The DTC
Essential Skills6 min read

Cockpit Checks & Safety Before You Drive

Before you turn the key, your car needs to be safe, legal, and set up for you. These simple checks take seconds and could prevent a breakdown, a fine, or a collision.

The full guide

Every safe journey begins before you start the engine. The DVSA calls these cockpit checks, and they cover everything from your seat position to your mirrors, your seatbelt to your doors. They take just a few seconds, but they set you up for safe, comfortable driving throughout your test and beyond.

Start with the doors. Make sure every door is properly closed — an open door warning light is a test fault before you even move. Check the handbrake is fully applied and the gear lever is in neutral. If you are driving an automatic, the lever should be in park or neutral.

Adjust your seat so you can reach all the pedals comfortably with a slight bend in your knee. You should be able to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor without stretching. Adjust your head restraint so the rigid part is at least as high as the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as possible.

Fasten your seatbelt and make sure it lies flat across your chest and pelvis, not twisted or tucked behind you. Check the steering wheel is adjusted so you can hold it comfortably at ten-to-two or quarter-to-three with a slight bend in your arms.

Finally, adjust your mirrors. The interior mirror should give you a full view of the rear window without you needing to move your head. The door mirrors should show a sliver of your car's side and the road behind. Always adjust your seat before the mirrors — if you move the seat after setting the mirrors, they will no longer be correct.

The 'show me, tell me' questions may ask you to demonstrate some of these checks, so practise them until they become automatic.

Common faults

  • Trying to adjust mirrors before adjusting the seat
  • Not checking that all doors are closed before moving off
  • Forgetting to fasten the seatbelt properly
  • Head restraint positioned too low or too far from the head
  • Steering wheel too close or too far from the body
  • Not checking the handbrake is on and the gear is in neutral
  • Door mirrors showing too much of the car and not enough of the road

What the examiner looks for

  • You check that all doors are closed before starting the engine
  • You adjust your seat so you can reach all pedals comfortably
  • You position the head restraint at the correct height and distance
  • You fasten your seatbelt correctly across chest and pelvis
  • You adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable, safe position
  • You set all mirrors correctly after adjusting the seat
  • You confirm the handbrake is on and the gear is in neutral

Quick tips

  1. 1Adjust seat first, then mirrors — never the other way round
  2. 2Check the door-closed warning light on the dashboard before starting
  3. 3The head restraint should sit at least as high as the top of your ears
  4. 4Your knees should have a slight bend when your feet are on the pedals
  5. 5Practise the full sequence until you can do it without thinking

Common questions about cockpit checks & safety before you drive

Can the examiner fail me for poor cockpit checks?
Yes. If your mirrors are poorly adjusted, your seat is too far from the pedals, or your seatbelt is not fastened correctly, the examiner can mark it as a fault. These are fundamental safety checks.
Why must I adjust the seat before the mirrors?
Because your seating position determines what you can see in the mirrors. If you set the mirrors first and then move the seat, the mirror angles will be wrong for your new position.
How do I know if my head restraint is correct?
The rigid part of the restraint should be at least level with the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as comfortable. This protects you from whiplash in a collision.
Should I check my mirrors every time I get in the car?
Yes — even if you were the last person to drive it. Someone else may have adjusted them, or they may have been knocked since you last drove.
What if I cannot reach the pedals comfortably?
Move the seat forward on its rails until your knee has a slight bend with your foot fully on the clutch. If the seat does not adjust far enough, you may need a cushion or a different car.
Can I start the engine with a door open?
Technically yes, but it is unsafe and the examiner will mark it. Always check the door-closed warning light on the dashboard is off before turning the key.

Ready to put this into practice?

These guides are a great starting point, but nothing replaces working with a DVSA-approved instructor who can give you real-time feedback.

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Cockpit Checks & Safety Before You Drive | The DTC