KEY DRIVER TRAINING (KDT) 1 – LESSON 1: CAR CONTROLS AND SAFETY CHECKS

How should I prepare for Lesson 1?

To get the most out of this lesson and achieve the expected outcomes from
this lesson, you should have familiarised yourself with:

  • the Rules of the Road.
  • the vehicle you will be taking the lessons in and its controls; and
  • the information on preparing for safety checks.

You should also have practised with your ADI, Sponsor, or both:

  • to use the vehicle’s primary controls such as steering wheel and brakes.
  • to use the secondary controls such as windscreen wipers and lights.
  • driving in quiet and safe conditions.
  • some basic manoeuvres such as starting and stopping.

You should practise for at least three hours before your first KEY DRIVER TRAINING (KDT) lesson.

 

What is the objective for Lesson 1?

During your first lesson your ADI should make sure that:

  • you can carry out appropriate pre-start vehicle checks, including checking the roadworthiness of the vehicle; and
  • you understand the vehicle’s primary and secondary controls and know how to use them correctly.

 

What is the minimum this first lesson should cover?

At the very least, this first lesson must cover:

  • the use of primary and secondary controls.
  • vehicle safety; and
  • vehicle roadworthiness.

 

Expected outcomes: what should I have learned at the end of Lesson 1?

Primary and secondary controls.

At the end of the first lesson, you should be familiar with the pre-start vehicle
check and know the location and function of the following, and be able to
show you know how to use them:

  • footbrake
  • handbrake or parking brake
  • steering
  • gears
  • accelerator and clutch (where fitted)
  • windscreen wipers and washers
  • lights and reflectors
  • horn
  • front and rear demisters
  • windows, doors, and locks.

You should also be able to explain why their correct and appropriate use is
important to your own safety and that of other road users.

 

Vehicle safety

You should be able to explain:

  • what routine safety checks should be performed on a vehicle and demonstrate how to do these.
  • the main reasons why a vehicle may not be roadworthy.
  • the safety and legal consequences of driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy; and
  • the main points to consider when carrying out safety checks.

You should also be able to explain:

  • the positive environmental impact of proper use of primary and secondary controls.
  • how to plan a journey; and
  • where relevant, journey information may be available.

 

 

 

How should I prepare for Lesson 2?

To achieve the expected outcomes from Lesson 2 you should have:

  • completed Lesson 1.

 

 

Practice is key

To feel confident about meeting the learning objectives, you should have:

  • read the expected outcomes of this lesson.
  • done enough practice with your ADI, Sponsor, or both; and
  • done any relevant study.

Specifically, you should practice using the primary and secondary controls, as well as carrying out routine safety checks.


You should also have read the sections of the Rules of the Road that deal with:

  • correct positioning

You should have acted on any feedback your ADI gave you at the end of your last KEY DRIVER TRAINING (KDT) lesson.