Confused by car pedals and indicators? This guide will get you on the right track. Learning to drive can be daunting, particularly when you have a dashboard full of pedals, levers, and buttons. Whether this is your first lesson or you’re converting from an automatic to a manual car, you’ll want to understand the basic controls for driving. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, so that you can drive safely and build your confidence.
Car Pedals
Pedals are the foot-operated controls located in the driver’s footwell and are essential to the operation and movement of the vehicle. Most vehicles, especially those with manual transmissions, have three pedals: the clutch, brake, and accelerator. The pedals work in conjunction with the engine to control speed, shift gears, and drive smoothly. Understanding what the pedals do and how to use them properly is one of the first and most essential steps in learning to drive safely and with confidence.
Car Pedals in Manual
In a manual car, you will find three pedals: the clutch, brake and accelerator, which work together to allow you to change speed and gears. Your clutch will be controlled with your left foot, while your right foot will be used for the brake and accelerator. You will need to coordinate your foot movements to increase your ability to drive a manual vehicle safely and smoothly.
Cultch
The clutch pedal separates the engine from the axles, allowing you to change gears. Before switching gears, fully press the clutch to ensure a smooth gear shift. Learner drivers also need to get accustomed to finding the braking point to stop the vehicle from stalling.
Break
When engaged, the brake pedal works to slow or stop the vehicle. Smooth braking is essential for maintaining control and ensuring the safety of passengers and other road users. Advanced systems, such as ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), are standard in almost every modern car.
Accelerator
The accelerator, also known as the gas pedal, controls the speed of the car by increasing the flow of fuel to the engine. Smooth acceleration is crucial to maintain, especially in stop-start traffic, so ensure you gently apply pressure to prevent any jerky motion whenever possible.
Car Pedals in Automatic
Modern automatic vehicles have only two pedals: the brake and the accelerator. With no clutch or gear shifting, automatic cars are better suited for novices and are preferred in urban areas. Your right foot works both pedals while your left foot remains at rest!
Steering Wheel
The steering wheel directs the car. It is essential to establish a firm yet relaxed grip on the steering wheel. Most instructors suggest using the “10 and 2” or “9 and 3” positions for optimal control. With power steering, modern vehicles enable smooth handling at all speeds.
Steering Techniques
Steering methods, such as push-pull and hand-over-hand, provide effective steering control during turns. They allow you to maintain a steady hand position, helping you achieve smoothness and accuracy in corners or roundabouts.
Checking Power Steering
To test that there is no issue with your power steering, turn the steering wheel while sitting still, and it should move easily and without resistance. If your steering feels stiff, there could be an issue with your hydraulic or electric power steering system, which should be addressed as soon as possible, preferably before your next MOT.
Ancillary Controls
Driving requires more than just knowing how to steer the steering wheel and operate the pedals; you also need to understand how to use the ancillary controls. Ancillary controls include other switches, buttons, and levers that will help you stay safe and remain comfortable while driving. These ancillary controls enable you to operate functions such as smart windscreen wipers, indicators, lights, horn, demisters, etc. Properly operating these controls while driving will ensure the driver remains visible in other drivers’ peripheral vision, thereby helping to maintain road safety.
Being competent in the general operation of your vehicle will ensure that the driver is capable of reacting to the rapidly changing conditions of driving a car. Knowing where the switches are located, whether you need to turn on your lights or windscreen wipers due to rain, or run your demister on a foggy morning, is a significant step towards becoming a confident and competent driver.
Categories of Ancillary Controls
Ancillary controls are typically separated into two categories, essential and secondary. Basic controls are the ones you use all the time on the road, including, but not limited to, indicators, wipers, and lights. Generally, they are used for visibility and safety, allowing you to communicate with other vehicles or respond to changing road conditions, such as wet weather.
In contrast, secondary controls are interior functions and may include demisters, air conditioning or heating, horns, and other controls available on the dashboard. You won’t generally use some of those interior functions constantly, but knowing how to use these buttons inside the car will help you have a more comfortable and safe driving experience. During your training with MA Driving School, we will ensure you have a thorough understanding of all types of ancillary controls, as safe driving involves more than just being familiar with the basics.
Indicators
Indicators, or turn signals, are essential for safe and legal driving in the UK when we’re on the road. Indicators communicate your intentions to other road users, allowing them to understand what you will be doing next, thereby minimising confusion and avoiding accidents. Using indicators properly is necessary in every traffic situation – whether that is turning at a junction, making a lane change, or approaching a roundabout. Using your Indicators is not only a matter of common courtesy. It is not only common courtesy, but also a legal requirement, and an essential part of defensive driving. informative commentary.
It is beneficial, if not crucial, to learn how and when to use your indicators as part of your induction to signs and signals in the UK. To operate your indicators, use the indicator lever (switch/stalk). On a typical vehicle, it can be found on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. Depending on the direction you wish to go, you will either push the lever upwards (for a right turn) or downwards (for a left turn). Always indicate sooner rather than later, so you signal well before you manoeuvre.
At MA Driving School, from the very first day of the learning process, we will focus on instilling the proper habits of signalling in a safe and reasonable amount of time, allowing other road users to see your intention. Effective communication on the road begins with good signalling habits!
Operating Car indicators
Using car indicators correctly is a fundamental and essential aspect of safe driving. The indicator rules in the UK are unambiguous and straightforward – you must signal early and indicate your intention any time you perform a turn, a lane change, or any manoeuvre or action that may affect how others can use the road. This time frame allows other road users adequate time to react—or not. – which can prevent an accident.
The MSM routine — Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre — is an excellent method to stay in control. Firstly, use your mirrors to assess the situation around you and observe the traffic. Then, use your indicator, and finally, manoeuvre, ensuring a smooth operation each time.
There are also many common errors people make when indicating while making a turn, such as forgetting to signal until it’s too late, forgetting to cancel the signal after the manoeuvre, cancelling while driving, and cancelling too early and indicating the wrong direction. Proper signalling demonstrates that you are a considerate and competent driver.
Hazard warning lights
Hazard lights, also known as emergency flashers, are a vital safety feature of all vehicles; these lights can be activated by pressing the hazard button (often marked by a red triangle on the dashboard), causing all four indicator lights to flash simultaneously.
In the UK, hazard lights should only be used in certain situations when the severity of the situation warrants warning other motorists, such as when a vehicle is broken down, if you’re stopped in a hazardous position, or to alert other motorists to a potential hazard on the road ahead. Hazard lights should not be used while in motion or as an alternative to signalling.
For added safety, and specifically if you break down on a motorway or a less populated rural road, it is recommended that you place a warning triangle behind your vehicle at a designated distance (not on the highway due to safety concerns). Understanding UK road warning signs can further help you respond appropriately in such situations.
Operating Hazard lights
Knowing how to use hazard lights correctly is a crucial part of safe driving. The hazard switch is typically located on the dashboard and is indicated by a red triangle. Pressing this switch will cause all four indicator lights to flash simultaneously, enhancing the visibility of your vehicle.
You should only use hazard lights in certain situations — e.g., emergency stop, sudden vehicle failure, or if your vehicle or car becomes a temporary obstruction on the roadway. This increases visibility, particularly in low-light or high-speed situations, warning other drivers and prompting them to slow down or change lanes.
Bear in mind that legal use of hazard lights in the UK does not include using them while you are driving unless you are on a motorway and have just joined the back of a queue of slow-moving or stationary traffic to warn the drivers behind you.
Horn
To ensure the safety of those on the road, your car’s horn is a meaningful way to let others know that you are there. Still, it is essential to note that in the UK, there are also rules and regulations governing the use of a horn, and it is the responsibility of each driver to follow these rules as well. The horn is there to warn other road users that you are present, if necessary, not to release your frustration or impatience.
Legal use of the horn can only be done when your vehicle is in motion, and you deem it necessary to warn someone of an immediately impending danger. It is illegal to use your car’s horn while stationary, either on the road or in a designated quiet area like around hospitals, especially between 11:30 PM and 7:00 AM in built-up areas (other than in the case of an emergency).
Operating Horn
Proper use of a car horn is a responsible UK driving skill to learn. The horn is generally located at the centre of the steering wheel, and you only need to tap it to give a warning signal and let other road users know you are there, hopefully preventing an accident.
Do not overuse it – honking for no reason or in frustration could be an offence that attracts a penalty or fine. Failure to have a working horn would be a reason to fail your MOT test, so you must check that it is working.
Lights
Correct use of your car lights is not only essential for improving your visibility and safety, but also for the safety of everybody else on the road. Whether driving after dark, during heavy rain, or in fog, knowing when and how to use dipped beam, full beam, and fog lights will keep you within UK road law and reduce glare for other road users.
Recognising your light symbols on the dashboard, in case you don’t know if its active, and using indicators properly is also essential in communicating what is about to happen, and of course in all cases, routine low-light driving, as well as low visibility driving conditions, is part of the proper light usage habit that every confident driver should develop.
Operating Lights
Start by locating the headlight switch, typically found on a dial or stalk near the steering wheel, to activate your vehicle’s lights. For everyday night time driving, flip the switch to enable dipped beams. Twist further to activate full beams when visibility is poor. Just make sure to dim them for oncoming traffic.
Look for dashboard light symbols indicating which lights are turned on. To increase visibility in foggy or rainy circumstances, activate your headlights and, if necessary, your fog lights. Knowing how to correctly set your lights not only enables you to use the roads lawfully but also helps to avoid accidents caused by inadequate awareness of illumination.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Particularly during the erratic UK weather, comfort and safety depend on knowledge of your car’s heating and air conditioning controls. By defogging the windscreen, these controls help regulate cabin temperature, control fan speed, and ensure good visibility.
Typically, buttons or dials control the AC, allowing you to switch between hot and cold air and direct airflow toward the windscreen, feet, or face. While the AC button keeps things cool in the summer or helps lower humidity inside the vehicle, the heater blower is particularly helpful in winter. Year-round proper use guarantees a safer and more pleasurable driving experience.
Operating heating and Air Conditioning
Correct use of the heating and air conditioning system in your car enhances both vision and comfort. The heater keeps warmth in winter and can be aimed toward the windscreen to stop or clear fog. The AC cooling system lessens humidity and maintains cabin comfort during warmer months.
Usually found on the dashboard, the fan speed controls, temperature dial, and airflow direction buttons allow one to operate the system. Maintaining a clear road and keeping everyone inside the automobile comfortable, regardless of the temperature, depends on correct setting adjustments.
Steering Toward Success
MA Driving School is dedicated to helping novice drivers through professional direction and a great emphasis on safety. Our DVSA-approved instructors guarantee every student acquires the knowledge and confidence required to pass the test—and drive for life as a reputable driving school in the United Kingdom.
We customise every lesson to your learning pace, whether you’re a first-time driver or just need a refresher. Our driving lessons in Rotherham are designed to prepare you for real-life driving using a clear and structured approach—from recognising hazard lights and understanding UK road warning signs to confidently handling vehicle controls. One lesson at a time, we’ll guide you toward driving success.
