do i use my handbrake everytime i stop the car while driving? even though i drive an automatic car?

Question

i have been told this is essential in manual driving for one to pass driving test. but can u tell me if this applies to automatic driving as well?

Answer 1

When I passed my test (15 years ago) I was told that you do not have to put te handbrake on as long as you have control over the vehicle. I don't know if this is the case for automatic's though. Youcould contact DVLA if you are in the UK they will be able to confirm for you.

Answer 2

Whenever you bring your vehicle to a complete stop, whether to park it or to wait at lights, you should ALWAYS apply the handbrake.

I know of one person who rode their clutch and burned it out twice in the same car. It was very expensive to replace but it was more dangerous when the car rolled back down a hill on a blind corner.

If you stop a safe distance from the car in front and use the footbrake only, and someone hits you from behind knocking you into the car in front, you are liable for the damage to the car in front.

It's not worth the risk. Get into the habit, I wish more people would do it. And maybe they could use their indicators more as well. I don't have ESP.

You should stop and put your handbrake on: -

- if you are approaching a STOP sign with a solid line on the road.
- if you have to stop at traffic lights.
- if you stop your vehicle to let someone alight.
- if you stop to park.

You do not have to apply your handbrake if you are approaching traffic lights that are changing to Green (from Red Amber) as long as you are still a safe distance from any vehicle in front.

You do not have to apply your handbrake if you approach a Give Way (Yield) sign with double broken lines on the road. Unless the traffic flow is constant and you are unable to join the flow easily. Then apply your hand brake until it is safe to move off again.

My instructor taught me OAR

- Observe - Be aware of what is going on while you are driving
- Anticipate - notice what other drivers might do - sudden pull out
- React - take action and avoid an accident.

Answer 3

Even more so !
The reason being is that if your car was in gear and your foot accidently slipped off the pedal your car ( being an automatic ) would simply carry on driving it`s self .
But in a manual car given the same senario if your foot slipped off the pedal there is a much greater chance of the car just stalling !
This is in actual fact why the handbrake rule was brought into force in case your foot slip`s while the car is still in gear !

Answer 4

What state are you in?
I have never heard of using the hand brake when stopping.
It is an emergency/parking brake. You use it when your regular brakes fail or when parking on a hill after you turn the wheels in the proper direction and put the shift in Park.
The only other exception would be if you were going to be stopped for some period of time without turning off the engine-say like waiting on a train to clear the crossing.

Answer 5

no never heard of having to use handbrake in automatic transmission cars. there is no handbrake in them like manual shift cars. but either way if you must use one for any reason while driving then i would say yes use it if required while taking the road test. the dmv examiner is watching you to see if you can safely drive the vehicle. a automatic car/truck will not roll back on a hill as long it is in gear and you keep your foot on the brake.

Answer 6

I only use the handbrake when I'm going to be stopped for more than about 30 seconds, or if I'm stopped on an uphill or downhill slope. It is entirely up to you when you apply the handbrake. Always use it when you,ve parked your car though!! Try to use the handbrake a little more often when doing your test.

Answer 7

If you apply the handbrake every time you stop you stand a good chance of failing your test for "undue hesitancy". This applies to automatic or manual cars equally. Take it from me, it's from the "horses mouth" so to speak.

Answer 8

I would have thought that safety and being in total control of the vehicle at all times is paramount here ..... as such, at times when the vehicle is stopped for more than a second or two, i.e. traffic lights, traffic stopping etc, I would suggest that handbrake on and gear selection in park would be desirable. This means that you could never inadvertantly blip your throttle and the vehicle would then be under power and could move away. You simply have to illustrate to the examiner that you have total, safe control at all times.

Answer 9

If you're stopping at traffic lights, why not apply the hand-brake, it saves the poor sod behind you being blinded by your brake lights. How annoying is it driving behind some fool who forgets to turn off the rear safety (fog) lights when the visibility improves? If you sit at traffic lights with your foot on the brake, the driver behind you has your brake lights directly in his eyes until you move off, it's not just a bad driving habit, it's ignorant.

To the auto drivers, having had 2 autos in my life, I remember the mechanic telling me that if the hand-brake is not regularly used, it has a tendency to sieze, thus preventing it from working properly when it's tested on the MOT, how true this is I don't know, but it makes you wonder where these stories start.

Answer 10

in your driving test and lessons yes you need to use your handbrake when you come to a stop at junctions,but not rolling ready to go,when you have passed your test its up to you and how you feel weather you use your handbrake or not,i have a automatic and sometimes do,sometimes dont use it,but if its for test,then yes i would