Vehicle Safety Check Questions

Vehicle safety check questions (Random Checks) These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

As vehicle technology advances more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures.

It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures. Examples of the questions that will be asked and the assessment criteria.

CAR TESTS
Candidates will be asked two questions, one ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded. Examples of safety check questions for cars;

Open the bonnet, identify

• where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
• where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
• where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
• where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Tell me how you would check that the

• brake lights are working on this car.
• brakes are working before starting a journey.
• tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
• the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

Show me how you would check the

• headlights & taillights are working.
• direction indicators are working.
• horn is working (off road only).
• handbrake for excessive wear.

Source DSA website