“You have now prepared the car, made your observation checks and determined whether you need to signal. Now, it’s time to get moving.
The first job is to release the handbrake. Ideally, when on a level road, the car should not move when the handbrake is released. If the car does move, it’s because the clutch pedal is up a little bit too far. Very gently and slowly, bring the clutch pedal up a little more until the car starts to move, and then hold the clutch still for a moment. This will help you to move off smoothly.
As you start to increase speed, smoothly bring the clutch up all the way and press the gas pedal a little more. Turn the steering wheel slightly and move out to the safety line as you gently increase the pressure on the gas pedal, bring the clutch up fully and rest your left foot on the floor.
As soon as you start to move, you will steer to a safety line. This is an imaginary line that you will follow to keep your vehicle approximately 1 metre from the side of the road or any obstructions, depending on the road width available.
You might be surprised at how little the steering wheel has to be turned in order to move out of your safety line. Often, by moving the wheel by just a few centimetres will be enough.
Some new drivers are tempted to look at the front corners of the car, in order to see where they are positioned on the road, but this actually makes judging your position more difficult. When you look at the kerb or any other obstruction, you will be drawn towards it. This is why it’s important to look well ahead and concentrate on the space that you want to drive into.
The best way to judge your position on the road is to look well ahead of the car, at least 50 metres. Imagine the line that the car will follow.
At this point, it might seem like there is a lot to follow with the POM Routine, but the good news is that you don’t need to consciously remember every detail. Simply relax and practise and you’ll soon form a safe moving off habit.
From then on, the routine will only take around 10 seconds to complete.
Key points are:
– Release the handbrake
– Bring the clutch up until the car moves and then hold
– Use a little more gas – then clutch up all the way
– Rest left foot on floor
– Steer to safety line
– Only move the steering wheel a few centimetres”
