Test next Saturday and have a few questions

sophya

Preparing for it now and planning to do it in my own car.

Just checking over everything and wanted to ask about motor tax. My disc says 11-12. Does that mean it expires at the end of the month? Should I go into the motor tax office and renew it just to be safe?

Planning to clean the car at the weekend. Am I right in thinking that all I need to do is hoover the seats/dust and make sure the windows/mirrors aren't streaky?

Thanks for any help

LookBehindYou

11-12 means it is taxed to the end of November, so no worries.
Check that brake lights, indicators are working, and know how to check for Oil, Coolant, Brake fluid etc.

starlit

Windows to be clean and spotless for good view, no stickers or fandals hanging off it or toys/air fresheners as they might block view. Make sure wipers are in good knick. Brake lights need to be working, lights should be working, if brake pads are worn/squeaky might need to be fixed if lights not working.
Tyres normal pressure tyre depth 1.6mm, L plates correct position. Get car cleaned inside and out no dust! Lights, windows and number plate clear to see.

Its all in the checks with your test date, you get a second sheet/page with it.

I think the date of motor tax is sufficient for test, if test is at the end of month the tax covers it for that day now if test be last day of the month best to get new motor tax issued.

Ya make sure mirrors and windows are clean, inside and outside of car is spotless.

Best of luck with the test!

Captain Albection

LookBehindYou wrote: »

11-12 means it is taxed to the end of November, so no worries.

Not always actually.

There will also be an expiration date written in smaller text on the disc. You have to check that to be sure.

(This has actually happened to me, my disc says 11-12 but it went out on the 8th of November. New disc says 11-13 but expires on the 12th of November 2013).

LookBehindYou

Captain Albection wrote: »

Not always actually.

There will also be an expiration date written in smaller text on the disc. You have to check that to be sure.

(This has actually happened to me, my disc says 11-12 but it went out on the 8th of November. New disc says 11-13 but expires on the 12th of November 2013).

Tax is always to the end of a month.
Insurance and NCT discs end during the month of expiry.

Captain Albection

LookBehindYou wrote: »

Tax is always to the end of a month.
Insurance and NCT discs end during the month of expiry.

Sorry, I misread that and thought they were talking about insurance.

You're right. The tax disc is good til the end of the month.

Wishbone Ash

doovdela wrote: »

Windows to be clean and spotless for good view

If it is damp/drizzly, ensure that you know how to fully demist all of the windscreen/rear window without using excessive heat. The examiner won't be impressed if his visability is impaired. It might be benificial to leave your window slightly open to aid this. I would also close off the centre front vents and direct current towards windscreen and side vents.

stargazer 68

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

If it is damp/drizzly, ensure that you know how to fully demist all of the windscreen/rear window without using excessive heat. The examiner won't be impressed if his visability is impaired. It might be benificial to leave your window slightly open to aid this. I would also close off the centre front vents and direct current towards windscreen and side vents.

Definitely this! I was doing my pretest and my instructor said that the girl in front was doing her test. She hadn't demisted her windows and was then asked to reverse around the corner - which she couldn't do properly as she couldn't see clearly! Oops!

RoryMurphyJnr

One thing you might want to do is angle your side mirrors for reversing around a corner before your test.
My instructor told me to do it during the pre-test and it made a huge difference.

+1 for demisting the windows, make sure you can get them clear quickly.

And make sure your L plates are the right way up

Best of luck

starlit

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

One thing you might want to do is angle your side mirrors for reversing around a corner before your test.
My instructor told me to do it during the pre-test and it made a huge difference.

+1 for demisting the windows, make sure you can get them clear quickly.

And make sure your L plates are the right way up

Best of luck

In bold is very important!!!

I always asked if I could adjust the left mirror for the reverse. Not adjusting mirrors is like doing a reverse blind so I need to be able to see the kerb completely otherwise I won't do it right I be only guessing where I am. I need all the information outside while completing my reverse. It makes a difference to me how I get on in the reverse by seeing the kerb in the mirror. For me it been one of the differences of a pass/fail when I sat the test.

Keep windows clear and clean for observation reasons. If the day is wet the tester be making sure you get use of secondary controls during the course of driving, not just what you be asked as part of technical checks. Yes very important to have demister at a setting appropriate to keep windows clean and clear.

Correct position of L plates are important too.