South African
Learner Driver Manual
Section 3
SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
COMPILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Department of Transport
Forum Building
157 Struben Street
Pretoria
0001
www.transport.gov.za
Tel: +27 12 309 3000
Disclaimer:
This manual is the property of the Department of Transport and may not be copied and distributed
for any financial gain.
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
3. VEHICLE COMPONENTS AND
CONTROLS MANUAL
1 General
The aim of this document is to familiarise a learner driver with the major visual components of a
motor vehicle or motor cycle. The intention is also to assist the learner driver to identify the controls
that needs to be used in conjunction to complete a certain manoeuvre or action.
The controls/components of the following vehicles are covered in this guide.
• Motor cycles (Electric Scooter and motor cycle)
• Light motor vehicles (Manual and automatic gear box)
• Heavy Motor Vehicle (Manual and automatic gear box)
1.1 Components and controls of a Motor cycle
Front
mudguard
Service
brake
Exhaust system Foot rest/peg
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
Seat
Fuel tank
Rear mudguard
Gear lever Engine
Mirror
Mirror
Front brake
Clutch
Handlebar
Throttle grip
Speedometer
meter
Ignition
Starter button
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
Rear wheel
Silencer
Front foot
Gear lever peg
Headlamp
Rear wheel
Rear wheel
Shock Absorber
Front wheel
Front mudguard
Front wheel
Shock absorber
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
Mudguard
Rear lamp
Rear Lamp
Rear tyre
Exhaust
1.2 Identification of Controls
Component Number Description of Component
1 Gear lever
2 Clutch
3 Left and right rear view mirrors
4 Front Brake
5 Throttle
6 Indicator light switch
7 Rear brake (operated by foot)
8 Handle bars
9 Fuel tank
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
1.3 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
QUESTION ANSWER
To regulate the fuel supply to the engine you will make use of the 5
In the case of a motorcycle the lever that applies the front brake and activates
the stop lamp is … 4
On a motorcycle the lever that applies the rear brake is ... 7
The following controls are used in combination to bring the motorcycle to a Front and rear
complete standstill. () . brakes no 4 and 7
The following control is used to increase or decrease the speed of a
motorcycle 5
The following controls are used to control the speed of a motorcycle. 4+5+7
The switch to activate indicator signals and thereby to communicate your
intentions, is ... 6
The twist grip that controls the engine speed, is ... 5
The following controls are used to change gears... 1 and 2
The following control is used to indicate that you are going to turn ... 6
To ride faster, you must use control… 5
To stop, you must use the following controls ... 4 and 7
In order to turn the motor cycle, you must use control ... 8
When controls 4 and 7 are used, the distance it takes you to stop your motor
cycle is …
(i) longer on a wet road than on a dry road.
(ii) longer if you ride at a higher speed.
(iii) longer if carrying a passenger. All of the options
are correct
SELECT THE CORRECT COMBINATION
Which control is used by the rider of a motorcycle to monitor the traffic
situation to the rear of the motorcycle? 3
Which control is used to disengage the engine from the gearbox? 2
Which control is used to check traffic to the rear? 3
Which control is used when the rider of a motorcycle wants to signal his
intention to steer to the left? 6
Which controls must be used in combination immediately before coming to a
standstill? 2 , 4 and 7
In order to negotiate a sharp turn in the road the following controls must be
used… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
Which lever is used to change the gears? 1
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
2 Components and Controls of a Light Motor vehicle
2.1 Light Motor Vehicle - Manual gearbox
Steering
gear
Speedo
Wiper lever Indicator
lever
Horn
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
2.2 Identification of Controls
Component Number Description of Component
1 Centre rear view mirror
2 Window wiper
3 Left and right rear view mirrors
4 Steering wheel
5 Indicator light switch
6 Gear level
7 Hand brake
Note that some vehicle might have the hand brake as a foot operated
control (e.g. Mercedes-Benz)
8 Clutch
9 Brake
10 Accelerator
11 Horn
2.3 Light Motor Vehicle - Automatic Gearbox
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2.4 Light motor vehicle manual gearbox
2.5 Identification of Controls
Component No Description of Component
1 Centre rear view mirror
Note: The driver must always first check the mirrors to be aware of the traffic
situation behind him or her. This will assist the driver to avoid possible unsafe
situations.
2 Window wiper
3 Left and right rear view mirrors
4 Steering wheel
5 Indicator light switch
6 Gear lever– Note: The gear lever for an automatic vehicle operates differently
from a manual gear box system.
7 Parking brake-Note: that some vehicles might have the parking brake as a foot
operated control (e.g. Mercedes-Benz)
8 Automatic vehicles do not have a clutch control.
9 Brake
10 Accelerator
11 Horn
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2.6 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
QUESTION ANSWER
Which control is not found in an automatic vehicle? 8
Which control would you use to look what is on the right hand rear-side of your
vehicle? 3
The following control is used to accelerate your vehicle… 10
What control is used to ensure that your parked vehicle does not move… 7
In order to change a gear, you must use control/s … 6 and 8.
To stop your vehicle you must use number … 9
When braking the distance it takes the driver of a motor vehicle to stop is …
(i) longer on a wet road than on a dry road. All of the options
(ii) longer if the vehicle is travelling at a higher speed. are correct
(iii) longer if the vehicle is loaded.
SELECT THE CORRECT COMBINATION
The control that assists the driver when engaging or disengaging a gear is? 8
The speed of the vehicle can be increased by control? 10
Which control is used before applying the brake in order to slow down or stop. 1
Which control is used before changing direction of a vehicle? 5
Which control is used before changing the speed of the vehicle? 1
Which control is used to advise other road users of your intention to steer to the
left or right, or to turn to the left or right. 5
The following control is used to alert other road users in order to avoid a
collision? 11
Which control is used to avoid the vehicle stalling just before coming to a
complete standstill? 8
In order to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill, what control is used? 9
Which control is used to change the direction of the vehicle? 4
Which control is used to clean the front windscreen of the vehicle? 2
Which control is used to decrease speed or stop? 9
Which control is used to keep the vehicle stationary after parking? 7
Which control is used to see what is to the rear of the vehicle? 1
Which control is used to select a gear? 6
The control used to steer the vehicle to the left or right is? 4
The following control is used to turn… 4
When driving in the rain the following control is used… 2
Which control is used when parking and leaving a vehicle unattended? 7
The control that must be used to ensure the vehicle remains stationary is? 7
Which control(s) is used to stop the vehicle in an emergency? 9
Which control(s) is/are used to see what is to the rear and sides of the vehicle? 1 and 3
Which control(s) is/are used when changing from one gear to another? 8 and 6
1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and
Which controls must you use when there is a sharp turn in the road? 10 only
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
2.7 Heavy Motor Vehicle - Manual gearbox
2.8 Identification of Controls
Component No Description of Component
1 Centre rear view mirror
2 Window wiper
3 Left and right rear view mirrors
4 Steering wheel
5 Indicator light switch
6 Gear level – Note: The gear level for an automatic vehicle operates
differently from a manual gear box system.
7 Hand brake
8 Clutch control.
9 Brake
10 Accelerator
11 Horn
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
Speedometer
Steering
gear
Indicator
lever
Horn
Wiper lever
2.9 Heavy motor vehicles manual gearbox
Brake
Clutch
Accelerator
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
Steering
gear
Indicator
lever
Horn
Wiper lever
2.10 Heavy motor vehicle automatic gearbox
Brake
Accelerator
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SA Learner Driver Manual Vehicle Components and Controls
2.11 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
QUESTION ANSWER
Control no 8 is used to ... change gears.
Control no. 1 is the ... rearview mirror (interior).
Control no. 2 is the ... windscreen wipers.
Control no. 4 is the ... steering wheel.
Control no. 5 is the ... direction indicator.
Control no. 6 is the ... gear lever.
The following control assists the driver when changing gears: 8
The following control is used to change the direction of the
vehicle: 4
The following control is used to keep a parked vehicle stationary: 7
The following control is used to select the appropriate gear of the
vehicle: 6
The following is a foot control 9
The following is not a hand control 10
The following is used to indicate the intention to change direction: 5
The following is used to monitor traffic: 3
To accelerate your vehicle, you must use number ... 10
To bring a vehicle to a complete standstill control no. ____ is used 9
To bring the speed down or stop the vehicle completely the
following control is used: 9
To ensure that your parked vehicle does not move, use number ... 7
To increase and decrease the speed of the vehicle, the following
control is used: 10
To indicate that you are going to turn you must use number ... 5
To keep the windscreen clear during rainy conditions, the following
is used ... 2
To monitor traffic to the rear the following is used ... 3
To select a gear, you must use numbers ... 6 and 8
To stop your vehicle, you must use number ... 9
To turn your vehicle, number ... is used. 4
When control number 9 is used, the distance it takes the driver of a
motor vehicle to stop it is ...
(i) longer on a wet road than on a dry road.
(ii) longer if the vehicle is travelling at a higher speed.
(iii) longer if the vehicle is loaded.
SELECT THE CORRECT COMBINATION All of the above are correct
When intending to change direction the following controls are
used: 1+3+5
When you stop on a steep incline and want to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards, you use control(s) no. ________ 7
Which controls must you use when there is a sharp turn in the
road? 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 only
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