Should You Press the Clutch or Shift Gears First in Subject 2?
2 Answers
Press the clutch first. The main purposes of the clutch are as follows: 1. Starting: In Subject 2, the throttle is not needed for starting, so the clutch is used to make the vehicle move forward. Note: Do not release the clutch suddenly—stalling at the start will deduct 10 points and affect the candidate's subsequent performance. When lifting the clutch, follow the principle of "fast first, slow second, and linkage third." This means lifting quickly at first, then slowing down when you feel the critical point of semi-linkage is approaching, and finally finding the linkage point. 2. Speed control: Although the driving speed in the test area is slow, going slightly faster may cause you to miss reference points. Therefore, when using the clutch to control speed, the range of pressing and lifting the clutch pedal should be small. Note: Do not excessively press the clutch just to pursue speed, as this may lead to stalling midway. When turning the steering wheel to its limit, consciously release the clutch slightly to leave some room for the wheels. 3. Gear shifting: When shifting into first gear or reverse gear, the sequence is to press the clutch and brake fully first, then shift. If the gear does not engage the first time, you can release the clutch and press it fully again for a second attempt. 4. Stopping: Whether in Subject 2 or Subject 3, the stopping sequence is always clutch first, then brake; otherwise, the engine will stall.
When teaching manual transmission cars, I always emphasize the importance of following the correct operating sequence: depress the clutch first before shifting gears. The clutch serves to disconnect the power transmission between the engine and the gearbox. If you shift gears without pressing the clutch, it can easily cause severe gear friction and damage transmission components. During the Subject 2 driving test, examiners closely monitor this action; skipping the clutch pedal will immediately be recorded as an operational error, potentially resulting in point deductions or even affecting the pass rate. Take hill starts, for example—the sequence is even more critical here. You must fully depress the clutch before shifting into first gear to prepare for takeoff; otherwise, the vehicle may roll backward or stall, leading to an awkward situation. It’s essential to develop the habit during practice: whenever stopping or shifting gears, press the clutch all the way down before engaging the gear, and repeat this until it becomes second nature. Beginners often make this mistake, but many of my students have improved their skills through such fundamental drills. The core of Subject 2 is building a solid foundation—mastering the correct sequence ensures smoother driving later on.
