Hand brake - Learner driver

sevenhills

I took my daughter out in my car for the first time, she seemed unsure about when to use the handbrake.
Is there a clear rule about when to use it?
She is learning in a car that has a electric button to press for the 'parking brake' and also a further 'hand brake' which comes on when the foot-pedal is pressed firmly, the car may be Merc.

All the technology seems to complicate things, cameras for reversing etc.

littleredhen

from the highway code
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Law RVLR reg 27

elsien

The car may be a Merc? You mean you're not sure?

sevenhills

elsien wrote: »

The car may be a Merc? You mean you're not sure?

I took her for a lesson in my Megane estate, she is also learning with an instructor.

Warwick_Hunt

sevenhills wrote: »

I took my daughter out in my car for the first time, she seemed unsure about when to use the handbrake.
Is there a clear rule about when to use it?
She is learning in a car that has a electric button to press for the 'parking brake' and also a further 'hand brake' which comes on when the foot-pedal is pressed firmly, the car may be Merc.

All the technology seems to complicate things, cameras for reversing etc.

Assuming you actually have a licence, why do you need to ask?

EssexExile

Best ask the instructor, he knows what's acceptable for tests nowadays & you'll avoid all the insults you get on here.

lister

EssexExile wrote: »

Best ask the instructor, he knows what's acceptable for tests nowadays

Optimistic... If I had a pound for every student I have taught who has come from another instructor and has been shown to never use the handbrake and to juggle footbrake and clutch, I wouldn't still be teaching learners at all

And if I also had a pound for every time they stall because of the habit, or roll back on a hill, or fail to take up an easy space on a roundabout because the technique is cumbersome, I would definitely be stinking rich.

The correct answer is that if you are stationary long enough to put it on (call it 2 seconds if you are a little slow), or if you need control on a hill, you use the handbrake.

daveyjp

We currently have a Merc courtesy car. The electronic handbrake is a complete pain in the backside.

Its in an inconvenient place and operates in totally the wrong way.

Its so bad I am avoiding using it completely and I know when and when not to use a handbrake.

I!!!8217;d even suggest swapping to an instructor who uses a car with a proper handbrake.

AnotherJoe

How can a handbrake operate in "the wrong way"?

daveyjp

AnotherJoe wrote: »

How can a handbrake operate in "the wrong way"?

What do you do when you put a handbrake on? Pull or push the handle?

forgotmyname

sevenhills wrote: »

I took her for a lesson in my Megane estate, she is also learning with an instructor.

This is the problem with some people teaching new drivers. Since you passed things have changed and you could be teaching them bad habits where the instructor may waste another lesson or two getting them out of it.