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Pre-drive Check: Exterior & Tyres

Before every drive the driver must check the vehicle. At the exam, the examiner often asks about the exterior and tyres.

Walk-around

Walk a full circle around the car:

• Check for damage from parking
• Nothing loose or hanging
• In winter: sweep snow off roof, bonnet, boot and lights; scrape all windows

Tyres and wheels

• Tyres inflated; no deep cuts, bulges, or embedded objects
• Minimum tread depth: winter ≥ 4.0 mm, summer ≥ 1.6 mm
• Correct tyre type for season – winter tyres marked mountain+snowflake (M+S alone is not sufficient)
• Rims undamaged; wheel bolts tight (no missing bolts)

Plates and MOT

• Both plates clean and readable
• Rear plate: STK/MOT sticker showing valid month/year of next inspection

Glass and visibility

• Windscreen not cracked; a crack over 2 cm in the driver's view area requires repair
• Wipers present and in good condition (no torn rubber)

Explanation

Lights

All lights must work:

• Position, low beam, high beam, indicators, DRL
• Brake, reverse, fog, number-plate lights

Lenses clean and not broken.

Under the car

No fresh leaks under engine, gearbox or cooling system (oil, coolant, fuel).

Under the bonnet – fluid levels

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Washer fluid
• Brake fluid

Battery clean, terminals tight. Alternator belt present and not cracked.

Interior – warning lights

• 🟢/🔵 Information = system ON (DRL, high beam)
• 🟡 Attention = minor fault; drive with care and fix soon
• 🔴 STOP = serious fault; do not drive

Typical exam question: *On the motorway a red oil-pressure light comes on. What do you do?*

Answer: Red = stop immediately. Signal right, move onto the hard shoulder. Switch on hazard lights. Put on reflective vest. Place warning triangle ≥ 100 m behind (other roads ≥ 50 m). Switch off the engine. Do not continue driving.

Mandatory equipment

• Reflective vest (within driver's reach)
• Warning triangle (≥ 50 m; motorway ≥ 100 m)
• First-aid kit
• Spare wheel / repair kit / roadside assistance cover

Documents

In the Czech Republic you do not need to carry the physical driving licence or registration document (police have online access). You only need proof of identity. Abroad: carry all three documents at all times.

Summary

• Walk-around before every drive
• Tread: winter ≥ 4 mm / summer ≥ 1.6 mm
• Windscreen crack > 2 cm in driver's view = must be repaired
• Red warning light = stop immediately
• In Czech Republic: ID only; abroad: all three documents required

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   When transporting live animals:

   The safety of the transported animals must not be endangered.The vehicle must be marked with a special marking for vehicles transporting live animals.A special amber warning light must be operating on the vehicle while driving.

2. Question 2 of 5

   In normal visibility conditions when transporting agricultural products, a load projecting does not need to be specially marked if it projects:

   More than 40 cm beyond the outer edge of the side marker lights.More than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle.More than 1 metre beyond the front of the vehicle.

3. Question 3 of 5

   If a vehicle breaks down in a tunnel and becomes immobile:

   Neither the driver nor passengers may smoke or handle open flames. The independent heating of the immobile vehicle must be switched off in the tunnel.The driver does not mark the vehicle as an obstruction to road traffic.The driver and passengers may remain in the vehicle if they have immediately reported the stopping of the vehicle to the police or to the person supervising tunnel operations.

4. Question 4 of 5

   The driver must not stop and park:

   In a slip road, at least 50 metres before the point of joining the through lane.Only in a turning lane.In a slip road or turning lane.

5. Question 5 of 5

   A driver whose vehicle is required to be equipped with a warning triangle and has become immobile on a road outside a built-up area due to a technical defect must place this triangle:

   At the edge of the carriageway at a distance of at least 50 metres behind the vehicle, on a motorway at least 100 metres behind the vehicle.In the centre of the carriageway at a distance of at least 50 metres behind the vehicle, on a motorway at least 100 metres behind the vehicle.On the roof of the vehicle, from where it will be clearly visible from behind.