A motor vehicle control system that includes a first user-operable transmission selector for selecting a transmission operating mode and a user-operable gear selector, such as paddle input controls. The gear selector is operable in a first functional mode to select between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios. The gear selector is also operable in a second functional mode to select between a forward direction and reverse direction. This allows a user to use the gear selector to control travel in forward and reverse directions.