UK driving theory test · Topic chapter 8 · 4 min read
Chapter 8: Vehicle handling
Controlling the car: braking, skids, ABS, coasting, gears on hills, driving on ice and in floods, traffic calming, contraflows, parking on hills and moving off safely. Study notes for the UK driving theory test, built from The Highway Code.
Why this chapter matters
Vehicle handling questions ask how the car behaves under braking, on slopes, on slippery surfaces and in unusual road layouts, and what the driver should do with the controls. The Highway Code's rules on braking, skids and icy roads cover most of them.
Braking
| Situation | Technique (Rules 117 to 121) |
|---|---|
| Normal stop | Brake early and lightly, firmer as you slow, then ease off just before stopping to avoid a jerk |
| Emergency stop | Brake immediately but try not to lock the wheels; locked wheels can mean loss of control |
| Emergency stop with ABS | Press the footbrake firmly and keep the pressure on until you have slowed enough; ABS should let you keep steering |
| After deep water | Test the brakes gently; if weak, apply light pressure while driving slowly to dry them |
Skids
A skid is usually caused by braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or by going too fast for the conditions. To recover, remove the cause: release the brake pedal fully or ease off the accelerator, then steer into the skid. If the rear of the car slides to the right, steer to the right (Rule 119).
Coasting
Coasting means travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down. It reduces control because engine braking is lost, speed builds quickly downhill, heavier use of the footbrake can make it less effective, steering response suffers and it may be hard to pick the right gear when you need it (Rule 122).
Hills
- Select a lower gear before a long downhill slope to help control your speed (Rule 160).
- On single-track roads, give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can (Rule 155).
- Parking on a hill: park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly. Facing uphill, select a forward gear and turn the wheel away from the kerb. Facing downhill, select reverse and turn the wheel towards the kerb. In an automatic, use "park" (Rule 252).
Ice and snow
- Drive slowly in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently (Rule 231).
- Slow down on the straight before a bend, then steer smoothly round it (Rule 231).
- Unresponsive steering may mean ice; tyres make almost no noise on ice (Rule 231).
Water and wet roads
If the steering suddenly feels unresponsive in heavy rain, water is probably preventing the tyres from gripping. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually (Rule 227). After driving through deep water, check your brakes (Rule 121).
Bends and road position
- Keep well to the left on right-hand bends to improve your view and avoid oncoming traffic (Rule 160).
- Country bends can be sharper than they look; slow down on approach (Rule 154).
- Drive with both hands on the wheel where possible (Rule 160).
Traffic calming and road works
- Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are there to slow you down. Keep a reduced speed throughout the area, allow cyclists and motorcyclists room, and do not overtake moving road users (Rule 153).
- In a contraflow, lanes may be narrower than normal with no permanent barrier from oncoming traffic. Slow down and increase your gap at the start and end, where changes in camber can affect stability (Rule 290).
Moving off and reversing
- Before moving off, check all mirrors, look round into the blind spots, signal if necessary and look round again (Rule 159).
- Do not reverse from a side road into a main road; on a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can (Rule 201).
- When reversing, look mainly through the rear window and remember the front of the car swings out as you turn. You MUST NOT reverse further than necessary (Rules 202, 203).
Towing
If a caravan or trailer starts to snake, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently. Do not brake harshly (Rule 98).
FAQ
Should I steer into or away from a skid?
Into it. If the back of the car slides right, steer right, after easing off the brake or accelerator (Rule 119).
Why is coasting downhill dangerous?
You lose engine braking, so the car speeds up and you rely more on the footbrake, which can become less effective (Rule 122).
Which way should my wheels point when I park facing downhill?
Towards the kerb, with reverse gear selected and the handbrake on firmly (Rule 252).
Check yourself
- Describe how to brake in an emergency in a car with ABS.
- Which gear should you use on an icy road, and why?
- What two things should you do before a long downhill slope?
- What should you do if your trailer begins to snake?
Practise this topic on its own: Vehicle handling drill.
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Based on The Highway Code.