Open petition: Mandate assessment of manual handbrake use in practical driving test

Created by Richard Linday
Closes on 7 January 2027

Require automatic handbrake and hill hold assist, to be switched off during a driving test, to check if a driver can use a handbrake. The coordination required for a hill start isn't to be ignored.

Driving tests do not always assess the use of a handbrake, but many cars 17yo's are guided to buy by motoring organisations typically have one. Nobody should be expected to do a hill start using the handbrake, for the first time, after passing. What if someone parked behind them on a hill? Some instructors are teaching in cars that lack the basic controls learners need to manage. I feel if you don't learn to use a manual handbrake, then like with a manual gearbox, you're not ready for it.

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