Vehicle Safety, Inspections and Occupant Restraints
Vehicle Safety, Inspections and Occupant Restraints
This domain tests whether you can spot an unsafe vehicle and protect everyone inside it. The exam favours simple pre-trip checks and correct restraint use.
Pre-trip checks
- Check tires for tread and pressure when cold; look for cuts and bulges.
- Test brakes, headlights, taillights, turn signals and hazard lights.
- Check oil, coolant, washer fluid, wipers and battery; in winter, confirm the block heater works.
- Remove snow and ice from lights and windows; keep the licence plate clean.
Occupant restraints
- Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants; the driver is responsible for ensuring passengers are properly restrained.
- Use the correct child seat for the child’s age, height and weight, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep children under 13 in the back seat where possible, and keep at least 25 cm between the driver and the steering-wheel airbag.
- Do not put a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
- A bulky winter coat can leave a harness loose; warm the vehicle and tighten the harness over a thinner layer.
Inspections and warning lights
- Know what the warning lights mean; a red brake or temperature light means stop safely.
- Fix defects before a trip; a burned-out light or bald tire is a safety and legal problem.
Worked example
A child in a winter coat is buckled into a booster seat, but the lap belt sits over the belly and the shoulder belt cuts across the neck. The fit is wrong. Adjust the booster and belt so the lap belt crosses the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the centre of the shoulder.
Traps
Do not check tire pressure after a long drive and assume it is correct. Do not put a rear-facing seat in front of an airbag. Do not tuck a seatbelt under the arm or leave the harness loose over a coat.