It may be dangerous to keep the clutch down or select neutral for long periods of time when driving. Why is this?

Why that is the answer

Coasting occurs when you travel with the clutch pedal pressed down or with the gear lever in neutral. Doing this reduces your control over the vehicle because you lose the benefit of engine braking. This makes stopping harder and can adversely affect steering and vehicle stability, particularly on bends. Coasting does not cause engine damage or tyre wear, but the reduced steering and braking control creates a serious safety hazard.

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

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