ISO 4040:2009通过将驾驶员可触及的空间细分为特定区域，规定了机动车辆中控制装置的位置，指定了对车辆安全运行至关重要的某些控制装置。它还规定了多功能控制的某些功能组合，以及某些指示器和信号装置的可见程度。 ISO 4040:2009适用于ISO 3833中定义的所有机动车辆（不包括摩托车和轻便摩托车）中的手动控制装置、指示器和信号装置。

ISO 4040:2009 specifies the location of controls in motor vehicles by subdividing the space within reach of drivers into specific zones, to which certain controls essential to the safe operation of vehicles are assigned. It also specifies certain combinations of functions for multifunction controls and the degree to which certain indicators and tell-tales are to be visible. ISO 4040:2009 is applicable to hand-operated controls, to indicators and to tell-tales in all motor vehicles, excluding motorcycles and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833.