A control system for a motor vehicle comprising a first user-operable transmission selector means for selecting a forward operating mode of a transmission corresponding to travel in a forward direction and a reverse operating mode of a transmission corresponding to travel in a reverse direction opposite the forward direction, the control system comprising: a user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) operable in a first configuration corresponding to a first functional mode to, upon receipt of a user input, select between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios, the control system configured to, when a first set of one or more predetermined conditions are met, enable operation in a second functional mode and to re-configure the user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) to, upon receipt of a user input, select between the forward operating mode and the reverse operating mode, and wherein if the vehicle is in the second functional mode and the transmission is in one of a predetermined set of one or more operating modes, the control system is configured to assume a standby condition when one or more of a second set of predetermined conditions are met, said second set of predetermined conditions comprising: receipt of a signal indicative of a driver request to exit the second functional mode whilst the vehicle is moving; the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined upper limit speed; the vehicle remains substantially stationary for longer than a predetermined time-out period; the user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) has not been operated for longer than a predetermined time-out period; wherein when the control system is in the standby condition, the control system is not operable to permit a change in selected transmission mode from a forward to a reverse operating mode, or from a reverse to a forward operating mode, in response to user manipulation of the user-operable gear selector. a user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) operable in a first configuration corresponding to a first functional mode to, upon receipt of a user input, select between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios, the control system configured to, when a first set of one or more predetermined conditions are met, enable operation in a second functional mode and to re-configure the user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) to, upon receipt of a user input, select between the forward operating mode and the reverse operating mode, and wherein if the vehicle is in the second functional mode and the transmission is in one of a predetermined set of one or more operating modes, the control system is configured to assume a standby condition when one or more of a second set of predetermined conditions are met, said second set of predetermined conditions comprising: receipt of a signal indicative of a driver request to exit the second functional mode whilst the vehicle is moving; the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined upper limit speed; the vehicle remains substantially stationary for longer than a predetermined time-out period; the user-operable gear selector (181P1, 181P2) has not been operated for longer than a predetermined time-out period; <EOS>