Lesson
Vehicle handling
Vehicle handling covers how weather, road surfaces and your own technique affect control of the car.
Key rules to know
- In snow or ice, use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin, and brake and steer gently.
- Coasting (driving in neutral or with the clutch down) reduces your control — avoid it, especially downhill.
- On a steep downhill, use a lower gear so engine braking helps control your speed.
- After driving through a flood or ford, test your brakes gently, as they may be wet.
How it applies on the road
Skidding on ice
Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. Avoid harsh braking.
Long descent in the hills
Select a lower gear before the hill rather than relying on the footbrake all the way down.
Common mistakes
- Braking harshly mid-bend.
- Thinking a lower gear always gives more grip in snow — it often causes wheel spin.
Official sources
Content written and reviewed by Rob Cordina. Last reviewed: October 2026. Our practice questions are original, written from the Highway Code — they are not official DVSA questions. Always check the latest Highway Code.