Travel
What to check on your car before a long journey
Before setting off, check the tyres, lights, visibility, documents and load. Follow your model’s handbook for tyre pressures and fluid checks.
Before a long journey, check the condition of the tyres, lights and wipers, visibility, documents and load. Follow your car’s handbook for pressures, fluid levels and maintenance: values and procedures are not universal.
Carry out an exterior check while the car is stationary
With the car parked on level ground, inspect each tyre for cuts, bulges, foreign objects, unusual wear or a badly worn tread. Check the pressure and spare wheel against the manufacturer’s figures. If you find damage or a tyre is losing air, ask a tyre specialist before setting off.
Switch on the lights and check the dipped and main beams, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light. Ask someone to check the lights while you operate the controls. Clean the windscreen, mirrors, cameras and lights; make sure the wipers and washers give you a clear view.
Follow the vehicle maintenance schedule
Check the handbook to see which fluid checks apply to your model and how to carry them out safely. Do not open a hot or pressurised system, or top up with a product chosen at random: the type, procedure and level depend on the vehicle. If a warning light indicates a problem, ask a garage to diagnose it.
Check the instrument panel for warnings, and have the brakes, steering or battery checked if you notice anything unusual. New noises, vibrations, burning smells, leaks or an unusual brake-pedal feel need a technical inspection. A quick check before travelling can help spot obvious problems, but it does not replace scheduled maintenance.
Prepare your documents, luggage and route
Check your driving licence, vehicle document and RCA (compulsory third-party liability insurance) cover. Make sure the roadworthiness test is current and that you have any equipment required for your route. If you will enter a ZTL (restricted traffic zone) or use a road with seasonal equipment requirements, check the authority’s rules before setting your sat-nav.
Keep the load low and secure without blocking your view, and do not exceed the vehicle’s permitted weight. Plan stops and alternative routes, and check updates from the road operator. During the journey, stop in a safe area if tiredness, warning lights or weather make it difficult to continue.
Before setting off, you can revise theory topics and take exam quizzes with Quiz Patente Ufficiale, which also lets you review your mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What should my tyre pressure be before setting off?
Use the figure specified for your model in the handbook or on the vehicle label, taking the load and tyre size into account. There is no universal value.
How often should I stop during a journey?
Plan stops around tiredness, traffic and the conditions of your journey. Stop sooner if you feel sleepy or lose concentration, and use a safe area; never use the hard shoulder for an ordinary break.