Practical Driving Test in UK / Safety and Your Vehicle Category

Practical Driving Test in UK / Safety and Your Vehicle Category

Topics include: 

• Fault Detection - being able to detect vehicle problems real or potential and the consequences of them.
• Vehicle Defects - understanding how and why a vehicle that isn't roadworthy vehicle can endanger life.
• Emissions - understanding the regulations that govern vehicle emissions.
• Noise - preventing excessive noise.
• Safety Equipment - knowing how to use any safety equipment a road vehicle may have.

Environment

Many questions concern the the effects cars have on the environment. These effects are basically considered to be negative. In relation to the Theory test, cars pollute; consuming fuel is bad; using less fuel is good. So remember this when answering the questions, for example: 

Question: Motor vehicles can harm the environment. This has resulted in (mark 3 answers)

1. air pollution
2. damage to buildings
3. less risk to health
4. improved public transport
5. less use of electrical vehicles
6. using up natural resources

The correct answers are 1, 2 and 6.:

Increased Fuel Consumption is caused by: 

• Under inflated tyres
• Harsh braking
• Harsh, rapid acceleration
• A roof rack 
• Over-revving in low gear
• Carrying unnecessary weight 

To Improved Fuel Consumption: 

• Plan you journey
• Use gently, steady acceleration
• Get your car serviced regularly
• Reduce your speed
• Watch traffic and plan ahead
• Cycle, walk & use public transport
• Avoid very short car journeys
• Miss out some gears when conditions allow 

Other Environment Facts to Know: 

• Driving at 70mph uses 30% more fuel than driving at 50mph.
• Catalytic Converters are part of the exhaust system. They reduce toxic exhaust emissions.
• Road transport accounts for 20% of all emissions.
• Red routes in cities exist to help the traffic flow.
• Light Rapid Transit (LRT) systems are environmentally friendly because they are powered by electricity, so they don't emit toxic fumes.
• A roof rack fitted to your car will increase fuel consumption.
• Servicing your car regularly will help give you better fuel economy.
• Eco-safe driving leads to improved road safety and helps the environment by reducing exhaust emissions.
• Missing out some gear changes can help save fuel by reducing the amount of time you are accelerating. 

Avoiding Congestion

Avoiding congestion makes driving less stressful and can help you save fuel. Always try to:

• plan your route before starting out
• avoid driving at times when roads will be busy, as you are less likely to be delayed
• allow plenty of time for your journey.

Plan you route by:

• looking at a map
• using sat-nav equipment
• checking for road works with a motoring organisation
• using a route planner on the internet.

Car Security

Common sense answers many of these questions.

E.g. Question: When leaving your vehicle parked and unattended you should?

1. park near a busy junction
2. park in a housing estate
3. remove the key and lock it
4. leave the left indicator on

Guess what, the correct answer is 3. Other facts need you to know:

• When parking remove any valuables and take them with you. If you have to leave them then lock them out of sight.
• Never leave vehicle documents in a car.
• Etching the car number on the windows may deter car theft, as does adding an immobiliser.

Car Maintenance

• Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold.
• Dispose of a used car battery and engine oil by taking them to a garage or local authority site.
• The fluid used to top up a car battery is distilled water. The level you need to fill it to is just above the cell plates.
• Uneven or excessive tyre wear can cause faults in the braking system, wheel alignment and the suspension.
• Low levels of brake fluid can cause you to crash.
• Brake fade is caused by overheating brakes and will make your brakes less effective.
• Consult a mechanic immediately if your anti-lock brake light stays on or your vehicle pulls to one side when braking.
• If the anti-lock brakes warning light comes on and stays on you should consult a mechanic immediately.
• The legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres over 3/4's of the breadth is 1.6mm.
• The law requires you to keep headlights, windscreen and seat belts in a good condition.
• Too much oil in the engine can cause oil leaks.
• Dry steering (steering whilst the car is stationary) can cause damage to the tyres and steering.
• Unbalanced wheels on a car can cause the steering to vibrate.

Driving with under inflated tyres can affect 

• fuel consumption
• braking
• make the steering seem heavy 

Seatbelts and Safety Devices 

• Is is the responsibility of the driver to make sure anyone under the age of 14 who is a passenger in the car wears an appropriate seatbelt.
• Car passengers must wear a seat belt or restraint if one is available, unless they are exempt for medical reasons.
• A child under 1.35 metres tall who is a passenger in the back seat of your car must wear a suitable child restraint. If such a restraint isn't available then they must use an adult seat belt.
• Make sure any front passenger airbag is deactivated when carrying a child in the front passenger seat using a rear-facing baby seat
• In a collision a properly adjusted head restraint will help reduce the risk of neck injury. 

Parking Your Car

• When parking you car at night on a road with a speed limit of 40mph or above you should leave the parking lights on. 

Don't park

• On front of a property entrance.
• At or near a bus stop.
• Near the brow of a hill where the limited view of the road ahead makes it difficult to see whether it's safe to pass the obstruction.
• At a dropped kerb, as this is the place for wheelchair and mobility scooter users to get onto the road or pavement.
• On the zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing. 

Other Facts To Know

• You must not sound your horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built-up area.
• Before a long journey check the engine's oil levels. Too much oil in the engine can cause oil leaks.
• Red routes have been introduced in major cities to help the traffic flow.
• Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are traffic calming measures. When you encounter them you should slow down
• You should only sound your horn in a built-up area between 7am and 11.30pm.
• When parking on the road at night, park in the direction of the traffic. Use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30mph.
• Planning your journey before you start out will result in you having a more pleasant and easier journey, it will also help to ease congestion. Plan an alternative route just in case your preferred route is blocked.
• Wear suitable shoes when driving as this will help you maintain control of the pedals.

1	Excessive or uneven tyre wear can be caused by faults in which THREE of the following? Mark THREE answers. KKnowledge and UnderstandingRegular servicing will help to detect faults at an early stage and this will avoid the risk of minor faults becoming serious or even dangerous.   The gearbox  The braking system  The Accelerator  The exhaust system  Wheel alignment  The suspension
2	Why is it a good idea to plan your journey to avoid busy times? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingNo one likes to spend time in traffic queues. Try to avoid busy times related to school or work travel. As well as moving vehicles you should also consider congestion caused by parked cars, buses and coaches around schools.   You will have an easier journey  You will have a more stressful journey  Your journey time will be longer  It will cause more traffic congestion
3	As well as planning your route before starting a journey, you should also plan an alternative route. Why us this? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIt�s a good idea to plan an alternative route in case your original route is blocked for any reason. You�re less likely to feel worried and stressed if you�ve got an alternative in mind. This will enable you to concentrate fully on your driving or riding. Always carry a map that covers the area you will travel in.   To let another driver overtake  Your first route may be blocked  To avoid a railway level crossing  In case you have to avoid emergency vehicles
4	Which of these, if allowed to get low, could cause you to crash? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingYou should carry out frequent checks on all fluid levels but particularly brake fluid. As the brake pads or shoes wear down the brake fluid level will drop. If it drops below the minimum mark on the fluid reservoir, air could enter the hydraulic system and lead to a loss of braking efficiency or complete brake failure.   Anti-freeze level  Brake fluid level  Battery water level  Radiator coolant level
5	What can cause heavy steering? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf your tyre pressures are low this will increase the drag on the road surface and make the steering feel heavy. Your vehicle will also use more fuel. Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the braking, cornering and handling of your vehicle to a dangerous level.   Driving on ice  Badly worn brakes  Over-inflated tyres  Under-inflated tyres
6	Which of the following should not be kept in your vehicle? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingNever leave the vehicle�s documents inside it. They would help a thief dispose of the vehicle more easily.   A first aid kit  A road atlas  The tax disc  The vehicle documents
7	Which of these is most likely to deter the theft of your vehicle? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingAn immobiliser makes it more difficult for your vehicle to be driven off by a thief. It is a particular deterrent to opportunist thieves.   An immobiliser  Tinted windows  Locking wheel nuts  A sun screen
8	The purpose of a catalytic converter is to reduce Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingCatalytic converters are designed to reduce a large percentage of toxic emissions. They work more efficiently when the engine has reached its normal working temperature.   fuel consumption  the risk of fire  toxic exhaust gases  engine wear
9	It is essential that tyre pressures are checked regularly. When should this be done? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWhen you check the tyre pressures do so when the tyres are cold. This will give you a more accurate reading. The heat generated from a long journey will raise the pressure inside the tyre.   After any lengthy journey  After travelling at high speed  When tyres are hot  When tyres are cold
10	You are parked on a road at night. Where must you use parking lights? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWhen parking at night, park in the direction of the traffic. This will enable other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle. Use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30 mph.   Where there are continuous white lines in the middle of the road  Where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph  Where you are facing oncoming traffic  Where you are near a bus stop
11	It can help to plan your route before starting a journey. You can do this by contacting Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingMost motoring organisations will give you a detailed plan of your trip showing directions and distance. Some will also include advice on rest and fuel stops. The Highways Agency website will also give you information on roadworks and incidents and gives expected delay times.   your local filling station  a motoring organisation  the DVLA  your vehicle manufacturer
12	By avoiding busy times when travelling Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf possible, avoid the early morning and, late afternoon and early evening �rush hour�. Doing this should allow you to travel in a more relaxed frame of mind, concentrate solely on what you�re doing and arrive at your destination feeling less stressed.   you are more likely to be held up  your journey time will be longer  you will travel a much shorter distance  you are less likely to be delayed
13	Rapid acceleration and heavy braking can lead to Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingUsing the controls smoothly can reduce fuel consumption by about 15% as well as reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. Plan ahead and anticipate changes of speed well in advance. This will reduce the need to accelerate rapidly or brake sharply.   reduced pollution  increased fuel consumption  reduced exhaust emissions  increased road safety
14	Driving with under-inflated tyres can affect Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and UnderstandingKeeping your vehicle�s tyres correctly inflated is a legal requirement. Driving with correctly inflated tyres will use less fuel and your vehicle will brake more safely.   engine temperature  fuel consumption  braking  oil pressure
15	The main cause of brake fade is Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf your vehicle is fitted with drum brakes they can get hot and lose efficiency. This happens when they�re used continually, such as on a long, steep, downhill stretch of road. Using a lower gear will assist the braking and help prevent the vehicle gaining momentum.   the brakes over heating  air in the brakes  oil on the brakes  the brakes out of adjustment
16	A roof rack fitted to your car will Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf you are carrying anything on a roof rack, make sure that any cover is securely fitted and does not flap about while driving. Aerodynamically designed roof boxes are available which reduce wind resistance and, in turn, fuel consumption.   reduce fuel consumption  improve the road handing  make your car go faster  increase fuel consumption
17	What will reduce the risk of neck injury resulting from a collision? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf you�re involved in a collision, head restraints will reduce the risk of neck injury. They must be properly adjusted. Make sure they aren�t positioned too low, in a crash this could cause damage to the neck.   An air-sprung seat  Anti-lock brakes  A collapsible steering wheel  A properly adjusted head restraint
18	How can you, as a driver, help the environment? Mark THREE answers. Knowledge and UnderstandingRapid acceleration and heavy braking lead to greater fuel consumption. They also increase wear and tear on your vehicle. Having your vehicle regularly serviced means your engine will maintain its efficiency, produce cleaner emissions and lengthen its life.   By reducing your speed  By gentle acceleration  By using leaded fuel  By driving faster  By harsh acceleration  By servicing your vehicle properly
19	It is illegal to drive with tyres that Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWhen checking your tyres for cuts and bulges in the side walls, don�t forget the inner walls (i.e. those facing each other under the vehicle).   have been bought second-hand  have a large deep cut in the side wall  are of different makes  are of different tread patterns
20	You are carrying two 13 year old children and their parents in your car. Who is responsible for seeing that the children wear seat belts? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingSeat belts save lives and reduce the risk of injury. If you are carrying passengers under 14 years of age it�s your responsibility as the driver to ensure that their seat belts are fastened or they are seated in an approved child restraint.   The children's parents  You, the driver  The front-seat passenger  The children
21	Driving at 70 mph uses more fuel than driving at 50 mph by up to Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingYour vehicle will use less fuel if you avoid heavy acceleration. The higher the engine revs, the more fuel you will use. Using the same gear, a vehicle travelling at 70mph will use up to 30% more fuel to cover the same distance, than at 50mph. However, don�t travel so slowly that you inconvenience or endanger other road users.   10%  30%  75%  100%
22	Your vehicle pulls to one side when braking. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingThe brakes on your vehicle must be effective and properly adjusted. If your vehicle pulls to one side when braking, take it to be checked by a qualified mechanic. Don�t take risks. Knowledge and Understanding   change the tyres around  consult your garage as soon as possible  pump the pedal when braking  use your handbrake at the same time
23	To help protect the environment you should NOT Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingTry not to use your car as a matter of routine. For shorter journeys, consider walking or cycling instead � this is much better for both you and the environment.   remove your roof rack when unloading  use your car for very short journeys  walk, cycle, or use public transport  empty the boot of unnecessary weight
24	Which THREE does the law require you to keep in good condition? Mark THREE answers. Knowledge and Understanding Other things to check include lights, get someone to help you check the brake lights and indicators. Battery, a lot of these are now maintenance-free. Steering, check for play in the steering. Oil, water and suspension also need checking. Always check that the speedometer is working once you�ve moved off.   Gears  Transmission  Headlights  Windscreen  Seat Belts
25	What should you do when leaving your vehicle? Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWhen leaving your vehicle unattended it is best to take valuables with you. If you can't, then lock them out of sight in the boot. If you can see valuables in your car, so can a thief.   Put valuable documents under seats  Remove all valuables  Cover valuables with a blanket  Leave the interior light on