Can someone tell me when the lifesaver look is to be used?
I know it is used when u first pull off but i’m unsure after that.
thanks
Lifesaver/shoulder check/blind spot check, should be made whenever you move away from the kerb after being ‘pulled up’ at a convenient place ( normal move off, move off at an angle, uphill, downhill). Also each time you have the handbrake on at the test centre, whilst doing reversing and braking.
There is no need to do that check when in a queue of traffic, for example waiting at traffic lights. If you do check each time you have the handbrake on whilst out on the road (which used to be the normal), the examiner will not mark you down.
Smart Mart:
There is no need to do that check when in a queue of traffic, for example waiting at traffic lights.
Out of curiosity, what’s the reasoning there then? I would’ve thought that was one of the more important places to do do it?
Sorry Saxon786 I can’t give you the reason, only what the examiners are looking for. Things change over time as well. In 1997 when I did my licences, I was taught to check my blind spot every time the handbrake had been used - indeed some of my pupils do that now, and I don’t tell them not to if they are comfortable with it.
On thinking about it further one possible explanation could be that when in a queue or such like you are not likely to be waiting long and as you approached the halt you would have been using all round observation, so would have assessed the situation, which would not have changed as it could have when you had ‘parked up’ - just a thought.
Personally I liked the old way.
A lifesaver is a motorcycling term and is hardly necessary in a car or truck, it normally involves looking under your armpit before turning at a junction or when pulling away from the kerb.
Saxon786:
Smart Mart:
There is no need to do that check when in a queue of traffic, for example waiting at traffic lights.Out of curiosity, what’s the reasoning there then? I would’ve thought that was one of the more important places to do do it?
I would still do one in a queue when on test - some examiners like it.
General rule - if at 10 mph or less - do a ‘lifesaver’ or ‘blind spot’ check as we like to call it.
A bicycle is about 10mph.
Saxon786:
Smart Mart:
There is no need to do that check when in a queue of traffic, for example waiting at traffic lights.Out of curiosity, what’s the reasoning there then? I would’ve thought that was one of the more important places to do do it?
The Lifesaver is a motorcycle term.
It’s used every time you “change lanes”, for want of a better, all inclusive, explanatory term.
Changing lanes includes, pulling away from the kerb, changing lane in either direction, turning into a junction in either direction, turning across traffic, etc. Basically you are checking that you are not about to move into the path of anyone sneaking into your blind spot, possibly at speed, thereby saving your life.
In a truck, you’re saving theirs.
You wouldn’t bother doing a lifesaver when in a queue because no-one is moving relative to you and you aren’t “changing lanes”, so you won’t be moving into anyones path. Good all round observation is vital here, of course, as it always is.
Rog wrote:-
I would still do one in a queue when on test - some examiners like it.
Well in the 5 years I have been training I have never had any of the regular or visiting examiners that have tested my trainees mark down for not doing blind spot checks in a queue.
However as I said some trainees seem to do it and I generally don’t object to it. There are cases though when trainees take so long with their observations when doing a blind spot check as well that they miss the opportunity to move off at lights for example, and then are in danger of being marked down for hesitation.
Smart Mart:
Rog wrote:-
I would still do one in a queue when on test - some examiners like it.
Well in the 5 years I have been training I have never had any of the regular or visiting examiners that have tested my trainees mark down for not doing blind spot checks in a queue.
However as I said some trainees seem to do it and I generally don’t object to it. There are cases though when trainees take so long with their observations when doing a blind spot check as well that they miss the opportunity to move off at lights for example, and then are in danger of being marked down for hesitation.
Ah yes, the timimg of doing such…
Some trainees will wait for the gap etc THEN do the checks instead of seeing a gap coming and doing them which then times the completion of the checks a moment before setting off.
I am presuming here that the blindspot check is one to the right?
A blind spot check to the left, would that make any sense in a truck?
Reason. left mirrors would show anything on left. I can’t see much if I do a left blindspot check as the body of the unit and height and size of the window restricts the view
A blind spot check to the left, would that make any sense in a truck?
Only if you wanted to check whether your wife/girlfriend was asleep on the bunk! 
Smart Mart:
A blind spot check to the left, would that make any sense in a truck?
Only if you wanted to check whether your wife/girlfriend was asleep on the bunk!
Or had a very long neck 
The DSA have this thing about car learners doing a six point check. This consists of a left shoulder check, left mirror ,ahead, centre mirror, right mirror then a right blindspot.
I dropped the idea after an examiner said it’s a load of nonesense. His reasoning being by the time a learner has gone through a 6 point check when moving off, they will have missed the oportunity to go therefore failing for undue hesitancy.
Sometimes it’s worth a peripheral left look in certain circumstances, but most of the time the left mirror is enough.
He reckons just centre, right, right blindspot and blast off.
Again the DSA say one thing then do exactly the opposite
What about when joining a Motorway.
Or am I confusing that with the IAM? 
Krankee:
What about when joining a Motorway.Or am I confusing that with the IAM?
Both the same - DSA & IAM
If got side curtains fitted (that block the view) in a truck (silly idea) - lean well forward to do it
In the DSA book “essential skills”. It says a blindspot check when joining a Mway/ DC may not be needed as the vehicle could be traveling to fast, and to look round may cause a crash… I will join a DC/MWay without a BS check if I am sure no one is there.
Of course the DSA will or possibly fail you for not doing the Bspot check.
They like you to turn your head round!!! rather than a chin to shoulder peripheral check.
Which of course beggars the question. What on earth are the DSA on, and why do they write one thing and then do another
On my driving ability test for the DSA LGV Instructor register I got a minor for not checking blind spot when joining the motorway - but not heard any examiner give my trainees one for it.
A blind spot check to the left, would that make any sense in a truck?
oh yes ,the cyclist creeping along side you at lights,you kill em its your fault!!!
aint this what our upside down mirror on the top left window is for??
nobby003:
A blind spot check to the left, would that make any sense in a truck?oh yes ,the cyclist creeping along side you at lights,you kill em its your fault!!!
aint this what our upside down mirror on the top left window is for??[/quoteWrong end of the stick I was refering to the left blindspot check as in looking over your left shoulder , not the mirrors.
Smart Mart:
On my driving ability test for the DSA LGV Instructor register I got a minor for not checking blind spot when joining the motorway - but not heard any examiner give my trainees one for it.
Yet in the goods vehicle DSA publication “We set the standards we know what we are taliking about” A blind spot check should be made.
When I do a blind spot check in an artic I can only see whats to the immediate right, without having to undo the window and poke my head outside, thats all I can see!!. It would be fair to say that undoing the window and sticking your head out may compromise safety, considering the speed on approach