Automatic only licence

gpc273

I think your all getting far to het up about the handbrake during a driving test. Hold it on the brakes or select neutral or leave it in D and apply the handbrake, it will only become a concern if control of the vehicle is lost. At that point it will then depend on the loss of control on what the weight of fault will be.

But I can honestly say in nearly 20 years of conducting driving tests that I've never marked a fault, and I do tests at least 6 auto's per week. Make the choice depending on the vehicle as some auto's will try to pull forward if still in D and using the handbrake.

The best thing for your wife is for you to definitely take her out for private practise with regard to her passing the test. Whether your still be married afterwards is another matter, lol...

Mercdriver

My wife took me out for practise sessions years ago, and she gave up, because apparently, I 'knew it all' (she's my wife and wives are automatically right, especially when they are wrong). I had a 8 year hiatus and then took an 8 day intensive course and passed first time just under 2 years ago. I didn't always use the handbrake. I used it when the lights had just changed, but if it was already red for a while, I just held it on the brake. I passed with 5 minor faults and none of them were for brakes.

I now drive an E 220, and a double dab on the brakes puts the car into hold mode. It will only move when I touch the accelerator. Many cars now have electronic hand brakes which can be set to auto hold.