Vehicle Controls

Your dashboard shows a red oil can symbol. What does this mean?

A red temperature gauge warning light comes on while driving. What should you do?

A red battery symbol appears on your dashboard while driving. What does this indicate?

Your dashboard shows an orange (amber) engine management light (engine outline). What should you do?

What does an orange fuel pump symbol on the dashboard mean?

A dashboard light shows the letters "ABS." What does this system do?

An orange seatbelt symbol with a person appears on the dashboard. What does this mean?

Your dashboard shows a symbol of a car with wavy lines underneath it. What does this indicate?

A dashboard light shows a circle with an exclamation mark (!). What does this typically indicate?

What does a red hand brake / "P" light on the dashboard mean?

A yellow airbag warning light remains on after starting the vehicle. What does this mean?

What does a blue headlight symbol on the dashboard indicate?

Green arrows flashing on both sides of your dashboard mean:

What does a yellow snowflake or ice crystal symbol on the dashboard warn of?

Your dashboard shows a red BRAKE warning light while driving (not the parking brake). What could this mean?

A green "ECO" light appears on the dashboard while driving. What does this mean?

What does an orange spanner or wrench symbol on the dashboard indicate?

What is the function of the clutch pedal in a manual transmission vehicle?

In a typical manual car, what is the correct order of pedals from left to right?

In an automatic transmission vehicle, which pedals are present?

What is "engine braking"?

What is the correct procedure when coming to a stop in a manual vehicle?

When moving off on a hill (uphill start) in a manual vehicle, what is the safest technique?

What is the accelerator pedal used for?

What is the purpose of the rear-view mirror?

What are the two side mirrors (wing mirrors) used for?

What is a "blind spot"?

When should you check your mirrors?

The rear-view mirror shows a vehicle with its lights flashing behind you. What does this likely indicate?

How should your interior rear-view mirror be adjusted?

How should the interior (rear-view) mirror be positioned?

What are "blind spots" in relation to vehicle mirrors?

How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

What is a "convex" side mirror and why are they used?

What is the function of the rear-view and exterior mirrors?

Besides failing to check your mirrors, what other mirror-related error attracts penalty points in the driving test?

Why is it not enough to check only the interior rear-view mirror before changing lanes?

When approaching a potential hazard, what should you do with your mirrors?

What must a rearview mirror let the driver see from the driving position?

What extra mirror must a bus operating for reward be fitted with?

How should you hold the steering wheel for maximum control?

What is "over-steering"?

What is the "pull-push" steering technique?

According to K53, when should both hands be on the steering wheel?

What is the function of the steering wheel?

Where should your hands be placed on the steering wheel?

Why should you avoid turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is completely stationary?

What does 'counter-steering' mean in the K53 system?

Which steering technique is required for turning in a light motor vehicle during the K53 road test?

What does 'straddling the lane markings' mean, and why is it penalised?

How many hands must remain on the steering wheel while driving?

When should you use the handbrake (parking brake)?

What can happen if you drive with the handbrake partially applied?

Before starting a journey, what should you check on your tyres?

What fluid levels should you check before a long journey?

How do you check the engine oil level?

What should you check your lights for before a journey?

What should you check about your brakes before driving?

What must every motor vehicle carry by law for emergency use?

Why should you adjust your seat position before driving?

What should you check about the vehicle's horn before a journey?

Before reversing, what must you always do?

How should you check if your brake lights are working?

When checking engine oil, the dipstick shows oil between MIN and MAX. What should you do?

What should you check about the windscreen before driving?

You notice a slow puncture (tyre gradually losing pressure) in one of your tyres. What should you do?

How should you check that your horn (hooter) is working?

What does the term "GVM" mean in relation to a vehicle?

Your power steering fluid reservoir is below the minimum mark. What symptoms might you notice?

What is the purpose of checking the condition of wiper blades before a trip?

What type of fuel does a diesel engine require?

What does it mean when your temperature gauge moves into the red zone?

What is the function of coolant (antifreeze) in a vehicle?

What is the purpose of the vehicle's battery?

Your vehicle's alternator warning light (usually a battery symbol) stays on while driving. What does this mean?

During a pre-trip inspection, what should you check about the vehicle's mirrors?

What is the purpose of checking the indicators (turn signals) work before a journey?

What colour are the front indicator lights?

When should you switch from high beam to low beam headlights?

What is the purpose of fog lights?

What does the speedometer measure?

What does the tachometer (rev counter) show?

What does the fuel gauge show?

The temperature gauge needle moves into the red zone. What does this mean?

What does the odometer record?

What does the engine temperature gauge needle in the normal/middle position indicate?

In an automatic vehicle, what does "D" on the gear selector mean?

In any vehicle (manual or automatic), what gear/position should you be in when parked?

What does "R" mean on an automatic gear selector?

In a manual gearbox, what happens if you select a lower gear at too high a speed?

What must the windscreen be free of for legal driving?

When must windscreen wipers be used?

What is the primary purpose of the vehicle horn?

What is the correct tyre pressure for a vehicle?

What are the effects of UNDER-inflated tyres?

What should you do when you experience a tyre blowout at speed?

What is hydroplaning (aquaplaning) and how do you prevent it?

What is a "run-flat tyre"?

How do you check if a tyre has sufficient tread using the coin method?

What causes uneven tyre wear — more wear on the edges than the centre?

What is the correct procedure when you experience a front tyre blowout while driving?

What information is printed on the sidewall of a tyre, e.g. "205/55 R16 91V"?

What is the minimum legal tread depth on a pneumatic tyre?

A tyre has a built-in tread depth indicator. When does that tyre become illegal?

What does a pneumatic tyre with its fabric or cord showing through mean for the vehicle?

A tyre develops a lump or bulge caused by a partial break in its structure. What does the law require?

May a motor vehicle other than a tractor or trailer run on metal tyres?

A regrooved tyre is prohibited on a motor vehicle when its bead diameter is which size?

A cut that reaches the cords of a tyre makes it illegal once it exceeds which measurement?

What is the danger of driving with a dirty or fogged-up windscreen?

How should you clear an iced-up windscreen in cold weather?

What is the purpose of an airbag?

What does the ABS system do in an emergency stop?

When braking with ABS, you might feel a pulsating/vibrating sensation in the brake pedal. What should you do?

What is the purpose of Electronic Stability Control (ESC/ESP)?

What is "cruise control" and when should it NOT be used?

What is the function of a catalytic converter?

What is the purpose of a spare tyre?

When should a fire extinguisher in a vehicle be used?

What is the purpose of a first-aid kit in a vehicle?

A blue light shaped like a headlight beam appears on your dashboard. What does it indicate?

A green arrow flashes rapidly on your dashboard. What does this typically indicate?

A yellow light shows a symbol resembling a horseshoe with an exclamation mark inside. What does this mean?

A symbol of a car with wavy lines beneath it (like water) illuminates. What does this indicate?

A small symbol of a car door that appears open is shown on the dashboard. What should you do?

A yellow symbol shows a spanner/wrench. What does this typically mean on a modern vehicle?

Your fuel gauge needle rests on "E" and a fuel pump icon illuminates. How many kilometres do you typically have left?

An amber symbol shows a circle with an X through it (or sometimes a circle with wavy lines). What does this signify?

What is "power steering" and what should you do if it fails?

What is the correct seating position for controlling a vehicle?

What is the "10 and 2" or "9 and 3" hand position on a steering wheel?

When should you NOT use engine braking (downshifting) to slow your vehicle?

In a manual vehicle, when should you change to a higher gear?

In a manual vehicle, what happens if you change into too low a gear at high speed (e.g., 2nd gear at 100 km/h)?

What is the function of the clutch pedal in a manual vehicle?

What is "riding the clutch"?

In an automatic vehicle, what does the "L" or "1" position on the gear selector do?

In an automatic vehicle, what does "D" (Drive) on the gear selector mean?

In an automatic vehicle, what does "N" (Neutral) do?

What is the function of the gear lever?

When slowing down, what is the correct relationship between braking and changing to a lower gear?

What does 'coasting' mean, and why is it penalised?

You are climbing a hill and your speed keeps dropping despite steady pressure on the accelerator. What should you do?

In an automatic vehicle, when is manual gear selection normally needed?

When changing UP a gear in a manual vehicle, what happens to the accelerator?

What is the difference between front fog lights and high-beam headlights?

When should you use hazard (emergency) lights while driving?

What are reversing lights (back-up lights) and when do they activate?

What colour are the rear lights that indicate braking (brake lights)?

A vehicle's rear tail light is not functioning. Is it legal to drive at night with only one tail light?

When must the main beam of your headlamps be extinguished?

Every lamp required on a vehicle must be visible to a person of normal eyesight from what distance?

Which fitted lamp removes the need to give the hand signal for slowing down?

Which lamps must be kept lit on a motor vehicle between sunset and sunrise?

Apart from night-time, lamps must also burn when people and vehicles cannot be seen clearly at what distance?

A parked vehicle need not keep its lamps burning if it stands within what distance of a lighted street lamp?

When parking a vehicle on a slope, what should you always do besides applying the handbrake?

What does it mean if your vehicle pulls to one side when you brake?

What is the function of the vehicle's differential?

What is the accelerator pedal's primary function?

What should you do if your accelerator pedal sticks while driving?

In the K53 system, when should you check your blind spots?

What is "brake fade" and when does it typically occur?

You press the brake pedal and it sinks slowly to the floor. What does this indicate?

What is the correct procedure to stop a vehicle with failed brakes on a public road?

When should you test your brakes?

How should the foot brake be applied in normal driving?

Where possible, on what kind of course should braking be carried out?

When coming to a stop in a manual vehicle, what is the correct order of brake and clutch?

In the official K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 1 is the WIPER. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, controls numbered 2 and 3 are the EXTERIOR MIRRORS. What is their function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 4 is the STEERING WHEEL. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 5 is the INDICATOR. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 6 is the GEAR LEVER. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 7 is the PARKING BRAKE. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 8 is the CLUTCH. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 9 is the FOOT BRAKE. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 10 is the ACCELERATOR. What is its function?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, control number 11 is the HOOTER. What is its function?

According to the K53 controls diagram, which controls must you use to "check if it is safe to move"?

To "indicate your intention to change direction or turn," which control must you use?

To "select a gear" in a manual vehicle, which two controls must you use together?

To "stop or reduce speed suddenly," which control should you primarily use?

To "negotiate a sharp turn," the K53 system requires you to use which set of controls in sequence?

In the K53 motor vehicle controls diagram, the REAR-VIEW MIRROR (interior mirror) is also included. What is it used for?

Before moving off from a stationary position in a manual vehicle, what is the correct K53 sequence?

When coming to a stop in a manual vehicle, what is the correct procedure for the clutch and brake?

What does "coasting" mean in relation to clutch use, and why is it dangerous?

On a motorcycle, what control is equivalent to the steering wheel in a car?

On a motorcycle, where is the accelerator (throttle) located?

On a motorcycle, how does the front brake differ from the rear brake in terms of location?

On a motorcycle, the clutch lever is located:

What is the function of the ENGINE CUT-OFF switch on a motorcycle?

On a motorcycle, the gear lever is operated by:

When should you NEVER use the front brake on a motorcycle?

What is the function of the clutch pedal?

What is the function of the foot brake?

What is the function of the accelerator pedal?

In a manual light motor vehicle, which pedal is furthest to the LEFT?

In a manual light motor vehicle, which pedal sits in the middle of the three?

What is the purpose of the parking brake?

When is it acceptable to apply the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion?

How do you check that the parking brake will actually hold the vehicle stationary?

What should you do with the ratchet release button when APPLYING a hand-operated parking brake?

In a vehicle with a FOOT-operated parking brake, what is the correct sequence when stopping on an incline?

What is the function of the indicator?

Why is it important to cancel your indicator after completing a manoeuvre?

How far in advance should you signal your intention to turn or change lanes?

According to the regulations, at what point must a direction indicator be switched off?

What is the function of the hooter?

Under the regulations, in what circumstances may a hooter be sounded on a public road?

What does the speedometer show?

The temperature gauge on your instrument panel rises into the red zone while you are driving. What does this indicate?

During the pre-trip inspection, when should the ignition key be turned to the ON position without starting the engine?

What does the odometer show?

What does the rev counter (tachometer) show?

A warning light on the instrument panel illuminates while you are driving. What should you do?

In a heavy vehicle with air brakes, what must you do after starting the engine?

What does the fuel gauge on the instrument panel show?

The oil pressure warning light comes on while you are driving. What should you do?

Which controls would you use to negotiate a sharp turn?

During the pre-trip interior inspection, why must you check the seat adjustment before anything else?

On a motorcycle, which control corresponds to the steering wheel of a car?

On a motorcycle, how is the clutch operated?

A vehicle must be built and kept so that the driver has a full and clear view in which directions?

During a pre-trip inspection, what should you check on each tyre?

What does 'obtaining clutch control' mean?

What does 'riding the clutch' mean?

What does 'slipping the clutch' mean?

Pressing the clutch pedal fully down has what immediate effect on the drive?

Which factors should determine the speed you choose, apart from the posted limit?

During the road test, can you be penalised for driving too SLOWLY?

What is the function of the windscreen wiper?

How many windscreen wipers must a motor vehicle fitted with a windscreen have as a legal minimum?

A windscreen wiper must be capable of being operated by what means?