Vehicle safety, lights and equipment
This domain examines whether you can tell, before you move, that the vehicle is fit to be on the road, and whether you use lights and equipment legally. In a context of older vehicles, worn roads and long dry or dusty seasons, the checks that matter most are tyres, brakes, lights and load security.
Pre-drive and periodic checks
- Tyres: minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters, correct pressure measured cold, no cuts, bulges or exposed cord. Check the spare.
- Brakes: no pulling, no spongy pedal, handbrake holds.
- Lights: all working, including indicators, brake lights and reflectors.
- Wipers, washer fluid, coolant and oil; a cracked windscreen in the driver's line of sight.
- Seat belts for every occupant, child restraints in the rear, head restraints adjusted.
- Load secured and not obscuring lights, plate or mirrors; nothing overhanging without marking.
Using lights
Dipped headlights at night and in rain, dust or poor visibility. Main beam only when no oncoming traffic and no vehicle ahead you could dazzle; dip as soon as you see headlights approaching. Fog lights only in fog. Hazard lights only for a breakdown or an obstruction, never to excuse driving in rain. A single working headlight makes you look like a motorcycle from a distance, a classic night hazard on these roads.
Worked example
At night, with one headlight out, an oncoming driver may read your vehicle as a motorcycle and misjudge your width and speed, pulling out to overtake into your path. The correct response is to fix the light before driving; a driver who cannot, should not travel at night. The reasoning the examiner wants is the misidentification, not simply 'it is illegal'.
Traps that cost marks
Using hazard lights while driving in rain; using fog lights as decoration and dazzling others; overloading a pickup until the steering and brakes are compromised; and skipping tyre pressure checks because the tyres look inflated.