At the beginning of your practical driving test you will be asked 2 questions regarding the maintenance of your car.
- Q. 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.
- A. Open the bonnet, identify the dipstick and explain how, when the engine is cold you would remove the dipstick, clean it then put it in again, remove it and check that the oil level is between maximum and minimum.
- Q. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient coolant.
- A. Open the bonnet, identify the coolant and describe how to check the coolant against the maximum and minimum markers.
- Open the bonnet, identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check that there is sufficient water in it.
- A. Open the bonnet, identify where the windscreen washer bottle is and explain that it should be topped up regularly.
- Q. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the brake fluid level and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
- A. Open the bonnet, identify the brake fluid reservoir and describe how to check the level against the maximum and minimum markers.
- Q. Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before the start of a journey.
- The steering would feel heavy and hard to turn.
- Q. Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear?
- Demonstrate that when the handbrake is fully applied it secures itself, and that the travel is not excessive.
- Show me how you would check the horn is working.
- Turn key to first stage press horn and listen.
- Show me how you would check that the directional indicators are working.
- Turn key to second stage, put on indicators and look to see if they are working then put them on the other way and check.
- Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a collision.
- The middle of the head rest should be at the height of your ear.
- Q. Show me how you put on the fog lights and explain when you would use them.
- Turn on lights Pull switch out and look for the amber light. Explain that you would put them on when visibility is less than 100m.
- Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey?
- A. Explain that the pedal should not feel slack or spongy.
- Q. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car, please don’t start the engine
- A. Turn key to second stage, turn on the headlights and show the light on the dashboard then put on main beam show blue light.
- Tell me where you would find the recommended tyre pressure for this car and how would you check it?
- Look in the hand book. Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the tyres when they are cold.
- Q. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
- Explain that the thread depth should be 1.6mm and there should be no cuts or bulges.
- Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. I can assist you. If you need to switch the ignition on, please don’t start the engine.
- A. Press the brake pedal while the examiner checks the lights at back.
- Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
- A. The ABS warning light will be illuminated.
- Q. Show me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working?
- A. Turn key to second stage, turn on the headlights and walk around the car to check the lights are working
- Show me how you would use the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens?
- A. Show controls.
- Q. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers please. Please do not start engine.
- A. Turn key to second stage, pull wiper leaver towards steering wheel to wash windscreen.
Courtesy of Ann McKiver ADI