🔄 Turn in the road, hill start and emergency stop

The three-point turn, hill starts with the handbrake on Malta's slopes, the emergency stop and reversing in a straight line — each step by step.

In this lesson I've put together four basic control skills that can be asked on the test. They share one secret: controlling the clutch at biting point and looking all round before every movement.

Turn in the road (three-point turn)

The aim is to turn the car to face the opposite direction within the road, using forward and reverse gears, without touching the kerbs. On narrow roads you may need more than three moves — that's not a fault; control and observation are what matter.

1. Start: you are stopped on the left, close to the kerb. First gear, biting point. Full observation: interior mirror, right mirror, right shoulder (blind spot), ahead, left shoulder.
2. First move (forward): if clear, creep forward very slowly while steering briskly to full right. About a metre from the opposite kerb, start steering briskly left and stop before touching the kerb. Handbrake on (if the road slopes).
3. Observation: reverse gear, look all round — especially to the left (where your rear is now heading) and traffic in both directions.
4. Second move (reverse): reverse slowly while steering to full left. Look through the rear window and over your left shoulder. About a metre from the kerb behind, start steering right and stop.
5. Observation: first gear, look all round again.
6. Third move (forward): steer right as needed and drive forward, move to the left side of the road and straighten up. Carry on driving normally.

Hill start

Malta is full of hills (Mdina, the back streets of Sliema, Gozo). Moving off without rolling back is basic to the test and to everyday driving.

1. Handbrake on, clutch down, first gear.
2. A little more gas than usual (about 1500–2000 rpm).
3. Bring the clutch up slowly to biting point: the engine note drops and the bonnet rises slightly. Hold the clutch still there.
4. Mirrors and blind spot; signal if needed.
5. Release the handbrake (pressing the button). The car moves forward; add a little gas as you slowly release the clutch.

Downhill start: usually second gear, foot on the footbrake; release the handbrake, then release the clutch as you ease off the brake.

Emergency stop

The examiner explains first: "Shortly I'll say 'Stop!' and raise my hand; stop the car quickly and under control as if in an emergency." The examiner checks it's clear behind before giving the signal.

1. On the signal, brake immediately, firmly but progressively — not a single stamp, but rapidly increasing pressure.
2. Press the clutch just before the car stops (so the engine doesn't stall).
3. Both hands on the wheel, keep it straight. With ABS keep the pedal pressed; the vibration is normal.
4. Once stopped: handbrake, neutral.
5. Before moving off, full observation: look all round including both blind spots — forgetting this is a common fault.

Reversing in a straight line

1. Stop parallel to the kerb, reverse gear, full observation.
2. Turn your body slightly to the left; left hand at the top of the wheel (12 o'clock), right hand can rest on the back of the passenger seat; look through the rear window.
3. Reverse very slowly at biting point. Check the distance from the kerb in the left mirror too (keep about 30–50 cm).
4. Keep corrections small: a small steering movement has a big effect at the back.
5. After 2–3 car lengths stop, handbrake, neutral.