Unit 1: Preparing a vehicle and its occupants for a journey
What you must be able to do and understand when to prepare yourself, the vehicle and its passengers for a journey.
The aim of this unit is that you should be able to come to an informed judgement about whether you, your passengers and your vehicle are fit to undertake a particular journey, and act appropriately on the basis of that judgement.
This unit is based on the understanding that:
- a driver’s physical and emotional state
- the physical and emotional state of any passengers
- the roadworthiness of the vehicle
- traffic, weather and road conditions
can all contribute to the cause of crashes. It aims to make sure that you have the knowledge to assess your own fitness, and your passenger’s fitness, and that you can check that your vehicle is safe to drive.
The unit will help you understand the issues involved in carrying passengers, loads and animals safely and securely and how to reduce the risks that this can generate.
The final learning outcome focuses on the importance of planning a journey before setting off, taking account of road, traffic and weather conditions as well as the driver’s own fitness and that of their passengers.
The underlying challenges of this unit are:
- to address the attitudes and misunderstandings that prevent drivers acting on the knowledge and understanding that they have
- to help you recognise that the factors affecting your fitness to drive can change from day to day and over your driving lifetime
The 4 learning outcomes in this unit are:
- be able to understand when you are physically and mentally fit to drive, know when you are not fit to drive and make suitable decisions based on that understanding
- understand and act on a driver’s responsibility to make sure that your vehicle is legally compliant
- be able to control the risks associated with carrying passengers, loads and animals
- be able to plan a journey using suitable transport
This learning outcome covers:
Fitness to drive
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to:
- actively review your fitness to drive before beginning any journey
- make alternative travel arrangements when your ability to drive safely and responsibly is affected.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that your fitness to drive can be affected by various factors
- that these factors can vary from day to day and over your driving lifetime
Drugs
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to assess whether your ability to drive safely and responsibly is affected by any drugs that you have taken.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- how to recognise the symptoms of drug impairment
- the range of possible effects - from making you hyper-active and over confident to making you sluggish and slow in your responses
- that illegal, over-the-counter and prescribed medication can have on your physical and mental ability
- the law on driving while under the influence of drugs
- that different drugs, which have no negative impact individually, can combine to produce negative effects
- that it is not always possible to predict when the effects of a drug will disappear from your system
Alcohol
What you need to be able to do
You need to assess whether your ability to drive safely and responsibly is affected by any alcohol you have consumed.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- why the most desirable level of alcohol in your blood, when driving, is zero and the benefits of never drinking and driving
- that alcohol can have a range of effects, from making you more relaxed to more aggressive
- that the way you respond to alcohol may change in different circumstances but however you react it will have a negative impact on your ability to drive safely and responsibly
- that alcohol can affect men and women differently
- that alcohol can remain active in your system for a long time after you stop being aware of its effects
- what a unit of alcohol can ‘look’ like and how it is presented in different products such as ‘alcopops’, spirits or wine
- the legal limits that apply to driving with alcohol in your system. This is currently breath alcohol higher than 35µg/100ml (equivalent to blood alcohol level of 80mg/100ml).
- the penalties you will face if prosecuted
Tiredness
What you need to be able to do
You need to assess whether your ability to drive safely and responsibly will be impaired by how tired you are.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- what can happen when you are suffering from extreme tiredness, such as falling asleep for periods of a few seconds or longer while on the move
- how to recognise symptoms of tiredness
- when you are at risk from tiredness while driving
- how factors such as poor posture and extremes of temperature can lead to tiredness
- what effective actions you can take to address tiredness when you are driving, and the limitations of some of the actions that people recommend
Emotional state
What you need to be able to do
You need to assess whether your ability to drive safely and responsibly will be impaired by your emotional state.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that your ability to make appropriate decisions can be impaired by the whole range of emotions, for example anger or excitement
- that emotional states can aggravate inappropriate behaviour in yourself and in other road users
Physical condition
What you need to be able to do
You need to assess whether:
- your ability to drive safely and responsibly will be impaired by your physical condition
- you would benefit from having your vehicle fitted with an adaptation to help you overcome any physical impairment
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that both long term and temporary physical impairments, such as sports injuries and illnesses, may have an effect on your ability to drive safely and responsibly
- that the effects of physical impairment or illness that you deal with from day-to-day, or perhaps are not even aware of, may begin to present problems when you start to learn to drive
- that if you are affected by a physical impairment there is a range of ways that you can be supported to overcome any problems you have
- how to recognise the effects of eyesight deterioration
- the issues involved in using light sensitive or tinted lenses to manage eye conditions, particularly when driving in adverse weather conditions
- the effects of the physical and emotional changes associated with aging, such as:
- slower response times
- deterioration of vision and hearing
- loss of muscle strength and flexibility
- drowsiness due to medications
- a reduction in the ability to focus or concentrate
- lower tolerance for alcohol
This learning outcome covers:
Roadworthiness checks
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to make routine checks of vehicle roadworthiness in accordance with the vehicle handbook. For example, check:
- tyres are in good condition, legally compliant and correctly inflated
- lights are in good working order and legally compliant
- engine oil level is correct
- water coolant and washer reservoir levels are correct
- there is no damage to the vehicle that would impair roadworthiness
- windscreen and other areas of vision are clear
- seat-belts and any other safety devices are in working order and undamaged
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that different vehicles have different maintenance requirements
- the importance of regular checks (as set out in the handbook) for the vehicle you are using - including the need to make any seasonal adjustments
- how to find a copy of the handbook, or the information you need to carry out checks, if a copy is not available in the vehicle
- how to recognise early warning signs that need further investigation, such as abnormal wear on tyres or smoke in the exhaust
- the legal restrictions on damage to the windscreen and the risks associated with driving with a damaged windscreen
- how ignoring a roadworthiness issue can affect your ability to use your vehicle in a safe way, such as:
- the brakes not working properly
- engine failure
- how failing to maintain the roadworthiness of your vehicle can affect your insurance status.
- how failing to maintain your vehicle can have an adverse impact on the environment, such as:
- the effect of excessive exhaust emissions
- excessive noise from a damaged silencer
- how to do routine maintenance tasks, such as topping up oil levels. If you cannot do them yourself, the importance of making arrangements for routine maintenance tasks to be completed by a competent person before you use your vehicle
- your responsibilities to dispose of waste products (for example used oil, batteries and old tyres) appropriately, and the impact of failing to do so
Checks before you make a journey
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to:
- familiarise yourself with the layout of instruments and controls, if the vehicle is new to you
- make adjustments so that you can drive the vehicle in a safe and comfortable way, with good all-round visibility
- check that there is enough fuel for your journey
- make sure the vehicle has basic vehicle maintenance equipment, such as equipment for dealing with a puncture
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- how to use the handbook to check the layout and operation of instruments and controls each time you use a new vehicle
- how to adjust a new vehicle to suit your needs, such as by altering the position of:
- your seat (including the head restraint)
- the steering wheel
- the mirrors
- how to identify:
- the fuel type for your vehicle
- the tank capacity
- whether there is a reserve tank from the handbook or from symbols on the filler cap.
- that each vehicle you use may:
- have different gear ratios
- be a different width, height or length
- handle differently
- have different systems and controls fitted, and that you may need to take time to adjust to these differences
- where basic maintenance equipment is located and how it can be accessed if the vehicle breaks down
Driver and vehicle documentation
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to make sure all driver and vehicle documentation meets legal requirements by checking that:
- your driving licence is valid for the category of vehicle being driven
- your driving licence is signed
- you have valid insurance for the vehicle and for how you intend to use it
- the vehicle tax is up to date
- the vehicle registration is updated if you change or sell the vehicle
- the vehicle has a current MOT certificate (where applicable)
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that you must have a valid, signed driving licence and must be aware of and act on any restrictions that may apply, such as:
- provisional entitlement
- rules on towing a trailer
- wearing glasses or contact lenses when driving
- that you must display red L plates (red D plates in Wales) if you are a learner driver
- how to check the licence category entitlement and renewal date of your driving licence, which is separate from your entitlement end date
- that you must inform the DVLA if you change your name or address, and about certain changes to your health and how to find out which changes this applies to
- the importance of keeping the vehicle Registration Document up to date and the owner’s responsibility to notify the DVLA of any change of ownership
- the operation of the Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) process. How to apply for a vehicle tax disc and when and where to display it
- when an MOT test certificate is required
- the requirement for a valid and legal insurance certificate covering at least third party liability
- the factors that affect the cost of insurance, such as:
- vehicle engine capacity and performance
- age and driving record of the driver(s)
- the address where the vehicle is kept
- the main purpose of driving
- that, if asked, you must be able to produce, either immediately, or within seven days to a police station:
- your driving licence
- a valid insurance certificate
- a current MOT certificate (if applicable)
This learning outcome covers:
Passengers
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to make sure that your passengers do not affect:
- your ability to drive safely and responsibly
- other road users
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that it is your responsibility to take suitable action to lessen that risk
- that simply talking to your passengers is a risk if you allow it to distract you from what is happening on the road around you
- that children as passengers can affect your ability to drive safely and responsibly because:
- they may be noisy or physically disruptive
- your natural reaction to children’s needs may override your ability to focus on the driving task
It may affect your ability to drive safely and responsibly or other road users if you have a passenger who is:
- taking drugs
- drunk
- emotionally disturbed
- otherwise agitated
Passenger seating
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to make sure passengers are correctly and safely seated.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- when you are legally responsible for passengers using their seatbelts
- the law on the use of booster seats, child seats and carry cots
- how to fit booster seats, child seats and carry cots so that they:
- are secure
- do not interfere with the operation of controls or other safety devices such as airbags
- the importance of head restraints and how to adjust them correctly
- how many passengers your vehicle can carry safely and legally
- the potential dangers of carrying too many passengers or seating them inappropriately
Loads
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to make sure loads are:
- secure
- evenly distributed
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- how to pack and transport loads safely
- the types of load securing equipment that are available, such as roof racks and cycle carriers, and when to use them
- what might happen if you carry unsecured loads, for example if you are required to:
- brake suddenly
- take avoiding action
- that you must not allow any load to stick out dangerously from your vehicle
- the rules that apply to the carriage of hazardous goods, such as fuel
Extra load
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to:
- allow for the way that carrying passengers or loads may affect the handling characteristics of your vehicle
- manage the effect of extra weight and its distribution
- manage the effect of reduced visibility
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- that the carriage of passengers or loads can affect vehicle handling when cornering, accelerating and braking
- that older vehicles may be more affected by carrying passengers or loads than newer vehicles fitted with stability control systems
- how to use the vehicle handbook to find out what adjustments you should make to your vehicle when carrying passengers or loads, such as:
- re-aligning headlights
- adjusting tyre pressures
- that your view may be restricted when you carry passengers or a load, and that you need to take active steps to maximise visibility in these situations
Animals
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to:
- make sure animals are secure and restrained in the vehicle
- make sure that animals carried or left in the vehicle have enough air and are not too hot or too cold
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- how to secure animals safely
- the particular risks that animals pose for drivers, such as interfering with the control of the vehicle:
- causing distractions
- being a physical hazard if you brake suddenly
- the conditions animals need when being carried in or left in a vehicle, such as fresh air and shade from the sun
- the rights that some authorities have, such as entering a vehicle to release an animal
This learning outcome covers:
Choosing a mode of transport
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to choose a suitable mode of transport based on your understanding of:
- your fitness and needs
- the fitness and needs of any passengers
- the environmental, economic and personal safety implications of different modes of transport
- how weather conditions will affect your journey
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- how any of the factors identified in learning outcome 1 might affect your choice of transport
- how the factors that affect your choice of transport may change from day to day and over time
- the costs and benefits of different modes of transport such as walking, taking public transport or car sharing
- the environmental impact of different types of vehicle and engines, such as on climate change and air quality, and the benefits of making a suitable choice
- the effect of weather conditions on your ability to drive different types of vehicle safely
Route planning
What you need to be able to do
You need to be able to:
- plan a suitable route and calculate the time required for your journey
- choose roads that are:
- suitable for your vehicle
- not badly affected by weather conditions, traffic volume or road works
- choose a suitable alternative route if appropriate
- choose locations for rest breaks and refuelling
- memorise key route references where necessary
- be prepared for unexpected delays or breakdowns
What you need to know and understand
You need to know and understand:
- the use and limitations of the range of tools available to help you plan your journey, such as:
- maps
- the internet
- weather reports
- satellite navigation
- hotlines
- the need to build in extra time to allow for unforeseen delays
- the risks of relying solely on a satellite navigation system (sat nav)
- how using a sat nav may affect your ability to concentrate on the road ahead and how to manage this risk
- how particular road conditions, such as rush hour congestion, may affect your ability to drive safely and responsibly, given your vehicle and your level of experience
- how particular road conditions, such as rush hour congestion, may affect fuel consumption and the importance of planning refuelling locations
- the importance of taking regular breaks from driving
- the dangers of not recognising the onset of dehydration and the effects of hunger
- the operation and impact of traffic calming legislation, such as inner city congestion charges
- when severe weather conditions might mean that it is safer to delay or not make the journey
- what food, drink, clothing or equipment you should take with you in case you are delayed or your vehicle breaks down