Driving Tips – Don’t break Down! – Part 1

 
Cars are more reliable than they used to be – but you still have to look after them.
 
If your car decides to break down it’s unlikely to do so outside a garage! A breakdown can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, late for an appointment, stuck with a load of shopping or any number of other problems.

 
 

 
 
The best way to avoid breakdowns is to plan not to break down. You can do this by doing a series of quick and easy vehicle checks and by having your car serviced at the regular intervals recommended by the manufacturer. A few minutes each week can greatly reduce the risk of a breakdown. The checks you should make are split into two areas – daily and weekly.
 
Also remember, you will be asked to answer ‘Show me, tell me’ questions as part of the Driving Test.
 
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety checks.
 
Daily Vehicle Checks
 
Every day you should make sure that the following items are clean:
 
• windows
• mirrors
• lights
• rear red reflectors
• indicators
• number plates
 

 
 

Keeping these things clean will mean that you can see other drivers and other drivers can see you! (The law requires that your number plates must be clean and visible at all times.)
 
You should also check that the things below are working properly:
 
• headlights
• parking lights
• brake lights
• horn
• windscreen wipers
• windscreen washers
 
It is illegal to drive the car if any of the things listed above don’t work.
 
Tyres: Make a quick visual check of the tyres each day and check the tyre pressures weekly. Walk around the car and look for any obvious tyre damage.  
Don’t wait until your tyre bursts at 60 mph!
 
 
DVSA Videos
The DVSA have produced a series of great ‘show me tell me videos’.
 
Learn more about the ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions.