‘Tell me’ questions

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

• Brakes should feel firm

• Test breaks as I set off, the vehicle should not pull to 1 side

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

• Tyre pressures are on a sticker inside the passenger door

• Use a pressure gauge

• Check when tyres are cold

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

• Middle of the headrest should be level with eyes and ears

4. 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 the tyre and all the way round

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

You don’t need to exit the vehicle

• Turn on head lights

• Get out and check both front and back lights are on

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

• An amber/orange ABS light would show on the dash

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

 You don’t need to exit the vehicle

• Turn on hazard warning lights

• Walk around the car check each indicator is working

8. Tell me how you’d check the break lights are working

 You don’t need to exit the vehicle

• Press the break pedal

• Use reflections in windows or vehicles behind or ask someone to stand behind the car and check for you

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

• Steering should feel light as I move off

• If steering becomes heavy then power steering isn't working

10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light & explain when you’d use them 

• Turn on dipped head lights

• Turn on fog-lights using lower button

• use when you cant see 100 meters down the road

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

• Turn on head lights

•  Push left stalk away from you

• A blue head light will show on dash

12. Open the bonnet 

Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

• Identify dipstick

• Take out the dip stick, clean it, put it back in, pull it out 

• Check level is between minimum and maximum markings.

13. Open the bonnet 

Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient coolant

•  Identify coolant

•  check level is between minimum and maximum markings.

14. Open the bonnet 

Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient hydraulic break fluid

• Identify fluid reservoir

•  check level is between minimum and maximum markings.

‘Show me’ questions

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you would…..

1. wash and clean the rear windscreen?

2. wash and clean the front windscreen?

3. switch on your dipped headlights?

4. set the rear demister?

5. operate the horn?

6. demist the front windscreen?

7. open and close the side window?