approached a junction or especially a roundabout their planning has them in a panic where they have the look of fear where they shit a brick and floored it to escape danger because they've approached a roundabout still doing atleast 30 with no capability to stop. I do drive in London so that's a given that people in general are terrible impatient drivers
I would have thought that the driving in London would be better than average given the environment but thinking is a bit hard for some of us. I know I switch on a lot more when in busier places like cities because I don't want to die. I've never driven in London though and I don't plan to given the choice ;)
One of your best so far for me, variable, staged awareness approaching junctions/roundabouts is a big issue for a lot of drivers I find. It is also reassuring to drivers around you, along the lines of 'body language' of vehicles kinda theme. Love your vids mate, a great service you provide.
Really enjoy your videos. I’m a HGV driver and I still learn something from each one of your videos. Keep up the good work Ash
Not only this video was helpful, but *ALL* of your videos are also helpful.
🙏
Good points as usual.
Being a cyclist, whenever I approach a junction of any kind I think and look for bikes first. Way too many drivers tank into roundabouts too quick to properly see and plan.
Not only left and right turns but T-junctions and roundabouts? I'm impressed! Great video, btw.
Really useful video thank you!
I passed my test in Feb however have recently been having a few issues that's really knocked my confidence, my anxiety takes over I panic and make everything 100 times worse.
Thanks for the video has made me take a step back and think about what I'm going to do again, I need to remember I'm not an experienced driver!
I love being able to judge whats coming before cars in front, driving should be like second nature, if you think too hard whilst driving or be nervous driving in certain places, you shouldn't be on the road.
Good vids mate and good too see you driving round my local area 👍
Hello mate, just wanted to thank you for your videos. I managed to pass my test on Thursday, your videos are/were a godsend. Thank you for making these and covering the range of topics/subjects you do. I'm still watching your every upload despite my pass, and I'm sure I will continue to do so.
Congratulations and many thanks 🙏
Morning Ashley, what is your view on the partition boards put up at some roundabouts to prevent an early view? Obviously it is designed to slow the traffic down on the approach but prevents further observations and during busier times can cause the flow of traffic to slow through those particular roundabouts as people become more reactive as they are unable to observe effectively. Brilliant video as always can't wait for the next one.
Good point that deserves a video! Thanks for the inspiration 🙏
Definitely needs a video. Daily, I face a roundabout with a dense forest inhabited by goblins covering the entire island. It is impossible to see more than about 120° round from the point of entry, and sometimes the traffic coming round is not hanging about and there's quite a lot of vehicles making that turn (the whole island is about 20 m diameter yet it's all NSL). It means that you can still get caught out by more 'enthusiastic' drivers once you've committed. Each year the growth gets worse, and it's a common practice around here to put these little magical kingdoms in the middle of islands. There's frequent accidents at these same islands.
@@ashley_neal I look forward to it cheers.
And many time visibility is obscured on the road by badly placed road signs on junctions etc.
@@PedroConejo1939 The driving test centre at Chippenham is situated in a trading estate with only one access, onto such a roundabout. If the poor test candidate can safely enter that roundabout, just a few hundred yards from the test centre, then the rest of the test is a doddle.
One thing I am coaching myself to do more on the approach to roundabouts: As well as advanced observation as to what's on the roundabout or approaching it from the next entry road to my right, I also observe what's approaching on the next entry road to my left. And together with this is to consider if my approach speed is appropriate to anyone that might be approaching on that next entry road to my left so as not to catch them by surprise. You may all remember that very recent viewer submission whereby they were struck on a roundabout by a National Express coach that wasn't visible till the last moment and likely approached the roundabout at considerable speed, as well as straight line-ing it to maintain a high speed throughout. There's also the consideration as to whether your exit road is clear, including of any pedestrians crossing it.
I think this would also fall into the same category as "when you turn left, don't forget to look to the left as well."
@@Wave1dave Yes very much so though I find myself having to be more aware to do this on roundabout approaches than when turning left at a junction, where I am very diligent at looking left before turning left. Perhaps it's because in the case of roundabouts everyone is going one way...but still no excuse not to check the path that I'm about to proceed in, including for the car in front of me to check that it's actually proceeded onto the roundabout. As you know, this gets a special mention in the HC.
You should always observe right and left when approaching a roundabout,especially one with four exits - They are crossroads!
You shouldn't have to train yourself,you should always have done it.
Really good video, certainly a different and easier way to think on approach
nice video ... very useful. Particularly the point about looking down the road beyond the current junction/hazaard to the next one...
Excellent video. 👍👍👍👍😁😁😁
At every stage you are assessing and adapting to change into the most appropriate action.
As you approach you position and plan for what seems appropriate, and as you progress at each and every stage you are giving yourself the option to change depending on the next set of assessments.
So no mater what the condition you find yourself in you have options to change into because you have already planed for it.
*Brilliant*
100% agree
8:30 sorry Ash but I have to disagree about 1st gear on mini roundabouts only being if you are turning right and it’s tight. Round my area, there’s a lot of mini roundabouts that have been installed that were previously Give Way junctions and they are on blind corners. If you try going through in 2nd, it’s way too fast to assess properly, they are 1st gear and creep. Too many Full Licence Holders fly through them without proper Observations as they have the “ it’s a roundabout so 2nd gear “ attitude. Hope you understand the point I’m making mate 👍
9:30 The way you caught up to that car and still approached at the same time was a perfect example of someone rushing there, then observing. Where as you did it more on an early approach.
100% helped me on my lessons and day to day driving
Big fan of this new driving angle. Keep up the great videos.
Hi Ashley. I have watched your videos for a while and love your outlook and passion for driving, safety and people in general, and can definitely say I have learned a lot from your videos and although I would say I am a fairly competent driver I have still done lots of reflection using your videos and learned a lot. I am currently reading roadcraft for an upcoming response driving course at work (blues!) And hope to take lots of your knowledge with me to continue learning, thank you!
You reminds me of another driver instructor that I follow and that wrote few famous books, Ross Bentley. He has the same philosophy of keep learning, keep improving 👍
You can learn these stages on a motorcycle by seeing if you can complete a journey without dabbing let alone stopping with both feet down. You have no option but to look ahead, be aware, read the road , check other vehicles out and select a route. And hone your riding very slowly skills.
Also as Hubnut was talking about the other day, smooth driving is energy efficient
9:30 Case in point the SUV that came past, had to brake quite hefty and you jus read the roundabout, hardly had to brake and put a lot less stress on the mechanicals of your car. There is a roundabout on my commute that you cannot see vehicles approaching from the right until you are over the give way line, thankfully most drivers are aware, they have recently put the give way signs on the entrances to the roundabout.
Very helpful information thanks
Re: traffic light sensors. Had a great one the other day, some numpty had parked his car by the "stop here when red light shows" sign for some sensor controlled temporary lights. As a result, they were only flowing in one direction. Took me taking a risk and going when it was quiet to trigger the sensor otherwise we would have been there for some time.
As if by magic at around 9:34, car on Ashley’s offside tanks it up to the roundabout then has to brake sharply because something is coming and they need to give way. Ashley goes a decent speed, observes and gets straight on to the roundabout without having to stop…
I agree with a lot of what you’re saying (I advise ALL my students to subscribe to you) but I find that when students choose a gear, they tend to stop breaking once they’re in that gear.
I’ve found it’s far better to get them to get their speed down to match the situation, then change gear to match the speed.
You wouldn’t be able to choose a gear if driving an automatic, you get your speed down for control etc to match the situation.
Prediction is always better than reaction. Even if ones prediction ends up completely wrong, it can help ones reaction immeasurably if necessary.
Whenever I encounter someone who passes parked cars by barging through on the other side of the road, I know I've met someone who has zero planning (unless the whole barging thing is a strategic decision rather than tactical). On the approach to roundabouts, the worst thing that can happen to mess up your careful planning is a large vehicle arriving in the lane to your right and totally blocking the view. You just cannot plan for what you cannot see. Same applies at T-junctions, either emerging left or right.
There's a stretch of road near me where cars park on one side and there is still enough room for 2 cars to pass although you have to go over the white line slightly. I'd say 95% of the time people just continue on like nothing, the locals shall we say. But occasionally you'll get a car that seems to get annoyed that you're either straddling the white line, or asking them to. I guess this could be seen as barging through, but the majority of people do it and accept it, not that makes it right of of course.
@@TheVanderfulLife If there's room to pass and the speeds are appropriate, I wouldn't call that barging through. I have in mind those who make others stop to let them pass parked cars. Many of them seem to think that they actually have that mythical 'right of way'.
one of the things that annoy me is when you're at a 2 lane junction and the person in the other lane barges up to block your view.
@@kenbrown2808 Yep. I'm always aware of doing it to others and hold back if it's going to be an issue. Usually, because I drive a car with a long bonnet, I'm the one that gets the view blocked.
@@PedroConejo1939 I've driven a van and people will just pull past the stop line to block the view.
Plan to stop - look to go. So assume Ashley's stage C/D (dependent on expectation of long or short stop) unless through good early lateral vision it is identified that a 100% safe gap to continue is available, if so revert to stage A taking 2nd or 3rd to suit speed at the time of decision. In other words treat roundabouts & any give way scenarios in the same way as one would a red light which may or may not change to green before one arrives. It should be decision before gear selection as IAM ROSPA Police etc. advocate (both hands stay on wheel while brakes applied to reduce speed), there is always time & space for the gear selection if you plan for there to be by approaching slowly enough. So imho no "suck it and see" stage B 2nd gear on the off chance it's your lucky day, which I believe leads to some cutting it very fine chances being taken with some very doubtful gaps. Incidentally no committing to go until the vehicle in front is definitely going - no changing down on a closing gap. Remember the saying:- "I plan to stop but I look to go, I slow it down until I know, when I know I take the gear and go - and if I don't know/can't see I don't go".
The 4 Stages Of Approach: denial, anger, depression and acceptance?
Five stages of approach: denial, anger, depression, watching Ashley Neal, and acceptance.
Guilt ( coulda let him out) and loss( shoulda gone)
language trivia: in the US we interpret "stages" as something you go through sequentially. we would call that "approach modes"
At 4:16 you could probably boil it down to "I'm preparing to stop but I'm looking to go".
Roundabouts keep traffic flowing.... until the council decide to stick traffic lights in them
And then the fifth stage is acceptance
Excellent video, loved the graduated plan approach.
I have learned to follow the IAM adage: "plan to stop, looking to go". In other words, plan to stop at the Give Way line but keep Information coming in through Observations - so I can amend my plan and drive on if the way is clear. By doing that, I have virtually no more of the sudden stops I used to have to make, when I would be planning to go and then suddenly discover the expected gap was not there!
Congrats on the 100+k....... you educate and improve people who really want to understand and be more proficient, unfortunately the drivers who really need this type of education don't watch these sort of channels. Great job tho! 😁👍
My pet hate is when folk emerge left from a junction and are not looking in the direction of travel 🙄
Hi Ashley, a bit off topic for the video but I was wondering if you have any advice. I’ve recently passed and since driving on my own, I’ve noticed that even though I’m going at a reasonable speed, some people get quite aggressive driving right up behind me, so I reduced my speed a bit as my instructor taught me to reduce risk but it causes me a lot of stress. I was wondering if you have any tips on how to react in this situation. Thanks!
As long as by reasonable you don't mean you're doing 30 in a 40 or something for no good reason, then you're doing the right thing. It's hard but you can't let those people get to you, you're right and they're wrong, and they'll just have to deal with it until the limit changes or one of you turns off. Just make sure you're alert to them possibly trying a stupid overtake or something. Ultimately if you can demonstrate you won't be bullied they'll give up, but if you get flustered and try to speed up to appease them and demonstrate that you can be bullied then they won't leave you alone. That goes for anything outside of driving too!
@@swolemoth By reasonable I mean I’ll be doing about 28 in a 30. I just find it hard to keep calm when they’re being so aggressive.
@@swolemoth
Doing 30 in a 40 is reasonable, it's a limit.
@@ThatGamingGuy01
If you have a stubborn personality it helps, just focus on yourself and like the other comment says you are doing the right thing and you have every right to share the road as much as anyone else. I can be quite stubborn and I often enforce the speed limit on my home street with long line of cars behind me, I don't care that they get angry because I'm doing the speed limit. They cannot complain.
@@54356776 like I said, if there's a good reason, such as weather conditions or whatever. Otherwise let's make some progress.
I once did a stage A approach to a large roundabout, spotted the gap for the car in front, hung back a bit, spotted my gap, selected second and went for it. The problem was that the car in front was a stop and look driver. Oops. By a strange coincidence, traffic lights appeared at that junction a few months later.
Took me a while to figure out what car you were driving there Ash. It's your red Golf GTI right? I kept thinking "That's not Ashley's Tesla" For one thing, it's a manual and that's definitely not a Tesla screen...and then the penny dropped. Your GTI definitely has loud indicators!
Please do a video of just driving your golf GTI, like a POV one.
Try to arrange yourself in relation to others alongside so they're not obscuring your view.
Do you do the Dutch Reach when exiting your car on your driveway???
Come across a few roundabouts where somebody has decided it was a good idea to deliberately erect barriers to prevent forward planning.
You must remember that traffic engineers can't drive/don't drive.
Could that van at 11:18 picked any worse of a spot to park at. So close to a roundabout and blocking visibility at a crossing. People really don’t think think.
Hey Ashley, what do you think about micro cars like the Aixam Coupe S, which are limited to 28mph and can be driven in the UK by 16 year olds on a moped licence? I was following one the other day and noticed other drivers being quite annoyed at the low speed, probably unaware that this vehicle could go no faster.
I remember the good old days when if you bought a new car you had to be gentle with it for a while. You'd see signs on cars saying ''New Car - Running In'' to let people know you had to drive slowly. Perhaps they could have a neon sign like that on the back saying 'Sorry - Can't Go Faster'. :-D
@@margaretnicol3423 I think a sign would be a good idea. I could have done with a sign last week in the Dales, having to go nice and gently round the bends so as not to make the kids travel sick!
@@shm5547 You need to move to the US/Australia/Canada where the roads go absolutely straight for hundreds of miles. I don't know why they bother with a steering wheel.🤣🤣🤣
@@margaretnicol3423 A circle 30 sign would do it, like they have on the back of wagons on the continent.
@@PedroConejo1939 Yes, that would do. I've also seen speed limits on the backs of large vehicles but I'm not sure people know what they mean. :-)
Reminds me a little bit of DanDanTheFireman's the 5 Awareness Stages of a Motorcycle Rider (which I think also applies to car drivers). It's not exactly the same, but the underlying idea is similar.
One of the benefits of planning - instead of reacting - is that you can often utilise a gear change instead of relying on the brakes which, unless I'm mistaken, can also help with fuel economy.
I'm not saying that this works in every scenario by any means but keeping momentum is a subject I believe you covered in an earlier upload. Taking a slightly slower approach can also allow more thinking time.
Stay safe everyone 👍.
Not sure what you mean, utilising gears. But simply, brakes are for slowing down, , and you select the correct gear to accelerate away. It's much cheaper to replace brake pads/brake shoes, than a worn gear box 😉🙂
@@protarget1 Engine braking is the reason for a downshift which also works on an Automatic box.
If you're on a downhill incline it's going to help prevent the risk of overheating the brakes. Classic cars can suffer from this and, as the owner of a 51 year old motor, I know that the brakes are rather poor when compared to modern vehicles; moreso when originally designed in the 1950's where the original car had drum brakes; no discs.... it takes forever to stop if you're at Motorway speed 🤔.
Hope that makes sense.
@@grahamnutt8958 I can understand using the gears, older classic cars, but not with modern cars. as you said, In years gone past you were taught to go down the gears, (4:3:2:1:) to slow down, again as you said, the drum brakes on old cars were rubbish. But remember, using the gears to slow down puts excessive wear on the transmission and clutch. As cars became faster they became totally useless, hence the modern disc brakes, especially on the front wheels. Also when using your brakes to slow down, you also have the engine braking. This is why you shouldn't put the clutch down until it's time to select the correct gear to go forward, or to stop the engine from stalling just before you come to a stop . Every time you put the clutch down, you lose a vital part of braking for a few seconds 😉
@@grahamnutt8958 Well my old bangers got 420k on it and its manual, it hasn't worn out yet.😄
@@protarget1 also @Jon.
Interesting thread here guys.
I am "old school" in many ways and, even when driving a modern car, still use the tried and tested methods instead of relying upon - for example - ABS.....
Cadence Braking came into play on many occasions, particularly when driving a 7.5ton unit fully laden that has saved my bacon; and the contents from damage.
I've never ruined a gearbox with up/downshifts nor a clutch....
Sometimes been known to do a clutchless gearchange and that's a hard one to accomplish. It got me out of trouble when my piece of 💩 Austin Allegro (many years ago and admittedly NOT my best ever purchase lol) clutch gave up the ghost with zero warning - I managed to "limp" it home which saved the cost if a towtruck.
People used to have skills before the safety aids came into play.
Many could benefit from driving a Classic in order to learn what has become a lost art.
Anyway - that's my opinion and I do not disrespect other peoples experiences or perceptions.
We're all here to improve.
Respect, guys 👍.
The number of times I see drivers braking for a roundabout and I am preparing to put my foot on the gas.They just don't plan ahead,they stop then look!
Braking wastes fuel!
02:00 AN says his tips might be useful to: learners, other instructors, less confident drivers, I’d add another category lover confident drivers” [as we’ll see in seven and a half minutes].
09:30 the car that overtakes and has to brake harshly at the round-a-bout is a great example of over confidence, I wonder if he’s a viewer?
11:00 was the first and/or the second car coming the left (from a minor road to the major road) guilty of not looking before emerging when they should have been giving AN the right of way?
12:25 did AN just drive over a “turn right” lane marking then go straight ahead?
There is a road/entrance immediately to the right but I think it’s referring to the turn right further ahead. I thought I had him for a moment 😂.
@@madisntit6547 🥴😂😂
I always thought the approach was - get the hell out of my way - I'm coming through regardless!!! :-D
I failed my first test on Wednesday with one serious for judgement - meeting. I think what happened is I was going round some cars to turn left out of a junction, and someone turned into that same junction and had to stop on their side of the road to let me through. I believe I didn't see them in time so my awareness wasn't good enough. Also, the examiner asked me to turn right at the end of the road, and I took it as the right close to me intially, instead of the one at the end of the road, so I got a bit confused.
Thanks for the video. I think I just need to start slowing it down a bit more for meeting situations and think a bit less about the give way line. Have you got any other videos along the same lines that spring to mind?
There is no penalty for taking the wrong turning. It is not illegal, dangerous or against the Highway Code.
Look at his play lists and also conquer driving has lots of videos like this. Tough luck on your test by the way but just think of it as a learning experience and use it for the future.
@@Alan_Clark
If you take the wrong turn it could be marked as a minor. Continuing to go in the wrong direction will result in a test being abandoned entirely. Following directions is a key part of the driving test.
@@54356776 The driving test is about driving safely and legally. It is not about obeying instructions because that is not what you do when you are driving normally. How is taking the wrong turn dangerous or illegal?
@@Alan_Clark
I've already explained this. It's not just about being safe and legal, you have to be able to follow directions such as road signs, sat nav or verbal. That's a part of road safety, following the rules of the road and markings, signage and traffic signals. An examiner will be able to re route if you take the wrong turning but continuously driving the wrong way will result in the test being abandoned. A safe road user will be able to follow directions quite easily.
Ashley, a little off topic but watching your class 2 journey inspired me to train for my licence as well. Is there any way of asking you a question as your expert opinion about a certain scenario would be really insightful. I know you’re most probably very busy but I think with your extensive knowledge of Liverpool and the surrounding areas you may be able to help? Cheers 👍🏼
I'll try my best, fire away!
Coming from rainhill to rainhill stoops roundabout to take the m62w to Liverpool. The right hand lane is the correct lane on approach, if I stay in that lane a lane on my inside also says m62w a bit further around. In a hgv it’s best to leave the roundabout in the left lane so is it ok to change lanes on the roundabout and if so when? The roundabout is marked very unclearly 🤷🏻♂️ cheers
You didn't mention stop signs
Is there a typo in your description? Too many people arrive at a junction and then start to look when they DRIVE or ARRIVE?
Sorted, thanks 🙏
It's people arriving at a junction who haven't looked or planned ahead.
Drive to Arrive
you always seem to have quiet roads. they are never like that at any time of day near us
hello passed my test in a 1.6 diesel now in a 1.4 petrol and i cant start off as smooth it is a 2007 car is this normal?
Bit more gas and hold the bite for a bit longer also moving off 👍
@@ashley_neal ok i will try that thanks for the reply
@@deano6017 some cars just have crap pedal feel, but you can do a lot holding the clutch a bit deeper and more under control
@@MichielvanderMeulen yea its a 2007 mini the biting point is really high up which I'm not used to getting more used to it now tho just needed to add some more revs aswell
Where/how do you send videos to Ashley?
People usually upload to Google Drive or similar then send a sharing link 👊
At the start of the video when you did your checks and it's just a brick wall, I know it's the right thing to do but made me laugh
Oh dear, the Kuga at Robbin's Island showing you how not to approach a roundabout.......
Yeah where you have to give way not when.
Morning all
Where you first today? I missed this coming in as I was busy cleaning the fridge! Should have anticipated this on a Sunday morning though. Oh well!
@@ibs5080 no 3rd
Creeps do well at junctions.
I get this is meant as an educational channel but did you really need to do blind spot checks when parked with a ten foot brick wall behind you … I don’t think anything will be overtaking somehow 😂😂
Shows good drills! Expect the unexpected 😄
You know how people say x/y/z appeared out of nowhere? Teleportation isn't possible, but small children (for example) can appear very quickly.
How come people still drive manual transmission cars? I can see it being important to learn, but as papa Elon Musk says “All human input, is error” the less drivers have to think about while driving allows more time for analyzing the road way. -Canadian viewer
If you take driving test in an automatic, you have the retake test to be allowed to drive a manual. (At least it did when I took the test 40 years ago).Also it does help with the basic control of a vehicle. It does actually become easy and just a matter of muscle memory. I often watch TH-cam channels where the person has never driven a manual and finds it difficult to drive a manual.
I don't agree. The level of control in a manual is what I like. And in parking situations a manual is just unbeatable. Safer because the car doesn't creep automatically.
oh sorry. i didn't reply. hi there Ashley!