Photo: Michał Robak / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
Coasting means letting the car move in neutral or with the clutch pressed down. The Highway Code (rule 122) says it can reduce your control, and on the driving test in Great Britain examiners can mark it as a fault. It is not a safe way to save fuel. This guide explains why, how to control your speed downhill instead, and the moments when pressing the clutch is correct.
Key facts
- Definition: Highway Code rule 122 describes coasting as a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down.
- Why it matters: rule 122 says it can reduce driver control because engine braking is eliminated, speed downhill increases quickly, increased use of the footbrake can reduce its effectiveness, steering response is affected (especially on bends and corners), and it may be harder to select the right gear when needed.
- On the GB test: DVSA examiner guidance lists “coasting in neutral or with clutch pedal depressed” under gear faults.
- Eco-driving: fuel-efficient driving does not count towards the GB test result, and examiners accept that safety comes first.
Two kinds of coasting
| Type | What it looks like | Where learners do it |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch coasting | Clutch held down while the car rolls | Approaching junctions or roundabouts too early, round corners, down hills, during slow manoeuvres for too long |
| Neutral coasting | Gear lever in neutral (or N in an automatic) while moving | Rolling up to traffic lights, down hills, “saving fuel” |
Both remove the engine from the wheels. The car is then only controlled by the brakes and steering, and it speeds up on any downhill slope.
When pressing the clutch is correct
The clutch has to go down sometimes. The skill is doing it at the right moment and for no longer than needed:
- Just before you stop, so the engine does not stall.
- To change gear, then lift it again smoothly.
- When moving very slowly, where the engine would otherwise stall; your instructor will show you how to control speed at the biting point. See clutch control for learner drivers.
A common learner habit is pressing the clutch as soon as you start braking for a junction “in case you stop”. That turns the whole approach into a coast. Brake first, in gear, and press the clutch only as the car is about to stop or when you change to a lower gear.
How to drive down a hill safely
- Plan before the slope. Look for the downhill warning sign, bends, junctions or hazards at the bottom. See warning signs.
- Slow down before you start the descent. It is easier to stay slow than to slow down once speed has built.
- Select a suitable gear before the slope, usually a lower one on steep hills, so engine braking helps hold your speed. Your instructor will show you which gear suits the hill and the car.
- Keep the clutch up and the car in gear all the way down.
- Use the footbrake to control speed as needed. Highway Code rule 117 says brake early and lightly in normal circumstances.
- Leave a bigger gap. Stopping takes longer downhill. Rule 126 says allow at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads, at least double on wet roads and up to ten times on icy roads.
Scenario: steep hill with a bend halfway down
You see the warning sign and the bend. Before the top: check mirrors, slow down, change down to a lower gear. On the descent: clutch up, light braking to keep a steady speed, position for the bend, look through it. Before the bend: speed already set, so you can steer smoothly. If you had coasted, the car would have gained speed into the bend, and you would be braking and steering at the same time.
Coasting in automatic and electric cars
- Do not select N while moving. The same rule 122 risks apply, and examiners mark coasting in neutral as a fault.
- Stay in D on hills. Many automatics have a low or downhill mode (marked L, B or similar) or paddles to hold a lower gear on steep descents. Check your handbook.
- Electric and hybrid cars: regenerative braking slows the car when you lift off. It helps on hills, but you still need the footbrake to control speed. Some cars have a “glide” or coasting mode set in the menus; learn how your car is set up.
See learning to drive an automatic.
Does coasting save fuel?
Not in a way that justifies the loss of control. The Highway Code treats coasting as a control problem, not an economy technique. Real eco-driving comes from planning ahead, easing off early in gear and avoiding harsh acceleration. See eco-safe driving.
What the examiner sees
| You do this | The examiner may see |
|---|---|
| Clutch down early on the approach to a junction | Coasting, and possibly poor control of speed |
| Clutch held down round a corner | Coasting and reduced steering control |
| Rolling downhill in neutral | Coasting, and speed control problems |
| Wrong gear for the hill, braking hard at the bottom | Gear choice and footbrake faults (“late and/or harsh use”) |
How a fault is graded depends on what happened. Coasting that lets the car speed into a hazard is more serious than a short coast to a stop on the flat. See driving test faults explained.
Common questions
Is coasting illegal in the UK?
Rule 122 has no “MUST NOT”, so it is advice rather than a specific legal requirement. But rule 149 says you must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times, and coasting is marked as a fault on the driving test.
How much coasting fails the test?
There is no set amount. A single brief coast may be a driving fault or nothing. Repeated coasting, or coasting that causes risk, can be marked more seriously.
Should I press the clutch before or after braking?
Generally, brake first, then press the clutch just before the car stops. Your instructor will show you the timing for your car.
What gear should I use going down a steep hill?
Usually a lower gear than you would use on the flat at the same speed, chosen before you start down. The right gear depends on the hill, the conditions and the car.
Can I coast in an automatic by taking my foot off the accelerator?
Lifting off the accelerator in D is not coasting; the car is still in gear. Selecting N while moving is coasting.
Related: hill starts explained, skids, aquaplaning and ABS, vehicle handling. Guide: learning to drive in Great Britain.
Sources
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
- DVSA, “Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance, 1. Car driving test” (gov.uk)