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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Steering and braking systems

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

Steering changes the vehicle’s direction. Braking reduces its speed or secures it when stationary. These systems must operate safely and efficiently; excessive looseness, sticking, damage or ineffective brakes are not acceptable simply because a journey is short.

A service brake is used for slowing and stopping during ordinary travel. A parking brake holds the stationary vehicle. An emergency brake provides another means of stopping; the manual permits the parking and emergency brake to be the same mechanism.

Key idea: Steering changes the vehicle’s direction.

How to apply the rule

Learn the actual controls while stationary and follow the manufacturer’s inspection instructions. A car or heavy vehicle must have functioning service, parking and emergency braking as required. A motorcycle requires two independent systems acting on the front and rear wheels.

Apply braking smoothly and progressively during normal driving, with observation of the traffic behind and enough stopping space ahead. Do not use the parking brake as the routine moving-vehicle brake. If steering or braking behaves abnormally, stop safely and obtain qualified assistance; do not use an app’s schematic as a repair or emergency-operation manual.

Key idea: Do not begin the journey.

Conditions and easily confused points

The reference manual specifies a maximum turning radius of 13.1 metres. Turning radius describes the space required for a turn, not the distance the vehicle needs to stop. Neither figure can be inferred from a cockpit illustration.

Motorcycle handlebar dimensions and height are also regulated in the manual: widths differ for engine capacities below 200 cc and at least 200 cc. These technical requirements need checking against the actual vehicle and current rules.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

A steering control sticks during a stationary pre-trip check.

  1. Do not begin the journey.
  2. Have the steering system inspected by a qualified person.
  3. Use the vehicle only once safe operation is restored.

Quick recap

  • Do not begin the journey.
  • Have the steering system inspected by a qualified person.
  • Use the vehicle only once safe operation is restored.

Practice questions on steering and braking systems

1 What must be true of a vehicle’s steering system?

  1. It works only above 60 km/h
  2. It allows safe and efficient steering
  3. It may stick if the road is straight
Show the answer

Answer B: It allows safe and efficient steering

Steering must be in a condition that allows safe and efficient control. A motorcycle needs independent front and rear braking systems in working order. Light and heavy vehicles require working service, parking and emergency braking; the emergency and parking brake may be the same mechanism. The manual specifies a maximum turning radius of 13.1 metres.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

2 What braking systems does the manual require on a motorcycle?

  1. A rear brake only
  2. Independent systems acting on the front and rear wheels
  3. A front brake only
Show the answer

Answer B: Independent systems acting on the front and rear wheels

Steering must be in a condition that allows safe and efficient control. A motorcycle needs independent front and rear braking systems in working order. Light and heavy vehicles require working service, parking and emergency braking; the emergency and parking brake may be the same mechanism. The manual specifies a maximum turning radius of 13.1 metres.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

3 May the emergency and parking brake be the same mechanism?

  1. Yes, the manual permits this
  2. No, they must always be separate
  3. Only if there is no service brake
Show the answer

Answer A: Yes, the manual permits this

Steering must be in a condition that allows safe and efficient control. A motorcycle needs independent front and rear braking systems in working order. Light and heavy vehicles require working service, parking and emergency braking; the emergency and parking brake may be the same mechanism. The manual specifies a maximum turning radius of 13.1 metres.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

4 What maximum turning radius is specified in the manual?

  1. 50 metres
  2. 13.1 metres
  3. 30 metres
Show the answer

Answer B: 13.1 metres

Steering must be in a condition that allows safe and efficient control. A motorcycle needs independent front and rear braking systems in working order. Light and heavy vehicles require working service, parking and emergency braking; the emergency and parking brake may be the same mechanism. The manual specifies a maximum turning radius of 13.1 metres.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Vehicle controls

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 23–24, sections 6.12–6.14; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.