Is the Throttle Not Used in Subject Two of the Driving Test?
4 Answers
The tasks in Subject Two do not require the use of the throttle. Therefore, during regular practice, the instructor's car usually has the throttle locked, making it impossible for students to press it. Moreover, as beginners who have just started learning to drive, students are not yet capable of controlling the throttle's depth and the pressure applied accurately. Hence, Subject Two does not allow students to use the throttle. Some test vehicles may have weaker idling power, so during the hill start test, it might be appropriate to gently tap the throttle to give the car a little extra power. However, as a novice who has never used the throttle before, it is advisable not to touch it casually. Without a precise understanding of the throttle, improper control could easily cause the car to rush out of the test area, posing a threat to other personnel in the examination venue. The key to a successful hill start is: simultaneously press the clutch and brake—turn on the left turn signal—release the handbrake—slowly lift the clutch with your left foot (the slower, the better), until the car starts to vibrate slightly, then stop lifting the clutch—gradually release the brake with your right foot—once the car starts moving, continue to lift the clutch with your left foot while gently applying throttle with your right foot.
I remember when taking the Subject 2 driving test, the main focus was on using the clutch and brake to control the speed, rarely stepping on the accelerator. Test items like reverse parking and parallel parking required very slow speeds—stepping too hard on the accelerator could easily cause the car to cross the line or hit the poles. The instructor always emphasized using the clutch's semi-engaged state to adjust speed. Of course, there were exceptions, such as hill starts, where you needed to lightly press the accelerator while coordinating with the clutch to prevent the car from rolling back, but the accelerator usage was minimal. Overall, Subject 2 was designed to avoid using the accelerator to train precise low-speed control and reduce the risk of accidents for beginners. Many people panic when they first get behind the wheel—if they press the accelerator too hard, the car lurches forward, leading to point deductions or even failing the test. So, I recommend practicing clutch operation more to maintain stability, which will make you feel much more at ease during the test.
When learning to drive, we basically didn't use the accelerator during the Subject 2 test, relying mostly on the clutch throughout. From my experience, maneuvers like reversing and making sharp turns become dangerous if you press the accelerator—the car speeds up too much, making it impossible to steer in time to avoid hitting walls. My instructor said the accelerator is only used in specific situations, like when starting on a slope where you need to gently apply some gas to maintain momentum, but the main control comes from coordinating the clutch's semi-engagement with the brakes. As someone who regularly drives manual transmission cars, I understand that beginners often struggle with unstable accelerator control, which can lead to accidents. This exam design helps cultivate good habits. Thinking back to my test day, my focus was entirely on the clutch and brakes, with very few opportunities to use the accelerator, and I ended up passing with full marks.
Students usually don't press the accelerator during Subject 2 of the driving test, as the exam focuses on low-speed maneuvers controlled precisely by the clutch. A little throttle might be needed during hill starts, but overall, accelerator use is avoided. This design helps beginners concentrate on safe driving and prevents loss of vehicle control. The clutch limits engine speed, maintaining stable vehicle speed below 10 km/h, while throttle interference can easily lead to mistakes. I recommend that beginners practice clutch operation more, familiarize themselves with the half-clutch point, and perform naturally and smoothly during the test.
