Use of handbrake

Moghead

Hi, just have a query about using the handbrake in the test.

Someone I know is going to do their test in a Peugeot Partner. There is anti rollback function when you stop the car going up a hill. When you put your foot on the brake and take it off again, the car will stay in the same spot for a few seconds, it won't roll back. During the test should they ignore this and just use the handbrake like you would in a normal car: pull it up as soon as you come to a stop?

doolox

Will the tester fail you on a hill start if the car is equipped with an electric push button brake which the instruction manual says it can be released simply by putting the accelerator down after engaging the clutch and selecting first gear??

I would much prefer the old style handle hand brake as it gives you more control on hillstarts etc. than the complicated push button brake in modern cars.

Posy

What's a push button brake?
Is it literally just a button?

emeldc

Moghead wrote: »

Hi, just have a query about using the handbrake in the test.

Someone I know is going to do their test in a Peugeot Partner. There is anti rollback function when you stop the car going up a hill. When you put your foot on the brake and take it off again, the car will stay in the same spot for a few seconds, it won't roll back. During the test should they ignore this and just use the handbrake like you would in a normal car: pull it up as soon as you come to a stop?

I think the rule is that YOU have to be in control at all times so I dont think it would be acceptable to use the hill assist that you describe. I have it on my van and TBH I don't like it. It takes too long to release IMO and you risk stalling. I don't know what the story would be with auto H/B, I've never used one.

troyzer

Just use the hand brake in the test and never again after that if you don't want to.

dennyk

Posy wrote: »

What's a push button brake?
Is it literally just a button?

Yes, many modern cars these days have an electronic parking brake that's activated and deactivated via a button or switch rather than a handle attached to a physical cable. Some have additional features like engaging and disengaging automatically in certain circumstances.

Alanstrainor

Moghead wrote: »

Hi, just have a query about using the handbrake in the test.

Someone I know is going to do their test in a Peugeot Partner. There is anti rollback function when you stop the car going up a hill. When you put your foot on the brake and take it off again, the car will stay in the same spot for a few seconds, it won't roll back. During the test should they ignore this and just use the handbrake like you would in a normal car: pull it up as soon as you come to a stop?

They can use this function without issue if need arises. However, usually for the hill start the driver is expected to pull over and engage the parking brake/handbrake. It is not appropriate to just use the foot brake in this part of the test, the tester guidelines state:

If the handbrake/parking brake is not properly applied, the applicant should be asked to secure the vehicle
with the handbrake/parking brake only.

But if the car has a function that will prevent it from rolling back on a hill when completely a normal hill start then this is fine.

Also if there is an electronic handbrake that will automatically release when you start off, this is also fine. The main thing in this scenario is to do all the same visual checks you would in a car with a traditional handbrake.