Course Structure
Knowledge of your vehicles basic workings and mechanics through to how to check the oil, water levels, tyre pressure and tread depth and how to check that your brake, headlights, indicators and reversing lights are all working correctly
What to do when getting into you vehicle. ensuring the seat and mirrors are positioned correctly, checking dashboard warning lights etc before getting ready to move off
How to put the car into gear, signalling and what blind spots to check before you disengage the handbrake, the clutch and start to accelerate an move out of you parking space
How to safely use the clutch and changing up and down through the gears to control your speed
How to position the car when arriving at junctions, traffic lights Pedestrian crossings or hazards
In a controlled and safe manner
from junctions, once again blind spot and mirror checks and preparing to turn into a road safely
teaching you how to parallel and reverse park into spaces or car parking bays
We teach you and then practice how to safely join emerging junctions and cross roads
We teach you how to approach a roundabout how to enter a roundabout and the correct signalling procedure when going round a roundabout.
Maintaining speed overtaking and accelerating a decelerating
What is a hazard how to react to hazards and prepare before a potential hazard is realised.
How to perform an emergency stop safely.
How to drive safely in rain snow and icy conditions
COMPETENCIES YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN
Your driving test will cover many of the following areas if you have knowledge and experience in these areas you will pass your driving test.
DRIVING ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- The Highway Code
- Know Your Traffic Signs
- Vehicle handbook
- Other traffics
- Signals
COCKPIT CHECKS
- DSSSM
- driving position
- head restraints
- seat belts
- doors
- gears and handbrake safety check
- mirrors
- order of adjustment
- mirror adjustment, including anti-dazzle
- variety of seat adjustments
SAFETY CHECKS
- POWER (petrol - oil - water - electrics - rubber)
- daily and weekly vehicle checks
- service intervals
- planning for journeys
- clear windscreens
MOVING AWAY & STOPPING
- MSM and PSL
- observation and blind spots
- control and co-ordination
- on level and on gradient
- at angle and straight ahead
- co-ordination of accelerator, clutch and footbrake
- handbrake and steering
- where, when and what to look for
- suitable stopping places
- signals when necessary
SAFE POSITIONING
- normal driving
- lane discipline
- passing stationary vehicles and obstructions
- bends
- MSM and PSL
- other vehicle’s positioning (LGV, cyclists etc)
- wide and narrow roads
- one-way streets
MIRRORS - VISION & USE
- interior and exterior
- flat, concave and convex
- MSM and PSL
- when to use them
- why they should be used
- how to act on what is seen
- blind spots
- frequency of checks and why
ANTICIPATION & PLANNING
- risk awareness in connection with: drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, animals, road works, emergency vehicles and any other road users
- MSM and PSL
- hazard perception
- visual warnings
- times and places of high risk
- weather conditions
- scanning and priorities
USE OF SPEED
- appropriate speed
- making progress
- hesitancy
- national speed limits
- restricted speed limits
- road and weather conditions
- traffic conditions
- pedestrian activity
- stopping distances
OTHER TRAFFIC
- meeting, crossing and overtaking
- one way and two way roads
- three-lane two-way roads
- major, minor and narrow roads
- dual carriageways
- MSM and PSL
- when and why to give way
- passing places and warning signs
- obstructions, parked vehicles
- planning and anticipation
- how to act on what is seen
- motorways
JUNCTIONS
- T-junctions and Y-junctions
- crossroads and slip roads
- marked and unmarked junctions
- one-way streets
- urban, rural and dual carriageways
- MSM and PSL
- turning, entering and emerging
- advance warning signs and road markings
- zones of vision
- priorities
ROUNDABOUTS
- mini and major
- multiple and satellite
- traffic light controlled
- approaching and entering
- leaving and turning
- straight ahead
- MSM and PSL
- lane discipline
- correct position
- zones of vision
- observation
- priorities
SIGNALS
- by arm and by indicators
- brake, reversing and hazard lights
- by other road users and traffic controllers
- why signals are necessary
- when and how to signal
- unnecessary signals
Show Me Tell Me
See below for the DSA Show Me Tell Me Questions and Answers:
What to do when getting into you vehicle. ensuring the seat and mirrors are positioned correctly, checking dashboard warning lights etc before getting ready to move off
Under the bonnet, point to the reservoir and explain how to check the level.
Operate the brake pedal to see the lights working. The Examiner will help by checking the lights are working
Explain that if the steering feels heavy it may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning properly as the steering will feel light.
Check for the correct pressure in the manufacturer’s guide; use a reliable pressure gauge; check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold including spare tyre; and remember to refit valve caps.
Demonstrate by applying parking brake. When it’s fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.
Point to dipstick oil level indicator then tell the examiner how to check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markers. (You will not be required to pull out the dipstick.)
Point to the min and max level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level. (Never remove the cap when the engine is hot as you risk being scalded.)
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.
There should be no cuts and bulges in the wall of the tyre, and there should be at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Check is carried out by sounding the horn (turn on ignition if necessary).
Operate the control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).
Explain how to turn on the lights by operating the switch (most vehicles need the ignition to be turned on.)
Operate the front and rear demister switches
Operate the fog light switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on showing that the fog lights are on. Explain when you would use them.
Operate the switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), identify the blue warning light which shows when main beam is on. Be careful not to distract other road users
Point to the warning light on the instrument panel and explain that it will illuminate permanently in the event of a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
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