Theory Hub UK Theory Test

Why could it be dangerous to keep the clutch down, or select neutral, for long periods of time while you're driving?

Why this is the answer

Letting your vehicle roll or coast in neutral reduces your control over steering and braking. This can be dangerous on downhill slopes, where your vehicle could pick up speed very quickly.

Why the other answers don't fit

A
Fuel spillage will occur — Nothing about coasting spills fuel.
B
Engine damage may be caused — Coasting is bad for your control of the car, not for the engine.
D
It will wear tyres out more quickly — Tyre wear is unaffected by it.

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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