Vehicle Safety, Maintenance and Equipment
This domain tests the taxi driver's responsibility for a roadworthy vehicle and for equipment that must work on every fare. The exam looks for routine checks and correct reaction to defects.
Checks and equipment
- Do a daily walk-around: tyres and tread, lights, brakes, steering, mirrors, seat belts, wipers and fluids.
- Check the roof sign, taximeter, receipt printer and any accessibility equipment.
- Respect periodic inspection deadlines. A passed EU-kontroll does not replace daily checks.
- Warning lights must be diagnosed. A brake or ABS warning can mean the vehicle should be taken out of service.
- Carry required safety equipment, such as warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
- Secure luggage and mobility aids so they cannot move in braking.
Worked example: The ABS warning light stays on after start. The driver should not ignore it or simply reset it. ABS may not function in an emergency, so the vehicle should be inspected by a workshop before further passenger fares. The reasoning is that the warning indicates a fault in a safety system, not a cosmetic issue.
Traps: treating the annual inspection as proof of daily safety; driving with worn winter tyres; overloading the vehicle; obstructing lights or plates with luggage.