Manoeuvre 3 — Hill start

The hill start fails more candidates than any other manoeuvre: stalling or rolling back beyond the permitted distance costs heavy marks and can end the test.

The correct sequence (manual)

1. Stop on the marked line and apply the handbrake.
2. Select first gear and hold the clutch down.
3. Raise the clutch slowly to the bite point — you hear the engine note drop and feel the rear of the car settle.
4. Hold the clutch there and add a little throttle.
5. Release the handbrake; as the car pulls away, release the clutch fully.

Three common mistakes

• Releasing the clutch too fast without enough throttle → stall.
• Releasing the handbrake too early → rolling back past the line.
• Stopping on the wrong line to begin with → marks lost before the manoeuvre even starts.

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