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Learner's licence vehicle controls explained
The vehicle controls section has 8 questions and you need 6 right. Each question shows a picture of a car's interior with numbered controls, and asks which number (or numbers) you use. Learn the 11 numbers below and this becomes the easiest section.
The 11 controls
- 1: Interior rear-view mirror
- 2: Windscreen wiper switch
- 3: Left and right rear-view mirrors
- 4: Steering wheel
- 5: Indicator switch
- 6: Gear lever
- 7: Parking brake (handbrake)
- 8: Clutch
- 9: Footbrake
- 10: Accelerator
- 11: Hooter
An automatic car has no clutch (8).
Combinations the test asks about
| Action | Controls |
|---|---|
| Change gear (manual) | 8 and 6: clutch, then gear lever |
| See behind and beside you | 1 and 3: interior and side mirrors |
| Before changing direction | 1, 3 and 5: mirrors, then indicate |
| Before slowing down or changing speed | 1: check the interior mirror first |
| Stop the engine stalling just before you stop | 8: clutch |
| Keep a parked car from moving, or stop rolling back on a hill | 7: parking brake |
| A sharp turn in the road | 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 |
| Warn others to avoid a collision | 11: hooter (only for safety) |
Practice questions
1. Which control do you use to make the vehicle go faster?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 10
- 8
- 9
Show the answer
A. 10 Control 10 is the accelerator.
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
2. Which controls do you use to change gear in a manual vehicle?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 6 and 8
- 6 and 9
- 7 and 8
Show the answer
A. 6 and 8 Press the clutch (8) and select the gear with the gear lever (6).
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
3. Which control stops the engine from stalling just before you come to a complete standstill?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 8
- 7
- 9
Show the answer
A. 8 Depress the clutch (8) just before stopping so the engine does not stall.
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
4. Which control should you use before you apply the brake to slow down or stop?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 11
- 1
- 5
Show the answer
B. 1 Check the interior mirror (1) first so you know what is behind you before you brake.
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.5 · Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
5. Which controls do you use to see what is behind and beside the vehicle?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 1 and 3
- 1 and 4
- 3 and 5
Show the answer
A. 1 and 3 Use the interior mirror (1) and the side mirrors (3) together.
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
6. Which controls must you use when there is a sharp turn in the road?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10
- 4 and 11 only
- 5, 7 and 11 only
Show the answer
A. 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 Check the mirror (1), slow down (9), change gear (6 and 8), steer (4) and accelerate out of the turn (10).
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
7. You stop on a steep uphill and want to stop the vehicle rolling backwards. Which control do you use?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- 7
- 8
- 10
Show the answer
A. 7 Apply the parking brake (7).
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.11
8. When you use the brake, the distance it takes to stop is: (i) longer on a wet road than on a dry road; (ii) longer at a higher speed; (iii) longer when the vehicle is loaded. Which are correct?
Use the numbered car interior above.
- All of them
- Only (iii)
- Only (i) and (ii)
Show the answer
A. All of them Wet roads, higher speeds and heavier loads all increase stopping distance.
Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6
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Frequently asked questions
How many vehicle controls questions are in the learner's test?
8 questions, and you need at least 6 right to pass the section.
Which control is not found in an automatic car?
The clutch (number 8).
Which controls do you use to change gear?
The clutch (8) and the gear lever (6).
Sources
Everything on this page comes from these official documents. Phasa is independent and not affiliated with the Department of Transport or the RTMC.