Lesson 1: Car controls and safety checks

By the end of this topic you can

• You can carry out a pre-start check before every drive
• You can find and use the footbrake, handbrake, steering, gears, accelerator and clutch
• You can use wipers, washers, lights, horn, demisters, windows and locks correctly
• You can explain the routine safety checks and show how to do them
• You can explain how smooth use of the controls saves fuel and how to plan a simple journey

What you need to know and understand

• Primary controls move and stop the car: steering, accelerator, clutch, gears, footbrake and handbrake.
• Secondary controls help you see and be seen: wipers, washers, lights, demisters, horn and indicators.
• Before each EDT lesson your ADI checks your learner permit and, if you supply the car, its insurance, motor tax, NCT and roadworthiness. You both sign a declaration.
• L plates must be shown on the front and rear whenever you drive on a learner permit.
• Driving a car that is not roadworthy is unsafe and can break the law.
• Gentle, planned use of the controls reduces fuel use and wear, which helps the environment.

Getting ready for your first EDT session

Read the Rules of the Road sections on the learner driver and vehicle safety, and look through the car's handbook. The RSA booklet suggests getting some practice with the basic controls before lesson 1, with your ADI or a sponsor, or both.

On the day, bring your learner permit and your logbook. Your ADI confirms your identity from the permit photo and checks you are fit to drive, including wearing glasses or lenses if your permit requires them.

A simple pre-drive check

1. Walk round the car: tyres for cuts, bulges and pressure, clean lights, glass and number plates, L plates fitted front and rear.
2. Under the bonnet (as your ADI shows you): engine oil, coolant and washer fluid levels.
3. Inside: doors closed, seat, head restraint and mirrors adjusted, seatbelt on.
4. Before starting: handbrake on and the car in neutral (or park in an automatic).
5. After starting: check the dashboard for warning lights and test the secondary controls you may need.

What your ADI will look for

By the end of the hour you should be able to name and use each control and explain why using it correctly matters for your safety and other people's. You should also be able to describe the main reasons a car might not be roadworthy and what could happen if you drove it anyway.

Lesson 1 also touches on journey planning: knowing your route, allowing time and checking travel information before you set off.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the walk-round because the car looked fine yesterday. Make the check a habit every time.
• Not knowing where the demister and rear window heater are until the windows fog up. Find them while parked.
• Looking down at the pedals or gear lever. Learn their positions while stationary so your eyes stay on the road.
• Forgetting the logbook. Your ADI needs it to sign off the lesson.

Test yourself: Lesson 1: Car controls and safety checks

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• EDT Lesson by Lesson
• Choosing Your First Car
• Choosing Your First Car