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DVA report 1.2

Vehicle Safety Questions on the Northern Ireland driving test

The examiner asks vehicle-safety questions before or during the test. Incorrect answers can add a driving fault.

What the examiner is assessing

You should know how to explain or demonstrate routine checks covering items such as fluids, lights, tyres, brakes and steering.

The category does not determine the grade by itself.A mistake can be recorded differently depending on the circumstances, repetition and level of risk. One serious or dangerous fault fails the test, while 16 or more driving faults also results in a fail.

Examples of weaknesses in this area

These examples are for understanding and practice; they are not a promise that a particular mistake will always receive a particular grade.

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Not knowing where or how a basic fluid-level check is made.

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Being unable to explain a tyre or brake safety check clearly.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Practise on the actual car you are likely to use for the test.
  2. Use PureCar’s Show Me / Tell Me practice until every check can be explained without guessing.

Turn the report into practice

Related practice guide

Work directly on the driving skill most closely connected to this report area.

Open practice guide →

Build an Improvement Plan

Add this category alongside the other marks from your report.

Create plan →

Mock Practical Test

Track faults during a supervised practice drive.

Start mock →

Other report categories

1.0 Eyesight Test 2.0 Ancillary Controls 3.0 Precautions 4.0–4.7 Control 5.0–5.2 Move Away 6.0–6.2 Emergency Stop 7.0–7.2 Reverse to the Left or Right 8.0–8.2 Turn in the Road 9.0–9.2 Reverse Parking
Reviewed against official Northern Ireland guidanceInformation checked 21 September 2026.
Official source ↗