12 checks.
Your legal responsibility.
A valid NCT is not enough. Irish law requires your car to be roadworthy at all times — not just once every two years. This is the RSA's essential guide to vehicle safety checks every driver should do.
Interactive Checklist
The RSA's 12 basic vehicle safety checks
Tick off each check as you complete it. At minimum, carry out these checks once a week and before any long journey. Save or print this page as a reference.
Tyres
Check pressure, tread depth (min 1.6mm), and condition — look for cuts, bulges or embedded objects. Include the spare.
Lights
Check all lights: headlights (low and high beam), brake lights, indicators, reversing light, hazard lights and number plate light.
Engine oil
Use the dipstick when the engine is cold. Oil should be between MIN and MAX. Top up with the grade specified in your manual.
Coolant & antifreeze
Check the coolant reservoir level (never open a hot radiator cap). In winter, ensure antifreeze concentration is adequate for Irish temperatures.
Brake fluid
Check the reservoir is between MIN and MAX. A falling level may indicate a leak or worn brake pads — both require immediate attention.
Power steering fluid
Check the reservoir level. Low power steering fluid can cause heavy, unpredictable steering — particularly dangerous at low speeds and parking.
Windscreen & wipers
Check for chips, cracks or damage that obscures your view. Test wiper blades for streaking or skipping — replace annually or when degraded.
Windscreen wash
Top up the washer reservoir with a screenwash solution — water alone freezes and does not clean effectively. Essential for visibility in wet conditions.
Battery
Check for corrosion on terminals and ensure connections are tight. A battery over 4 years old should be tested — cold weather causes most battery failures.
Warning lights
Turn the ignition on before starting to confirm all warning lights illuminate — then check none remain on after the engine starts. Never ignore a warning light.
Safety kit
Carry: a high-visibility vest (in the cab, not the boot), warning triangle, first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher. Essential in a breakdown or collision.
Tool kit
At minimum: spare tyre (inflated and in good condition) or inflation kit, wheel brace, jack and emergency jump leads or a battery pack.
Maintenance schedule
When to check what
| Check | Frequency | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres (pressure + visual) | Weekly | Also before every long journey; check when cold |
| Lights | Weekly | Ask someone to check brake and reverse lights |
| Engine oil | Weekly | Check dipstick on a level surface, engine cold |
| Windscreen wash | Weekly | Use proper screenwash — not just water |
| Warning lights | Every journey | Turn on ignition before starting to verify all illuminate |
| Coolant level | Monthly | Never open a hot radiator cap — check the reservoir only |
| Brake fluid | Monthly | Falling level = possible leak or worn pads — investigate |
| Power steering fluid | Monthly | Most modern cars have electric PAS — check your manual |
| Battery condition | Monthly visual | Full test annually on batteries over 3 years old |
| Wiper blades | Annually / as needed | Replace when smearing — typically before winter |
| Full service | Every 10,000–15,000km | Or as per manufacturer's recommendation in your manual |
| Walk-around check | Weekly minimum | Check body, mirrors, lights and tyres visually in one pass |
Tyre Safety — RSA Guide
Your tyres are your only contact with the road
Analysis of coronial data for driver fatalities (2015–2019) found that 12% of driver fatalities had a tyre defect recorded by the Forensic Collision Investigator at the time of the crash. Tyres are the single point at which every other vehicle system — braking, steering, acceleration — meets the road.
If convicted of driving with dangerous tyres under the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, you face a fine of up to €5,000, a 3-month prison sentence, or both — plus 5 penalty points on your licence. Ignorance is not a defence. It is the driver's legal responsibility to know the condition of their tyres at all times.
Tyre tread depth — what the numbers mean
Quick check: a 20c euro coin has a rim of approximately 2.5mm. Insert it into your tread grooves — if the rim is visible, your tread is dangerously low and replacement is urgent.
Under-inflation — the silent danger
Most drivers don't know their tyres are under-inflated until a problem occurs. Under-inflated tyres run hotter, wear unevenly, increase braking distances, and are far more likely to suffer a sudden blowout at speed. Check cold pressure weekly using an accurate gauge — not the forecourt display indicator.
Aquaplaning — losing all grip
In wet conditions, tyres must channel water out of the contact patch through their tread grooves. At 80km/h with worn tyres, the tyre can lose contact with the road entirely — the driver has zero steering or braking control. Worn tyres in Irish rain are a life-threatening combination. Reducing speed in wet conditions is critical.
Summer vs winter vs all-season tyres
Summer tyres (the Irish standard) perform well in both dry and wet conditions above 7°C. Below 7°C, a winter or all-season tyre provides significantly better grip, shorter braking distances and better handling. All-season tyres marked 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) are rated for severe snow — a practical choice for Irish winters.
Tyres to replace immediately
Replace immediately if you find: tread depth below 1.6mm anywhere on the tyre; any cut or crack penetrating to the cords; a bulge or lump in the sidewall (indicates internal damage); uneven wear suggesting misalignment (requires garage inspection); or a tyre that has suffered a blowout — even if re-inflated, it is structurally compromised.
Braking distance — what worn tyres cost you
Under-standard or defective tyres can double your braking distance in wet conditions compared to a tyre in good condition. At 80km/h on a wet road, this means the difference between stopping in time and a serious collision. No other single maintenance item has a more direct impact on emergency braking performance.
How to check tread depth
Use a dedicated tread depth gauge (available for under €5). Check multiple points across the width of each tyre — not just the centre. Legal wear indicators are moulded into tyre grooves at 1.6mm; when the tread is level with these indicators, the tyre must be replaced. Uneven wear across the tyre width indicates incorrect pressure or alignment issues.
Know your vehicle. Drive with confidence.
Smart Driving Academy covers vehicle safety checks as part of every EDT course and pre-test preparation. Know your car inside out before your test day.