DTT Vehicle Safety Checks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do if your brake warning light illuminates on the dashboard?
- Stop driving and have the brakes inspected by a mechanic immediately (Correct answer)
- Drive slowly until you reach a garage
- Check brake fluid and if low, top up and continue
- Ignore it if the vehicle is stopping normally
Correct answer: Stop driving and have the brakes inspected by a mechanic immediately
A brake warning light may indicate low brake fluid, a brake system fault, or an engaged handbrake. Any serious brake fault requires immediate inspection — do not drive until the cause is identified.
Question 2: What does a red temperature gauge warning light mean?
- The engine is overheating — stop safely and switch off the engine (Correct answer)
- The coolant temperature is below normal
- Air conditioning is on maximum
- Normal operating temperature has been reached
Correct answer: The engine is overheating — stop safely and switch off the engine
A red temperature warning means the engine is overheating. You must stop safely and switch off the engine immediately to prevent serious damage. Do not open the radiator cap while hot.
Question 3: How do you check if your windscreen wipers are working properly?
- Test them with the windscreen washer fluid before setting off (Correct answer)
- Only check them during the NCT
- Replace them every year regardless of condition
- They will squeak when they need replacing
Correct answer: Test them with the windscreen washer fluid before setting off
Before every journey in adverse weather, test wipers by operating them with washer fluid. Worn blades smear rather than clean — replace when they no longer clear the screen effectively.
Question 4: What is the correct tyre pressure and where can you find this information?
- In the vehicle handbook, on the door jamb sticker, or inside the fuel filler flap (Correct answer)
- On the tyre sidewall — the maximum pressure shown
- Standard pressure is 2.2 bar for all cars
- The tyre fitter sets it and it should not be changed
Correct answer: In the vehicle handbook, on the door jamb sticker, or inside the fuel filler flap
Correct tyre pressure is vehicle-specific and found in the owner's handbook, on a sticker on the door jamb, or inside the fuel flap. It may differ between front and rear tyres and for loaded conditions.
Question 5: When should you check the condition of your spare tyre?
- Regularly as part of your routine vehicle checks — before it is needed (Correct answer)
- Only when you get a puncture
- At every annual service only
- Spare tyres do not require regular checks
Correct answer: Regularly as part of your routine vehicle checks — before it is needed
A spare tyre should be checked regularly for pressure and condition alongside the other tyres. Discovering a flat or damaged spare only when you need it is dangerous and inconvenient.
Question 6: What should you check about your vehicle's lights before driving in darkness?
- Headlights (dipped and full), rear lights, brake lights, indicators, and reverse lights (Correct answer)
- Headlights only — the rest are checked at NCT
- Only brake lights and indicators matter for safety
- Check all lights monthly rather than before each night drive
Correct answer: Headlights (dipped and full), rear lights, brake lights, indicators, and reverse lights
Before driving at night, check all external lights: headlights (both beams), tail lights, brake lights, indicators (all four corners), and reverse lights. A faulty brake light dramatically increases rear collision risk.
DTT Vehicle Safety Checks 2
What should you do if your brake warning light illuminates on the dashboard?