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Practical test

Show me, tell me: the car checks on the driving test

Before you drive, the tester asks how you would check three things on the car, then has you work three of its controls. These are all twenty they choose from, with the answers from the RSA’s own booklets.

Car (category B) test. From the RSA’s standard procedures for driving tests (2025), 12 Car Safety Checks and Category B learner driver training syllabus.

Tell me

Technical checks

At the car, the tester asks how you would check 3 of these 10, picked at random. Oil, coolant and the washer mean opening the bonnet and closing it securely yourself.

Tyres

How would you check the tyres?

  1. Check the pressure with an accurate gauge against your car's figure: it is in the handbook, and often inside the fuel cover or the door.
  2. The tread must be at least 1.6 mm. The RSA advises changing tyres at 3 mm, and a €1 coin makes a quick gauge.
  3. Look for sidewall tears, exposed plies, damage from something sharp, and bulges.
Lights

How would you check the lights?

  1. Check every outside light works: side lights, headlights and daytime running lights, indicators and fog lights.
  2. At the back: rear lights, brake lights, number plate lights and reversing lights.
  3. Keep them clean, and replace a failed bulb or a damaged lens.
Reflectors

How would you check the reflectors?

  1. Check each one is there, clean and in good condition.
  2. They have to show up in the lights of other traffic.
Indicators

How would you check the indicators?

  1. Switch on each side in turn.
  2. Check every indicator flashes, front and rear, and shows clearly amber.
Engine oil
Bonnet open

How would you check the engine oil?

  1. Read the dipstick: the oil should be between the minimum and maximum marks.
  2. Top up through the oil filler cap, with the oil the handbook names.
  3. A car with no dipstick shows a low oil level on the dashboard.
Coolant
Bonnet open

How would you check the coolant?

  1. With the engine cold, look at the coolant tank under the bonnet, usually see-through.
  2. The level should be between the minimum and maximum marks.
  3. Top up only as the handbook says, with the coolant it names.
  4. Never open the cap when the engine is hot.
Wipers and washer fluid
Bonnet open

How would you check the wipers and the windscreen washer fluid?

  1. The washer reservoir is under the bonnet: top it up, with an antifreeze additive the maker approves.
  2. Never put engine coolant in the washer.
  3. Check the wiper blades for wear: streaks, noise, judder or lifting at speed mean new blades.
Steering

How would you check the steering?

  1. Check the power steering fluid under the bonnet. The see-through tank has marks for hot and cold.
  2. The level should be between the minimum and maximum.
  3. Use only the fluid the handbook names: the wrong one can damage the system.
Brakes

How would you check the brakes?

  1. Look at the brake fluid in its see-through container under the bonnet, without opening the cap. At or below the minimum mark, go to a garage at once.
  2. Signs of worn brakes: having to press harder to stop, scraping or squealing, or the car pulling to one side when you brake.
  3. Worn pads usually light no warning.
Horn

How would you check the horn?

  1. Know where it is.
  2. Press it briefly to check that it sounds.
Answers from the RSA’s 12 Car Safety Checks, and the Category B learner driver training syllabus.

Show me

Secondary controls

In the car, with the engine running, you work 3 of these 10. They are in a different place in every car, so find each one in the car you will test in, with its handbook.

Wipers

Show me how to work the wipers.

  1. Switch the wipers on and try their speeds.
  2. Switch them off again.
Lights and dipping the headlights

Show me the lights, and how to dip the headlights.

  1. Switch on the headlights.
  2. Change between main beam and dipped.
  3. Switch them off again.
Windscreen washer

Show me how to work the windscreen washer.

  1. Work the washer control to spray the windscreen.
Fan

Show me how to work the fan.

  1. Switch the fan on and turn it up and down.
  2. Switch it off.
Air vents

Show me the air vents.

  1. Open and close the vents.
  2. Point them where the air is needed.
Rear window heater

Show me the rear window heater.

  1. Switch it on: it clears mist and frost from the rear window.
  2. Switch it off again.
Air conditioning

Show me the air conditioning.

  1. Switch it on and off, if your car has it.
Temperature control

Show me the temperature control.

  1. Turn it warmer, then cooler.
Rear fog lights

Show me the rear fog lights.

  1. Switch them on and off.
  2. They are for seriously reduced visibility only.
  3. Switch them off when it clears, or they dazzle the driver behind and hide your brake lights.
Air intake

Show me the air intake control.

  1. Switch between fresh air from outside and air recirculated inside the car.
Answers from the RSA’s Category B learner driver training syllabus, and the driving test's standard procedures.

The rest of the day

Rules of the Road at the desk, then the drive

The checks are one part of the test. Before them come 14 questions at the desk, hand signals among them, and after them a drive of at least 25 minutes.

The driving test, step by step