Vehicle Controls and Basic Vehicle Handling
What this domain tests
This domain checks that you can operate the controls smoothly and know what the vehicle is doing underneath you. Examiners look for correct seating and mirror set-up, progressive braking, clutch control at low speed, safe gear choice on hills, and correct responses to ABS, skids and sudden tyre failure.
Core technique
- Adjust the seat so the clutch can be fully depressed with a slight knee bend, then set the mirrors to show a sliver of your own car.
- Brake progressively and release smoothly; squeeze rather than stamp.
- Use engine braking on descents so a lower gear holds speed without overheating the brakes.
- On a hill start, hold the handbrake, find the friction point, add gentle power, then release.
- With ABS, press firmly and keep pressing; ABS lets you steer while braking.
- In a skid, ease off the accelerator and steer where you want the front of the car to go; do not stamp on the brakes.
- After a blowout, grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off, and brake gently once control is stable.
Worked example
You are descending a long steep hill in fourth gear and the car keeps accelerating, so you brake repeatedly until the pedal feels soft. That is brake fade from overheating. The correct action is to select third or second gear so the engine holds the car back, use the brakes only in short applications, and stop in a safe place to let them cool if they have already faded.
Traps
- Coasting downhill in neutral, which removes engine braking and control.
- Resting a foot on the clutch, which wears it and reduces drive.
- Braking hard and steering straight into a skid instead of looking and steering out of it.