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FAQs

Knowledge 

Learning to drive and choosing a driving school is a very important decision, hopefully most of the questions you have are listed and answered below. If not please feel free to contact me.

Frequently asked questions

  • 1. Show me how you would check the direction indicators work.
    Press the hazard warning light switch, get out of the car and check all indicators are working.
  • 2. Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
    I would apply the brakes and make sure they stop the car. The brake pedal should not feel spongy or slack and the car should not pull to one side.
  • 3. Show me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car.
    Switch on the ignition and press the brake pedal. If nobody is there to check, use a reflection in a window or garage door.
  • 4. Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
    If the power steering was not working the steering would feel heavy. Another way of checking is to apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel whilst starting the engine, you should feel a slight but noticeable movement as the system starts.
  • 5. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how the tyre pressure should be checked.
    Look in manufacturer's guide, use a reliable tyre pressure gauge, check and adjust pressure when the tyre’s are cold including the spare.
  • 6. 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."
    Identify dipstick, explain that you would wipe it clean then push it back in and pull it out again. The oil should be in between the min and max marks.
  • 7. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level."
    Identify the engine coolant reservoir and explain how you would check it between the min and max marks.
  • 8. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
    The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part is level with my eyes or the top of my ears and as close to the back of the neck as is comfortable.
  • 9. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."
    Identify reservoir, check level against min / max marks.
  • 10. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
    Tyre’s should have 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference with no cuts or bulges.
  • 11. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working (you don't need to exit the vehicle).
    Explain you would operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary) then walk around the vehicle (as this is a 'tell me' question, you don't need to physically check the lights)
  • 12. Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog lights, and explain when you would use them."
    Turn on the ignition, switch on the main head lights, then twist the fog light switch anti-clockwise this will turn on the rear fog light’s. You would use the fog lights when visibility is reduced to less than 100 meters when it’s foggy.
  • 13. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
    Warning light on the dash panel should illuminate if there is a fault with the ABS.
  • 14. Tell me how you would switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
    Switch on the ignition, turn on the dipped beam headlights, then turn switch again to turn on main beam headlights. A green headlight sign will show on the dash when main beam headlights are on.
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