What pedal must a driver depress in a manual transmission vehicle to start the ignition?

In a manual transmission vehicle, the clutch pedal must be depressed to start the ignition. This is because the clutch is responsible for disengaging the engine from the wheels, allowing the engine to turn freely without engaging the transmission. Depressing the clutch pedal signals to the vehicle’s electronic systems that the driver is ready to start the engine safely. This mechanism prevents the vehicle from lurching forward when the ignition is engaged, which can happen if it is started in gear.

While the brake pedal is also important in certain automatic or manual transmission vehicles for safety during starting or while parked, it is not a requirement specifically for starting the ignition in manual transmissions. The ignition and start pedals mentioned do not exist as distinct controls in standard vehicles. Therefore, the correct action is to depress the clutch pedal to ensure the vehicle starts safely without the potential for unintended movement.