Revision question · Braking systems

You're driving down a snow-covered hill. Why should you take care when using an independent endurance brake (retarder)?

Revision material from the imported DVSA bank includes source-checked Lanekind learning corrections. These corrections are not newly issued official examination questions, and practice does not reproduce a live test paper.

Answer options

Your brakes could overheat

Your speed could increase

Compressed air could escape

The drive wheels could lock

Show the answer

The drive wheels could lockThis was the right answer

Select an appropriate gear in good time and, if your vehicle has a dashboard-mounted lever, apply the endurance brake (retarder) in stages. Braking too much, too soon may result in locking your drive wheels.

Reviewed reading for this question

Respect the retarder’s low-grip restrictionReviewed guidance summary · An independent retarder can lock or slide the driven wheels on snow or other low-grip surfaces; the lesson retains vehicle-specific prohibitions rather than merely saying to pull the lever gently.

Loading the questions