Where is the parking brake in?
In most passenger cars today, the parking brake is found in one of three places: a hand lever between the front seats, a foot pedal in the driver’s left footwell, or an electronic switch on the center console or instrument panel. The exact location depends on the vehicle’s design and year.
For drivers, locating the parking brake quickly can be a matter of recognizing the three common configurations and knowing how to operate them safely. The rest of this guide breaks down where to look and how each type works in contemporary cars.
Common parking brake configurations
Below are the three most prevalent designs you’ll encounter, with clear indications of where to find them and how to use them.
Hand-operated (mechanical) parking brake
Identify and operate the classic lever-style brake found in many sedans and SUVs.
- Location: Between the two front seats, usually a small vertical lever that you pull upward to engage.
- Engaging the brake: Pull the lever up firmly until you feel it latch and a warning light may illuminate on the dash.
- Releasing the brake: Press or lift the release button on top of the lever while lowering it fully back into its housing.
Concluding note: This mechanical setup gives direct, tactile control and remains common on older models and some budget vehicles.
Foot-operated (floor-mounted) parking brake
Some older or budget models still use a foot pedal you press with your left foot.
- Location: A pedal located on the far left side of the driver’s footwell, separate from the brake and clutch pedals.
- Engaging the brake: Push the pedal down firmly until it latches in the engaged position (you may hear a click).
- Releasing the brake: Return the pedal to its resting position or use the built-in release mechanism as designed by the manufacturer.
Concluding note: Foot-operated brakes are increasingly rare in new vehicles but can still be found in some older or specialized models.
Electronic parking brake (EPB) / Auto Hold
Electric systems that replace a mechanical lever with a switch or button.
- Location: A small switch or knob on the center console, near the gear shifter, or a touch-sensitive control on the instrument panel or infotainment screen.
- Engaging the brake: Press or pull the EPB switch; in many cars you first apply the foot brake, then activate EPB.
- Releasing the brake: Press the EPB switch again or lightly press the brake pedal; in some models, you may need to accelerate slightly to release automatically.
- Additional features: Many EPB systems include Auto Hold, which keeps the car stationary at a stop and may auto-release when you press the accelerator.
Concluding note: EPB systems are common in newer vehicles and are designed to integrate with electronic stability control and other drive systems for convenience and safety.
What to do if you can’t locate it
If you’re unsure where the parking brake is in a specific vehicle, consult the owner’s manual, check the center console area, or ask a dealer or service professional. Look for a brake light on the dashboard as a quick indicator of engagement, and always confirm the brake is fully applied before exiting the vehicle.
Summary: The parking brake in today’s cars typically comes in three flavors—hand lever, foot pedal, or electronic switch. By recognizing the layout in your vehicle and understanding how to engage and release it, you can ensure a safer and smoother parking experience across different models.
Where is the parking brake located?
The parking brake is located in one of four places depending on your vehicle's make and model: a hand lever between the front seats, a foot pedal on the floor to the left of the driver's other pedals, a push button on the center console or dashboard, or a stick lever under the dashboard. Newer vehicles often feature electronic parking brakes, which are operated by a push button or switch.
This video explains how parking brakes work: 39sspeedkar99YouTube · Nov 4, 2019
- Hand lever: A lever located between the driver and front passenger seats, typically near the gear shifter. To release it, you usually press a button on the end of the lever and push it down.
- Foot pedal: A pedal on the floor to the left of the other pedals. To engage it, push it down with your left foot until it clicks. To release it, you may need to press the pedal down again or pull a separate release handle.
- Push button: Often found on the center console or on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. This is common on vehicles with electronic parking brakes (EPB).
- Stick lever: Found in older vehicles, this is a lever located under the instrument panel, near where you'd find the clutch pedal in a manual car.
Where can I find the parking brake?
The parking brake is located in one of four places: between the front seats as a center console lever, on the floor to the left of the driver's feet as a pedal, on the dashboard or center console as an electronic push-button, or, in older cars, as a stick lever under the instrument panel. To find it, look for a handle, pedal, or button labeled "Parking Brake" or similar, or consult your car's owner's manual.
This video shows the location and usage of an electric parking brake: 59sLincolnYouTube · Sep 20, 2024
Types and locations of parking brakes
- Center lever: A hand-operated lever located between the driver and passenger seats in the center console.
- Foot pedal: A pedal on the floor to the left of the gas and brake pedals.
- Electronic push-button: A button or switch found on the center console or dashboard, often near other controls.
- Stick lever: A pull-knob located under the instrument panel on many older vehicles.
This video demonstrates how to engage and disengage a handbrake lever: 49sScorpion MultimediaYouTube · Jul 23, 2025
Which is the parking brake in a car?
The most common placement of the parking brake is in the center console of the vehicle, in between the driver and front passenger seats. Operating the brake is performed by pulling the lever up (which is connected to a ratchet) until there is tension.
How do I turn on the parking brake?
To engage a parking brake, you must first stop the vehicle completely and then use one of the three common methods: pull a hand lever, press a foot pedal, or push an electronic button. The correct procedure is to press the main brake pedal, engage the parking brake, shift to "Park" (for automatic transmissions) or into gear (for manual transmissions), and then slowly release the main brake pedal.
This video demonstrates how to use a foot-pedal parking brake: 51sCarnivautoYouTube · Mar 27, 2025
Before you begin
- Ensure your car is at a complete stop.
- Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal.
Engaging the brake
- Engage the parking brake: Based on your vehicle, either pull up the hand lever, press down on the foot pedal until it clicks, or push the electronic "P" button on the console.
- Shift into park: Move the transmission into "Park" for an automatic or into first gear or reverse for a manual transmission.
- Release the brake pedal: Slowly lift your foot off the main brake pedal. The car should now be held in place by the parking brake and should not move.
Releasing the brake
- To release the parking brake when you're ready to drive, you will need to perform the steps in reverse order:
- Engage the main brake pedal again.
- Shift the transmission into the correct gear (Drive or Reverse).
- Release the parking brake by pulling the lever and pressing the button, pushing the pedal again, or pushing the button on the console.
