Lesson 2: Pre-Trip Inspection — Vehicle Safety Questions

1.1 Legal Basis & Principles (FeV Annex 7 No. 2.1.1; FahrschAusbO Annex 3 No. 18.1)

Before setting off (sometimes towards the end of the test), the examiner asks — practical tip: usually 2 to 3 — random questions about road and operational safety. The law does not specify a fixed number of questions or a point score for this part; answering incorrectly does not cause direct failure (practical tip), but fluent answers ease exam jitters and make a solid first impression. The reliable scope of topics comes from the training syllabus on "safety checks" (FahrschAusbO Annex 3 No. 18.1): tires, lighting (parking, low beam, high beam, tail light, rear fog light, hazard warning lights, turn signals, horn, brake lights), indicator lights, reflectors, steering (steering play), braking system (service and parking brake), fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid).

• Core principle: Speak loudly and clearly, and at the same time point to the component or demonstrate its operation.
• Practice opening the hood beforehand: Every car model has a different release latch — ask your instructor to show you how to open the hood on the exam car before test day (practical tip).
• Read warning lights by their color:
  • Red: Serious danger (oil pressure, brake system, battery, seatbelt) → do not continue driving, stop immediately.
  • Yellow/Orange: Warning — inspect promptly (check engine light, ABS, active rear fog light, low fuel).
  • Green/Blue: Normal operation (parking lights, turn signals); blue = high beam — if it shines in city traffic or facing oncoming vehicles, switch to low beam immediately.
• If you don't know an answer: Do not guess. Calmly say: "I'm not entirely sure right now; in daily practice I would check the vehicle owner's manual." In practice, examiners accept this response (practical tip).

2. Question & Answer Catalog (4 Topic Groups)

Group A: Tires (StVZO § 36)

• Question: "What do you check on the tires?" / "What is the minimum tread depth?" Action: Inspect the sidewall and tread, point to the main groove with the TWI indicator bar. Sample Answer: "I check the tires for external damage like cracks or bulges, embedded foreign objects, and correct air pressure. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 millimeters — I check this using the TWI wear indicators in the main grooves across multiple spots."
• Question: "Where do you find the specifications for correct tire pressure?" Action: Point to the sticker on the driver door pillar (B-pillar) or inside the fuel filler flap. Sample Answer: "The tire pressure table is located on the door pillar, inside the fuel filler door, or in the owner's manual."
• Question: "How do you recognize winter or all-season tires?" Sample Answer: "By the Alpine symbol (3PMSF) on the tire sidewall — a three-peak mountain with a snowflake inside." (StVZO § 36.)

Group B: Engine Compartment & Fluids

Opening the hood (practical tip): Pull the release lever on the lower left under the dashboard → step to the front of the car → locate the safety latch under the edge of the hood → release it and raise the hood.

• Engine oil: "How do you check the engine oil level?" Action: Point to the oil dipstick (yellow/orange pull ring) and the oil filler cap. Sample Answer: "I pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean with a rag, insert it all the way back, and pull it out again. The oil level must be between the Min and Max marks; if needed, I top it up through this filler cap." Note for newer models without dipstick: "On this car, I check the oil level digitally via the onboard computer display."
• Coolant: "Where do you check the coolant, and what safety rule applies?" Sample Answer: "Here at the expansion tank; the level must be between Min and Max. Crucial: never open the cap when the engine is hot — the system is under pressure and causes severe scalding!"
• Windshield washer fluid: "Where do you refill the windshield washer fluid?" Sample Answer: "At the blue cap marked with the windshield wiper symbol. In summer, water with cleaner; in winter, add antifreeze protection."
• Brake fluid: "Where is the brake fluid reservoir?" Sample Answer: "The level must be between Min and Max. If the fluid level drops noticeably, I never top it up myself — I have it inspected immediately at a certified workshop!"

Group C: Lighting, Horn & Windows

Tip (practical tip): Switch on ignition or let engine run, otherwise some lights will not function.

• Parking lights / Low beam / High beam: "Please switch on the low beam and the high beam." Sample Answer: "Here I turn on the low beam headlights — confirmed by the green indicator light. If I push the turn signal lever forward, high beam turns on, indicated by the blue light on the dashboard."
• Rear fog light (very common question): "How do you turn on the rear fog light, and when are you permitted to use it?" Sample Answer: "First switch on low beam, then press this button. The yellow indicator light lights up on the dashboard. I may only switch on the rear fog light during fog with visibility under 50 meters, and then drive at a maximum speed of 50 km/h!" (StVO § 17 (3) in conjunction with § 3 (1): visibility below 50 m, then max. 50 km/h).
• Brake lights: "How do you check if the brake lights work?" Sample Answer: "I ask a second person to watch behind the car while I press the brake pedal. If alone, I use the reflection against a wall or shop window."
• Tail lights, license plate lights, reflectors, hazard flashers, horn: Turn on lights, press hazard button, walk to the rear. Sample Answer: "Both tail lights, turn signal lights, and license plate lights must be functioning and clean. The red reflectors sit at the bottom — they must not be damaged or obscured by dirt."
• Fogged windows: "What do you do if windows fog up during the drive?" Sample Answer: "For the windshield, I press the defroster button (Max Defrost); for the rear window, I switch on the heated rear window button."

Group D: Brakes, Steering & Emergency Equipment

• Service brake & brake booster: "How do you check the foot brake before driving?" Sample Answer: "With the engine turned off, I pump the brake pedal several times until it turns stiff. I keep firm pressure on it and start the engine: the pedal must noticeably yield under my foot — proving the brake booster works. In addition, the pedal must never push all the way to the floor." (Technical insight, practical tip.)
• Steering play: "How do you check steering play?" Sample Answer: "With the engine running, I turn the steering wheel slightly left and right. The front wheels must immediately respond and move — there must be no noticeable free play." (Training standard: FahrschAusbO Annex 3 No. 18.1.)
• Safety vest, warning triangle, first aid kit: "What mandatory safety equipment must you carry in the vehicle, and where is it located?" Action: Show the high-visibility vest in the door pocket, retrieve warning triangle and first aid kit from the trunk. Sample Answer: "Here in the driver door compartment is the safety vest, easily reachable. In the trunk are the warning triangle and first aid kit — on the first aid kit, I also check the expiration date."