Do I Need to Press the Clutch and Brake When Starting the Engine in Subject Two?
3 Answers
When starting the engine in Subject Two, you do not need to press the clutch, and starting with the clutch pressed will not result in point deduction. However, you must press the brake when igniting. Below is relevant information about Subject Two: 1. Introduction to Subject Two: Subject Two, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license examination. It is the abbreviation for the field driving skills test. For small vehicles (C1 and C2), the test items include five mandatory components: reversing into a garage, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving through curves. 2. Subject Two Retake Rules: If you fail the Subject Two test on the first attempt, you are allowed one retake. If you do not take the retake or fail the retake, the current test session ends, and the applicant must reschedule the test after ten days. Within the validity period of the driving skills test permit, the number of test reschedules for Subject Two and Subject Three (road driving skills test) must not exceed five. If the fifth test attempt is still unsuccessful, the results of other subjects that have already been passed will be invalidated.
In the Subject 2 driving test, pressing the clutch and brake when starting the engine is a crucial safety operation, which I as a driving instructor frequently emphasize. For manual transmission vehicles, the clutch must be pressed when starting the engine; otherwise, the vehicle may suddenly lurch forward, causing an accident. Simultaneously pressing the brake prevents the car from rolling, especially critical during hill starts. Technically speaking, pressing the clutch disengages the transmission's power transfer, protecting the engine from load damage. Developing this habit before ignition not only ensures passing the test on the first attempt but also prevents unexpected movement during startup. For instance, once a student didn't press the clutch, and the car nearly hit a pole, resulting in lost points. In short, this is as fundamental as wearing a seatbelt—failing to do so will lead to immediate point deduction by the examiner, so it's essential to train yourself to form muscle memory during practice.
Over decades of driving, I've developed the habit of pressing the clutch and brake before starting the engine. Especially during practical exams like Subject 2, failing to depress the clutch when starting a manual transmission vehicle can easily cause stalling or rolling, while the brake serves as a double safety measure. I remember how troublesome it was during exams when nervousness made me forget these steps. In actual practice, pressing the clutch makes ignition smoother, and the brake stabilizes the position to reduce risks. Developing this good habit can save you repair costs—it applies to both new and old cars. Don't underestimate these details—they reflect your safety awareness, just like always engaging the handbrake when parking. Simply put, practicing this routine a few times daily makes it second nature—don't wait for the examiner's frown to regret it.
