Thornbury Driving School
Routine
The MSPSL Routine
Your five-step system for approaching every junction, hazard, and change of speed or position — safely and confidently.
Step by step
M
Mirrors
Know what is happening all around you
Before you do anything — signal, change position, or adjust speed — you must check your mirrors. You need to know the speed and position of traffic behind you so your next action is safe for everyone, not just you.
How to do it
- Check your interior mirror first to get a wide view behind.
- Then check the relevant door mirror — left mirror if moving left, right mirror if moving right.
- Ask yourself: how close is the nearest vehicle? How fast are they going? Will my move affect them?
- If the answer is yes, allow extra time or space before you act.
💡
Never signal or change course without checking mirrors first. Skipping this step is one of the most common reasons learners fail their test.
S
Signal
Let others know what you intend to do
After checking your mirrors, decide whether a signal would help any other road user — including pedestrians. Signal clearly and in good time. Not every situation needs one.
How to do it
- Ask yourself: is there anyone who would benefit from knowing what I am about to do?
- If yes, signal early enough for others to see it — but not so early that it is misleading.
- Use the correct signal: indicators for turning or changing lanes, brake lights to show you are slowing.
- After the manoeuvre, make sure the signal has cancelled — cancel it yourself if not.
💡
Signalling does not give you right of way. Always check it is safe — other road users may not have seen or acted on your signal.
P
Position
Move to the right place on the road
Getting into the correct position early helps other road users understand your intentions and gives you the best view ahead. Your position should always match what you are about to do.
How to do it
- Turning left — keep close to the left, but not so close that you risk the kerb or cut off cyclists.
- Turning right — move towards the centre of the road (without crossing the centre line), leaving room for traffic passing on your left.
- Going straight ahead — keep your normal driving position unless road conditions require adjustment.
- Move into position gradually and in good time — never swerve across at the last moment.
💡
Your vehicle’s position is itself a signal. Other road users will read where you are and predict what you are about to do — so position thoughtfully.
S
Speed
Arrive at the right speed for the situation
You must arrive at a junction or hazard at a speed that gives you full control. If your view is restricted, slow down enough to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
How to do it
- Begin reducing speed in good time — smooth, progressive braking is the mark of a safe driver.
- Use your brakes first to reduce speed, then select the appropriate gear to match that speed.
- Remember: brakes are for slowing, gears are for going — do not use the gears to slow the car down.
- At junctions, be prepared to stop completely if the road is not clear.
💡
If you find yourself braking hard at a junction, you probably started the MSPSL routine too late. Good timing makes everything smoother.
L
Look
Assess before you commit to the manoeuvre
This is where you gather all the information you need before you act. Looking is not a single glance — it is a deliberate process of taking in the full picture and deciding whether it is safe to proceed.
At junctions — look right, left, then right again
- Also check forward for pedestrians about to cross in front of you.
- Look over your shoulder for cyclists in your blind spot.
- If your view is blocked, creep slowly forward until you can see — then look again before going.
- Only commit to the manoeuvre when you are certain it is safe.
LADA — how to look effectively
L
Looking
What can you see? Scan all directions including blind spots.
A
Assessing
What are your options? Is the road clear of hazards?
D
Deciding
Based on what you see, is it safe to go?
A
Acting
Either proceed when safe, or wait until it is.
💡
Never pull out just because the road should be clear. Only go when you can see that it is. If in doubt — wait.
When to use MSPSL
Turning left or right
Roundabouts
Moving off
Changing lanes
Slowing down
Overtaking
All junctions
Pulling up
Why MSPSL matters
MSPSL is not just a test-day routine — it is the foundation of safe driving for life. It works because it forces you to gather information before you act, rather than reacting to events as they happen.
Driver error is involved in nearly all collisions. Most of those errors come from acting without enough information — moving without checking mirrors, turning without the right position, or entering a junction too fast. MSPSL addresses every one of those failure points.
Remember
The routine should feel natural, not mechanical. Work through each step early and smoothly — a well-applied MSPSL routine is almost invisible to other road users, because it produces calm, predictable, confident driving.