Questions and Answers

Driving Confidence Starts Here

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Building Safe Drivers for Life

1) Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil

Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator, describe checking of oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.

2) Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, two simple checks can be made:
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functional.

3) Open the bonnet. Identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

Identify high / low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to the correct level.

4) Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear. Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied, it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

5) Show me how you would check that the horn is working. (off road only).

Check is carried out by using the control (turn on ignition if necessary).

6) Open the bonnet. Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is, and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify reservoir, check level against high / low markings.

7) Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine).

8) 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).

Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (May need to switch ignition on, prompt not start engine).

9) Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.

Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).

10) Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include front and rear screens.

Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

11) 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.

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

12) 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.

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

1) Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

2) Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

3) Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working (no need to exit vehicle).

Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle. (As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights).

4) Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

The Manufacturer's guide. Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold. Don't forget a spare tyre. Remember to refit valve caps.

5) 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.

No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

6) Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

The centre of the head test should be in line with the centre of you head, this is approx in line with your eyes and ears.

7) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Useful Links

Sometimes it's hard to know where to go for all the important information on driving lessons so I thought it would be helpful to start of list of sites that I know are useful and that drivers could benefit from. So check out the list below - I'll keep adding to it so that you can find everything you need to know in one place so if you have any suggestions for sites, drop me a line and I'll add them on.

The Highway Code – tons more detail than in the old book
Practice your driving theory test – Practice the official driving theory test from the Driving
Book your theory test online
Book your practical driving test online – very handy. You'll need to have passed your theory test. You can book online between 6am and 11:40pm
Smart Learners - a really useful one-stop information centre all about learning to drive.

The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – Essential Skills
Driving and motorcycle tests, and learning to drive – government site with everything you need to know related to learning to drive.
Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) – Registers of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. This information helps us improve road safety, reduce vehicle related crime, support environmental initiatives and limit vehicle tax evasion.
Understanding Your Driving Test Results

'Show Me' Questions and Answers

Click on the question to reveal the answer

1) Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil

2) Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

3) Open the bonnet. Identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

4) Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear. Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

5) Show me how you would check that the horn is working. (off road only).

6) Open the bonnet. Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is, and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

7) Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

8) 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).

9) Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.

10) Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include front and rear screens.

11) 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.

12) 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.

'Tell Me' Questions and Answers

Click on the question to reveal the answer

1) Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

2) Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

3) Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working (no need to exit vehicle).

4) Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

5) 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.

6) Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

7) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Useful Links

Jen Owen School of Motoring – Your Journey to the Open Road Begins Now

Paisley ◈ Houston ◈ Elderslie ◈ Bridge of Weir
Johnstone ◈ Linwood

Questions and Answers

'Show Me' Questions and Answers

Click on the question to reveal the answer

1) Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil

2) Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

3) Open the bonnet. Identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

4) Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear. Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

5) Show me how you would check that the horn is working. (off road only).

6) Open the bonnet. Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is, and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

7) Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

8) 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).

9) Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.

10) Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include front and rear screens.

11) 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.

12) 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.

'Tell Me' Questions and Answers

Click on the question to reveal the answer

1) Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

2) Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

3) Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working (no need to exit vehicle).

4) Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

5) 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.

6) Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

7) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Useful Links

Jen Owen School of Motoring – Your Journey to the Open Road Begins Now

Paisley ◈ Houston ◈ Elderslie ◈ Bridge of Weir Johnstone ◈ Linwood

Paisley ◈ Houston ◈ Elderslie ◈ Bridge of Weir
Johnstone ◈ Linwood