Vehicle controls test 2026
The shortest section and the easiest to pass, but it is still marked on its own — six of eight, or the whole test is a fail.
The real paper asks 8 and you must get 6 right. There are 30 here to practise on.
Practise this section
8 questions, the number the real test asks, in a new order every time.
1.In a manual car, which pedal is on the far right?
2.In a manual car, which pedal is farthest to the right?
3.What hand position should you keep on the steering wheel when not changing gear or signalling?
4.Which control is used to hold the car still when parked on a hill?
5.What does the clutch do?
6.To check that it is safe to move, you use:
7.To tell other road users what you plan to do, you use:
8.To turn or change direction while the car is moving, you use:
0 of 8 answered
The lessons behind these answers
Short video lessons with the real signs on screen, a quiz after each, and your progress kept as you go. Free to start.
Start learning freeAll 30 vehicle controls questions and answers
Each one with the answer marked and the reason for it.
1.In a manual car, which pedal is on the far right?
- ✓ Accelerator
- · Footbrake
- · Clutch
Why: From the right the pedals are the accelerator, the footbrake and the clutch.
2.In a manual car, which pedal is farthest to the right?
- · Footbrake
- · Clutch
- ✓ Accelerator
Why: From the right the three pedals are the accelerator, the footbrake and the clutch.
3.What hand position should you keep on the steering wheel when not changing gear or signalling?
- · Eight-to-four
- ✓ Ten-to-two or quarter-to-three
- · Five-to-eleven
Why: Keep both hands on it at ten-to-two or quarter-to-three, except when you change gear or give a hand signal.
4.Which control is used to hold the car still when parked on a hill?
- ✓ Parking brake
- · Footbrake
- · Clutch
Why: The parking brake’s only job is to hold the car still when it is parked or stopped on a hill.
5.What does the clutch do?
- · Speeds up engine
- · Stops the car
- ✓ Disconnects engine from gearbox
Why: The clutch disconnects the engine from the gearbox, so you can change gear or come to a stop without stalling.
6.To check that it is safe to move, you use:
- · indicator
- ✓ mirrors
- · steering wheel
Why: You check safety with the mirrors – the inside and the door mirrors – before any manoeuvre.
7.To tell other road users what you plan to do, you use:
- · clutch
- · footbrake
- ✓ indicator
Why: You signal your intention with the indicator, signalling before you change direction or turn and cancelling it when done.
8.To turn or change direction while the car is moving, you use:
- ✓ steering wheel
- · parking brake
- · accelerator
Why: You steer with the wheel, using both hands and only when the car is moving.
9.To select a gear you operate:
- · mirrors and indicator
- · accelerator and footbrake
- ✓ clutch and gear lever
Why: You select a gear using the clutch and the gear lever together, clutch down, move lever, clutch up smoothly.
10.To slow down before a sharp turn you use:
- · accelerator
- ✓ footbrake
- · parking brake
Why: You use the footbrake to slow down before a sharp turn.
11.Which control makes the motorcycle go faster?
- · Gear lever
- ✓ Throttle
- · Clutch
Why: The throttle is on the right handlebar and you twist it to go faster.
12.Where is the front brake located?
- ✓ Lever on the right handlebar
- · Pedal for the left foot
- · Switch on the left handlebar
Why: The front brake is a lever on the right handlebar.
13.What is the correct sequence to negotiate a sharp turn?
- · Clutch lever, mirrors, gear lever, indicator, front brake, handlebars
- · Mirrors, gear lever, indicator, front brake, clutch lever, handlebars
- ✓ Mirrors, indicator, front brake, clutch lever, gear lever, handlebars
Why: To negotiate a sharp turn you use the mirrors, the indicator switch, the front brake lever, the clutch lever, the gear lever and the handlebars, in that order.
14.Which statement about the rear brake is true?
- ✓ It holds the motorcycle stationary because there is no parking brake
- · It is a lever on the right handlebar
- · It is only used while the bike is moving
Why: The rear brake pedal also holds the motorcycle stationary, because a motorcycle has no parking brake.
15.What is the rule about using the front brake while steering?
- · Use the front brake and turn at the same time
- ✓ Never use the front brake and turn the handlebars at the same time
- · Brake after you have turned
Why: Never use the front brake and turn the handlebars at the same time; brake first, then turn.
16.When should you set your mirrors?
- ✓ Before you move, while stationary
- · After you start driving
- · Only when you need to change lane
Why: You set the mirrors before you move, while the car is stationary.
17.How often should you glance at the mirrors while moving?
- · Every 15 seconds
- · Continuously
- ✓ Every 5 to 8 seconds
Why: You should glance in the mirrors every five to eight seconds while moving.
18.What is the correct order before you change direction?
- · Signal, then check mirrors, then blind spot
- ✓ Mirrors, signal, blind spot, then move
- · Blind spot, then signal, then mirrors
Why: The order is mirrors, signal, then blind spot, then move.
19.How do you check a blind spot?
- ✓ Turn your head and look
- · Rely on side mirrors
- · Increase speed to see
Why: The only way to check a blind spot is to turn your head and look.
20.When must you check the mirrors again?
- ✓ Whenever you approach a possible hazard
- · Only at traffic lights
- · Only after you have passed the hazard
Why: Check the mirrors again whenever you approach anything that could be a hazard.
21.Which hand position on the steering wheel does the K53 recommend?
- ✓ Ten-to-two or quarter-to-three
- · One hand at the bottom of the wheel
- · Both hands together at the top
Why: Hold the wheel at ten-to-two or quarter-to-three, like the hands of a clock, with both hands on.
22.Which of these is NOT one of the clutch mistakes the K53 warns against?
- · Riding
- · Coasting
- ✓ Grinding
Why: Slipping, riding and coasting are the three clutch mistakes; grinding is not mentioned.
23.In the push‑pull steering method, what does one hand do while the other hand does the opposite?
- ✓ Push wheel up, pull down
- · Turn wheel left, turn right
- · Hold wheel steady
Why: Push‑pull steering means one hand pushes the wheel up while the other pulls it down, keeping the hands in position.
24.During the moving‑off sequence, what action follows checking the mirrors and blind spot?
- · Accelerate away
- ✓ Indicate
- · Check blind spot again
Why: After checking mirrors and the blind spot you must indicate before accelerating.
25.When must you not accelerate?
- · When the road is wet
- · When you are below the speed limit
- ✓ When another vehicle is overtaking you
Why: You must never speed up while another vehicle is overtaking you.
26.What should you use to slow down or stop a vehicle?
- ✓ Brakes
- · Gears
- · Engine
Why: Brakes are for slowing, gears are for driving.
27.Before you brake, you must first:
- · Accelerate a little
- ✓ Check the mirrors
- · Turn on hazard lights
Why: You check the mirrors first to warn anyone close behind you.
28.Which action can cause the wheels to lock?
- · Press the accelerator
- · Brake firmly and progressively
- ✓ Stamping hard on the brake
Why: Do not stamp so hard that the wheels stop turning.
29.Which of these does NOT lengthen stopping distance?
- ✓ Low speed
- · Heavy load
- · Wet road
Why: Speed lengthens stopping distance only when you are fast; low speed does not.
30.When using the parking brake, you should:
- · Pull the lever and immediately let go
- ✓ Press the ratchet button in and release only after it holds
- · Leave it disengaged when the car is parked
Why: Press the ratchet button in and release it only once the brake is holding to save the ratchet from wear.