Show me, tell me questions
The ‘tell me’ safety question
This question will still be asked at the test centre, before you start driving. Here’s the new explanation that will be used.
“Now I’d like to ask you one question about your vehicle and other matters relating to vehicle safety. The second question will be a ‘show me’ question on the move.
“If you’d like to make yourself comfortable in your car now please, I’ll join you in a moment.”
You will need to open the bonnet for some of these questions.
The ‘show me’ safety question
This question will be asked while you are driving.
It can be asked at any time during the test, including during the independent driving part.
The examiner will ask the question in a location which gives you enough chance to demonstrate the safety check. Here’s the instruction they’ll give.
“When it’s safe, could you show me...”
If they aren’t sure how to do it, the examiner will ask you to pull in when it’s safe and appropriate, and then ask them to find the control.
The examiner will be able to ask people with special needs to pull in before asking the question so they can explain what they need to do.
Before you start the practical driving part of your test, you’ll have an eyesight check. You also will be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your test.
The questions are known as "show me, tell me" questions. Answer any of these two questions incorrectly and you will gain one driving test fault.
The examiner will ask you one "show me" question, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check.
You’ll also be asked one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check.
The questions are known as "show me, tell me" questions. Answer any of these two questions incorrectly and you will gain one driving test fault.
The examiner will ask you one "show me" question, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check.
You’ll also be asked one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check.
"Show me tell me" questions and answers:
Q1. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level.
A. Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark then more coolant will need to be added. To do this, unscrew the cap and pour in coolant until the max mark is reached.
Q2. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A. Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.
Q3. Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
A. If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made.
1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly.
Q4. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil.
A. Identify the dipstick, pull it out and check the oil level against the min/max markings.
Q5. Open the bonnet, identify where the Windscreen Washer reservoir is and tell me how you check the level?
A. Identify the reservoir, lift off cap and make a visual check of the level as there are no external markings on the reservoir.
Q6. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
A. Press the horn and listen (turn on the ignition if necessary).
Q7. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine).
A.Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)
Q8. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A. Check the brakes as you move off. They should not feel spongy and the car should not pull to one side.
Q9. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
A. Turn on lights (turn ignition on if necessary), walk around the car and check that both the headlights and tail lights are on.
Q10. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working correctly.
A. Activate the indicators or hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working correctly.
Q11. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A. Information will be found using the car manufacturer's manual. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge. Check when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare tyre and remember to refit the valve caps.
Q12. Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
A. Apply the parking brake. When it is fully applied it should secure itself and shouldn't be at the end of it's working travel.
Q13. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
A. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.
Q14. Tell me how you would check the tyres to show that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A. A safe tyre will have no cuts or bulges. The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Q15. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
A. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).
Q16. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.
A. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.
Q17. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
A. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.
Q18. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
A. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check the main beam warning light is on.
Q19. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle).
A. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. They should be used when visibilty is restricted to 100 metres or less.
Q1. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level.
A. Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark then more coolant will need to be added. To do this, unscrew the cap and pour in coolant until the max mark is reached.
Q2. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A. Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.
Q3. Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
A. If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made.
1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly.
Q4. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil.
A. Identify the dipstick, pull it out and check the oil level against the min/max markings.
Q5. Open the bonnet, identify where the Windscreen Washer reservoir is and tell me how you check the level?
A. Identify the reservoir, lift off cap and make a visual check of the level as there are no external markings on the reservoir.
Q6. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
A. Press the horn and listen (turn on the ignition if necessary).
Q7. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine).
A.Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)
Q8. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A. Check the brakes as you move off. They should not feel spongy and the car should not pull to one side.
Q9. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
A. Turn on lights (turn ignition on if necessary), walk around the car and check that both the headlights and tail lights are on.
Q10. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working correctly.
A. Activate the indicators or hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working correctly.
Q11. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A. Information will be found using the car manufacturer's manual. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge. Check when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare tyre and remember to refit the valve caps.
Q12. Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
A. Apply the parking brake. When it is fully applied it should secure itself and shouldn't be at the end of it's working travel.
Q13. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
A. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.
Q14. Tell me how you would check the tyres to show that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A. A safe tyre will have no cuts or bulges. The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Q15. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
A. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).
Q16. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.
A. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.
Q17. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
A. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.
Q18. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
A. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check the main beam warning light is on.
Q19. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle).
A. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. They should be used when visibilty is restricted to 100 metres or less.
- This isn't a definitive statement on the DVSA "show me tell me" part of the practical car driving test.
- Questions can change at any time and might differ from those on this page.
- The DVSA has a combination method for the questions. For simplicity the combination has been ignored.
- You shouldn't be asked to remove the oil dipstick or other fluid caps (other than the windscreen washer fluid cap).
- Don't touch anything under the bonnet. It could be very hot!