Theory Hub UK Theory Test

What will happen if you hold the clutch pedal down or roll in neutral for too long?

Why this is the answer

Holding the clutch down or staying in neutral for too long will cause your vehicle to freewheel. This is known as 'coasting' and it's dangerous because it reduces your control of the vehicle.

Why the other answers don't fit

A
It will use more fuel — Coasting may use slightly less. Fuel is not the reason to avoid it.
B
It will cause the engine to overheat — An idling engine does not overheat from this.
D
It will improve tyre wear — Nothing about coasting does your tyres any good.

Where this comes from

  • Driving: the essential skills — section 5
  • The Highway Code — rule 122

Rule numbers link to The Highway Code on gov.uk.

Where this question comes from

The question, its options and the explanation are reproduced word for word from the DVSA revision question bank under licence. The licence requires them to appear unaltered, so we cannot reword them and neither can anyone else — that is why you will meet the same wording on other sites. Everything else on this page is written by Theory Hub: the explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong, the topic guide and the revision notes.

More about our sources and licence

Asked in: Car

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