Vehicle Safety Checks
(Show me.. Tell me.. Questions and How to Answer)
The Driving Test includes questions on basic maintenance and safety checks of your vehicle. You will be asked two questions, one ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded
If you choose to carry out these tasks, be sure you know what you are doing and exercise due care. I cannot be responsible for the consequences to unqualified or inexperienced persons who undertake them unsupervised
Oil and Water
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Note - Do this on flat ground. If you are parked on a slope or on uneven ground the oil will run to one side and you will not get a true reading.
- Open the bonnet.
- Locate the dipstick.
- Withdraw it, wipe it with a clean cloth or tissue.
- Replace it fully and remove it again, and observe the oil level, which must be between the Max and Min marks.
- Replace the dipstick. If oil is needed add it through the oil filler on top of the engine. It takes one litre of oil to replenish the sump from the minimum to the maximum mark.
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the screen washer fluid level and tell me how you would check that the system has sufficient water.
- Locate the washer water bottle and note that there is a reasonable level of fluid.
- You would fill it as necessary with water and proper screen washer fluid.
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient coolant.
Note - Do this when the engine is cold. If you take the top off the reservoir when the engine is hot the coolant may boil over and scald you.
- Locate the coolant reservoir, and note that the liquid level is between the Max and Min marks.
- If necessary, and when the engine is cold, top up with a water/antifreeze mixture.
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check hydraulic (brake) fluid level level and tell me how you would check that the system has sufficient fluid.
- Locate the hydraulic fluid reservoir.
- Observe that the fluid level is between the Max and Min marks.
- If the level is falling, the fluid must be going somewhere. Oil in the brakes can be dangerous! Therefore, you would take the car to a garage to have the level replenished and the leak found and rectified.
Brakes and Steering
Show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
- Sitting in the drivers seat with the engine off, turn the wheel gently from side to side and note that there is no free play.
- At the same time, notice that the steering is very stiff - no power assistance!.
- Start the engine (with the usual precautions!) and note that the steering is easier now - Power Assisted Steering working!.
Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
- Sitting in the driver's seat, hold the footbrake on firmly.
- Release the handbrake, and ensure that there is good resistance when you pull it back on and that the lever does not reach the end of its travel.
- Release the handbrake again, then pull it on slowly without pressing the button. If there are more clicks than there used to be, the brake may need adjusting.
Note - you might also take the car to a steep hill and check that the brake holds the car securely pointing both uphill and downhill.
Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
- Sit in the driver's seat and press the pedal hard. If you can press it to the floor you have a dangerous fault. Also, it should offer firm resistance, not spongy or slack.
- Pump the brake pedal three or four times and note that it gets stiffer. Keeping your foot on the pedal, start the engine (usual precautions!) and feel the pedal "sink" - the power-assistance is working.
- Driving the car slowly on a quiet level road, and holding the steering lightly, apply the brakes and feel if the car pulls to one side. Listen for any strange or unusual noises. Either of these might indicate worn brake pads, oil or water on the brakes or other faults.
Lights and Electrical
Show me how you would check that the horn is working.
Note - It is illegal to sound the horn of a stationary vehicle on the road, so do this on private land.
- Switch on the ignition. (Only necessary on some cars.).
- Press the horn button briefly hearing that it works.
- Switch off the ignition.
Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
- Switch on the hazard lights and walk round to confirm that they work - front, rear and side repeaters, six lights altogether.
- Switch off the hazard lights.
To check only the indicator bulbs (not the switch and circuit), and for the Driving Test, this check alone is sufficient. But you might, instead:
- Switch on the ignition, switch on the left indicators and walk to the front, side and back of the car to confirm that they work.
- Switch on the right indicators and walk to the front, side and back of the car to confirm that they work.
- Don't forget to switch off the indicators and ignition!.
Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working.
EITHER
- Switch on the ignition, press the brake and ask someone to tell you if they are working - all three!.
- Don't forget to switch off!.
OR
- Look for yourself that your brake lights work, reflected in (say) a shop window, or when parked in front of a wall, garage door or other vehicle at night.
Show me me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
- Switch on the side/tail lights, and walk round the car to confirm that they work.
- Switch on the headlights, and walk to the front of the car to confirm that they work.
- Switch to main beam, and walk to the front of the car to confirm that they work.
- Don't forget to switch off!.
Tyres
Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
- The correct pressures are listed in the vehicle Owner's Manual.
- Check all four wheels and the spare as follows:.
- Unscrew the tyre valve cap and check the pressure with a reliable gauge. Garage airlines may not be reliable!
- If necessary, you would correct the pressure with a foot pump or using a garage airline.
- Don't forget to replace the valve cap!.
Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
- Visually examine each tyre in turn, including the spare, to see that.
- There are no cuts or bulges in the tread or tyre wall.
- There is tread all the way round and at least three quarters of the way across.
- The tread is at least 1.6mm deep.
Opening the bonnet
- Inside the car, pull the bonnet release lever at the left hand side of the passenger footwell. (In my car - often on right.).
- Feeling under the bonnet edge, press the safety catch and raise the bonnet.
- Unclip the bonnet prop from its place at the side of the engine compartment and clip it into its slot in the bonnet lid.
- When you close the bonnet, ensure the lid is secure.