Cockpit Drill: Step 1

Unit Three Subject 3 - Cockpit Drill: Step 1 - Introduction

Unit 3 - Basic Skills:
Home page

1 - Show/Tell:
1. Overview

2 - Drivers Eyesight:
1. Introduction
2. Eye checks
3. Eyesight problems
4. Project

3 - Cockpit Drill:
1. Introduction
2. The drill
3. Explanation

4 - Moving off:
1. Introduction
2. The basics
3. POM Introduction
4. Prepare
5. Observe
6. Move
7. Brake tests
8. Stopping
9. Summary
10. Project

5 - Using Gears:
1. Introduction
2. Observation
3. Selective gear changing
4. Smooth changes

6 - Hazard Routine:
1. Introduction
2. Easy starting point
3. Mirrors
4. Signals
5. Manoeuvre
6. Project

7 - Junctions:
1. Introduction
2. Emerging
3. Approaching
4. Approaching right
5. Crossroads
6. Roundabouts

8 - Hills:
1. Introduction
2. Downhill safety
3. Parking
4. Uphill starts
5. Downhill starts

9 - Emergency Stop:
1. Introduction
2. The method
3. Skids
4. The driving test
5. Project

DRIVING HOME PAGE

Pre-driving checks and Cockpit-Drill

If you have passed an advanced driving test or been an emergency services driver you might already be in the habit of doing a POWDER check before you start to drive.

Powder is not a secret reference to illicit drugs, or make-up, but rather an acronym that is commonly used to help drivers to remember the things that they need to check before driving.

We prefer the version of the acronym that adds a Y on the end giving POWDERY - while all the checks are very important, it might be argued that the Y is the most important of all...

If you have been implementing the information in this course you will already be covering most of your POWDERY checks on a daily basis in line with our car-care advice, however, to minimise the risk of problems you need to automatically think about the checks below before every working day – or long personal/family journey.

Another reason for knowing the POWDERY routine is that it should form part of your training syllabus.

The checks

P – Petrol/Diesel: Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey. Running out of fuel can be inconvenient and costly if it happened during a lesson or test, but also potentially dangerous, particularly on high-speed roads. Check your fuel level every time you get behind the wheel.

O – Oil: Check via dipstick and top up with oil recommended in your owner’s handbook. Some instructors do this on a daily basis, but with modern vehicles, weekly should be sufficient to highlight any issues.

W – Water: Coolant and Windscreen washer level. Coolant falls under weekly checks, but screen wash needs to be checked regularly. Remember that it's illegal to drive with an empty screen washer.

D – Damage: A daily visual check for damage to lenses, tyre walls and wheel rims is important. Other vehicle damage should be obvious! Damage to panels or paintwork should be fixed as soon as possible – dents and scratches aren't good for business on a driving school car.

E – Electrics: All lights must be working 24/7. Parking/Side lights, Dipped Beam, Main Beam, Rear lights, Brake Lights, Number Plate Lights and Rear Fog light. Check the horn is working too while you’re at it. Even if you never drive at night the law requires all lights to be in full working order.

R – Rubber: Wipers back and front should always be in tip-top condition. Always replace if frayed or worn, with approved items. Tyres, including your spare/space-saver or inflation kit should also be checked as serviceable.

Y - You: Are you fit to drive? The obvious consideration would be alcohol or drugs (both illegal and prescribed or over the counter drugs), but there are other things to consider. Do you feel ill? Are you tired? Are you fit and alert enough to drive? If in any doubt, take a tram, the bus, the train or a taxi.

While there is no specific project for the pre-start checks and cockpit drill you should get into the habit of incorporating all of the information into your natural day-to-day driving.

Next: The Cockpit-drill