Should Neutral Gear Be Used for Hill Start and Parking?
2 Answers
For hill start and parking at the designated point, it is not necessary to pull the handbrake and shift to neutral. The test requirement is to start immediately after parking, so there is no need to shift to neutral or pull the handbrake. Introduction to Hill Start and Parking: Hill start and parking is one of the five test items in Subject 2 of the driving test. It is important to note that the start time must not exceed 30 seconds. Details of Hill Start and Parking: The content of the hill start and parking test is simple: park the vehicle on the designated line on the slope and then start again. If the front bumper of the vehicle is not aligned with the pole line after stopping, and the deviation exceeds 50 cm, it may result in failure.
As a driving instructor, I've been asked this question countless times by students. For the hill start test, it's mandatory to shift into neutral and engage the handbrake - these are non-negotiable exam requirements. Stalling costs you 10 points, while rolling back over 30cm means instant failure. When starting, slowly release the clutch to the biting point until you feel slight vehicle vibration, then steady your left foot while simultaneously releasing the handbrake with your right hand and gently applying throttle. Never keep the car in gear while braking on a slope - if your foot slips and you release the clutch too quickly, the car could lurch forward or roll back dangerously. Remember, neutral gear provides the crucial safety margin for proper foot and hand coordination.
