If a criminal has gained entry to your car, a pedal lock can make all the difference between your car being stolen or not.
However, they are not a solution for everyone, and many people opt for a steering wheel lock for reasons outlined below.
Pedal lock boxes can be difficult to install because doing so requires stooping down in the car’s pedal region. This makes it unlikely that you would make the effort of installing and uninstalling a pedal box locking mechanism for a small period of time – like going to grab some shopping or possibly stopping to get some lunch. Unfortunately, many cars and vans are stolen specifically during these brief parking periods.
Therefore, it makes sense to understand what a pedal lock box does, how effective they are and whether they’re right for you.
Table of Contents
What are pedal locks?
A pedal lock is a box that fits over your foot pedals preventing access to them. A pedal lock box makes it virtually impossible for that vehicle to be moved with the box in place.
They are popular with the trades who fit them to their vans and to site machinery like tractors, excavators and other desirable vehicles such as forklift trucks and small site machinery such as bulldozers and back-hoe loaders.
They are sometimes referred to as brake pedal lock boxes or clutch locks. This depends on the manufacturer but also some of these are a physical box that envelopes the pedals, others are a bar that joins two pedals together, i.e. the brake and clutch.
Other similar solutions connect the clutch pedal to the steering wheel via a secure bar, meaning the clutch can’t be depressed and the vehicle can’t be taken out of gear and put into neutral and easily rolled away.
How do you fit a pedal lock?
Pedal lock boxes are simple to fit. They all follow a similar method whereby the box is in two parts or hinged in the middle.
You unlock the device, locate it around the pedals then close the device and secure it in place.
It takes under 60-seconds to fit, although you’ll have to have good access to the pedals. This is fine for most vans as the driving area is raised and you don’t have to get down on your hands and knees. However with most cars, especially small cars and sports cars, access is that bit harder, meaning a pedal lock isn’t as attractive as a steering wheel lock when it comes to convenience and ease of use.
Sold Secure Pedal Locks
Sold Secure are an independent organisation that tests and certifies security products.
They do test pedal lock boxes and currently have two in their approved list. They are the:
While these do get a Sold Secure rating which is a clear sign that they’re designed well and hard to defeat, they are not, however, universal.
Mainly designed for van owners, they are available in fitments for popular models of Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Iveco, LDV, MAN, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota Vauxhall and Volkswagen.
Thatcham Approved pedal lock
Thatcham used to be THE name in car and motorcycle security in the 1990s and 2000s. However, they have since stopped testing a lot of ‘hard’ security, i.e. physical products that thieves have to remove.
They now focus on electronic security, such as immobilisers, alarms and trackers.
The only physical product they still test and certify are locking wheel nuts – i.e. the things that make it harder for thieves to remove your flashy alloy wheels.
Car Pedal Locking Boxes: Ben's Top Tips
Remember, car pedal locking boxes, while secure, are not a generic-fit item. You have to buy a box desiged to fit your car or van.
Most popular makes of van are covered but they aren't commonly made for cars. Instead, check out the options below which shows you how a more universal lock could be abetter option for you.
Universal Brake Locks – a better solution?
Using the same theory of a pedal blocking device, a brake lock stick prevents your clutch or brake pedal from being activated, meaning it’s impossible, or at the very least, incredibly hard for a thief to make off with your car.
These security devices are universal, meaning you can adjust the length of the stick to securely fit around your brake or clutch pedal and steering wheel.
While they’re not impossible to remove, a thief would require a power tool such as an angle grinder to remove it, which would take a lot of time and create a lot of smoke and sparks. If they were in an environment where there are no onlookers, i.e. a quiet industrial estate, they might take it on but in a residential area? No chance.
The Best Brake Pedal Lock
You used to be able to find pedal locks at high-street retailers such as Halfords and Argos but they only sell a range of car steering wheel locks now.
The same goes for Toolstation and Screwfix who now only sell a limited range of car security products.
You can obviously buy online, from generic retailers such as Amazon and eBay but there are specialist websites too, like Milenco who sell a decent range.
Below we’ve linked to one of the best brake pedal locks you can buy
A brilliant visual and physical barrier
This high-quality brake pedal lock from Milenco is easily fitted in seconds and adjustable to suit any vehicle. It is resistant to bolt croppers and angle grinders, meaning a thief will likely not even bother once they spot it.
Combination Coded Pedal Lock – Bye bye keys!
If, like me, you don’t want to be messing around trying to locate keys, a pedal lock with a tumbler-lock might be a better solution.
That way you just have to enter the right code and you can remove and fit the device. No trying to remember which jacket you were last wearing or whether your partner has the keys!
You can check it out here – it gets top ratings!
Car Pedal Lock Box FAQ
How do you lock the brakes on a car?
Use a pedal locking stick, which attaches to the brake or clutch pedal and onto the steering wheel, preventing either from being moved.
What is the most stolen car in 2022?
The humble Ford Fiesta and flashy Range Rover top the list of the most stolen cars in 2022.
How can I prevent my car from being stolen?
A good visual deterrent like a brake pedal lock or a steering wheel lock will make thieves think twice and likely walk on to try and find an easier target.
What is the best car anti-theft device?
Anything that puts a physical barrier between the thief and your car is a great way to prevent theft. If you are worried about your car being stolen, a GPS tracker is a great way of being able to improve the chances of your car being recovered if it is stolen.
What is the number one most stolen car?
The Range Rover and Ford Fiesta have topped the UK’s most stolen car list for years.
What do car thieves look for?
All thieves operate in different ways. Some steal to order, prowling the streets looking for high-value performance cars, others are opportunists, taking anything they think they can get away with. In both cases, visual physical security, like a steering wheel lock, pedal lock or even a car wheel clamp will dramatically reduce the chances of your car being a target.
Sources
Thanks to the following website that helped us research and write this guide: