A quick, reassuring way to find the brake in a typical car—and check the controls before you move.
The short answer
In a typical automatic, the brake is the left of the two driving pedals. In a typical manual, it’s the middle pedal, between the clutch and accelerator.
If you’re wondering “which is the brake pedal?” or “which ones the brake in a car?”, start with the diagrams below—then check the actual vehicle while it is safely parked.
Foot brake or parking brake?
The pedal in the diagrams is the foot brake: the control you press with your foot to slow or stop the car while driving. The parking brake is a separate control used to help secure a vehicle when it is parked. It may be a lever, a switch, or—in some vehicles—a separate foot-operated control.
Foot brake
The regular brake pedal used to slow or stop the car.
Parking brake
A separate control for securing a parked vehicle. Its location varies.
What if your car looks different?
Pedal shapes and positions can vary, and some vehicles have unusual or adapted driving controls. Do not assume a control is the brake just because it resembles a diagram. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual and ask a qualified driving instructor or someone familiar with that vehicle to show you the controls before driving.
Take your time. If you cannot confidently identify the brake, do not move the vehicle. It is always okay to pause and ask.
