Should You Press the Clutch When Decelerating in Subject Three?

[KinsleyAnn]

Whether to press the clutch when decelerating in Subject Three can be determined as follows: 1. If you are in 3rd gear or higher and the speed is relatively fast: You do not need to press the clutch; simply use the 'tap braking' method, which involves pressing and releasing the brake pedal intermittently. 2. If the speed slows down and you are in 2nd or 1st gear: If you feel the power is insufficient and pressing the brake without the clutch will cause the engine to stall, you should simultaneously press both the brake and clutch pedals. The correct method for decelerating in Subject Three is as follows: 1. On roads with light traffic, when the speed is above 30 km/h and braking is required for a short duration: Lightly tap the brake pedal without pressing the clutch pedal. 2. When passing bus stops, school zones, waiting at traffic lights, in traffic jams, or when stopping: Shift to a lower gear while simultaneously pressing both the clutch and brake pedals.

[Julianna]

I've been driving for several years. When slowing down during the Subject 3 test, you generally don't need to press the clutch—just step on the brake, unless the speed drops very low, like when you're about to stop. If you don't press the clutch at that point, the car may stall. Especially during the test, the examiner will check if your operation is smooth, and stalling will cost you a lot of points. Pressing the clutch too much while slowing down is also not good—it increases wear and affects test performance. My usual driving habit is to watch the speed: if it's over 30-40 km/h, don't touch the clutch, just brake to slow down; when it drops below 20-30 km/h or when turning, lightly press the clutch to assist. Remember, the goal is to control the car safely, and only through practice can you master that critical point. Safety first, even in the test—don't get nervous.

[Eileen]

I just passed the driving test for Subject 3. When slowing down, in most cases, you only need to press the brake pedal and avoid touching the clutch. However, when the speed is very slow, such as when turning or waiting at a red light, the car may start to shake. At this point, you should quickly press the clutch to prevent stalling. During my test, I made a mistake by slowing down too quickly on a slope without pressing the clutch, almost causing the car to stall and lose points. The instructor taught me that pressing the clutch while slowing down is only necessary at low speeds; otherwise, the car will not run smoothly. The key to the test is smooth operation—avoid sudden braking and control the speed gradually. I recommend paying more attention to this during practice, especially for beginners. It's easy to get started, but there are many details to watch out for. Driving is a skill, and practice makes perfect.

[DallasFitz]

Having driven for over a decade, I know all about slowing down. Normally, just use the brakes to decelerate—no need to touch the clutch, keep it simple. But when the speed drops to nearly a stop, say below 10 mph, you must press the clutch to prevent stalling. During the driving test (Subject 3), examiners pay close attention to this—pressing too early or too late isn’t ideal and affects the safety score. The car’s principle is straightforward: the clutch disengages power while the brakes slow the car; at low speeds, if the engine can’t keep up, pressing the clutch stabilizes it. Operate sensibly to reduce wear, and stay calm during the test.