What is the correct function of the right foot in driving?
Andrew Ramirez
Published Mar 01, 2026
NRMA driver training recommends the right foot be used for one task at a time. When accelerating the right foot is used on the accelerator pedal and when braking the right foot is used on the braking pedal. The left foot is placed on the foot position provided in the foot well of the driver compartment.
Is it safe to brake with left foot?
Abrupt weight transfer can upset the car’s balance, but left-foot braking allows for overlap of pedal applications, helping to smooth that out. As with any driving technique, left-foot braking takes practice, so it’s probably not a good idea to try it on public roads unless you have it down pat.
Can you drive an automatic car with one leg?
As with any illness, medical condition or disability that may affect your ability to drive, you must inform the DVLA if you’ve had a limb amputated. You might be issued with a licence to drive an automatic vehicle or a car with specialist controls (which will be coded on your licence.
Which foot to brake in an automatic car?
left foot
One of the most crucial mistakes many automatic car owners make is to use both the left and right leg to drive the vehicle. Automatic cars are fitted with only two pedals which include the brakes and the accelerator. While driving, people tend to use their right foot to accelerate while left foot to brake.
Is it bad to drive with two feet?
The most often-cited reason that drivers of automatic cars should still use one foot is the idea that, if you use both feet and accidentally step on both pedals at once, you can do serious damage to your car — specifically, putting strain on the torque converter, transmission fluid, and brake fluid.
Which foot is the gas pedal?
right foot
The pedal on the far right is the accelerator or ‘the gas’ and you should always use your right foot for this one. Your accelerator does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s what you use to make your car accelerate. The more you press down on the accelerator, the faster the engine runs and the faster your car goes.
Why don’t we break with your left foot?
The prohibition against using your left foot for the brake originally came from the fact that all cars had manual transmissions — so the left foot was needed for the clutch. These brake override systems automatically detect if both pedals are pressed down, and cut power to the engine if they are.
Is left-foot braking a good idea?
If the driver does not want to lift off the throttle, potentially causing trailing-throttle oversteer, left-foot braking can induce a mild oversteer situation, and help the car “tuck”, or turn-in better. In rallying left-foot braking is very beneficial, especially to front-wheel drive vehicles.
Is automatic car good for long drive?
The gearbox in an automatic vehicle is designed to shift gears, while your brakes are designed to stop the vehicle. If you want your car to last long as long as possible, then never launch your vehicle. It will only put a lot of strain and stress on the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive without shoes on?
The answer is NO. Many Californians believe that if you drive barefoot you are committing an offense. In fact, they are under the misapprehension that it is illegal when in truth, there are no federal or even state laws that prohibit you from driving a car without shoes on your feet.
Is it possible to drive with your left foot?
I always tell them, “there is no law that says you cannot drive with your left foot,” but I warn them their break reaction time is increased with these devices, and until trained, brake time is also increased with left foot driving. We have known this data for a while now. I don’t tell my patients to use the broken limb.
Can a person with a right foot disability drive a car?
A driver of the same car without a right foot disability would flip the pedal down to the right and use the right foot on the accelerator pedal. Specialised Vehicle Options can fit this device to your car.
Can a diabled driver use the right foot on the accelerator?
It is fitted to an automatic car and allows a right foot diabled driver to flip the pedal down to the left of the foot brake and use it with the left foot. A driver of the same car without a right foot disability would flip the pedal down to the right and use the right foot on the accelerator pedal.
Can a person drive with a broken foot?
If you take anything away from this article, your Elmhurst podiatrists want it to be this: whenever you are driving with a painful injury like a broken foot or ankle, even if you are doing so after your cast has been removed, you must always be aware of your mental acuity.