THE PRACTICAL TEST
This practical test describes the checks you must be able to perform on the car during your practical driving test, according to the syllabus for category B, normal car. This checklist can be used alone or it can be supplemented by watching the video on the subject from Drive4You and The Danish Driving Instructors Union.
The brake pedal must not be able to be depressed when the pedal is pressed hard, but how far it goes down before it becomes hard and firm depends on the make of car.
The brake pedal must not normally sink when pressed with a constant pressure.
Most cars have a vacuum brake servo or power booster. This is checked by pressing the brake pedal a few times. Then starting the engine while keeping pressure on the brake pedal the pedal should then sink a little.
There must be enough fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. Check that the level is between the min. - and max. or that the warning light is not on.
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In addition, you need to know the following about the braking system, but this is not part of the practical driving test:
- The service brake must work on all wheels and be able to brake the vehicle safely, quickly and effectively from all speeds and with all loads.
- The parking brake must be able to hold the car stopped on an inclined road.
- If the car swerves when braking gently on a level road there could be a fault in the braking system or moisture or dirt on the brake pads. For example, moisture can penetrate the brakes in a car wash, but should disappear after a braking shortly.
- Uneven braking or sudden chopping from one or more wheels can indicate a fault with the brake drums, brake discs or brake linings.
- If the brake pedal can suddenly be depressed further than usual, this indicates that one of the brake circuits is defective.
- If the car swerves during gentle braking on a level road it is a sign of a fault.
- Uneven braking or sudden chopping from one or more wheels are signs of failure.
- Brakes should be inspected immediately if the brake fluid level is too low, if the warning light comes on while driving, if the brake pedal can be depressed further than normal or if braking is uneven or the car pulls to one side when you brake.
- If the warning light for the ABS system does not go out shortly after starting, this could indicate a fault in the ABS system and you may only drive to the nearest workshop.
- If the warning light of the ESC system is on constantly, there may be a fault in the ESC system and you should follow the instructions of the vehicle manufacturer.
There should normally not be any free play at the steering wheel. This means that the wheels must immediately follow the movement of the steering wheel. In cars with power steering, this must be done with the engine running. The vast majority of cars HAVE power steering. Move the steering wheel slightly from side to side and see if the wheels follow the movement of the steering wheel.
The fluid level in any servo reservoir must follow the car manufacturer's instructions. This is checked either by the fluid level being between the min. - and max. marks, or by the indicator light for this not being lit. The servo reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
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- The steering system must be designed so that the car can be steered easily, safely and quickly.
- There must be no significant free play in the steering system as a whole or in its individual parts due to wear or similar.
- When driving slowly, the steering wheel should turn easily from side to side without encountering uneven resistance or making any noise.
- Heavy or difficult steering can be caused by lack of fluid in the servo reservoir, a worn or broken power steering drive belt or a fault in the electric power steering system.
- If the wheels do not immediately follow the movement of the steering wheel, this may indicate play in the steering connections.
- The steering system must be inspected if the fluid level in the power steering is low or if there is significant free play at the steering wheel.
All lights and reflectors must be intact, clean and all lights must be working.
Dipped beam headlights must not dazzle (judge this by the upper edge of the light threshold should fall 1 cm per meter). Stand in front of the car with the headlights on dipped beam, put a finger where the light shines on your leg. Then step back 1 meter and the light should shine on your leg 1 cm further down.
The brake lights should be significantly brighter than the rear lights. Have someone else press the brake pedal while you check the brake lights.
The indicators must flash with an yellow/amber light that is clearly visible in sunlight.
The switch for the hazard warning lights must turn on all the indicators simultaneously.
Number plate lights must have a white light that can illuminate the number plate.
Pairs of lights must be the same color and brightness.
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- The vehicle may only be equipped with mandatory or permitted lights and reflectors.
- Mandatory lights and reflectors include:
- Two headlights with high beam,
two headlights with asymmetric low beam,
Two lights with position lights,
Two lights with tail lights,
three lights with stop lights (older cars may only need two stop lights),
At least one license plate light,
two turn signals at the front and rear of the car and one on each side of the car; and
two red approved and labeled rear-facing reflectors (must not be triangular).
The high beam of the headlights must be able to illuminate the road at least 100 m in front of the car, the low beam must be able to illuminate the road at least 30 m in front of the car without glare, and the position light must be clearly visible at least 300 m away without glare.
- All lights and reflectors must be intact, clean and undamaged.
- The headlights should have a white or yellowish colour.
- Bulbs must be mounted correctly.
- The rear sidelights must be red.
- Vehicles longer than 6 m must be fitted with approved and labeled yellow/amber side reflectors and side marker lights distributed on the sides of the vehicle.
- If the indicators flash significantly faster than usual, it is usually a sign that one or more of the bulbs are not working.
The exhaust system should be intact and secure. If there is a lot of noise, this could indicate a leak in the exhaust system. Look under the car to see if the exhaust system is secure.
Engine oil must be filled in sufficient quantity, as indicated by the max. - and min. -marks on the dipstick, see the warning lights or according to the instructions found in the owner's manual.
Engine coolant/anti-freeze must be filled in a sufficient quantity according to the instructions in the owner's manual. Often there is a min/max mark on the container in the engine compartment.
The container for washer fluid is normally found in the engine compartment. There should be enough for your next journey. You can either see this directly on the reservoir or there will be a warning light on the dashboard if the fluid level is low.
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- Leaks in the exhaust system or driving with the tailgate open can cause carbon monoxide, which is odorless and dangerous even in small amounts, to enter the car.
- Too little oil in the engine or too little water in the cooling system can cause engine damage.
- Black exhaust smoke indicates poor combustion and is a sign of a fault.
- Abnormal noise at throttle indicates a fault in the exhaust system.
- Engine revving up without increasing speed while driving indicates a fault in the clutch.
- Difficult gear shifting with loud noises indicates a gear or clutch fault.
- Slow movement of the car in 1st gear even though the clutch pedal is depressed indicates a clutch fault.
You must be able to control the following special equipment:
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(1) Speedometer, (2) possibly tachometer and (3) temperature gauge.
(4) Oil pressure check, (5) electrical power, (6) door closing, (7) lights in lights, (8) including turn signals, (9) parking brake, (10) ABS brakes, (11) brake system failure, (12) ESC, (13) engine light and (14) airbag indicator light.
