Get to know the car, one control at a time.
Understand your instructor’s vocabulary and learn which pedals, controls and dimensions to identify.
Understand the function. Then identify it in your car.
Try your pedal coordination.
Explore clutch, throttle, gears and hill rollback in our browser game.
These original illustrations explain common configurations, not the exact layout of a particular training car. Identify controls with your instructor while safely parked, using the correct year, modifications and manual; learn driving techniques in lessons.
Start with the pedals.
A conventional manual has three driving pedals; an automatic has two.
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
Some cars have a separate foot-operated parking brake or adapted controls. These diagrams compare conventional driving pedals; pedal count alone does not identify every transmission.
From local slang to the formal term.
Match Hong Kong driving vocabulary with formal and English names.
| Hong Kong term | Formal Chinese name | English |
|---|---|---|
| 極力子 | 離合器 | Clutch |
| 腳掣／腳制 | 行車制動腳踏 | Brake pedal |
| 油門 | 加速腳踏 | Accelerator |
| 手掣 | 泊車制動 | Parking brake |
| 波棍 | 排檔桿／檔位選擇桿 | Gear lever / selector |
| 軚盤 | 方向盤 | Steering wheel |
| 水撥 | 雨刷 | Wipers |
| 死火燈 | 危險警告燈 | Hazard warning lights |
A guide to common cabin controls.
Select a number to jump to its explanation. Switch, stalk and instrument positions vary; the layout below is illustrative.
Instruments & indicators
Instrument clusterIdentify speed, fuel or charge, warning indicators and, on hybrids, READY. Check unfamiliar symbols in the correct manual; colour alone is not a diagnosis.
Lights & indicators
Lights / turn signalsOften controlled by a steering-column stalk. Headlights, main beam and turn signals have different symbols and actions. Actual stalk positions can differ from the illustration.
Wipers & washers
Wipers / washersWipers may have intermittent, low, high and washer settings. Identify front and rear controls on the actual car rather than assuming every stalk works the same way.
Hazard warning lights
Hazard warning lightsThe hazard button commonly uses a triangle symbol and makes both sides’ indicators flash together. Its purpose differs from an ordinary turn signal.
Front demister
Front windscreen demisterCommonly shown as a curved windscreen with rising airflow lines. It directs ventilation to clear the front screen; distinguish it from the rectangular rear-screen heating symbol.
Rear demister
Rear window defoggerCommonly shown as a rectangular window with rising lines. It heats the rear screen; some versions also heat the exterior mirrors. Availability depends on the actual vehicle.
Gear lever / selector
Gear lever / selectorManual cars use a gear lever; automatics commonly show P, R, N and D. Reverse selection, interlocks and extra positions vary, so identify the actual controls first.
Parking brake
Parking brakeOften called a handbrake, but it may use a lever, pedal or electronic switch. It is distinct from the service-brake pedal and an automatic’s P position. Identify the actual type.
Get to know the actual model.
Start with Hiace and Prius c. Dimensions identify a specific market or year and do not apply to every namesake or modified training car.
Toyota Hiace
Standard-body Panel Van · 2.5 diesel / 5-speed manual · Toyota Brunei reference
Toyota Prius c
2012 Prius c · Toyota Canada specification reference
Sources & illustration notes
Verified 2026-10-28. Illustrations are original SVG artwork. Manufacturer sources for dimensions, variants and controls are listed on each model page. Revisions, markets, equipment and training adaptations can differ.
TD: private car and light goods vehicle driving test guide (May 2024) ↗The guide also pairs 離合器 with the Hong Kong term 極力子. Confirm current test arrangements with TD and your instructor.