This article is a change from the Check Test article promised - that article will now appear in the next issue. This month I have taken a timely opportunity to take a look at the forthcoming driving test changes.

Twenty years after my first venture into basic car care for learners - which included lessons on garage routines and weekly vehicle checks - the DSA has finally caught up on the testing front with 'Show me - Tell me'.

The change is a result of a European directive to ensure that drivers know how to check the safety of their vehicles. It means that if you are not already teaching basic car care, you have about four weeks to get your act together! From September, all L test candidates will be asked a couple of questions about the operation and maintenance of their test vehicle. One question will require the test candidate to show the examiner how to carry out a safety/maintenance check. The other question requires the candidate to explain how a specific safety/maintenance check is done.

All of the items that are covered in the syllabus are those that would normally be done in your own daily or weekly vehicle checks; all you have to do is share these checks with your pupils. There are various ways you can do this. If you follow my lead from 20 years ago, you will opt to teach the routines on a one-to-one basis during normal lessons.

However, you could also consider a monthly group session. A two hour session with around ten pupils paying £10 each could be quite profitable.

By working in conjunction with your local car dealer you might gain sponsorship for basic equipment such as plastic gloves and 'hi visibility vests' (and coffee!) You could also include a guided tour around the workshop to add interest. If you are really enterprising, you might even persuade your local AA/RAC/National Breakdown patrolman or rep to pop in for 20 minutes to explain that roadside breakdowns are often the result of poor maintenance. By using a dealer you could also show checks on two or three different vehicles to add to the 'life skill' element of the training (by showing that the procedures are the same on most vehicles).

When you have decided the format for your lessons, you need to sort out a syllabus. As stated above, the good news is that the areas being tested are simply routine checks and maintenance. You won't need to explain how to replace a water pump or a worn big-end bearing!
The main topic areas for car drivers are:

• Tyres
• Brakes
• Fluids
• Lights & Reflectors
• Direction indicators
• Horn

By teaching basic 'life skill' information about these subjects you can ensure that your pupils have no problems with the new test. All questions asked during the test will refer specifically to the test vehicle.

With this in mind, if the examiner asked a test candidate in a Seat Arosa how to replace a headlamp bulb, the answer would be: "I'd take the car to my local dealer" (the bulbs are not user serviceable).

On a totally different subject: the question of user serviceability raises the issue about which vehicles are commercially suitable for driving instruction. If a non-replaceable bulb fails just before a test, the instructor could be faced with a bill for the test, lose income from the lesson time and be sued by the pupil for lost earnings (if time was taken off work, especially for the test) ­ food for thought perhaps? But for now, let's get back to the 'Show me - Tell me' subjects.

Tyres

Questions relating to tyres are designed to ensure that the candidate understands the need for tyre maintenance and is able to carry out basic tyre checks. The examiner cannot ask the pupil to inflate the tyres as there are no facilities to do so. Nor should he ask for any demonstration that could be dangerous - for example, running hands around the rim of the tyre.
If you don't already carry a tyre tread depth and pressure gauge, now is the time to get down to your local accessories store.

Brakes

Although modern braking systems are very reliable - most cars now have failsafe dual-circuit hydraulic systems - problems can still arise that will impede braking efficiency or cause brake failure. Brake lights can also fail.

Your pupils should know how to check that brake lights are working and be able to perform static and mobile brake checks and how to check the efficiency of the handbrake.

Fluids

The examiner will not ask test candidates to do anything that might bring them into contact with hot parts of the engine. However, your pupils may be asked to open the bonnet and point out various fluid reservoirs and how they can be checked and topped up (they will not, however, have to top up the fluids). As well as checking general fluid levels, candidates can also be asked to check the oil level using the dip-stick.

When teaching under-bonnet checks, it is of the utmost importance that you set some basic Health and Safety guidelines.

• The engine must always be switched off before opening the bonnet
• The lid of the coolant reservoir must never be removed while the engine is hot

Make sure that you have polythene gloves, and wet wipes or similar for pupils to wipe their hands after making under bonnet checks. If any reservoir lid has been removed during the test, check to make sure that it has been replaced properly before leaving the test centre.

Although not specifically tested, your pupil should know about fuelling the vehicle and the importance of selecting the appropriate fuel.

Lights and reflectors

Driving ­ the Essential Skills advises that lights should be checked both before and during long journeys. Pupils should be able to make these simple checks and know how to change a bulb (where possible). It might be worth providing a fluorescent vest for your pupil to wear when making these, and other checks ­ especially if your local test-centre doesn't have a car park.

If your car has a headlight adjuster your pupil should know how and when to use it.

Indicators

Your pupils should know about and be able to use arm signals, either in place of, or to reinforce indicator signals. However, if the indicators fail during a driving test, the test will be abandoned (even if the pupil volunteers arm signals). Pupils who are able to rectify the fault within a few minutes by changing a bulb, are able to continue the test.

To this end, and for the purpose of weekly and daily checks, it is essential for pupils to recognise and respond to clues that suggest problems with the indicators and be able to check correct operation (without misleading other road users in the process!)

Horn

As with many of the other items in the 'Show me - Tell me' syllabus, a functioning horn is a legal requirement. What is perhaps more important, is the fact that it can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation.

It's important to remember that the operation of the horn can only be demonstrated in an off-road situation as its use when parked is only permitted to warn of danger ­ for example, if someone was about to reverse into you.

With this in mind, your pupil would need to ensure that it was a safe and legal position if the horn were to be demonstrated - otherwise a simple explanation of how to work the horn would be sufficient.

If you want some more specific ideas about 'Show me - Tell me', visit the Free Member's Area at www.smartdriving.co.uk.

You can contact John Farlam by:
email: John@smartdriving.co.uk
and/or get free driving, training and business advice by visiting:
www.smartdriving.co.uk