question about handbrake

leahyl

Hi can i just ask if you are stopped in traffic - like no matter where in the queue be it at the front or 3 or 4 cars behind - for the purpose of the test do you need to have the handbrake on? - this is presuming you're on the flat now as i'd always have it on if on a hill!

It's just i NEVER have the handbrake on if i'm on the flat I just use my footbrake - just don't want to be doing it if it's wrong when i do my test.

Thanks:)

CortezTheKiller

I would think you *should* have the handbrake on when you're stopped in traffic at all.

leahyl

CortezTheKiller wrote: »

I would think you *should* have the handbrake on when you're stopped in traffic at all.

You mean i should have the handbrake on anyway - in everyday driving?

CortezTheKiller

I mean you should put the handbrake on when you are stopped in a queue of traffic regardless if it's on the flat or a hill.

I say *should* as I know I certainly don't always do it myself. For a driving test I would be using the handbrake.

leahyl

CortezTheKiller wrote: »

I mean you should put the handbrake on when you are stopped in a queue of traffic regardless if it's on the flat or a hill.

I say *should* as I know I certainly don't always do it myself. For a driving test I would be using the handbrake.

Ok better get out of that habit fast! Actually my instructor never told me that when i was getting lessons. I always just had my foot on footbrake apart from when i was on a hill. I think maybe he said that if i was sitting in traffic for a while to put the handbrake on but other than that no....

Alanstrainor

I would consider it bad practise to just use the foot brake. Using the handbrake will give you a chance to relax your feet too! I would use the handbrake whenever i am stopped for more than 3 seconds.

celticbest

Once I'm stopped either in heavy traffic or at lights I always use my handbrake.

The reason I do this is incase I'm hit from behind. If I'm only using the foot brake then when hit your foot is likely to jump of the brake and god knows were your car would end up, either in the back of the car in front of you or in the middle of a junction were another car could hit you side on.

Always use your handbrake when stopped for your own safety.

brian076

leahyl wrote: »

Hi can i just ask if you are stopped in traffic - like no matter where in the queue be it at the front or 3 or 4 cars behind - for the purpose of the test do you need to have the handbrake on? - this is presuming you're on the flat now as i'd always have it on if on a hill!

It's just i NEVER have the handbrake on if i'm on the flat I just use my footbrake - just don't want to be doing it if it's wrong when i do my test.

Thanks:)

For the purposes of the test you don't have to use the handbrake at anytime other than the hill start, but as other posters have said it's not good driving practice to keep the car on the footbrake when stopped, however you will not be marked for doing this, once the car doesn't roll.

wonski

You should only use the handbrake when stopped for longer time. In practice you should be ready to go quickly - if you are in front of lights, or in the front of the queue, or just few cars behind - no handbrake, and in 1st gear. If you know you gonna have enough time to move (eg there are lot of cars in front, that you can see) you can put the handbrake on, stay in neutral and relax.
Always use when on hill, of course.

leahyl

wonski wrote: »

You should only use the handbrake when stopped for longer time. In practice you should be ready to go quickly - if you are in front of lights, or in the front of the queue, or just few cars behind - no handbrake, and in 1st gear. If you know you gonna have enough time to move (eg there are lot of cars in front, that you can see) you can put the handbrake on, stay in neutral and relax.
Always use when on hill, of course.

Yes that's what i was thinking wonski - that's what my instructor said i'm sure - that if i was first in the queue to be in gear and use footbrake and if i was only a few cars back and i knew the traffic was going to be moving soon then to use footbrake but if i'm stopped a long time to use the handbrake (which i don't do!) but at least if i do this in the test i won't be marked down - correct?

wonski

leahyl wrote: »

Yes that's what i was thinking wonski - that's what my instructor said i'm sure - that if i was first in the queue to be in gear and use footbrake and if i was only a few cars back and i knew the traffic was going to be moving soon then to use footbrake but if i'm stopped a long time to use the handbrake (which i don't do!) but at least if i do this in the test i won't be marked down - correct?

I just passed my test at 2nd attempt, and can say only that it is up to the tester. First test I got marked for things I havent noticed, at the second I have not been marked for things I think I should (my car rolled down during 3point turn and no mark at all - I think the tester has seen enough in town, and decided not to mark for something i can do, but forgot to do because i focused to much on turn, and forgot to put handbrake on...)
I think this depends on tester really, though I think i deserved pass really.
Good luck with your test.

Max Power1

brian076 wrote: »

For the purposes of the test you don't have to use the handbrake at anytime other than the hill start, but as other posters have said it's not good driving practice to keep the car on the footbrake when stopped, however you will not be marked for doing this, once the car doesn't roll.

+1
This was the advise that I was given. My adi (a former tester) said that they wouldnt mark you for using the footbrake only and not the handbrake, once you didnt let the car roll. Indeed he said I should avoid using the handbrake if stopped at lights etc unless really needed (eg on a hill).

jumbone

For the likes of a hillstart or top of a queue, i use the handbreak but keep the button pushed and apply a slight upward pressure to the lever. I find this allows e to release it quickly and get away without rolling or holding people up. At extremey short lights I do use the footbrake at times

J_R

Hi,

Way I was told when training to be a driving instructor,

"If you have time to ask yourself - should I put on the handbrake - put on the handbrake.

Had a pupil yesterday do the test, experienced driver but plenty of bad habits including never using the handbrake. Told him he should use it but was afraid if I made a big deal of it he would perhaps use it but then forget to release when moving off. (He was only taking three lessons and had other more serious faults to sort).

He got two grade 2 faults under handbrake and scraped a pass with seven grade 2's.

Practice using it, and not just for the test. It is not just a "Parking Brake" as the Yanks call it, but also a safety device, stops being shunted into junctions, feet slip off the pedals not hitting car in front etc..

However unnecessary if say stopping momentarily at "Stop" signs, if on the level or incline is in direction of travel.