Moving off at an angle

Use the same steps as for moving off straight ahead – see ‘Moving off’, earlier in this section.

Before moving off, ask yourself these questions

• At what angle should I move out?
• How far will this take me into the road?

Your decision will depend on

• how close you are to the vehicle or object in front
• how wide the vehicle ahead is
• oncoming traffic.

Your window pillar can obstruct your view ahead. Make sure there’s nothing in the area hidden by this obstruction.

Watch out for other vehicles behind and signal, if necessary, then

• look over your right shoulder
• release the parking brake as you ease the clutch pedal up. The vehicle will begin to move. Tight clutch control is needed, so keep the clutch pedal at or just above the biting point
• give yourself time to complete the amount of steering you need to clear the vehicle in front
• release the clutch pedal smoothly when your vehicle is clear of the obstruction
• if you’re steering around a vehicle, allow room for someone to open a door
• move out slowly, straighten up, and be ready to brake; a pedestrian might step out from the other side of the parked vehicle
• check your mirrors when you’ve moved off.