Pre drive vehicle checks — Tennessee Permit Test

Before getting in, check around the outside of the vehicle for small children, pets and anything else in the way.

A toddler or a dog sitting behind the car is too low to see from the driver's seat.

Check around the outside of the vehicle. Look for small children, pets and any other sort of obstruction.

Before driving, check the vehicle's condition: windows, lights, body damage, the tires and possible fluid leaks.

A puddle under the car or a soft tire is easy to spot in the driveway and much worse to find out about on the highway.

Check the condition of the vehicle (windows, lights, body damage, condition of the tires and potential fluid leaks).

After you get in and put the key in the ignition, lock the doors.

Locked doors are less likely to fly open in a crash, so you are less likely to be thrown out.

Enter the vehicle, place the key in the ignition and lock the doors.

Know where the horn, turn signals, flashers, headlights, wipers, parking brake and other controls are, even if you do not need them right now.

When a car swerves toward you, there is no time to hunt for the horn or the wiper switch.

Know the location of the following controls even if there is no need to use them at the moment:

What should you look for when you check around the outside of your vehicle before driving?

Small children, pets and other obstructions. A toddler or a dog sitting behind the car is too low to see from the driver's seat. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27: “Check around the outside of the vehicle. Look for small children, pets and any other sort of obstruction.”