Cockpit Drill - Page 255 - 258

The Cockpit Drill flows as a natural conversation with your examiner when practised enough and must include full detail as if the examiner has no prior knowledge of the vehicle. Although the correct seating and mirror adjustment forms part of this in most cases you will be driving your own vehicle and explaining that they are correctly adjusted for you will suffice.

 

Cockpit Drill Essentials:

  • Closing doors and checking mirrors for seamless shutting of both the driver and passenger doors

  • Putting on the seat belts I check for fray or wear

  • As I take up any slack I tug the mechanism to ensure it locks

  • Scan and Identify ALL controls; from bottom to top and then from left to right:

    • Pedals

    • Gear shift & Handbrake

    • Rear View Mirror

    • Left Mirror

    • Left Door controls; including window operation

    • Left Vents

    • Radio / SAT Nav / Audio In

    • Central vents and climate control 

    • Steering wheel

    • Instrumentation

    • Right Door Vents

    • Right door controls including window operation

    • Any specialist or non-standard equipment

  • With ignition off you will now perform a static brake test:

    • Put your foot on the brake and apply pressure

    • Release the handbrake

    • There should be minimal movement of the pedal

    • Re-apply the handbrake before your starting drill

Starting Drill:

  • Place foot on brake

  • Turn key to position one so warning light turn on

  • Watch for most light to go out

  • Turn key to start engine

  • Confirm any remaining lights have now gone out

  • Place your foot on the brake

  • Put in gear & release handbrake

POM

Prepare

Observe

Move

 

‘Diagrams and text from Roadcraft – The Police Rider’s Handbook, published 2013 by The Stationery Office (TSO) © Police Foundation copyright 2013. Reproduced with permission from the Police Foundation.’