Vehicle Handling

Vehicle handling covers the practical skills of controlling your car in different conditions — cornering, braking, steering, and dealing with adverse weather. While many of these skills are developed through driving practice, the theory test checks that you understand the principles behind safe vehicle control. Key topics include the correct use of brakes and gears on steep hills, how to handle a skid, the effect of crosswinds on high-sided vehicles, and driving in fog, ice, and snow. The DVSA often tests knowledge of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) — specifically that with ABS you should apply firm, continuous pressure rather than pumping the brakes, and that ABS allows you to steer while braking hard. Questions about towing, the effect of a heavy load on handling, and night driving also appear in this category. A useful approach: think about the physics involved. Why does a car skid? Why does braking distance increase in the wet? Understanding the "why" makes the answers to vehicle handling questions much easier to remember.