Vehicle Controls, Pre-Drive Checks and Basic Maintenance
This domain tests your control of the vehicle and whether you would catch a fault before it strands you or causes a crash. Examiners look for smooth, planned inputs and a driver who checks the car rather than assuming it is fine.
Controls
You must know the steering, clutch, footbrake, accelerator, gear lever, parking (hand) brake, indicators, horn, lights and wipers without looking. Use the cockpit drill before moving: doors closed, seat and mirrors set, seat belt on, gear in neutral, brake pressed before starting. Brake progressively, never coast in neutral, and press the clutch fully before stopping.
Daily pre-drive checks
Walk around the vehicle: tyres for pressure, cuts, bulges and tread; lights and indicators working; number plate clean; windscreen and mirrors clear; no leaks under the car; nothing or nobody behind before reversing; load secured. Under the bonnet when cold: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, screen wash. In the cab: warning lights go out after starting, fuel level, horn.
Tyres
Check pressure when cold against the vehicle's placard, not after a long run when tyres read high. A widely used legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Replace damaged or unevenly worn tyres. Keep the spare, jack and wheel brace serviceable.
Reading warning lights
- Oil pressure (oil can): stop safely and check the level; continuing ruins the engine.
- Battery/charging: a belt or alternator fault.
- Coolant temperature: stop and let the engine cool before opening the cap.
- Brake warning: handbrake still on, low fluid, or a fault.
Breakdown procedure
Pull as far off the carriageway as you can, hazard lights on, warning triangle placed behind the vehicle where carried, passengers out and away from traffic, then call for help. Do not stand in the road flagging down vehicles.
Worked example
The oil-pressure light flickers on at speed. Reasoning: low oil pressure can destroy an engine within minutes. Stop in a safe place, switch off, wait, then check the dipstick. If the level is low, top up and look for the leak; if the light stays on after restarting, do not drive.
Traps that cost marks
- Checking tyre pressure after a long run.
- Opening a hot radiator cap.
- Ignoring a warning light because the car "seems fine".
- Driving with an insecure load or mirrors you never adjusted.