I Have the ultimate answer, because i too am a L34RN3R
IF ! you are approching a junction where you
cannot see left > right > left as there are obstructions in the way, you cruise up to the junction in wot ever gear you were in before (could be 3rd 4th, 5th) then select 1st to pull away from a complete stop
IF ! you are approching a junction where you
can see left > right > left then select second at a suitable speed, checking left right and left before coming to the edge of the junction ....... if safe, off you go in 2nd, if not safe, come to a complete stop... go into 1st, handbrake on depending on time your gonna be there set your revs & clutch wait until it is safe to go then away we go in 1st.
IF your just going along a road and you see an obsticle in the way (branch, cat, dog, OAP in one of them amazing electronic brum brums and your not sure wot they are doing ... you should
STEP down the gears ... ie say we're in 4th, > 3rd > 2nd > stop = 1st.... if at any stage on the way down the gears the obsticle goes away, then away we go in wot ever gear your in.
IF there just cars in your way and you coming upto... let say some Red Lights, and you
KNOW your going to hav to stop then go and come to a stop in wot ever gear you were in before, as in the 1st example...
This is the extent of my knowledge i could be comepletly wrong, but im 99.999999% sure im not
after you've passed you can do wot you like, as i have been told by parents / brother / uncles... but until then, you should follow it
alternativly ask your instructor
thanks for reading the longest post i've ever written