What is the difference between a Parking brake and Handbrake?
                     WHAT IS THE 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 
PARKING BRAKE AND 
HANDBRAKE?
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INTRODUCTION
This brake has different names: handbrake, 
parking brake, e-brake and emergency brake. 
From its names, you’d expect some radically 
different scenarios, but they do hint at its 
intended use if we go back far enough.
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HANDBRAKE
It’s often called a handbrake as it’s operated with 
the hand, as opposed to the foot brake. However, 
some are operated with a pedal on the far left of 
the driver’s footwell. 
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OPERATION
1. A lever between the driver and passenger seats 
– mechanical
2. A switch or push button (usually between the 
driver and passenger seats) – electronic
3. A handle under or next to the steering wheel – 
mechanical
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MECHANICAL 
HANDBRAKES
Mechanical handbrakes are in their twilight years, 
being phased out for electronic handbrakes that don’t 
create pointy, hard objects in the cabin and free up all-
important space near the left hand for (yet another) 
cup holder. Around 70% of new cars come with push-
button, electronically operated handbrakes – yet 
another electronic thing to go wrong.
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AUTOMATIC CAR
When you drive an automatic car, don’t 
confuse the handbrake with putting the 
gearbox in P for Park. While some new cars 
will automatically apply the handbrake if the 
gear lever is in P and the engine is switched 
off, it’s a different mechanism.
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MECHANISM
The brakes of the handbrake are applied to 
the rear wheels, whereas putting the 
gearbox in P locks the output shaft of the 
transmission by using a parking pawl to 
stop it rotating.
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WHEN PARKING?
If you have an automatic gearbox, apply 
the handbrake first, then put it in P. This 
ensures that the car’s weight isn’t resting 
on the parking pawl.
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MANUAL 
GEARBOX
If you have a manual gearbox, apply the 
handbrake then put the gearbox in neutral 
on flat ground, reverse if you are parked 
facing downhill, or first if you are parked 
facing uphill. 
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IN AN 
EMERGENCY
1. The handbrake is a weak brake – it’s not going to 
slow you down very quickly
2. The handbrake only works on the rear wheels. If it 
locks the wheels, you’ll skid and potentially lose 
control
3. In very cold weather, a handbrake can seize.
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WAITING AT AN 
INTERSECTION
1. While you’re waiting at an intersection, there 
are two reasons you’d use your handbrake
2. If you have your foot on the brake and 
someone hits you from behind, your foot will 
lift off the brake and you’ll hit the car in front; 
the handbrake will absorb some of the impact.
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