When To Use Handbrake

The handbrake or parking brake as it is also referred to should be used at only certain occasions whilst learning to drive and during a driving test.

Situations such as parking the car up must have the handbrake applied once stopped, other situations such as general driving, use the handbrake as detailed below. Some learner drivers tend to over-use the handbrake during a driving test, even to the extent that they begin to apply it whilst the car is still moving.

This is obviously dangerous and easily fail a driving test, so try to be relaxed about the use of the handbrake. Detailed below is when the handbrake should be used during a driving test.

Using the handbrake when parking up

A driving test will involve the examiner asking you to park up on the left on more than one occasion. When you have stopped the car, apply the handbrake and select neutral.

General driving and the handbrake

Throughout a driving test there will be many occasions that the car will need to be stopped. For example this could be waiting behind other vehicles in traffic or stopping at a red light.

Try not to use the handbrake excessively during a driving test

The examiner will expect you to use the handbrake when stopping in such situations but try not desperately grab the handbrake the very moment you have stopped.

When you have come to a stop, wait 5 seconds or so and if it looks like you will remain stationary for a while, apply the handbrake. By doing this it will eliminate the possibility of you applying the handbrake too early whilst you are still moving, plus you may move off again quickly and so there was no need to use the handbrake anyway.

Manoeuvres and the handbrake

There is no rule for using the handbrake during manoeuvres, so this really depends on the situation. If demonstrating the turn in the road manoeuvre for example, as you come to a stop just short of the kerb (or curb as it’s also known) when turning, there are often cambers on roads. These cambers can be steep and the use of the handbrake and the clutch biting point may prevent you rolling forwards or backwards and hitting the kerb. Similarly for the other manoeuvres, if you think using the handbrake will provide you with greater control, then use the handbrake.

Emergency stop and the handbrake

The handbrake should be used after the emergency stop has been completed. Similarly to parking up, when the car has come to a stop, apply the handbrake and select neutral. For further information on the emergency stop and a tutorial of its explanation, see:

Emergency stop

Hill starts and the handbrake

If your driving test is in an area where slopes and hills are present, it’s likely you will be making hill starts on your driving test. Hill starts demonstrate to the examiner that you have good and safe control of the car and that you will not allow the car to roll backwards when moving off. Use of the handbrake and the clutch biting point will eliminate and rolling.

DRIVING TEST RELATED INFORMATION

Driving Test Tips

Lisa

I’m helping my friend gain driving experience on the road her instructor has I old her to apply the handbrake when she is waiting for a gap to turn at a junction is this correct or can she use the clutch biting point she can pull out faster

Reply Cancel

Hello Lisa,
Either is acceptable depending on the situation –
If the junction is on a slope and there’s a risk that the car may roll either forwards or backwards, it would be advisable to secure the car using the handbrake.
If she has very good clutch control and there’s no risk of the car rolling, then it is acceptable to wait using clutch control only.
However, bear in mind that sitting stationary on the clutch bite point does increase wear on the clutch, so the preferred method is to wait either by using the the foot brake to secure the car (on a flat surface) or the handbrake (if on a slope) – but not engage the clutch until you intend on moving off. This does require greater clutch control though as the possibility of stalling is increased.
Essentially, choose which method she is most comfortable with as it will not impact the test result providing she has good control of the car. Perhaps just bear in mind the cost of replacing the clutch in the future.

Thank you that’s really helpful she seems to stall more using handbrake which is why i asked as instructor told her she would fail if she didnt use it and yea using footbrake until there’s a gap then clutch control to get moving is what I ment and defiantly works better for her so we will go with that thanks a lot for advice this is a great site

stephen thompson

Do you need to apply the hand brake on both manual or automatic cars when the vehicle is stopped or stationary

Hi Stephen,
It depends on the situation and the vehicle. If you’re stopped in traffic (not moving) for some time, put the transmission in neutral or park and apply the handbrake. If the car has electronic parking brake, then there’s less chance of rolling, such as pulling out of a junction with an incline for example, so you will need to use the parking brake less. For manually operated parking brakes, you’ll need to use these more often regardless of whether it’s a manual or automatic vehicle due to there being more chance of rolling.

Mike Peers

My pupil sometimes finds it impossible to release the handbrake for a hill start unless she uses both hands. As long as the car is not moving and she holds it on the bite until hands are back on the steering wheel, is this acceptable or a fault?

There’s definitely potential for a fault there if the car did move whilst she still had both hands on the handbrake. Does the handbrake need to be applied so hard that it requires both hands to release it? Is she pulling it up too much or does it need adjustment?