Handbrake or footbrake when stationary at lights?

[TonyRPH]

My eldest son is currently having lessons, and he says that his instructor is not telling him to apply the handbrake at traffic lights.

When I was taught to drive (a long time ago!) I was taught to apply the handbrake when waiting at traffic lights.

And checking the Highway Code, I found:

https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/lighting-requirements-113-to-116 said:

114
You MUST NOT

use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).

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

[motco]

How can he pull away on even the slightest slope whilst maintaining full control? Obviously we all do sit there on the footbrake and often even in gear, but the driving test requires dogmatic adherence to rules that would apply in all situations.

[LeeBash]

That's what I was taught- not only to stop dazzling the car behind, but in case anyone behind doesn't stop, it's something there to prevent you being pushed into moving traffic.

[Ozzie Osmond]

You want to try the shocking electric parking brake on modern Porshes....

[Parsnip]

motco said:

How can he pull away on even the slightest slope whilst maintaining full control? Obviously we all do sit there on the footbrake and often even in gear, but the driving test requires dogmatic adherence to rules that would apply in all situations.

I don't because it is bloody annoying when someone else does it.

If you are going to stop for a second on a downhill, use the brakes. If you are on a downhill and stopped for a while, use the handbrake and switch to the footbrake when moving off - this is what I was taught and what I do.

Edit - I think I may have got the wrong end of the stick with your post.

Edited by Parsnip on Monday 26th August 14:51

[Fubar1977]

LeeBash said:

That's what I was taught- not only to stop dazzling the car behind, but in case anyone behind doesn't stop, it's something there to prevent you being pushed into moving traffic.

Yep, that`s what I was taught too and it`s what the examiner will be looking for on the test.

[Nigel Worc's]

Fubar1977 said:

LeeBash said:

That's what I was taught- not only to stop dazzling the car behind, but in case anyone behind doesn't stop, it's something there to prevent you being pushed into moving traffic.

Yep, that`s what I was taught too and it`s what the examiner will be looking for on the test.

The footbrake will be more effective at stopping you being pushed forward than the handbrake, if you're bumped from behind.

I find it varies with what I'm driving/riding, in the auto beemer I'll tend to use the footbrake, in the van the handbrake, and if on the bike I'm always showing lights to the vehicle behind, if I'm on an inline, as it doesn't have a handbrake in the terms of parking brake, as meant here.

[Bear Phils]

I was taught to apply the handbrake if not about to move away soon. For example, you pull up to the lights about 7 cars back and see they are changing to green, you can sit on the brake and then set off because of the small amount of time. Otherwise the handbrake should be applied.

[Greengecko]

Nigel Worc's said:

The footbrake will be more effective at stopping you being pushed forward than the handbrake, if you're bumped from behind.

I find it varies with what I'm driving/riding, in the auto beemer I'll tend to use the footbrake, in the van the handbrake, and if on the bike I'm always showing lights to the vehicle behind, if I'm on an inline, as it doesn't have a handbrake in the terms of parking brake, as meant here.

Nope, because in 99% of cases your foot will slip off the footbrake.

[Mikey G]

Nigel Worc's said:

The footbrake will be more effective at stopping you being pushed forward than the handbrake, if you're bumped from behind.

Not necessarily, the impact from behind could lift your foot off the brake enough to push you out easily, also if your in gear too there is a risk of foot off clutch helping you move forward a little more...

[ohtari]

As everyone else has stated, handbrake when stationary so you've got proper use of the peddles for moving off. Treat every instance the same as a hill start, build revs on biting point and release handbrake whilst easing out clutch. I did my trailer test back in July, so I'm certain that this is still the taught method (or should be).

My sister passed her car test in April, so I assumed she would still be fairly adherent to the way she was taught. But no, got a lift from her a week ago and at a roundabout she sat in neutral, not on the foot brake and not using the handbrake...

Blondes

[kambites]

Both until a car pulls up behind me (so as to display a brake light to anyone approaching), then off the foot brake to avoid forcing the person behind to stare into my brake lights.

[motco]

Parsnip said:

motco said:

How can he pull away on even the slightest slope whilst maintaining full control? Obviously we all do sit there on the footbrake and often even in gear, but the driving test requires dogmatic adherence to rules that would apply in all situations.

I don't because it is bloody annoying when someone else does it.

If you are going to stop for a second on a downhill, use the brakes. If you are on a downhill and stopped for a while, use the handbrake and switch to the footbrake when moving off - this is what I was taught and what I do.

Edit - I think I may have got the wrong end of the stick with your post.

Edited by Parsnip on Monday 26th August 14:51

What I mean is that the driving instructor must teach the relevant technique that will do the job safely under all conditions. We develop our sense of what to do in the real world later. Nobody can ever be totally sure that a car will not roll backwards or forwards with no brakes applied, and therefore that short period between removing the foot from the brake and applying it to the accelerator to move off, could result in the car rolling unexpectedly if the handbrake is not on. Learners are not as fast as experienced drivers and the delay can be several seconds.

[AndrewEH1]

I learned in 2008, taught to use the handbrake.


I now use the footbrake more than the handbrake...most people I see always use the footbrake

[Fubar1977]

Greengecko said:

Nigel Worc's said:

The footbrake will be more effective at stopping you being pushed forward than the handbrake, if you're bumped from behind.

I find it varies with what I'm driving/riding, in the auto beemer I'll tend to use the footbrake, in the van the handbrake, and if on the bike I'm always showing lights to the vehicle behind, if I'm on an inline, as it doesn't have a handbrake in the terms of parking brake, as meant here.

Nope, because in 99% of cases your foot will slip off the footbrake.

Exactly what I was taught.
You must not rely on the footbrake alone as an impact from the rear will most likely cause your foot to slip off the footbrake.
Even more important if driving an automatic.

Not sure hoe anyone can predict exactly how they will react in the event of a rear end collision tbh but if you have the handbrake on you KNOW you won`t move as far as you would if your foot slipped off the brake.
Not arguing, just passing on what I was told by the grade 2 examiner I took my advanced test with.

[johnS2000]

It used to be " If you have time to apply and release the hand brake " the hand brake should be used and neutral selected .

Failure to do this at a pedestrian crossing used to result in instant failure .

[Horse Pop]

LeeBash said:

That's what I was taught- not only to stop dazzling the car behind, but in case anyone behind doesn't stop, it's something there to prevent you being pushed into moving traffic.

People behind you not yet stopped seems like a good reason to apply the footbrake, if only to show brakelights.

I've still yet to be blinded by anyone's brakelights, ever.

Edited by Horse Pop on Monday 26th August 15:25

[johnS2000]

It used to be " If you have time to apply and release the hand brake " the hand brake should be used and neutral selected .

Failure to do this at a pedestrian crossing used to result in instant failure .

[blondini]

To the OP, my advice would be to get another driving instructor.

[motorhole]

Use of the handbrake is the correct way as stated and most of the reasons for doing so have been covered. Personally, I will use the footbrake if not stopping for more than a couple of seconds, then use the handbrake. Often if I'm last in the queue though, particularly on busy or faster roads, I will leave my foot on the brake too, just to make sure any approaching drivers know that I'm stopped.

To be said though, these new fangled electronic handbrakes are a pita for situations like this.