James School of Motoring

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Safety check questions for the car test

           The Examiner is going to ask you two questions at the beginning of  your practical test. Get one wrong or you don’t know will get you a minor fault get both wrong and you still will only get one fault. You can get  fifteen minor faults on test and still pass.

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 cars hand book in glove box, use pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold.

 

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 or bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the whole tyre tread including outer circumference.

Lights:

 

Show me how you would check the direction indicators or working?

Use hazard warning switch. Check all around the car to make sure.

 

Tell me how to check the headlights and taillights are working?

Explain how you would turn the lights on and that you would walk around the vehicle to check.

            

Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on your car?       

Turn on ignition, press brake pedal and then ask the examiner to check they are working or use  reflections against a window or something reflective.

 

Show me how you would switch on the rear fog lights and explain when would      you use them?

Turn on engine, dipped headlights and the fog lights, check warning light is on.

 

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 car.

Turn on ignition and the lights and check for the main beam warning light

Controls:

 

Show me how you would check the horn is working?

Check by pressing the button on steering wheel.

 

Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear?

Demonstrate by applying the hand brake that then fully applied it secures itself and it is not at the end of its working travel.

 

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

By applying pressure on the brake you should be able to feel the resistance of the brakes and should not feel spongy or slack.

 

Tell or show how you would check that the power steering is working before setting off?

When the engine is on the steering should feel easy and light to turn, or you can show by pulling wheel down using light pressure, start the ignition and you should feel the power steering engage.

 

Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system?

Explain that there should be a warning light if there is a fault.

 

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 head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as your eyes or the tops of your ears, and as close to the back of the head as comfortable.

 

Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers?

Turn on ignition and operate the controls to wash the window.

 

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

Set all relevant controls including: fan, temp, air direction and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows.

Bonnet questions:

 

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 and where to top it up.

Identify dipstick, explain that you should wipe stick with cloth, place back in and take out again look for max/min marks, cool/warm engine.

Show where the oil cap is.

 

Open 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 marks on expansion bottle.

 

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

Identify high/low marks on bottle.

 

Open bonnet and identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the level?

Identify reservoir and explain that you can see the level against the side of the bottle.

 

Show and Tell