Difference between Manual & Auto in a driving test.

[PeteXXX]

A quick question or two on driving automatic cars.
In a manual vehicle, the correct procedure (well, it was, last millennium when I passed my test,) was to apply handbrake & neutral at red traffic lights.
What is correct, as in proper to pass a test, procedure for an automatic? 🤔
And..... For the hive mind, here, what other differences are there for passing a driving test twixt manual & auto?

 

[Drago]

It used to be apply parking brake, into N, feet away from the controls. My XC90 was great as it had a foot operated parking brake, but some have them in the most bizarre locations and life isn't always easy.

What it may be in 2025 with all sorts of variations on an automatic theme and changing standards I couldn't say, but it won't be sat in D with with car held on the foot brake.

 

[T4tomo]

Its one to ask your driving instructor.

In my auto if I'm going to be stopped more than a moment or two, I pop it into park. That way the person behind me gets a chance to momentarily crap themselves when the the lights change as I slide it back thru Reverse into Drive before pulling off.

 

[markemark]

No requirement to put handbrake on, just a guide. It also states no need to if you think the wait is short. I don’t think many apply handbrake, just foot in brake is what suspect most do.

 

[Marchrider]

A quick question or two on driving automatic cars.
In a manual vehicle, the correct procedure (well, it was, last millennium when I passed my test,) was to apply handbrake & neutral at red traffic lights.
What is correct, as in proper to pass a test, procedure for an automatic? 🤔
And..... For the hive mind, here, what other differences are there for passing a driving test twixt manual & auto?

good question- I drive both manual and auto, in the wifes car I just sit with foot on brake (sorry folk behind) pressing the "P" button is risky cause I sometimes forget how to get going again, then the horn beeping from those behind begins. (I rarely see traffic lights where I live, apart from road works) and as a cyclist I struggle with the concept - what is it again, Red to turn right, Green to turn left - or is that ships?

 

[fossyant]

I think even manuals it's just apply brake too.

Worth checking as lots has changed. Just moved to auto and you do nothing more than press stop and go. Parking switch (handbrake) when you end your journey.

 

[BrumJim]

And what about electric cars?

 

[Beebo]

My daughter passed manual test before Christmas.
You can now sit at traffic lights in 1st gear with foot on brake and clutch!
It drove me mad when I used to take her out to practice

 

[wiggydiggy]

Its one to ask your driving instructor.

In my auto if I'm going to be stopped more than a moment or two, I pop it into park. That way the person behind me gets a chance to momentarily crap themselves when the the lights change as I slide it back thru Reverse into Drive before pulling off.

"When a pause becomes a wait" is what I was taught, any time I'm stopped for more than a moment its Neutral and Handbrake.

 

[Profpointy]

My daughter passed manual test before Christmas.
You can now sit at traffic lights in 1st gear with foot on brake and clutch!
It dove me mad when I used to take her out to practice

My mrs, who passed her test a lot later than me, though still 20 years ago does that and it makes me wince. I don't say anything, obviously, but I wish she'd not do it. Dunno if it really wears out the release bearing. That said, we did have an issue where the "fingers" on the release plate had all worn and / or bent, and it was increasingly hard to change gear. Not my Mrs' fault I hasten to add as we'd not had the car all that long back then and have done 100,000 miles since on the new clutch

 

[Marchrider]

My daughter passed manual test before Christmas.
You can now sit at traffic lights in 1st gear with foot on brake and clutch!
It dove me mad when I used to take her out to practice

it makes more sense for it to be like that - I make a decision when I arrive at traffic lights as to how long it might take, if it is likely the wait will be a few seconds then I will just wait on foot brake

In most cases I actually try to time it right so as I keep rolling and don't stop

 

[CXRAndy]

I'm teaching my child presently.

I tell her to arrive in 2nd gear for a junction you cant roll out of safely.

Select 1st gear, handbrake, keep holding the handbrake in case a gap quickly appears. If there is too much traffic, take it out of 1st and release the clutch, wait for the gap.

 

[Drago]

No requirement to put handbrake on, just a guide. It also states no need to if you think the wait is short. I don’t think many apply handbrake, just foot in brake is what suspect most do.

Problem is you're considered "not in control" holding a car on the footbrake. Go to pull away and lift your foot and for a moment you have a car with no motion and no brakes of any kind applied. A sitting duck.

There is also the brake lights to consider - its rare, but drivers do offtimnes get knocked off for holding the car on the footbrake and thus using the brake lights in a manner to cause unnecessary dazzling or discomfort.

 

[CXRAndy]

Problem is you're considered "not in control" holding a car on the footbrake. Go to pull away and lift your foot and for a moment you have a car with no motion and no brakes of any kind applied. A sitting duck.

Explaining that situation to my kid. Only time its ok is if the car is on a downwards slope. But if in doubt use handbrake- instant fail for rolling back

 

[PeteXXX]

Thanks for the many & varied answers, folks.
The reason I'm asking for the official way in an automatic is because I don't know the correct way to pass a test in one.
Granddaughter is now (I don't believe it!!) 17 and is getting an automatic car; yes, she knows that she won't be able to drive a Manual on an Auto licence, thanks..
She hasn't got an instructor lined up, yet, and I don't want to misinform her..