You are driving a laden motor vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox. On a steep descent your speed is steadily increasing even though the permanent brake is activated. What should you do?

Your answer is correct because when driving a heavily loaded vehicle with a manual gearbox on a steep descent, relying only on the permanent brake (such as an engine brake or retarder) may not be enough to control speed. According to German traffic rules, you should use the service brake (foot brake) and simultaneously select a lower gear. Shifting to a lower gear increases engine braking, which helps slow the vehicle more effectively without overheating the brakes. Selecting a higher gear would reduce engine braking, making the descent less controlled, and deactivating the permanent brake is unsafe because it removes an important means of controlling speed. Combining service braking with a lower gear is the safest and most effective method in such situations.