From next Monday the driving test gets tougher. Daniel Attwood answers the questions preying on motoring minds
Will next Monday be all about kisses and cuddles?
It might be St Valentine's Day, but for the 130,000 or so provisional motorists waiting to take their driving test February 14th marks a new era.
From Monday the test will change to incorporate two new elements - a knowledge of technical aspects of the vehicle and the type of vehicle to be presented for the driving test.
Which should I be more concerned about?
Well, if you are just going for a car licence then concentrate on the first element.
So what new areas should I be concentrating on?
The Department of Transport, who introduced the new sections, now expects anyone going for a driving test to be familiar with the basic technical checks that would be required on the type of vehicle they are using for their driving test.
What?
They want to make sure you know the difference between your radiator coolant and your screen wash, and how to check things such as the engine oil level or the tyre pressures.
Oh, I see, basic maintenance.
Yes - but don't arrive thinking it's that simple. You may be asked how a check would be performed on 10 different items: the steering, brakes, lights, reflectors, indicators and tyres as well as the more obvious items such as the engine oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid or horn.
That all sounds a bit too mechanical for me. I don't really know what goes on under the bonnet.
You don't have to have a mechanical knowledge of your car. What you will be asked are questions such as how would you check the condition of the tyres?
Oh no, and what should I say?
Well, it's quite simple. You would answer something along the lines of: I would look to see if the air pressure is adequate, or if the tread is worn or if there is a bulge or any damage to the tyre. Any one of those answers is enough.
Go on give me another question.
OK, if your question relates to the steering mechanism, you may be asked to locate the power steering fluid reservoir. Simply, lift the bonnet and point to the reservoir and say that I would check the fluid level in this and if it were too low, I would top it up. Do that and you're another tick closer to your licence.
Am I going to get my hands all dirty?
No, you'll be asked to explain how at least three such checks would be done but you will not have to actually do them. The closest you will come to getting your hands dirty is when you open and close the bonnet.
Good. I was going to wear my favourite skirt. I'd hate to get that dirty. Has anything else changed?
Well, other recent changes mean that you should know how to operate all the secondary controls, such as windscreen wipers and washers, demisters, rear window heater and air-conditioning. You must also know how to adjust the seat, seat-belt and mirrors and ensure that all the doors are closed fully.
And if I can't?
You fail.
Do the changes just apply to provisional car drivers?
No, nobody escapes. Even motorcyclists must answer new questions, such as on-road position or skidding. They will also have to answer questions about technical checks in the same way as car drivers.
Anyone else affected by the changes?
Yes, want-to-be truck and bus drivers will now need to know such things as when, where and how to use the red warning triangle and what to be aware of when planning a journey. In addition, they are also subject to the new technical checks questions.
I'd better learn more about my car?
Yes, but these are all basic knowledge questions that you should know before driving a vehicle anyway. Oh, and if you don't know already then go outside and make sure you can lift and close your bonnet - you'd be surprised how many have difficulty doing that - don't be one of them!
OK. So, where can I find out more about the changes?
Go to www.drivingtest.ie