Master vehicle cabin controls (numbered pins 1 to 8), pedal arrangements, pre-drive checks, and statutory safety rules under Australian Road Rules (ARR 1999/2026) across Class C (Cars), Class R (Motorcycles) and Class HR (Heavy Vehicles).
Switch between vehicle classes to inspect numbered pins, operational rules, and statutory pre-drive guidelines.
Adjust before starting vehicle. Check interior mirror before braking; check side mirrors before changing lanes or turning.
Operated strictly with the left foot. Disengages transmission to allow gear selection and smooth stopping without engine stall.
Operated strictly with the right foot. Applies primary four-wheel hydraulic braking system to decelerate or stop.
Operated strictly with the right foot. Regulates fuel delivery and engine speed. Release smoothly to reduce speed.
Operates mechanical or electronic rear-wheel parking brake. Used when vehicle is stationary or parking on hills.
Selects forward drive gears, reverse, or neutral. In automatic cars: Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), Drive (D).
Controls directional movement. Maintain two hands in the 9 & 3 or 10 & 2 position. Use pull-push steering technique.
Signals turns and lane changes. Controls headlight beams — mandatory low-beam dip within 200m of vehicles (ARR 218).
Under the Australian Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme), riders must master dual-lever and pedal operation:
Disengages engine power. Squeeze in to change gears with left foot lever; release smoothly to engage.
Provides approximately 70% of total motorcycle stopping power. Apply progressively with right fingers.
Operates rear brake. Essential for low-speed stability and combined stopping with the front brake.
Standard 1-Down, 5-Up pattern: Press down for 1st gear, lift up for 2nd through 6th. Half-tap for neutral.
Class HR covers trucks and buses over 8 tonnes GVM. Candidates must understand compressed air systems and safety retarders:
Monitors primary and secondary air tank pressure. Low air buzzer sounds if pressure drops below safe threshold (~450 kPa).
Yellow diamond or red knob. Exhausts air pressure to mechanically apply heavy spring brakes on drive axles.
Jake brake or hydraulic retarder. Supplements service brakes on long downhill descents to prevent brake fade.
Eliminates wide blind spots along the truck passenger side and directly in front of the elevated cab.
These rules are frequently tested on the Driver Knowledge Test and carry statutory demerit points and fines across Australia.
You must dip your headlights to low-beam within 200 metres of an approaching oncoming vehicle, or when driving 200 metres behind another vehicle travelling in the same direction.
The horn may strictly only be used to warn other road users or animals of imminent danger. Using the horn to express frustration or as a greeting carries penalties in all states.
Tyres must have at least 1.5mm of tread depth across the entire circumference in all principal grooves. Bald or unroadworthy tyres risk defect notices and loss of vehicle control in wet weather.
The driver is legally responsible for ensuring all passengers under 16 years are properly restrained in approved child seats or seatbelts. Adult passengers face separate fines.
Must only be used when your vehicle is stopped and creating a traffic hazard, when broken down, or when moving slowly in hazardous fog or heavy rain to alert traffic behind you.
Driving with a fogged or obscured windscreen is illegal. Use the air conditioner / heater demister control and windscreen wipers before setting off into traffic.
Four authentic questions from state Driver Knowledge Tests. Test yourself before your appointment.
At what distance must you dip your vehicle headlights from high-beam when approaching another vehicle?
When is a driver legally permitted to sound the vehicle horn in Australia?
What is the minimum statutory tyre tread depth across Australia?
In a manual transmission car, which foot must be used to operate the clutch pedal?
Everything you need to know about vehicle controls on the Australian DKT.
Join thousands of Australian learner drivers who prepared with our complete state-calibrated question bank and interactive simulator.