Vehicle Controls & Dashboard Warning Lights
The "controls of the vehicle" section is the smallest part of the K53 test, but it's easy marks once you know what each control does and can recognise the warning lights.
The three pedals (manual car)
From left to right, a manual car has three pedals — and knowing the order is a common test question:
- Accelerator — controls engine speed (how fast you go).
- Foot brake — slows and stops the vehicle.
- Clutch — disengages the engine from the gearbox so you can change gear or stop without stalling (manual only).
Other key controls
- Parking (hand) brake — holds the vehicle still when parked.
- Gear lever — selects the gear; lower gears for pulling away and steep hills (engine braking).
- Steering wheel, indicators and hooter — steer, signal your intentions, and warn others of danger.
- Mirrors — adjust them before you drive so you can see behind without taking your eyes off the road.
Dashboard warning lights
Recognising warning lights is important — some mean "stop as soon as it's safe" to avoid serious damage:
- Red oil-pressure light — stop safely and check; driving on can ruin the engine.
- Temperature warning — the engine is overheating; stop safely and let it cool.
- Battery / charge light — the charging system has a problem.
- ABS light — relates to the anti-lock braking system, which stops the wheels locking under hard braking so you can still steer.
Learn the controls and warning lights
Practise the vehicle-controls questions — with the same diagrams — completely free.
Practise controls free →More guides: How the test works · Road signs explained · Rules of the road