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.