Show me, tell me:  DSA practical driving test questions:

Two of these questions will be asked at the beginning of the test, before you start to drive. Getting one question wrong, or both questions wrong will result in ONE MINOR fault only.

Some of the questions involve opening the bonnet. If so, your examiner will probably ask you to do this as you first approach the car.

On our car, the new shape Ford Fiesta, the bonnet catch is under the dashboard on the far right-hand side, so it needs to be operated with the driver's door open, or when sitting in the driver's seat. The doors are also very big, so caution is needed when pulling the bonnet catch. When you have pulled the interior release, then walk round to the front of the car, partially lift the bonnet, and release the second release catch (see photo below).

Once you have the bonnet open don’t touch anything. Just point – it will be HOT!

All the levels of the under the bonnet items should be between “min” and “max”, except the windscreen washer bottle, which is just filled up to the top.

To close the bonnet – lower it gently down and then drop it for the last 15-30 cms. . ALWAYS try to lift the bonnet again after closing it to be sure that it is locked in place.

NOT DOING THIS COULD KILL YOU!
It may fly up whilst you are driving along at 70mph!

Maintenance questions: These are the type of questions which are used on the driving test:

Important:

Never turn the ignition key unless you are sitting in the car, you have the gear lever in neutral with the handbrake on, and the footbrake and clutch are down. If you operate the starter by mistake when turning the key and you are not in the car it may jump forwards and run the examiner over: and then he will fail you!

Show me how you would check the engine oil level?
With the bonnet open - show the examiner where the dipstick is and tell him that you would “pull it out and wipe it, then put it back in, then pull it out again and check that the oil level is between the two marks.” You would fill it, if necessary, via the oil filler cap.
note: If you check it when it is hot, you should turn the engine off for 10 minutes to let the oil drain back down into the sump. As Modern engine oils are very thin, and are very difficult to see when hot, it is best to check your oil when the engine is cold.

Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey?
Show the examiner that you can test it by applying pressure to the steering wheel whilst starting the engine (pull down with your left hand while turning the key) – the steering should feel lighter if the power assistance is working. You could also drive the car slowly along, check that it was safe behind and turn the steering from side to side, it should feel normal.
note: This only applies if your car has power steering.

How would you would check the engine coolant level?
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the engine coolant reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min.“ marks. Memory aid: "Pink is Cool"
note: Coolant is either blue or pink, and is antifreeze and water. Antifreeze should always be present because it is also a corrosion inhibitor. Ford antifreeze is pink.

Tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level?
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is and tell him that it needs to be filled up to the top to see the level. Memory aid: "Washers on the Wight (right)"
note: There is no minimum / maximum marks because the washer fluid just squirts out, and doesn't re-circulate. All the other fluids re-circulate. Washer fluid should be detergent and water. There are increased incidents of legionnaire's disease amongst drivers who have used water alone over a long period. The cap on the washer bottle is blue on our car.

Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only)?
Press either side of the steering wheel centre. It is only legal to use the horn while stationary if you are off-road. On the road you should get moving first.

Tell me how you would check the brake fluid level?
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min“. marks. Memory aid: "Brakes at the Back"
note: The handrake warning light on the dashboard is also a brake fluid level warning light. If it comes on when you are driving, check the handbrake is down: If it is, then you could have low brake fluid, and be in danger of the brakes not working properly. On some cars the clutch is operated from the same reservoir, hence the clutch will fail before the brakes, if the fluid is lost.

Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working?
Turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal to make them work, the examiner will check them. Or tell him that you would use a reflection if there was no-one to help.

Show me how you would check the parking brake is not worn?
Put your foot on the footbrake: Release the handbrake and re-apply without pressing in the button, it should come up no more than 8 clicks, any more than this and it needs adjusting. You should also feel tension as you pull up, meaning that it doesn’t come all the way up and hit the stop. It should lock firmly when the button is released.
note: The handbrake can be pulled on more firmly, and released more easily, if you put pressure on the footbrake when using the handbrake..

Tell me how you would check that your brakes are working before commencing a journey?
Put heavy pressure on the brake pedal and HOLD for 10 seconds. It should feel normal and firm. If it doesn’t or sinks downwards, or feels spongy, then there is a fault.
Tell the examiner that you would move the car slowly along, check that it was safe behind, depress the clutch then apply the foot-brake firmly – the car should stop in a straight line without pulling sideways.
note: If you have been pumping the footbrake with the engine off, it will sink a little when you turn the engine on. This is normal and means that the power assistance (vacuum servo) is working.

Tell me where you would find the information for the tyre pressures for this car and how to check them?
Tyre pressures for the car are found in the handbook. Check when the tyres are cold using a tyre pressure gauge. Remove the dust cap on the tyre valve and press the gauge on. If you have a pencil type gauge the end shoots out – then you can read off the pressure. Don’t forget to mention the spare tyre.

Show me how you would check that your indicators are working?
Turn on the ignition, switch on the left indicator and get out to check they work front and back, do the same for the right indicator . You may be able to use the hazard flashers, however this only checks the bulbs and not the flasher relay.
note: At Clacton you are allowed to use the hazard flashers. This is because you will be parked on the road, and they don't want you to be opening and shutting the driver's door too much. To switch on the hazards, open the passenger door and lean in to press the switch in the middle of the centre console.

Tell me how you would check that the headlights & rear lights are working?
Say "turn on the ignition and switch on the headlights and get out to check they work.” (Do NOT get out and actually check them).
note: If an examiner finds that a light isn't working they won't allow the test to take place.

Tell me how you would check the tyre condition?
Tell the examiner that you “use the tyre tread gauge, place it on the tread and push it in, then read off the depth” (minimum legal depth is 1.6mm over the whole circumference and over the central 3/4 of the width). Look around the side-wall of the tyre and say “there must not be any cuts or bulges.”
note: tyres have small blocks in the tread grooves which are wear indicators, the tread should be higher than these.

Tell me how you would check the power steering fluid level?
With the bonnet open – show the examiner where the power steering fluid reservoir is and tell him that the level should be between the “max.” and “min“. marks.
note: Only if your car has hydraulic power steering. many new cars, including our Fiesta, have electric power steering, and hence no reservoir.

Show me how you demist the front and rear screens?
Set the front demister controls (blower on, heat on, direct vents onto screen). Switch on the heated rear window, and if available the heated front screen.
note: On the our new fiesta- all front heater controls fully clockwise. You can also use the air conditioning to demist, which is most effective if you recycle the interior air as well.

Tell me how you would set your head restraint?
It should be set so that the top of the headrest is above your eye level.
note: Headrests are really whiplash protectors. If they are set too low they can cause neck injuries.

Show me how you would clean the windscreens using washers and wipers?
Switch on the ignition and then switch on the front wipers (right hand
stalk UP ) and press the wash button (on end of wiper arm). You may also need to do the same for the back screen (wiper arm click towards the
steering wheel once for rear wiper on, pull back again for rear washer).
note: as above for most Fords, including our car.

Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light and tell me when you would use it?
Switch on the ignition. Turn on the headlights. Switch on the foglights.
Foglights should only be used in visibility less then 100 metres.
On our car the foglight switch is on the right, next to the headlight switch.
note: In fog dipped headlights are usually more effective than front foglights.

Tell me how you could tell if there was a problem with your anti-lock brakes?
Say that the orange (ABS) warning light on the dashboard would not go out after starting, or would come on whilst driving.
note: Only if your car has ABS. Most cars built after 2005 have ABS as standard.

Show me how you would switch your headlights to main beam, and how you could tell it was on?
Ignition on, headlights on. Switch main beam on. The main beam will come on and a blue warning light will show on the dashboard.
note: On our car click the indicator arm towards you.