Read the diagram from the operator’s position
Read the heavy-vehicle diagrams from the driver’s seat. Compare the cab overview with the dashboard and pedal photographs. The large external mirrors, steering controls and pedals must be identified by their functions, not by copying the shape of a light-car dashboard.
Compare manual and automatic layouts
In the illustrated manual layout, the three pedals are clutch 8 on the left, brake 9 in the middle and accelerator 10 on the right. Gear lever 6 and parking brake 7 are separate controls. A pedal’s position is not its function: learn both.
The automatic layout has brake 9 and accelerator 10, but no clutch pedal 8. Its gear selector operates differently from a manual gear lever. Do not add a missing clutch to an automatic diagram simply because the control numbers continue from 7 to 9.
The heavy manual pedal photograph shows clutch, brake and accelerator; the automatic photograph shows only brake and accelerator. The retained manual does not teach air-brake pressure checks, retarders or an automatic-selector sequence. Those systems need their own vehicle-specific instruction.
The numbered controls and their functions
- 1 - Centre rear-view mirror: observe traffic behind through the interior mirror.
- 2 - Windscreen wiper: clears the front windscreen, including when rain reduces visibility.
- 3 - Exterior rear-view mirrors: observe traffic to the rear and sides; choose the right-hand mirror when checking the right rear side.
- 4 - Steering wheel: changes the direction of the vehicle.
- 5 - Indicator switch: communicates an intended left or right turn or change of direction.
- 6 - Gear lever or selector: selects the gear; a manual gear change also involves clutch 8.
- 7 - Parking brake: holds a parked vehicle stationary.
- 8 - Clutch: assists engagement or disengagement of a gear in a manual vehicle; it is absent from the automatic layout.
- 9 - Service brake: the foot control that reduces speed or brings the vehicle to a stop.
- 10 - Accelerator: the foot control that increases speed; it is not a hand control.
- 11 - Horn: warns other road users to help avoid a collision.
Changing gears and controlling speed
The heavy-vehicle sample identifies clutch 8 as assisting gear changes and pairs it with gear lever 6 when selecting another gear. It does not mean that the clutch alone selects a gear. Accelerator 10 is the separate foot control identified in the source for increasing or decreasing speed.
Stopping, parking and an incline
Service brake 9 slows or stops the heavy vehicle. Parking brake 7 keeps a parked vehicle from moving; the source also identifies 7 for preventing rollback when stopped on a steep incline. Do not replace that holding function with accelerator 10.
The source’s heavy-vehicle stopping-distance example identifies three increases: a wet road, higher speed and a loaded vehicle. All three apply. Recognising the correct brake does not mean the vehicle will stop in the same distance under every condition.
Observation, signalling and changing direction
For an intended direction change, the heavy-vehicle source explicitly groups centre mirror 1, exterior mirrors 3 and indicator 5. Observation and signalling are separate from steering with wheel 4. An indicator cannot establish that the path is clear.
For a sharp turn in the manual heavy vehicle, the source lists 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Unlike the light-vehicle sample list, it explicitly includes exterior mirrors 3. Learn the observation, steering, gear and speed-control functions rather than treating the list as simultaneous actions.
Visibility, instruments and warning other road users
The speedometer displays speed; the accelerator changes speed. The wiper lever operates the windscreen wipers; the indicator lever signals direction. The horn warns other road users. These controls can sit near the steering wheel without serving the same purpose.
Worked situations and recap
Example: the heavy vehicle has stopped on a steep incline and must not roll backwards. The source identifies parking brake 7 for that holding task. This is different from identifying brake 9 as the control that slowed the moving vehicle.
Example: you intend to change direction in a loaded heavy vehicle. Identify mirrors 1 and 3 and indicator 5 before distinguishing steering wheel 4 from the gear and speed controls. The load is also a reason to expect a longer stopping distance.
Recap: compare both heavy-vehicle pedal layouts; identify hand and foot controls; explain mirror-and-indicator combinations, manual gear changes, steering, stopping and holding on an incline. Do not assume every heavy vehicle has identical equipment.