The cockpit drill is the very first procedure you will be taught by a driving instructor on your first driving lesson. Learning the cockpit drill will provide you with knowledge on all the relevant car safety aspects and controls.
What is a dual control car?
How does an adjustable steering wheel work?
Why do cars have ABS?
What happens if you push the clutch down too low?
What is the biting point on a car?
How to get a chair to slide forward?
Where is the accelerator located in a manual car?
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What is the meaning of cockpit drill?
Cockpit Drill is the term used by advanced drivers to define a set of preliminary checks which will ensure that the primary vehicle controls and ancillaries are functioning correctly. The drill takes a while to become familiar to you but once inculcated it can be completed mentally in a matter of seconds.
What an instructor's cockpit drill might entail?
There are five basic parts to the cockpit drill: doors, seat, steering, seatbelt and mirrors. Some driving instructors abbreviate this to 'DSSSM' to make it easier to remember. If you struggle to remember DSSSM, make up a little phrase to help.
What is the correct sequence for the checks known as the cockpit drill?
The basic cockpit drill involves the following items: Doors, Seat, Steering, Seatbelt, Mirrors. This can be remembered using the acronym D.S.S.S.M. Some people use different variations on this sequence, often including a check that the handbrake is properly engaged.
What does Pom mean driving?
Prepare, Observe, Move, routineYou might be familiar with the Prepare, Observe, Move, routine (POM) – which is commonly used by instructors to help learners master the skills needed to move off safely.
Do you need to do the cockpit drill on driving test?
On your driving test, when you first enter the car, you must carry out the cockpit drill to show the test examiner you are familiar with the routine. Make sure the boot, the bonnet, and all doors are closed properly.
What is the six point check?
The 6 point check includes: Look over your left shoulder. Look in your left door mirror. Look ahead. Check you interior mirror. Check your right door mirror.
What are the 5 checks before driving?
5 Essential Vehicle Checks to Make Before DrivingLights. Checking your front and rear lights is one of the easiest things to do on this list, but one of the most important! ... Tyres. Tyres get a lot of wear and tear, especially if you're clocking up a lot of miles. ... Oil, water and fluids. ... Brakes and steering. ... Battery.
What are 6 things you should check before driving?
Before Entering the Car1- Walk around the car. ... 2- Look for obstructions. ... 3- Check the tyres. ... 4- Adjust your seat into a comfortable position. ... Caution: Never adjust your seat while the car is in motion.5- Adjust side and rear view mirrors while the car is on a straight road. ... 6- Put on your seat belt. ... 7- Check Your Dashboard.More items...•
What is the cockpit of a car called?
A cockpit, also called a flight deck, is like a ship's bridge or a truck's cab — it's where the person controlling the vehicle sits. A race car driver's seat is sometimes also called a cockpit.
What does smile mean in drivers ed?
SMILE stands for Signal, Mirror, Interior, Lights, Engine (drivers education)
What does SMS mean in driving?
SMS stands for Safety Measurement System. It is an on-road safety and performance measurement system utilized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
What does PSL mean in driving?
Position- Speed-LookManoeuvre part is then extended to mean Position- Speed-Look (PSL). The MSM/PSL - routine is fundamental to safe driving. It should be used every time you intend to change your. speed or position.
What is the purpose of a cabin drill?
Performance: Demonstrate all adjustments required to ensure safe, effective and comfortable operation of the vehicle. Locate, identify, and where appropriate describe the function of controls, gauges, and warning lights.
What needs to be covered in driving lessons?
What your pupil must know and understandlook for hazards.coordinate the clutch and brake.control skidding.plan and be ready to react to other drivers.react to road and weather conditions.move away safely after stopping the car.
What do you do on your first driving lesson?
What do you do on your first driving lesson?Doors – check all doors are closed and secured before starting your engine.Seat and steering – adjust your seating so that the controls are within easy reach and you have a clear view of the road. ... Seatbelt – make sure you and your passengers are buckled in.More items...
What is the cockpit of a car called?
A cockpit, also called a flight deck, is like a ship's bridge or a truck's cab — it's where the person controlling the vehicle sits. A race car driver's seat is sometimes also called a cockpit.
Master the cockpit drill in 6 steps | Midrive
Cockpit drill step 5 – Seatbelts. You have to wear your seatbelt; it’s the law. Put it on and make sure there are no twists in it. As the driver of the vehicle, you’re also obliged to ensure that anyone travelling in the vehicle who is under 14 years old is wearing theirs.
For the cockpit drill to be effective, some items should be checked ...
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Sample Cockpit Drill - IAM RoadSmart
Mid Yorkshire Advanced Motorists Powdery Checks There is no need to go through all these as part of your cockpit drill. You should however be aware of what they are and be prepared to
What are the parts of a cockpit drill?
There are five basic parts to the cockpit drill: doors, seat, steering, seatbelt and mirrors . Some driving instructors abbreviate this to ‘DSSSM’ to make it easier to remember. If you struggle to remember DSSSM, make up a little phrase to help.
How to position rear view mirror?
The interior mirror is easy to position; just settle into your driving position and gently move the rear view mirror around to give you as good a view out of the back window as possible. Remember not to lean into the centre of the car when adjusting the mirror, or the positioning will be all wrong when you settle back into the driving seat.
What to do if your car door moves?
If it does move, check around you for pedestrians or cyclists and, if the way is clear, open the door and close it with a firm pull. Don’t slam, your instructor won’t thank you for slamming their doors. The passenger doors simply require you to check your side mirrors.
What is the lever underneath the seat?
Most cars have a lever or handle underneath the seat to allow you to adjust the position. If you can’t find it, just ask your instructor.
What to do if your passenger door isn't closed?
If you can see that any passenger door isn’t closed, simply ask your passenger/instructor/examiner to close it or safely exit the vehicle and close them yourself . You can also use the light that most modern vehicles use to indicate that a door has been left open.
How to adjust the seat in a car?
The seat will need to be adjusted to allow you to easily and comfortably control the vehicle. Finding the ideal position for you is just a matter of depressing the clutch with your left foot and moving the seat forwards/back until you have a slight bend in your left leg.
Do you want your doors to come open in the middle of a driving lesson?
Check that all your doors are closed. It’s simple advice, but you don’t want the doors to come flapping open in the middle of a driving lesson. That would look ridiculous.
What is a dual control car?
Typically, cars in driving schools will have something known as ‘dual controls’ which are a second set of foot pedals that allow the driving instructor to use if they feel they need to if they feel a situation is unsafe. They will always have a clutch and a brake pedal and sometimes also have an accelerator pedal.
How does an adjustable steering wheel work?
If you have an adjustable steering wheel, there will be a lever which allows you to move the steering column up and down. Make sure: you can see all the display dials; that the steering wheel is not too close to your legs, and; it is locked in place.
Why do cars have ABS?
Most modern cars have an ABS installed which makes your brakes come on and off quickly to prevent wheel lock which helps you to steer away from a hazard if you have been forced to brake hard. It will also commonly start to work in snow or in icy conditions and you will feel a pulsing or grinding sensation underfoot when it has kicked in.
What happens if you push the clutch down too low?
Finding the biting point is something that often takes learners a lot of time and practice to get right as if you push the clutch down too low, you won’t be able to move off and could even roll backwards. Moreover, if you bring the clutch up too high, you run the risk of moving off too fast or even stalling the car.
What is the biting point on a car?
Somewhere in between having the clutch all the way down and all the way up is an elusive spot known as the “biting point”. This is where the clutch plates are holding together just enough to keep the car in place, such as on a hill, but are not connected completely enough to allow the car to move forward.
How to get a chair to slide forward?
Most cars have a lever under the driver’s seat which can be pulled up to release the chair so that it can slide forwards and backwards. Make sure you can reach the steering wheel and the foot pedals. You should be able to push the clutch (left foot pedal) all the way down whilst retaining a slight bend in your knee and reach the steering wheel with a slight bend at the elbow. Your backrest should be upright and the centre of the headrest should be level with the top of your ears. If you have a modern car, you may be able to adjust the height of the seat to give you a better view of the road ahead.
Where is the accelerator located in a manual car?
The accelerator is found on the right-hand side of the three foot pedals found in a manual car and is often called the “gas” by the instructor simply because it is easier to say. The accelerator controls how much fuel enters the engine at a given time with more fuel going into the engine the more you press it down.