--- title: "It may be dangerous to keep the clutch down o… | Theory Test" description: "It may be dangerous to keep the clutch down or select neutral for long periods of time when driving. Why is this? The correct answer is “You will have decreas" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors." }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization" }, "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "It may be dangerous to keep the clutch down or select neutral for long periods of time when driving. Why is this?", "text": "It may be dangerous to keep the clutch down or select neutral for long periods of time when driving. Why is this?", "answerCount": 1, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You will have decreased steering and braking control. 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." }, "suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This may damage the engine" }, { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The tyres will wear out" }, { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You will risk fuel spillage" } ] } } ] --- Get an exclusive 15% off - Offer ends next week! 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DVSA-style practice question · Vehicle Handling ## The answer options - This may damage the engine - The tyres will wear out - You will risk fuel spillage - You will have decreased steering and braking control**Correct** ## 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. [Practise Vehicle Handling](/theory/quiz/vehicle-handling)[Sit a full mock test](/theory/mock-test) ## More vehicle handling questions - [A lot of snow has fallen recently. When driving in these conditions, what are some things to think about?](/theory/questions/a-lot-of-snow-has-fallen-recently-when-driving-in-these-conditions-what-are-some-things-to) - [After fog has cleared, it can be dangerous to leave your rear fog lights switched on. 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