Driving Test - Use of Handbreak etc

gozunda

OK been asked what is the correct options in these circumstances specifically in relation to test. is there room for variation?

Checking if I got it right - opinion welcome

First car at Traffic lights - - Car in gear, handbreak on (ready to go when lights change)?

Other Cars -- Car in / out of gear?, footbrake or handbreak?

Yield / Stop sign

Handbreak? / in gear

Wishbone Ash

If I was the first in the queue at the lights I would apply the handbrake and put the car into 1st (unless the lights had just changed to amber/red and I knew it was a long interval I'd select neutral for a while).

If I was elsewhere in the queue I'd apply handbrake and select neutral but would put the car into 1st when I knew the lights were due to change.

No need to use handbrake at STOP/YIELD signs (unless the junction is on a steep incline) and the car should not be in neutral.

_rebelkid

Something my driving instructor told me, which does work:

If a pause becomes a wait, use the handbrake.

MascotDec85

Lights: first 3 or 4 in the queue, in gear, you're ready to go. Handbrake on or off, there's no actual requirement to use it despite what you might hear so whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Yield/Stop junctions: Again no requirement to apply the handbrake but do so if you think you might roll. Using clutch control is perfectly acceptable also. Again do whichever method you feel comfortable doing. Yields MAY but turned without stopping but it depends on how good your OBS are on the approach and are often best done in first gear.
If its a stop then STOP! Even if its for a nano second the wheels MUST come to a complete rest.

DriversEd

There might not be requirement (written at least) to use the handbrake. But it is required for safe driving in many situations. If as one poster says, 'a pause becomes a wait' I'd use it. Also there's wear on the clutch to consider. But more importantly, what if your shunted from behind?? If you're sitting there, in gear! The first thing that happens is your feet come off the pedals, allowing your car drive and shunt into the next car, or worse, out into the junction to be wiped off the road by a the truck heading the other way a 50-60 kph, oblivious of what is about to happen!!!

I'd put it on anyway, wouldn't you??!!

Condatis

Never wait in gear – you're going to wear out the clutch – and that's expensive.

jupiler_beer

gozunda wrote: »

OK been asked what is the correct options in these circumstances specifically in relation to test. is there room for variation?

Checking if I got it right - opinion welcome

First car at Traffic lights - - Car in gear, handbreak on (ready to go when lights change)?

Other Cars -- Car in / out of gear?, footbrake or handbreak?

Yield / Stop sign

Handbreak? / in gear

Rule of thumb, not sure if the below is a hard fast rule of the road.
At traffic lights, brake and come to a stop, engage handbrake and then take car out of gear. Once lights change release handbrake. Exception to this but not 100% sure is if there is an countdown system on the lights or lights change to amber prior to green then you can release handbrake and prepare to move off.
Reason for handbrake is for safety (Safety 1st) if you were hit from behind it might save you from hitting the car in front or entering right of way traffic.
Do not use clutch as per above reason and also not good for the clutch.

Yield sign, no requirement to use handbrake, unless as previous poster stated if a pause becomes a wait.

Stop sign, no requirement to use handbrake, unless a pause becomes a wait.

jupiler_beer

DriversEd wrote: »

There might not be requirement (written at least) to use the handbrake. But it is required for safe driving in many situations. If as one poster says, 'a pause becomes a wait' I'd use it. Also there's wear on the clutch to consider. But more importantly, what if your shunted from behind?? If you're sitting there, in gear! The first thing that happens is your feet come off the pedals, allowing your car drive and shunt into the next car, or worse, out into the junction to be wiped off the road by a the truck heading the other way a 50-60 kph, oblivious of what is about to happen!!!

I'd put it on anyway, wouldn't you??!!

Sorry DriversEd, some reason I didn't see your post, I just rehashed what you said

MascotDec85

In gear doesn't mean at the biting point.
As far as being wiped off the road by an oncoming truck goes you should never have your wheel turned while waiting. Wheels straight in case you are shunted and you go forward not to the side.

I've had a lot of pupil come from other ADI's with very poor progress cos they've had the handbrake drummed into them every time the car stops. It's a more worthwhile skill to have excellent clutch control IMO. I'm driving a very long time and only once had a new clutch fitted (car had 120k miles).

I know others disagree but my original post remains factually correct

jupiler_beer

MascotDec85 wrote: »

In gear doesn't mean at the biting point.
As far as being wiped off the road by an oncoming truck goes you should never have your wheel turned while waiting. Wheels straight in case you are shunted and you go forward not to the side.

I've had a lot of pupil come from other ADI's with very poor progress cos they've had the handbrake drummed into them every time the car stops. It's a more worthwhile skill to have excellent clutch control IMO. I'm driving a very long time and only once had a new clutch fitted (car had 120k miles).

I know others disagree but my original post remains factually correct

Do you disagree with that if you get shunted from behind, that you could be pushed into traffic where you have not applied the handbrake at a red light. At a crossroads where you have a option of left / right or straight ahead. You could be pushed into traffic coming from left or right

Xers

Its not help at all if someone comes here to calrify soemthing which turns into some arguement which put the doubter in a worse situation b4 he/she asked the question....

What i learned is if there is more than 10 secons stop, handbreak on. Anywhere within that 10 seconds you are about to go.. In case somebody hitting from behind, you are always on break if its not handbreak, the footbreak which is better break than handbreak right?.. if the hit is hard enough i dont think handbreak will hold u on there..

jupiler_beer

Xers wrote: »

Its not help at all if someone comes here to calrify soemthing which turns into some arguement which put the doubter in a worse situation b4 he/she asked the question....

What i learned is if there is more than 10 secons stop, handbreak on. Anywhere within that 10 seconds you are about to go.. In case somebody hitting from behind, you are always on break if its not handbreak, the footbreak which is better break than handbreak right?.. if the hit is hard enough i dont think handbreak will hold u on there..

the problem with the footbrake ist that once your hit you could end up loosing footing on the footbrake thus the need of the handbrake.

MascotDec85

jupiler_beer wrote: »

Do you disagree with that if you get shunted from behind, that you could be pushed into traffic where you have not applied the handbrake at a red light. At a crossroads where you have a option of left / right or straight ahead. You could be pushed into traffic coming from left or right

I don't necessarily disagree with what you wrote no, but as said above, if you're hit far enough the handbrake ain't stopping you getting shunted.
I was giving the OP the info that it doesn't actually have to be used just in case they weren't in a habit of using it anyway.

Xers

MascotDec85 wrote: »

I don't necessarily disagree with what you wrote no, but as said above, if you're hit far enough the handbrake ain't stopping you getting shunted.
I was giving the OP the info that it doesn't actually have to be used just in case they weren't in a habit of using it anyway.

True.. Considering the fact that cars can be driven with handbreak on, how can it prevent when a big enough impact occurs from you car pushed forward...

jupiler_beer

Xers wrote: »

True.. Considering the fact that cars can be driven with handbreak on, how can it prevent when a big enough impact occurs from you car pushed forward...

Never suggested it would prevent, it would definately reduce the distance you be shunted, which could prevent injury, again it was highlighted as a safety measure.

Checked the rules of the road and no reference to handbrake ON / OFF at traffic lights. therefore op which ever you are more comfortable doing.

brian076

Just to confirm what MascotDec85 has said and to ensure that the OP is not confused, for the purpose of the driving test, the only time you have to use the handbrake is on the hillstart.

That's not to say that you shouldn't use it when stopped at lights etc. but you won't get marked if you don't, providing the car doesn't roll. Most ADIs will teach their pupils to apply the handbrake when stopped for a while, but I agree with Mascot that some of them overdo it which can lead to progress problems.

I'm no mechanic but I'm almost certain that having your car in gear with the clutch down does not cause wear to the clutch.