Foot pedal exerts a force on the hydraulic ("brake") fluid that is transmitted to the brake disk or drum on the wheel.

Disk and drum service brakes use friction to slow the wheels.   A drum brake (B) has a metal case in which are located two curved brake shoes made of fiberglass or other nonmetallic materials.   When the driver presses the foot pedal the shoes expand outward to contact the case to produce braking.   A disk brake (A) has a metal rotor (disc).   The foot pedal forces flat pads against both sides of the rotor to produce braking.   Usually, disk brakes are used on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels, but either type can be used at the front or rear.

Parking brakes are mechanical brakes operated by a hand lever or a foot pedal.   They are used in an emergency when the hydraulic service brakes do not work.   These brakes operate on the rear wheels only.