If you’re preparing for your driving test in Ireland, it’s tempting to focus only on the manoeuvres: the parallel park, the hill start, the roundabout exits. But here’s the hard truth: many learners lose marks – or even fail – because of the technical checks.

This is the part of the test where the examiner asks you to point out and explain some basic car components and safety functions. It sounds simple — and it is — but only if you understand it. What follows is a clear, practical breakdown in everyday language so you know exactly what examiners are looking for.

1. Opening the Bonnet — Start With Safety

When the examiner asks for a technical check, you might be asked to open the bonnet (hood).

What to do:

• Know where the bonnet release is inside the car.

• Pull the release and then find the safety catch under the bonnet.

• Use the support rod to prop the bonnet up securely.

Key point: Don’t touch anything under the bonnet if the engine is hot. Your focus is safety and correct procedure — not getting greasy.

A good way to close the bonnet is to lower it from about a foot above the latch and let it drop into place. You don’t need to slam it shut — just let it sit.

2. Engine Oil — What It Does and How to Check It

Engine oil is like the lifeblood of your car’s engine. It:

• Lubricates moving parts

• Reduces friction

• Helps cool the engine

• Cleans and protects internal components

How to explain it:

• Point to the dipstick.

• Explain that you pull it out, wipe it clean, re-insert it, then pull it out again to check the level.

• Say that the level should be between the minimum and maximum marks.

Pro tip: It’s best to check oil when the engine is cool so that the reading is accurate.

3. Coolant — More Than Just “Water”

Coolant is often misunderstood, but examiners like clear answers.

Best way to explain it:

• Say that it is a mixture of water and antifreeze.

• It regulates engine temperature and prevents overheating.

• You should only open the coolant cap when the engine is cold.

A good line to remember:

Coolant keeps the engine from overheating and protects against freezing in winter.

4. Brake Fluid — Important But Don’t Touch It

Brake fluid is essential for the braking system to work properly.

When you point to it:

• Explain that it helps the brakes function.

• Mention that the reservoir has minimum and maximum marks.

• Do not say you would add fluid unless you are a qualified mechanic.
  That’s a common mistake in tests.

A simple safe answer:

I would check the level is between the marks and leave any servicing to a professional.

5. Lights — Know What They Do (And When They’re Used)

Lights come up a lot in technical questions.

Here’s how to explain them clearly:

Dipped headlights

• Used at night and in low visibility.

• Helps other road users see you.

Fog lights

• Only used when visibility is less than 100 metres.

• Not for rain or light drizzle.

Full beam

• Used on dark roads with no oncoming traffic.

• Switch back to dipped when another vehicle approaches.

A good line:

Dipped headlights help others see you, while fog lights are only for very poor visibility.

6. Windscreen Functions — Demisters and Wipers

Understanding the cabin controls is also part of the test.

Demisters

• Clear mist or fog from the windscreen.

• Rear demister warms the back screen to clear condensation.

Wipers

• If you use the wipers in dry conditions without water first, you can scratch the glass.

• Best practice is to spray washer fluid before using the blades.

Intermittent setting

• Useful in light rain.

• Extends the life of your wipers.

Being able to explain these shows you are thinking about safety and visibility — a big plus in the examiner’s book.

7. Tires — Your Only Contact With The Road

This section matters more than most learners realise.

Here’s how to explain tire checks:

• Minimum legal tread depth is 1.6 mm (in the central three-quarters of the tyre).

• Run your finger along the tread to feel the grooves (without naming every part).

• Check for uneven wear, bulges, nails, cracks, or foreign objects.

• Correct tyre pressure improves grip, braking, fuel economy, and tyre life.

A clear response:

Tyres are the only part of the vehicle touching the road, so they must be in good condition and correctly inflated.

8. Common Sense > Technical Jargon

Remember — you are not being tested as a mechanic.

Examiners are looking to see that you:

• Understand basic safety functions.

• Can identify components confidently.

• Speak clearly and accurately.

• Demonstrate safe thinking.

You don’t need industry terms, just practical understanding.

Final Tip

Before your test, take time to sit in a friend’s car and practise these checks in real life.
Open the bonnet. Find the dipstick. Turn on the demisters. Use the fog lights.
Even if the examiner doesn’t ask about everything, this preparation builds confidence — and that shows during the test.

👉 Bottom line: Technical checks are simple — if you understand what each part does and why it matters for safety. Get this right, and you remove a major stress from your driving test.

Good luck on your driving test — you’ve got this! 🚗💪