Handbrake ("parking brake")

This is either a switch (which operates a motor) or a lever (which pulls a cable) to apply brakes to the rear wheels. For both types, up = On; down = Off. The switch type will automatically go off when you add power.

Use the handbrake in traffic "when a pause becomes a wait", so that :

• You don't roll accidentally
• You're not pushed into pedestrians, the next car, or other traffic
• You don't dazzle followers with your brake lights (esp. at night)
• You can relax your right foot
• You can check you have "the biting point" (in manual cars)
• You can "set more gas" (manual car), to move off faster
• You can get your right foot ready over the power pedal, to move off faster (on newer cars, like mine, with auto-release handbrake)