K53 vehicle controls questions and answers
23 free practice questions for the learner’s licence test, written from the official Learner Driver Manual (Section 3: Vehicle Controls). Tap an answer to check it; every question explains why and points to the section of the manual it comes from.
-
1. Which control is not found in a car with an automatic gearbox?
Show answer
Answer: C. Clutch Automatic vehicles have no clutch control. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.4–2.6
-
2. Which control keeps a parked vehicle from moving?
Show answer
Answer: B. Parking brake (handbrake) Use the parking brake to keep a parked or stationary vehicle from moving, including when you leave it unattended. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
3. Which control do you use to increase the speed of a car?
Show answer
Answer: A. Accelerator The accelerator increases (and, when released, decreases) the vehicle’s speed. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
4. Which control do you use to bring a car to a complete standstill?
Show answer
Answer: B. Brake (foot brake) Use the brake to slow down or stop, including in an emergency. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
5. In a car with a manual gearbox, which controls do you use to change gears?
Show answer
Answer: A. Clutch and gear lever Press the clutch and move the gear lever to change from one gear to another. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
6. Which control do you use before applying the brake to slow down or stop?
Show answer
Answer: C. The rear-view mirror, to check traffic behind Check the rear-view mirror before you brake, slow down or change speed, so you know what is happening behind you. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
7. Which control do you use to tell other road users you intend to turn or change direction?
Show answer
Answer: A. Indicator switch The indicator (direction indicator switch) advises others that you intend to steer or turn left or right. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
8. When you intend to change direction, which controls do you use?
Show answer
Answer: C. Rear-view mirrors and indicator Check the interior and side mirrors and use the indicator before changing direction. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.11
-
9. In a manual car, which control do you use to stop the engine from stalling just before you come to a standstill?
Show answer
Answer: A. Clutch Press the clutch just before the vehicle comes to a complete stop so the engine doesn’t stall. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
10. Which control do you use to warn another road user and avoid a collision?
Show answer
Answer: C. Horn (hooter) Use the horn to alert other road users when it is needed to avoid a collision. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
11. Which control keeps your windscreen clear when it rains?
Show answer
Answer: B. Windscreen wipers Use the windscreen wipers to keep the windscreen clear in the rain. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
12. Which control do you use to change the direction of the vehicle?
Show answer
Answer: B. Steering wheel The steering wheel turns the vehicle left or right. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
13. Which control do you use to see what is behind and beside your vehicle?
Show answer
Answer: B. The interior and side rear-view mirrors Use the interior rear-view mirror and the left and right side mirrors to see what is behind and beside you. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6
-
14. When you brake, the distance it takes to stop is…
Show answer
Answer: C. both of the above, and longer if the vehicle is loaded Stopping distance is longer on a wet road, at higher speed and when the vehicle is loaded. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.6 and 2.11
-
15. You stop on a steep uphill. Which control stops the vehicle from rolling backwards?
Show answer
Answer: B. Parking brake Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards on a steep incline. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.11
-
16. What does the clutch do?
Show answer
Answer: B. It disengages the engine from the gearbox The clutch disengages the engine from the gearbox, which lets you change gears and stop without stalling. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
-
17. Which of these is a foot control in a car?
Show answer
Answer: B. Brake The brake, accelerator and (in a manual car) clutch are worked with your feet. The indicator switch and horn are hand controls. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.11
-
18. Which of these is not a hand control?
Show answer
Answer: B. Accelerator The accelerator is a foot pedal. The steering wheel and gear lever are hand controls. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 2.11
-
19. On a motorcycle, which control increases or decreases the speed?
Show answer
Answer: C. Throttle (twist grip) The throttle twist grip controls the engine speed, and so how fast you ride. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
-
20. On a motorcycle, which controls do you use together to stop?
Show answer
Answer: B. Front and rear brakes Use the front brake (hand lever) and the rear brake (foot) together to bring a motorcycle to a standstill. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
-
21. On a motorcycle, how is the rear brake operated?
Show answer
Answer: C. By foot A motorcycle’s rear brake is operated by foot; the front brake is a hand lever. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
-
22. On a motorcycle, which controls do you use to change gears?
Show answer
Answer: C. Gear lever and clutch Use the clutch and the gear lever together to change gears on a motorcycle. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
-
23. On a motorcycle, which controls are used together immediately before coming to a standstill?
Show answer
Answer: C. Clutch, front brake and rear brake Immediately before coming to a standstill, use the clutch together with the front and rear brakes. Manual: Vehicle Controls, 1.2
These are practice questions written by SchoolsInfo from the Department of Transport’s manual, not the official test questions, which are confidential and drawn at random. Study the full official manual too: the real test can ask about anything in it.