Vehicle controls, pre-drive checks and basic vehicle maintenance
This domain tests whether you can operate the controls smoothly and catch defects before they become failures. Expect questions on cockpit drill, warning lights, tyres, fluids, brakes and load security.
Pre-drive checks
- Adjust the seat, head restraint, mirrors and steering before moving. Check that all occupants are belted and doors are closed.
- Walk around the vehicle: look for damaged tyres, leaks, loose body panels, obstructions, children or animals. Check lights, indicators and horn if possible.
- Tyre tread must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. Check pressure when tyres are cold, using the vehicle placard, and inspect the spare.
- Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and battery condition. Know what the red warning lights mean: oil pressure, battery, brake and engine warnings require stopping safely and investigating.
Controls
Use progressive braking, not stamping. With ABS, brake firmly and steer; do not pump the pedal. Use engine braking on long descents to avoid overheating the brakes. Secure loads so they cannot shift. A vehicle must not be overloaded beyond its legal or design limits.
Worked example
A tyre-pressure warning appears on the dashboard. The driver stops at a safe place, checks the tyres cold and finds one tyre at 180 kPa against a recommended 220 kPa. The correct action is to inflate to the placard figure and look for a puncture or leak. Continuing at speed risks overheating, poor handling and a blowout. Checking a hot tyre and releasing air would be wrong because pressure rises with heat.
Traps
Do not ignore a red oil-pressure light and “drive to the workshop”. Do not check tyre pressure immediately after a long drive and treat the high reading as normal. Do not rely on the handbrake alone on a slope. Do not overload the roof or boot and then claim the vehicle “still drives”.