1.

Q: Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

A: I would check them when it's safe to do so by pulling away, and at over 10-mph I would apply the brakes.

The brakes should not feel spongy or slack, and the vehicle shouldn't pull to one side.

2.

Q: Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

A: I would check either the manufacturer’s guide, or look at the factory sticker on the car, and would use a reliable pressure gauge, I would check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, including the spare tyre if fitted, and replace all dust caps.

3.

Q: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

A: When doing my cockpit drill, If it can be adjusted, I would adjust the head restraint so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of my ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.

4.

Q: Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A: I would visually check to make sure there are no cuts or bulges, using a quality gauge you would see if there was a minimum 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre, turning the front wheels to check the inside, and that you'd move the car slightly forward to complete the checks around the whole of the tyres.

5.

Q: Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.

A: Explain you’d operate the switch, (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk around the vehicle checking the lights, making sure the headlight dash inside the car was illuminated.

(As this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically get out to check the lights).

6.

Q: Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A: The amber warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

7.

Q: Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.

A: Point at it and explain you’d operate the hazard switch, and then walk around vehicle checking all indicators are working.

(As this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically get out to check the lights).

8.

Q: Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

A: Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

9.

Q: Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

A: If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.

Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

10.

Q: Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it\them.

A: Say how you would operate switch, (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary).

Check warning light is on, and explain you would only use them in fog, when visibility is less than 100 meters

11.

Q: Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

A: Show the switch\lever to be operated, explain how to operate it from low to high beam, and confirm this by the blue main beam warning light on the dash when high beam is in operation.

12.

Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

A: You would wait till the engine is warm, turn it off and wait a minute, then remove, wipe and reinsert the dipstick fully, then remove it and check the level of oil against the minimum and maximum markers.

13.

Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

A: Show the high and low level markings on header tank, and describe how to top up to correct level when engine is cold.

14.

Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

A: Point out the clutch\brake fluid reservoir, check level against high and low markings.