Safety and Your Vehicle

What is the legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the UK?

• A1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tread width✓
• B0.8mm
• C2.5mm
• D3mm across the whole tread width

Answer: The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tread width. Below this depth, tyres lose grip in wet conditions significantly, increasing braking distance and skidding risk.

How often should you check your tyre pressure?

• ANever—modern tyres hold their pressure permanently and need no checking
• BOnly after a puncture, since pressure cannot fall in an undamaged tyre
• CWeekly, and before a journey when the tyres are cold✓
• DOnce a year, at the annual MOT or service

Answer: The Highway Code (Annex 6) says to check tyre pressures weekly, before your journey, when the tyres are cold, because warm or hot tyres give misleading readings. Under- or over-inflated tyres affect braking and steering, and also increase tyre wear and fuel use.

What does low tyre pressure cause?

• ALittle effect on safety, because the tread does all the work of gripping
• BIncreased fuel consumption and poor handling✓
• CBetter fuel economy
• DIncreased grip on the road

Answer: Low pressure increases tyre flexing, which generates heat, increases fuel consumption, and reduces handling precision. It also increases the risk of a blowout on long journeys.

When must your vehicle have a valid MOT?

• AFrom 1 year old
• BFrom 3 years old✓
• CAt 2 years old
• DFrom 5 years old

Answer: An MOT is required from the vehicle's 3rd birthday and annually thereafter. It checks roadworthiness including brakes, emissions, and safety equipment.

What does the Highway Code say you should do before you drive off?

• AAdjust your seat, seat belt, head restraint and mirrors correctly✓
• BWarm the tyres with a short drive, then check their pressures
• CSet your mirrors after moving off, once you can see the traffic
• DLeave loose luggage on the back seat so it is easy to reach

Answer: The Highway Code (Annex 6) says to make sure your seat, seat belt, head restraint and mirrors are adjusted correctly before you drive, and that luggage is securely stowed. Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold, because warm tyres give misleading readings.

What is the effect of worn brake pads on your vehicle?

• AIncreased stopping distance and risk of brake failure✓
• BReduced braking distance
• CBraking is unaffected
• DIncreased braking power from the pads

Answer: Worn pads reduce friction, requiring more time and distance to stop. They also increase the risk of brake fluid boiling and complete brake failure, making them a serious safety hazard.

How should you check your vehicle's lights are working?

• ASwitch them on and walk around to check or use a reflective surface✓
• BAsk another driver at the next junction whether they can see your lights
• CDon't check—they either work or don't
• DDrive at night and judge from how well the road ahead is lit up in front

Answer: Walking around your vehicle or using a reflective surface to check lights is the proper method. This ensures all lights work before driving, preventing legal penalties and accidents.

What do brake fluid warning lights indicate?

• ALow brake fluid or a brake system fault✓
• BThat the vehicle is due for its annual MOT test
• CA minor matter
• DLow fuel

Answer: A brake warning light means low brake fluid or a system fault. You should stop safely and not continue driving as brakes may fail, which is extremely dangerous.

Why must you wear a seatbelt in a modern car?

• AThe law requires it
• BIt greatly reduces the risk of death and serious injury in a crash
• CIt reduces fuel consumption
• DBoth A and B✓

Answer: Wearing a seatbelt is the law, and it greatly reduces the risk of death and serious injury in a crash. It prevents you hitting the windscreen or being thrown from the car.

What should you do if you notice your steering is unusually heavy or loose?

• ADrive faster, because extra speed loads the steering and settles it down
• BStop and check fluid levels and alignment immediately✓
• CContinue driving to your destination and see whether the steering settles down
• DIgnore it, as heavy steering is normal until the power steering fluid warms up

Answer: Heavy or loose steering indicates a serious fault (low fluid, damage, misalignment). You must stop safely and have it checked professionally before driving further.

What is the purpose of the anti-lock braking system (ABS)?

• ATo prevent wheel lock and skidding during emergency braking✓
• BTo reduce fuel consumption
• CTo shorten your overall stopping distance on every road surface
• DTo improve acceleration

Answer: ABS prevents wheels from locking during hard braking, maintaining steering control and reducing skidding. This allows you to steer around obstacles during emergency stops, which is impossible with locked wheels.

How should you drive if you notice your engine temperature gauge rising dangerously?

• AStop safely as soon as possible and let the engine cool✓
• BSpeed up so airflow cools the engine
• CKeep driving to your destination with the air conditioning switched off
• DContinue to your destination and book the vehicle in for a service afterwards

Answer: A rising temperature indicates overheating and risk of engine damage or failure. You must stop immediately to allow the engine to cool and investigate the problem.

What is the legal minimum insurance requirement for a vehicle in the UK?

• ANo insurance required
• BFully comprehensive
• CThird Party✓
• DThird Party Fire and Theft

Answer: Third Party is the legal minimum as it covers damage to other vehicles and property. Comprehensive insurance is optional but recommended for additional protection.

Why should windscreen wipers be in good condition?

• ATo keep the windscreen washer bottle from freezing up in cold weather
• BTo remove rain and improve visibility✓
• CThey are of little importance to the driver
• DTo improve the appearance of the car when it is parked

Answer: Proper wipers clear rain and debris from your windscreen, maintaining visibility in poor weather. Worn wipers leave streaks and cause you to miss hazards.

What should you do if your vehicle breaks down on a motorway?

• ATry to repair the fault yourself immediately on the hard shoulder
• BPut on hazard lights and get out of the vehicle to stay safe
• CStay in the vehicle with doors locked
• DPut on hazard lights, turn off the engine, move passengers to a safe place away from traffic✓

Answer: Hazard lights warn others, turning off the engine prevents fire risk, and moving away from traffic to a safe place is essential. Staying in or near the vehicle puts you at risk of being hit by passing traffic.