There are 10 technical checks in total of which you will be asked to comment on 3 picked at random by the driver tester. These are generally asked in the car park at the driving test centre before any driving commences. The driver tester may not always ask for the bonnet of the vehicle to be raised, if for example it was raining heavily they may forgo lifting the bonnet of the vehicle.

The following is the list of the 10 vehicle checks you may be asked.

How to check the engine oil

Where to put the engine oil

Brake fluid

Windscreen washer fluid

Engine coolant

Power steering fluid

Horn

Lights

Tyres

These first six checks below are conducted under the bonnet of the car. It is important to note that you must not touch anything under the bonnet, just point to or give a brief explanation of what is asked.

How to check the oil ; Use of the dipstick. Park your vehicle on a level surface and switch off the engine. Take the dipstick out and wipe it clean. Reinsert it fully and then remove it once again. There are high and low markings on the dipstick and the oil should stain somewhere between those markings indicating if there is sufficient oil present.

Where to put the engine oil ; This is usually just a matter of pointing to the oil filler cap.

Brake fluid ; You may just be asked to point out where the Brake fluid resevoir is or you could be asked how would you check the level of the brake fluid. The brake fluid resevoir is usually transparent with maximum and minimum levels marked on the sides. If the fluid level is between these levels you have sufficient amount.

Windscreen washer fluid ; Again usually just a matter of pointing to the water resevoir.

Engine coolant ; Again you may just be asked to point out the resevoir. If asked how to check the level of coolant you would say that the resevoir is transparent and has maximum and minimum levels marked on the sides. You would know if you had sufficient coolant if you see it somewhere between these levels.

Power steering fluid ; If you have a power steering resevoir it is in most cases transparent with maximum and minimum levels marked on the sides. If the fluid is between these levels you have sufficient. Some resevoirs are not transparent and have a dipstick attached to the cap of the resevoir. Simply remove the cap and wipe the dipstick clean, reinsert it into the resevoir and remove it once again. The Power Steering fluid will stain the dipstick between the high and low marking to indicate if you have a sufficient amount. Some cars have electronic power steering and have no fluid reservoir. Other older cars may not be equipped with power steering.

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Horn ; You may be asked to press the horn.

Reflectors ; The checks for the reflectors are to see if they are clean and not damaged.

Lights

a) To check the lights you would just say you turn them on and move around the car and have a look to see if all bulbs are working.

b) To check the brake lights when you are on your own you say that you would reverse towards a reflective surface and press the brake pedal ……. you can see in your rear view mirror if a bulb is not working.

c) When sitting in the car if your indicator begins to flash quicker it signifies that an indicator bulb is not working.

Tyres

a) A visible inspection of the tyre threads. The tyre must not appear smooth or worn. The thread depth must be at least 1.6 mm deep.

b) Check the sidewalls of the tyre to ensure no cuts / abrasions or bulges on them.

c) Look at the bottom of the tyre where it contacts the ground. If it appears to be spread out this is an indication that it is soft and should be taken and pumped up – about 30 PSI (pounds per square inch) is recommended for the size of tyre on the average family car.

d) There must be an “E” marking on the side of the tyre. This is a safety/quality mark on tyres.