Tell me questions - driving

1. Tell me how you’d 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

2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

• Info found in manufacturers guide

• Use a pressure gauge to check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold

• Don’t forget spare tyre

• Remember to refit valve caps

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

• Adjusted so the rigid part of restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears

• As close to back of head as comfortable

4. Tell me how you’d 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 central 3 quarters of breadth of the tyre and around entire outer circumference of tyre

5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

• Turn on ignition

• Operate the headlights switch

• Walk around the vehicle

6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

• ABS warning light will illuminate whilst driving

7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

• Turn on ignition

• Operate the indicators/hazard lights

• Walk around the vehicle

8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

• Operate brake pedal

• Make use of reflections in windows or doors

9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

• steering should feel light, not heavy

• 2 checks made before starting journey

• gentle pressure on steering wheel should result in slight movement

• Turning wheel after moving off will give indication

10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

• turn on ignition and switch dipped headlights on first

• check warning light is on screen

• use when visibility is less than 100 metres

11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

• Operate switch by pulling stick towards you

• Check warning light is on screen

12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

• Take dipstick out, clean it, dip back in, take it out again

• Check levels between maximum and minimum markers

13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

• identify high and low markings on header tank

• top up to correct level

14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

• identify brake fluid reservoir

• Check level against high and low markings