Environmental awareness, fuel economy and courteous driving
What the exam tests
This domain tests eco-driving and road manners: how driving style affects fuel use, emissions and noise, and how courtesy prevents conflicts. The questions reward smooth, predictable driving and penalise aggressive habits that waste fuel and endanger others.
Eco-driving
- Accelerate smoothly and change up early; high revs waste fuel.
- Anticipate: lift off early for red lights and junctions instead of braking late.
- Keep a steady speed and use the highest safe gear.
- Check tyre pressures regularly; under-inflation increases rolling resistance.
- Remove unnecessary roof racks and weight.
- Avoid idling to warm the engine; drive gently instead.
- Use air conditioning sparingly, and keep the vehicle serviced.
A smooth driver can use 10–15% less fuel than an aggressive one on the same route. Maintenance matters too: a dirty air filter, worn spark plugs or misaligned wheels all raise consumption. Used oil, batteries and tyres must go to a proper disposal point - never into drains or bush.
Pollution and noise
Vehicle emissions include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates that harm health. Noise pollution comes from revving, unnecessary horns and defective exhausts. In built-up areas, use the horn only to warn of danger, not to express impatience. At night, dip headlights for oncoming traffic and avoid splashing pedestrians at puddles.
Courtesy
Give way when it costs you little, signal clearly, thank other drivers briefly, and do not retaliate against aggressive drivers. Leave space for buses and motorbikes, and do not block junctions or pedestrian crossings. Courteous driving reduces sudden braking and fuel waste as well as crash risk.
Worked example
Two drivers cover the same 20 km: one accelerates hard and brakes late, the other accelerates gently and anticipates lights. Reasoning: the smooth driver uses less fuel, brakes and tyres, and arrives almost as quickly. The aggressive style gains little time but raises consumption and crash risk.
Traps
Idling for long periods to warm the engine, coasting in neutral to save fuel, over-inflating tyres, and using the horn as a substitute for observation.