‘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 or 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.
l You don’t need to exit the vehicle
Turn on head lights
Get out and check both of the front and rear 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.
l 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.
l 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 it
Pull the head light switch out towards you
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 hydrophilic 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 window?
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?
