45.11. In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, is it necessary to press the brake pedal to shift the vehicle out of the P position?
UAНа автомобілі з автоматичною коробкою передач щоб зняти автомобіль з позиції P необхідно натиснути педаль гальма:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the basic skills of safe vehicle operation before starting to move and while parking. In the context of traffic regulations, it is important not only to know the signs or priorities, but also to correctly perform actions with the vehicle controls to prevent unintentional movement of the car, especially on an incline or decline. Specifically, controlling the vehicle with the brake when changing the automatic transmission mode directly affects the safety of the driver, passengers, and pedestrians.
The question tests sections of the Traffic Rules related to starting movement and ensuring safety (in particular, requirements such as paragraph 10.1), as well as the general obligation of the driver to prevent the unintentional movement of the vehicle during stops and parking (the logic of paragraph 15.12). In practice, most vehicles with automatic transmissions implement shift-lock blocking: the selector cannot be moved from the parking mode without pressing the brake pedal. This is done to prevent the vehicle from rolling or making a sudden jerk immediately after releasing the lock.
The answer option stating that it is impossible to shift from parking without pressing the brake reflects the actual design requirement of most automatic transmissions and the correct safe procedure for the theoretical exam. The alternative option, which suggests that it is "enough just to switch," ignores the safety system and contradicts the logic of a safe start: without holding the car with the brake on a slope, uncontrolled rolling is possible. Therefore, knowing this rule is useful not only for passing the exam but also for daily practice, especially when parking and starting in city traffic.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Brief explanation of application: shifting the automatic transmission selector from the "P" position is an action that directly precedes the start of movement/possibility of movement, so the driver must maintain control of the vehicle (in particular, holding it with the brake) to prevent unintentional rolling or jerking.
Clause 15.12
When stopping and parking on descents and ascents, the driver must take measures to prevent the vehicle from moving unintentionally.
Brief explanation of application: the "P" mode in an automatic transmission is used as an element to secure the vehicle while parked; when exiting "P," the driver must prevent unintentional movement (hold the car with the brake), which is consistent with the general traffic rule requirement to prevent unintentional rolling.
Clause 2.3 (b)
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle while on the road.
Brief explanation of application: correct actions with the controls (in particular, the brake pedal when shifting the automatic transmission selector from "P") are part of safe and attentive vehicle operation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes, it is impossible to shift without pressing the brake pedal," given that according to the definition of the traffic rules, the driver must ensure safety and prevent unintentional movement of the vehicle before actions that precede the start of movement, and in vehicles with automatic transmissions, this is technically implemented by blocking the exit from "P" without pressing the brake pedal.
In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, the P (Parking) position is used when the car is parked. In this mode, the transmission mechanically locks the gearbox elements to prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally, especially on an incline. Therefore, exiting the P position can potentially cause the car to move immediately if it is under load or on an uneven surface.
To prevent sudden rolling, most vehicles with automatic transmissions have a selector lock (the so-called shift-lock): shifting from P to any driving mode is only allowed when the driver is holding the service brake. This aligns with the general traffic rules requirement regarding safety: the driver must start moving and perform maneuvers only after making sure it is safe, and must not allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. Pressing the brake pedal ensures control over the vehicle at the moment the parking mode lock is released.
Practical example: the car has stopped and is in the P position near the curb or on a slight slope. If you try to move the selector out of P without pressing the brake pedal, the system will not allow it. If such an option existed, the car could immediately start rolling, creating a risk of collision or hitting something. That is why manufacturers require: brake first, then shift.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes, it is impossible to shift out of P without pressing the brake pedal," because in P mode the car is locked, and exiting this mode is structurally blocked until the brake is pressed, to prevent unintentional movement and ensure safety.