Using the pedals and gear stick (manual)

Get to know the pedals and gears before you drive off. It’ll keep your eyes on the road, instead of at what you’re doing.

Where should you practise this?

In the car you’re using for driving practice, before you start driving.

• Start with the engine off while you practise using the pedals and gears
• Practise changing gears until you no longer have to look down at what you’re doing.

The pedals

There are three pedals in a manual car. The trick for remembering them is (from right to left) ‘ABC’:

• A = Accelerator. This pedal controls the speed
• B = Brake. The brake slows you down or stops the car
• C = Clutch. You use the clutch to change gears.

Using your pedals

• Use your right foot to operate the accelerator and brake.
• Use your left foot to operate the clutch.
  
• Keep your heel on the floor and push with the ball of your foot on the pedal.
  

The gear stick

The gear stick controls what gear your car is in. The gear you choose will change how your car transmits power from the engine to the wheels.

Remember:

• 1^st and 2^nd gear are the ‘power’ gears
• 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th (and 6^th if there is one) are the ‘speed’ gears
• ‘R’ (Reverse)
• Only change gears when you have the clutch pushed in.