The method comprises unlocking and opening a landing door (25) at a lowermost landing (L1) manually, activating a first stop button (P1) in the shaft (20), whereby a safety circuit (S1, S2) of the elevator is opened so that operation of the car (10) is completely prevented, entering into the shaft (20), closing the landing door (25), climbing down from the lowermost landing (L1) to the pit (22), turning a drive switch (SW1) in a maintenance control unit (100) positioned in the pit (22) into a maintenance drive mode, whereby the first stop button (P1) is by-passed so that the car (10) can be driven from the maintenance control unit (100) upwards and downwards in the shaft (20).

A method for testing an elevator hoisting machine brake with a preselected test load TL includes confirming empty elevator car positioned at a test location s.sub.test; obtaining information of elevator balancing B; obtaining information of friction F.sub.r of the elevator at the test location s.sub.test; determining required assisting test torque T.sub.M of a hoisting machine motor based on said test load TL, balancing B and friction F.sub.r; opening one of the brakes while keeping rest of the brakes engaged in braking position, applying torque with the motor at most up to the required test torque T.sub.M, measuring movement of the elevator car, and if movement of the elevator car was detected, generating a signal indicating degraded condition of one or more hoisting machine brakes.