Routines Flashcards
What mnemonic is used to help with the cockpit drill?
D.S.S.S.M
Doors Seat Steering Seatbelt Mirrors
Explain the ‘Doors’ section of the cockpit drill
All doors need to be properly shut. It’s your responsibility as the driver to make sure that the car is secure before moving off.
I am hoping that it’s not the first time that you’ve got into a car and you have a vague idea of how to close a door.
The best way to close the doors is to pull them firmly and listen for the familiar clunk.
If you need to open your door because you’re unsure, the safest method is to ‘place the hand that is closest to the centre of the car, on the door latch and place your other hand on the door handle. Can you see that this creates a natural twist in the body, with you facing the mirror, so you can look for the cyclists shooting past, or the pedestrian that we didn’t know was there before we checked. Once you have decided that it’s safe to open the door, open it and shut it again with a bit more force.
Explain the ‘Seat’ section of the cockpit drill
You will need to adjust the seat so that you are able to reach the pedals comfortably. You’ll know when you’re in the correct position because you should be able to press the left hand foot pedal to the floor comfortably. You don’t want to be too far and have to stretch to do this, or too close and have your knee bashing against the steering column.
We are looking for a slight bend in the knee.
To move the seat, with your right hand, hold the steering wheel and use your left hand to reach underneath your seat; you should be able to find a lever. If you pull that up, you’ll be able to slide the seat forward or backward to get to the best position for you. Once you’ve moved the seat, test the foot pedal on the left again.
You can also adjust the height of your seat. If you’re too low, you won’t have a good view of the front of your car, which will make manouevering the car difficult. This can be adjusted by using the lever to the right of your seat, if you pump it down the seat will lower, pump it up and the seat will raise.
If you’ve adjusted the height of the seat, it’s worth checking that you’re still able to reach the pedal.
Explain the cockpit drill to the pupil
The Cockpit Drill is a common sense routine that you’ll need to go through each time you get in the car.
You aren’t actually tested on it when you turn up for your driving test, but it’s important to understand how to do it because it allows you to adjust the vehicle to fit you.
Having the car set up correctly will help you to drive with greater control and be safer on the road.
Explain the ‘Seatbelt’ section of the cockpit drill
Once you have finished adjusting your seat, you’ll need to put your seatbelt on. Remember that the driver is responsible for anyone under the age of 14 wearing their seatbelt.
When we put our seatbelt on, we’re making sure that the strap that runs across our body is smooth with no twists.
Remember that the seatbelt is a safety feature to help us should we be involved in an accident.
Explain the ‘Steering’ section of the cockpit drill
Cars will have an adjustable steering column, which will allow you to move the steering wheel up or down, backwards or forwards.
When you adjust the steering wheel’s height you want to check that there is enough space for you to run your hands along the bottom of the wheel, without your knees getting in the way. If your knees are in the way, the wheel needs to come up.
You’re also making sure that you are able to see the instruments through the top section of the steering wheel.
Final part of the steering wheel adjustment is the move it backwards or forwards. You need to make sure that you can hold the steering wheel at ‘10 to 2’ without having to stretch, we’re looking for. slight bend in the elbow.
Explain the ‘Mirrors’ section of the cockpit drill
In this car we’ve got 5 mirrors, these two are for me, and the rest are for you.
This one helps me to look out of the back window, and this one allows me to be able to see you and where you’re looking without me facing you.
This mirror in the centre is the rear-view mirror. and it gives us the best view of what is going on behind us. Use your finger and thumb to adjust the mirror until you can see the whole of the back window from your normal seating position.
The other two mirrors are exterior mirrors, and we need to adjust them so that they give us the best possible view of the. car behind, as well as showing us a small amount of the car. We’re looking. to see about a thumbs width of car, and about half floor half sky.
These two are adjusted electronically, so you’;ll. need to turn the car electrics on. Turn the key two clicks. Use the direction slider on the door panel to choose. the right hand mirror, and use the directional pads to adjust it. Once you’re happy with that, use the slider to change over to the left hand mirror, and adjust that too.
That’s the cockpit drill complete.
Do you remember the letters?
Whilst we’re on the subject of mirrors, I just want to cover blind spots.
(use mirrors and blind spot diagram to discuss blindspots)
