Monday 1st September 2003

Maintenance Tests

Driving test candidates will be asked some numpty questions about maintenance from today

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[docevi1]

while this is a great and welcome idea I don't think it should come at the deficit of driving time!

Ultimately a safe car in a dangerous drivers hands is still a dangerous car!

Yes add these parts to the test, but add them, not substitute!

[dick dastardly]

Good idea, finally a step in the right direction. The bike theory test has maintenance questions on it already

p.s.

"99% of men claim they can check tyre pressures...100% of men claim they can check oil levels"

The majority of people I know don't have a clue and never check stuff. Sounds like a lot of people have been lying to the market researchers.

[m-five]

dick dastardly said:

Good idea, finally a step in the right direction. The bike theory test has maintenance questions on it already p.s. "99% of men claim they can check tyre pressures...100% of men claim they can check oil levels" The majority of people I know don't have a clue and never check stuff. Sounds like a lot of people have been lying to the market researchers.

The operative word is 'CAN' not 'DO'!

I 'can' check my tyres, lights, engine oil, gearbox oil, diff oil, brake pads, brake discs and brake shoes every day - however I don't!

[gilese]

The test is on the bbc news site. The under bonnet picture isn't very good so if you don't get them all correct then don't kill yourself.

[planetdave]

As a class 'A' pedant (OK I used to be a driving instructor).
Instructors do the teaching and examiners do the examining.

And WTF has knowing how to check the oil got to do with safe driving?

But on the other hand it will line the pockets of driving instructors.
And they need all the cash they can get. I could explain why but it is complecated. Making ADIs richer is good for us all. You will just have to trust me on this one.

[m-five]

planetdave said:

As a class 'A' pedant... And WTF has knowing how to check the oil got to do with safe driving?

I'd say you were a class 'B' pedant, as if the car is not safe then no matter how good a driver you are, your control over the vehicle could be limited by the state of the tyres, suspension and brakes.

The oil and water checks are safety checks in that if they are both fine, you are less likely to break down due to a low oil or water level.

The electrics check is obvious - assuming it's dark - if your lights don't work then you can't see where you're going properly (and I have driven in the dark with no lights when a full moon lit the road ahead and it was great - until I went into a tree-line avenue) and other people can't see you!

>> Edited by m-five on Tuesday 2nd September 10:55

[kevinday]

About time too! Now maybe trafpol (those that are left) will be able to stop and penalise drivers who are driving cars in an unsafe condition, such as non-functional brake lights, flat tyres etc.