DRIVESTANFORD
DRIVING TUITION
Show Me Vehicle Safety Questions (performed whilst driving)
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
​
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Tell Me Vehicle Safety Questions (performed before driving)
​
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
​
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
​
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 of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.
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.
No cuts and bulges, 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.
​
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
​
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
​
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
​
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
​
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
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.
​
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Use when visibility is less than 100 metres.
​
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
​
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
​
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
​
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
Parallel Park
​
1. Stop alongside the parked vehicle, within a doors width away.. Make sure the wheels are facing forward.. Secure the car and select reverse..
​
2. Full 360 observations.. Reverse until the rear of your vehicle overhangs the rear of parked car, pause to check over right shoulder then apply FULL LOCK LEFT..
​
3. Create an angle by waiting for the kerb to run through the wheel arch/rear door handle via the left mirror then take STEERING OFF, the wheels should be straight again..
​
4. Keep reversing slowly aiming to get as close to the kerb as you dare but without losing sight of it through the wing mirror then pause and do full 360 observations before applying FULL LOCK RIGHT..
​
5. The car will start tucking in, pause to assess positioning before becoming parallel and make any adjustments needed.. When the car is parallel with the kerb take STEERING OFF and secure the car..
Reverse Bay Park
​
1. Parallel and inline with the middle of bay C roughly a cars width away.. Select reverse and get feet ready.. Full 360 observations.. Reverse back till the next bay line enters your reference at which point pause the car..
​
2. Check over right shoulder.. As soon as you start moving apply FULL LOCK LEFT.. Keep scanning around the car..
​
3. As the car swings round check for the bay lines to meet the rear of the bay in both wing mirrors, as soon as it does pause the car and take STEERING OFF..
​
4. Assess and make adjustments sorting out the gap then straightness, wheels should be straight again to finish..
​
5. Reverse until you’re completely in the bay then stop and secure the car..
Forwards Bay Park
​
1. Create as much space between the vehicle and the bays as the road allows, making sure the wheels are straight..
​
2. Find reference point (bay line - wing mirror), full 360 observations and apply FULL LOCK RIGHT/LEFT..
​
3. As the vehicle approaches the bay, check lines and make any adjustments needed..
​
4. As the car becomes parallel with the bay lines take STEERING OFF.. Prepare the car for the reverse.. Full 360 observations and reverse the vehicle straight..
​
5. Once the front of the vehicle lines up with the edge of the bays apply FULL LOCK LEFT/RIGHT..
​
6. Reverse until the vehicle has enough room to complete the manoeuvre and take STEERING OFF..
Right Park Reverse
​
1. Position car tight to middle of the road, check for traffic that may be affected not forgetting your blind spot area..
​
2. Once decided its safe move across into a parked position.. Secure the car..
​
3. Prepare the car for reversing, full 360 observations and reverse roughly two car lengths making SMALL ADJUSTMEENTS to the steering if necessary to remain reasonable close to the kerb..
​
4. Once two lengths back, secure the car and prepare to drive.. Full 360 observations and move away when safe..
​
5. Take up your normal driving position and cancel any signal that’s been applied..