DVSA Vehicle Safety and Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you check before setting off on a long journey?
- Only your fuel level
- Oil, coolant, tyre pressures, lights, and fuel (Correct answer)
- Just the sat-nav route
- Only that the MOT is valid
Correct answer: Oil, coolant, tyre pressures, lights, and fuel
Before a long journey, you should carry out basic checks: engine oil level, coolant level, tyre pressures and condition, all lights working, windscreen washer fluid, and sufficient fuel. These checks help prevent breakdowns and ensure safety.
Question 2: What is the legal requirement for windscreen condition in the UK?
- No cracks anywhere on the windscreen
- No damage in the driver's central field of vision larger than 10 mm (Correct answer)
- Small chips are acceptable anywhere
- The windscreen only needs to be clear of ice
Correct answer: No damage in the driver's central field of vision larger than 10 mm
The MOT test checks that the windscreen has no damage larger than 10 mm in the driver's central zone (Zone A, a 290 mm area directly ahead). In the swept area outside Zone A, damage must be no larger than 40 mm.
Question 3: Your anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light stays on while driving. What does this mean?
- The ABS is working normally
- The ABS has a fault and may not work in an emergency (Correct answer)
- Your brake pads need replacing
- The handbrake is still on
Correct answer: The ABS has a fault and may not work in an emergency
If the ABS warning light stays on, it indicates a fault with the anti-lock braking system. Your normal brakes should still work, but the ABS may not function during emergency braking, meaning the wheels could lock. Have it checked immediately.
Question 4: What is the correct way to check your vehicle's brake fluid level?
- Press the brake pedal and listen for unusual sounds
- Check the level in the reservoir under the bonnet against the min/max marks (Correct answer)
- Drive slowly and test the brakes
- Check the brake fluid dipstick monthly
Correct answer: Check the level in the reservoir under the bonnet against the min/max marks
Brake fluid level is checked by looking at the transparent reservoir under the bonnet. The fluid should be between the minimum and maximum markings. If the level is low, it may indicate worn brake pads or a leak in the braking system.
Question 5: When should you replace your vehicle's wiper blades?
- Only during the MOT
- When they leave smears or do not clear the windscreen effectively (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years regardless of condition
- Only when they physically fall off
Correct answer: When they leave smears or do not clear the windscreen effectively
Wiper blades should be replaced when they no longer clear the windscreen effectively — signs include smearing, streaking, juddering, or squeaking. Good visibility is essential for safe driving, especially in rain.
Question 6: Your vehicle has a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on. What should you do?
- Ignore it as TPMS is only advisory
- Check all tyre pressures and inflate to the correct level as soon as possible (Correct answer)
- Only check the tyre that looks flattest
- Wait until your next service
Correct answer: Check all tyre pressures and inflate to the correct level as soon as possible
A TPMS warning means one or more tyres are significantly under-inflated. You should check all tyre pressures as soon as possible, as under-inflated tyres affect handling, increase stopping distances, and can overheat, leading to a blowout.
DVSA Vehicle Safety and Maintenance 2
What should you check before setting off on a long journey?