Should you shift gears or pull the handbrake first when parking a C1 vehicle?

[Diego]

When parking, you should first pull the handbrake and then shift out of gear. When starting, you should first shift into gear and then release the handbrake. What is a C1 driver's license: A C1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driver's licenses. The permitted driving scope of a C1 driver's license includes small and mini passenger vehicles, as well as light and mini cargo vehicles; light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles; small passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. Application age: The minimum age limit for a C1 driver's license is 18 years old, with no upper age limit. However, applicants over 70 years old must pass tests on memory, judgment, and reaction abilities. C1 driver's license permitted vehicle types: The permitted driving scope of a C1 driver's license includes small and mini passenger vehicles, as well as light and mini cargo vehicles; light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles; small passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. C1 driver's license cannot drive: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Additionally, a C1 license cannot drive vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters.

[DiDallas]

I've been driving for over 20 years and believe parking sequence is crucial. Every time I park, I first press the brake to bring the car to a complete stop, then shift to neutral or N gear, and quickly pull up the handbrake. After firmly engaging the handbrake, I gradually release the foot brake to confirm the car is securely stationary before shifting to P gear or turning off the engine. Why this routine? Because shifting gears before applying the handbrake risks vehicle slippage, putting all pressure on the transmission which can lead to wear or failure. I remember once on a slope at my neighborhood entrance, I hastily shifted to P gear and the car slightly slid, causing a loud 'clunk' from the transmission - the repair bill was hefty. So I advise both new and experienced drivers to develop this habit: stop completely → neutral → handbrake → release foot brake → shift gear. It's safe and worry-free.

[VanNathan]

As a young female driver just starting to learn, my instructor repeatedly emphasized following the correct parking sequence. Now I always do it this way: brake to a complete stop, immediately shift to neutral, then quickly engage the handbrake. Only after the handbrake is securely engaged do I shift to Park to finish. The reason is that skipping the handbrake and going straight to Park can cause the car to move slightly due to inertia, putting excessive stress on the locking mechanism which could lead to damage over time. Once while shopping, I parked on a slope and was so tired that I forgot the handbrake and just put it in Park - the car rolled back a few centimeters, giving me a cold sweat. Since then, I've made it muscle memory: always engage the handbrake first before any other parking operations, saving myself future repair headaches.

[HarmonyRose]

I've studied cars for years and understand the key to parking sequence. Before parking, I first brake to stabilize the car, shift to neutral, then engage the handbrake to lock the wheels, and finally shift to P. The principle is that the handbrake first secures the wheels, preventing the transmission gears from bearing extra stress; conversely, if you shift to P before engaging the handbrake, the car's movement might impact the parking pawl mechanism, causing damage. Simply put, it's like laying a safety net before locking the car, extending component lifespan.

[LeClaire]

I pay special attention to driving safety and always engage the handbrake before shifting gears when parking. My procedure is: fully depress the brake to come to a complete stop → shift to neutral → firmly engage the handbrake → release the foot brake and confirm the vehicle doesn't move → shift to P and turn off the engine. This prevents rollaway accidents and protects the transmission. A friend once told me their car slid and hit the garage wall because they shifted directly without handbrake assistance. That's why I believe this small routine is life-critical, and developing a fixed sequence is essential.