The inner workings of your car that you are required to know for the Irish Driving Test can be split up into two sections, actually three. They are as follows:

Technical Checks under the Bonnet.Technical Checks both inside and outside of the Car.

Technical Checks under the Bonnet or Hood

1. Identify Oil Dipstick and demonstrate how to check the correct oil.

2. Identify Coolant reservoir and demonstrate how to check correct level.

3. Identify Screen wash reservoir and demonstrate how to check correct level.

4. Identify Power Steering Reservoir (if fitted) and demonstrate how to check correct level.

5. Identify Brake Fluid Reservoir and demonstrate how to check correct level.

Technical Checks Inside and Outside the Car.

1. Demonstrate how you would check the Brake Lights when on your own.

2. Demonstrate the three checks you would perform on a Tyre to ensure it was safe and legal.

3. Demonstrate how you would check the Brakes for correct operation.

4. Demonstrate how you would check the Handbrake for correct operation.

5. Demonstrate how you would check that the Power Steering was operational.

Secondary Controls Checks.

1. All Lights Headlights and Indicators including Fog lights.

2. Heater and Demister controls.

3. Wiper and Screenwash controls front and rear.

4. Electric Mirrors and any other Electrically operated equipment such as Driver and Passenger Windows.

As you can see the list is extensive but not rocket science once you have been guided by your Instructor. While the under the Bonnet (hood) equipment is standard kit in every new car there will still be some older cars without some of the more recent innovations. In addition the location and identification of this equipment is often different in certain makes and models.

If you have changed your car before the Driving Test it is essential you take some time to familiarize yourself with the equipment in your car. A valuable mark can be thrown away by not being able to answer these Technical Checks adequately. Eight grade two faults throughout the Test will get you through …JUST… but nine or more will lead to a fail.

Any Driving Instructor worth his or her salt will have gone through these checks on day one (weather permitting) so that you will not have an avalanche of things to remember on the day of the Driving Test.

Why no answers? Well you tell me. Driving a car is not the same as steering a Supermarket Trolley and throwing in a few packets of pasta while on the way to the Checkout. It requires commitment and action on your part to both drive safely and to pass the Irish Driving Test. I am sure you can find a way to come by the answers. Can you read?

One tip I will give you is that many non European Cars have no colour identifying marks for the equipment you need to recognize so if you leave it to the last minute before becoming totally familiar with your kit you will come unstuck…period.

Some cars have a hydraulic strut to support the Bonnet (hood) which is very convenient others have the traditional bar which has to be put in place before the bonnet is secure.

Any fiddling around with these items and hesitant answers to the questions will show the Examiner immediately that you have not taken the trouble to learn what are vital and essential skills in running and driving a car. You will already be trying to climb a mountain that was just a hill a few minutes previously.

The choice is yours!