Pedals in a car — order, names and what each one does
Complete guide to car pedals — manual transmission (3 pedals: clutch, brake, gas) vs automatic (2 pedals: brake, gas). Where each pedal is, what it does and which foot to use.
Pedals in a car — where they are and what they do
Pedals are the primary controls between you and the engine, brakes and clutch. Their layout depends on the transmission type — a manual car has three pedals, an automatic only two. Knowing the location and function of each pedal is the very first thing you learn in driving school, because pressing the wrong pedal is the most common beginner mistake.
Below you will find both layouts in detail with real-world photos, plus tips on which foot to use, how heavy the pedals feel, and what happens when you press them.
Manual gearbox — 3 pedals
Where the clutch, brake and gas pedal are, what each one does and which foot to use.
Pedal order left to right: clutch · brake · gas
A standard manual car has three pedals. From the driver's perspective, looking down at the footwell, you see — from left to right — the clutch (largest, leftmost), the brake (middle, slightly smaller) and the accelerator (rightmost, narrowest).
Clutch (left)
- Largest pedal, leftmost position
- Pressed with LEFT foot only
- Disconnects engine from wheels for gear shifting
- Press fully to start engine, before shifting and to stop
Brake (middle)
- Middle pedal, slightly smaller than clutch
- Pressed with RIGHT foot
- Slows down or stops the car
- Press progressively — sudden braking unsettles passengers
Gas (right)
- Narrowest pedal, rightmost position
- Pressed with RIGHT foot
- Adds fuel to engine — accelerates the car
- Press smoothly with the ball of your foot, not the heel
Automatic gearbox — 2 pedals
No clutch — automatic transmission shifts gears itself. You operate just brake and gas.
Pedal order left to right: brake · gas
Automatic cars don't need a clutch — the transmission shifts gears itself. So you have only two pedals: a wider brake on the left (often as wide as the clutch + brake combined in a manual) and a narrow gas pedal on the right. Both are operated with the right foot only; the left foot rests on a footrest plate next to the clutch position.
Brake (wide, left)
- Wider than in a manual — easier to find with foot
- Pressed with RIGHT foot
- Holds the car at stops (in D position)
- Required to shift from P to D or R
Gas (right)
- Narrowest pedal, rightmost position
- Pressed with RIGHT foot (same as brake)
- Press = accelerate, release = engine braking
- Smooth press = comfortable ride, abrupt press = downshift
No clutch!
- Where the clutch would be — a footrest plate (mrtvé pedál)
- Left foot rests there — DO NOT use it for braking
- Beginners sometimes step on brake with left foot — wrong technique
- Driving school test on automatic = Code 78 on licence
Frequent questions about car pedals
Where are the clutch, brake and gas pedals in a car?
All three pedals are in the footwell under the steering wheel. In a manual car, from left to right: clutch, brake, gas. In an automatic: just brake (left, wider) and gas (right, narrow).
Which foot do I use for which pedal?
In a manual: LEFT foot only for the clutch, RIGHT foot alternating between brake and gas. In an automatic: RIGHT foot only for both pedals; left foot rests on the footrest.
Why does an automatic have no clutch?
An automatic transmission shifts gears by itself using a torque converter or dual-clutch system — no driver input needed. The clutch action is automated, so the third pedal is removed.
Is the pedal order the same in all cars?
Yes — in 99% of cars worldwide, the order from left to right is clutch (if manual), brake, gas. The only exception is some very old vehicles or special-purpose vehicles, but you will not encounter them in normal driving.