K53 vehicle controls: the 11 names and numbers
The learner's test asks you to pick out the controls of a car by number. This chapter teaches the eleven controls, each with its number and its name. It also covers the one control that an automatic car does not have.
What are the 11 controls of a car in the learner's test?
The official rules list eleven controls of a car, numbered 1 to 11. The test shows a picture with a number on each control and asks you for the number. So learn each number together with its name.
- 1: Centre rear view mirror
- 2: Window wiper
- 3: Left and right rear view mirrors
- 4: Steering wheel
- 5: Indicator light switch
- 6: Gear lever
- 7: Hand brake (also called the parking brake)
- 8: Clutch
- 9: Brake
- 10: Accelerator
- 11: Horn (the hooter)
Number 3 is two mirrors, the left one and the right one. They share one number.
Is the hand brake the same as the parking brake?
Yes. Control 7 has two names: hand brake and parking brake. Learn both, because you may see either name.
In some cars you work this control with your foot, not your hand. A Mercedes-Benz is one example. It is still control 7.
Which control does an automatic car not have?
An automatic car does not have a clutch. The clutch is control 8, so the answer is 8.
An automatic car does have a gear lever (6). It works differently from the gear lever of a car with a manual gearbox.
What must a driver always check first?
The mirror comes first. Look in the centre rear view mirror (1) so that you know what the traffic behind you is doing. Knowing what is behind you helps you avoid unsafe situations.
The fine print
The official rules cover cars with a manual gearbox and cars with an automatic gearbox.
A labelled picture of a car with a manual gearbox also names some parts. They are the steering gear, speedo (speedometer), wiper lever, indicator lever and horn.
Numbers to remember
- 1: centre rear view mirror
- 2: window wiper
- 3: left and right rear view mirrors
- 4: steering wheel
- 5: indicator light switch
- 6: gear lever
- 7: hand brake, also called the parking brake
- 8: clutch (an automatic car does not have one)
- 9: brake
- 10: accelerator
- 11: horn
Mistakes learners make
- Mixing up the mirrors. The centre rear view mirror is 1. The left and right rear view mirrors are 3.
- Thinking the hand brake and the parking brake are two controls. They are one control, number 7.
- Mixing up 8, 9 and 10. The order is clutch (8), brake (9), accelerator (10).
- Saying an automatic car has no gear lever. It has a gear lever (6). What it does not have is a clutch (8).
- Calling a foot operated parking brake the brake. It is still the parking brake, control 7. The brake is control 9.
Test yourself
Question 1
Which ONE of the following is NOT a pair of controls of a light motor vehicle?
Show answer
Answer: B: Number plate and licence disc
A number plate and a licence disc are not controls; the mirrors, the wiper and the steering wheel are.
Question 2
In the picture, the left and right rear view mirrors are number...
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Answer: C: 3
In the picture, the left and right rear view mirrors are number 3.
Question 3
In the picture, the steering wheel is number...
Show answer
Answer: A: 4
In the picture, the steering wheel is number 4.
Question 4
In the picture, the indicator light switch is number...
Show answer
Answer: B: 5
In the picture, the indicator light switch is number 5.
Question 5
Which ONE of the following pairs does NOT consist of controls of a light motor vehicle?
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Answer: A: Spare wheel and fuel tank
A spare wheel and a fuel tank are not controls; the indicator switch, gear lever, hand brake and clutch are.
Question 6
In the picture, the hand brake is number...
Show answer
Answer: B: 7
In the picture, the hand brake is number 7.
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