Learning to Drive

[Bob906]

is it allowed to do what they call blocking in your driving test, that is go from 4th to 2nd gear when you come on a sudden bend or hazard, and also to start off in 2nd gear when moving away downhill.

[dilligaf]

Its what is called "block changing"
In the old days it used be from four to three, three to two then to one when almost stationary which was a procedure used to assist braking when brakes were not as efficient as they are today.
As long as you reduce your speed to match the gear you are selecting there should be no problem.

[Keeprockin]

Never seen a sudden bend. If,for some unforeseen reason,you had to slow sharply,then you would select the gear appropriate to the speed you'd slowed down to.
You don't deliberatley skip gears on your test,the examiner wants to see your capable of using them correctly.
Depends on your cars power,sometimes you can miss a gear,say,First to third,or third to fifth,but I'm pretty sure you'd fail a test doing so

[Emz26]

While learning to drive my instructor actually taught me to go from 4th gear to 2nd gear etc... and I did this on my test and passed.

[hedgehog661]

Hi
I am a driving instructor who has passed many advanced driving tests and now teach instructors.

Block or 'selective' gear changing is not only allowed but is positively encouraged. In fact later this year or early next it will be marked against you if you DO NOT use the gearbox in an 'eco-safe friendly way'.

The method of 'sequencial' (1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1) is considered very old hat and was a method designed for cars like the old cortinas and morris minors where the brakes had no servo assistance and certainly none of the ABS, EBS, dual circiut and other braking systems that are around today.

Modern drivers would reduce the speed with the brakes and then select the most appropriate gear for the task in hand. As a guide it is gears to go and brakes to slow.

Nearly all learners today(strangely there is still the odd instructor who is stuck in thier ways but soon will HAVE to change) will wonder why Dad and Mum use so many fuel wasting stress causing and unnecessary gear changes and take to correct gear changing with absolute ease.

Further guidence can be found in the highway code(anyone read one lately) or Driving the Essential Skills published by the DSA who run the driving tests.

[hedgehog661]

Sorry forgot

If the hill is steep enough and you would only be in 1st for a brief moment then of course use 2nd gear.