THE DRIVING TEST 

The Practical Driving Test is getting harder and longer, and you must reach a high standard to pass. Our lessons at Ace Driving School are designed to help you reach that standard. You will have the same instructor and drive the same car for the duration of your course of driving lessons, and use the same car for the Practical Driving Test.

Our aim is to teach you to drive to a high standard on all types of road and in all traffic conditions. We offer the best instruction and value for money, so please be aware of schools that offer cheap lessons or packages, as you could end up having more lessons, taking longer and paying out more money in the long term, in order to reach test standard.

How many lessons am I likely to need in order to pass the Practical Driving Test? It is difficult to gauge initially how many lessons you may need. The driving tests now are more demanding than ever before and a high degree of skill is needed to pass both the theory and practical driving tests. In the "Safe Driving For Life" leaflet that the DSA produced in 2001, they claim; "Recent research has shown that, on average, people who take about 40 hours professional training, combined with plenty of additional practice, stand the best chance of passing their test. Some people need more lessons and practice than others."

If you were to ask many of the larger driving institutions and national driving schools, then they would also recommend approximately 40 hours professional tuition for a 17 year old pupil, adding two hours of tuition for every year of age after that. Getting additional practice in a parents or partners car, after the basics have been mastered, can be very helpful, but driving with friends or family too early in ones driving career, can have detrimental effects for all concerned.

It must be stressed that some people learn more quickly than others, and some people take more time to reach an acceptable standard, so this is a guide only.
 

Show Me, Tell Me questions and answers.

Since September 2003 the Practical Driving Test has included some simple questions that you need to answer before you drive away from the test centre. These questions are called Show Me, Tell Me questions because you have to show and/or tell the examiner how to carry out simple maintenance tasks on the vehicle. Here are the practical driving test show me, tell me questions and answers.

Question. Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level, and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Answer. Point at the dipstick, describe pulling it out and checking the oil level against the maximum and minimum marks. Also point to the oil filler.

Question. Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
Answer. Point at the high / low level markings on the header tank where one is fitted or the radiator filler cap, and describe how to top it up to the correct level. Do not open this when the engine is hot.

Question. Open the bonnet and identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer. Point at the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level is between the maximum and minimum marks.

Question. Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the fluid level.
Answer. Point to the windscreen washer reservoir and explain that you should be able to see the fluid level inside.

Here is a picture under the bonnet of the Ace Driving School car, showing the engine and necessary parts labelled, to help you with the Show Me, Tell Me questions.

Question. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Answer. There should be no cuts and bulges in the side walls. There should be at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the width of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

Question. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer. The correct tyre pressures are in the owner's handbook, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, don't forget the spare tyre, and remember to refit the valve caps.

Question. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle).
Answer. Explain that when the engine is running you operate the light switch two clicks and then you would walk all the way around the vehicle, checking that all the lights are working.
 
Question. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Answer. First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then turn the head lights on, (2 clicks on the light switch) finally press the indicator arm away from you, and explain that the blue light in the dash board shows that the main beam lights are on. To switch back to dipped beam pull the indicator arm gently towards you and the blue main beam warning light goes out.
 
Question. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
Answer. Explain that there is an amber light that stays lit on the dashboard “ABS” when the anti lock braking system isn’t working properly.

Question. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle).
Answer.  First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then turn the head lights on, finally press the rear fog light switch. Explain that these should only be used when visibility is less than 100 metres.
 
Question. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Answer. Switch on the hazard warning light switch, and then walk all the way around the vehicle checking all the indicators are working.
 
Question. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you. If you need to switch the ignition on, please do not start the engine)
Answer.  First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then press the brake pedal whilst looking for any reflections in windows or garage doors etc behind you, or ask someone to stand behind the car and tell you if the brake lights are working.
 
Question. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.
Answer. First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then turn the demister dial to the picture of a window, turn the fan speed dial to fast and turn the heat dial to hot, this will clear the front screen. To clear the rear screen press the heated rear screen button.

Question. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer.  Explain that the head restraint should be adjusted so it lines up with the back of your head so it prevents your head moving backwards and straining your neck in the event of a crash, causing a whip lash injury.
 
Question. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
Answer.  First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then press the edge of the horn button in the centre of the steering wheel.
 
Question. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Answer. First press the key in until it clicks, then keeping your feet away from the pedals press the start button to switch on the ignition. Then on the right hand side of the steering wheel, pull the windscreen wiper switch towards you and hold for a second or 2, water will spray onto the windscreen and then the wipers will wipe the water away.
 
Question. Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear; make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Answer. First put your foot on the foot brake, then take the parking brake off. Now demonstrate applying parking brake explaining that when it is applied it secures itself, and it is not at the end of its working travel.
 
Question. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer. The brake pedal should not feel spongy or slack. As you set off moving slowly, press the brake pedal and the vehicle should not pull to one side.
 
Question. Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer.  If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable change in the pressure felt from the wheel as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power steering is working properly.

To book a driving lesson with Ace Driving School, click here.

              

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