The answer options
- The engine could overheat
- The tyres will wear out quicker
- There will be an increase in fuel consumption
- The vehicle will pick up speed quickerCorrect
Why that is the answer
Coasting means travelling in neutral or with the clutch pedal pressed down. When driving downhill, coasting removes engine braking, allowing gravity to cause the vehicle to pick up speed much quicker. This reduces your overall control and forces you to rely entirely on the brakes, which can overheat. The Highway Code advises against coasting because it reduces vehicle control, makes steering harder, and prevents you from using the engine to assist with braking.
How this comes up in the real test
Questions from vehicle handling appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.
The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.
More vehicle handling questions
- A lot of snow has fallen recently. When driving in these conditions, what are some things to think about?
- After fog has cleared, it can be dangerous to leave your rear fog lights switched on. What is the reason for this?
- What colour are the reflective studs along the left-hand edge of the motorway?
- During the day, when should dipped headlight be used?
- How can you regulate your speed with the engine of your car?
- How should you deal with this hazard?