Using the car's controls

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4 Hill starts, gears, brakes, steering, demister

Why it matters

Vehicle controls are fourth on the RSA's chart: gears, clutch, brakes, handbrake, steering, and switches like the demister.

13% of these faults in 2024: the fourth most common area.
Source: RSA: Annual Report 2024, chart 'Most common faults at the test (car tests only)', printed p. 39 · Published: 2025 (report for 2024)
In 2018 it was 16%.
Source: RSA: Annual Report 2018 ('Review of Activity 2018') · Published: 2019 (report for 2018)

On a hill, hold the car with the handbrake, and move off without rolling back.
Brake early and smoothly. Don't coast in neutral or with the clutch down. Pick the right gear.
Keep both hands on the wheel, and use the wipers, lights and demister when you need them.

Source: RSA marking guide for testers, page 15