Forest Hill is called Forest Hill for a reason. The area is full of gradients that test your clutch control, handbrake technique, and confidence. Hill starts are not a formal test manoeuvre, but examiners will assess how you handle them throughout your test. Here are the steepest roads you need to master.
Why Hill Starts Matter on Your Test
While hill starts are not one of the three set manoeuvres, they are assessed as part of your general driving. Rolling backwards, stalling on a hill, or losing control of the car on a gradient can result in a serious fault. In the Forest Hill area, you will encounter hills on virtually every test route, so mastering this skill is essential.
1. Blackheath Hill (Lewisham Routes)
The steepest and most challenging hill on any local test route. Blackheath Hill connects Lewisham with Blackheath Village and features a significant gradient.
Gradient: Approximately 10% in places
What to expect:
- Long, sustained climb or descent depending on direction
- Traffic lights at the bottom requiring a hill start from stationary
- Heavy traffic during peak hours
- Parked cars narrowing the road in the upper section
Our tip: When stopping at the traffic lights at the bottom, apply the handbrake firmly. Find the biting point before releasing the handbrake, and give slightly more gas than on a flat road. On the descent, use a lower gear for engine braking and keep your speed well controlled.
2. Honor Oak Park Hill
The road climbing from Honor Oak Park station towards One Tree Hill is a regular feature on routes from both test centres.
Gradient: Approximately 8% at the steepest section
What to expect:
- Steady incline with parked cars on both sides
- Pedestrian crossing near the station requiring potential stops on the hill
- Narrow sections where you may need to give way to oncoming traffic
- Speed bumps that require careful speed management on the gradient
Our tip: The pedestrian crossing near the station is a common spot where you may need to stop and perform a hill start. Be ready with the handbrake. When meeting oncoming traffic on the narrow sections, stop in a position where you can move off easily rather than right against the kerb.
3. Sydenham Hill
Connecting Forest Hill with Dulwich, Sydenham Hill features on some extended test routes and is excellent for practice.
Gradient: Approximately 7% with varying steepness
What to expect:
- Winding road with changing gradient
- Tree-lined with dappled light that can affect visibility
- Cyclists struggling uphill who you may need to overtake safely
- Speed limit changes between 30mph and 20mph zones
Our tip: The changing gradient means you need to constantly adjust your throttle. When overtaking slow cyclists on the hill, ensure you have clear visibility ahead and give them at least a door width of space. Signal and check mirrors before moving out.
4. Belmont Hill, Lewisham
A steep residential road that features on Lewisham test routes heading towards Blackheath.
Gradient: Approximately 9% at the steepest point
What to expect:
- Sharp gradient with a bend partway up
- Parked cars on both sides creating narrow passing points
- Residential driveways with cars emerging
- The junction at the top requires careful observation while on the slope
Our tip: The bend on the hill is the trickiest part. Approach it in second gear with steady throttle. If you need to stop for oncoming traffic on the bend, use the handbrake immediately. Do not try to hold the car on the clutch alone on this gradient.
5. Westwood Hill, Sydenham
A long, steady climb that appears on some Hither Green routes heading south.
Gradient: Approximately 6% sustained over a long distance
What to expect:
- Long, sustained gradient rather than a sharp hill
- Bus stops where buses pull in and out on the slope
- Parked cars requiring careful positioning
- Junction at the top with Kirkdale requiring a hill start if traffic is queuing
Our tip: Long gradients can be deceptive. You may not realise how steep it is until you stop and feel the car wanting to roll. Always use the handbrake when stopping on any gradient, even if it seems gentle. It is better to be safe than to roll backwards.
6. Perry Vale, Forest Hill
Right in the heart of Forest Hill, Perry Vale has a noticeable gradient that catches learners by surprise.
Gradient: Approximately 5% with a steeper section near the station
What to expect:
- Busy road with shops, pedestrians, and parked delivery vehicles
- Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings on the slope
- Bus stops creating stop-start traffic on the hill
- The junction with the South Circular at the bottom
Our tip: Perry Vale is a great practice road because it combines a moderate hill with real-world traffic challenges. Practise stopping and starting at the traffic lights repeatedly until it becomes second nature. This road appears on almost every Forest Hill test route.
Hill Start Technique: Step by Step
- Secure the car: Apply the handbrake firmly and keep your foot on the brake
- Prepare to move: Press the clutch fully and select first gear
- Find the biting point: Slowly raise the clutch until you feel the car want to move and the engine note drops slightly
- Add gas: Gently press the accelerator, slightly more than on a flat road
- Release handbrake: When you feel the car straining against the handbrake, release it smoothly
- Move off: The car should move forward without rolling back. Gradually release the clutch fully
Automatic Cars on Hills
If you are learning in an automatic, hill starts are simpler but still require care:
- Keep your foot firmly on the brake when stopped
- Apply the handbrake on steep hills to prevent creep backwards
- When moving off, release the handbrake as you feel the car pull forward
- Some automatics have hill-hold assist which helps prevent rollback
Master the Hills with Local Experts
At Forest Hill Driving School, we practise hill starts on all of these roads during your lessons. Our instructors will build your confidence gradually, starting on gentle slopes and progressing to the steepest gradients. By test day, you will handle any hill with ease. Book your lesson today.