A control system for a vehicle having a drive system, the drive system having a forward drive mode, a reverse drive mode, and a neutral mode. The control system may include an operator control operable by the vehicle user to control whether the vehicle is in a drive mode or a neutral mode. The control system may be configured, based on whether the vehicle operator is actively controlling the operator control, to automatically engage/disengage a vehicle brake, detect operator presence or absence and provide neutral lockout for preventing starting of the vehicle engine.