Show me Tell me Questions Guide

The vehicle safety questions are part of the practical driving test, at EasyPass we are focused on making sure you pass your exam with the minimum fuss, and with this in mind, we have prepared a detailed guide to help you pass these important questions.

1. What are the Show me Tell me Questions?
2. What happens if you get the Show me Tell me Questions wrong?
3. How many Show me Tell me Questions are there?
4. About Tell me Questions
5. About the Show me Questions

What are the Show me Tell me Questions?

Learning about Vehicle safety is key in order to become a good driver, during the practical driving test the examiner will check not only that you can drive, but also that you have the required knowledge about car maintenance and safety in order to do it safely. With this purpose, the examiner will ask you one question of each type during the exam.

What happens if you get the Show me Tell me Questions wrong?

Not answering correctly to these questions could lead you to firstly, get one driving fault if you may fail while answering one or both of the questions. And secondly, to inevitably failing the test if your driving becomes potentially dangerous while answering the ‘Show me’ Question.

How many Show me Tell me Questions are there?

The number of Show me Questions from which the examiner can choose from is seven, while the number of Tell me Questions available is fourteen. Your instructor should teach you everything about how to do these checks for the particular car you’ll be driving during the test.

About Tell me Questions

Tell me questions will be asked at the start of the practical test before you start driving. The DVSA has a video about this topic which we highly recommend to watch.
Below you will find the list of Tell me Questions and the correct answers, please note that for questions 12, 13 and 14 you will need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d proceed to do the check. We have included a picture of the car model we use for our students with the locations of the items they need to check.

1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
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.

Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

Open the Bonnet Tell Me Questions

12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to
correct level.

14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

About the Show me Questions

Show me questions will be asked during the test while you are driving, please remember to remain calm when answering to avoid your driving becoming potentially dangerous, which as we mentioned before would make you fail the test.

Below you will find the list of this type of questions you will be challenged to ask during the test:
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

We want to remark again here that your instructor should teach you everything about the car, so you can successfully answer these questions.

Finally, the DVSA also has a video about this part of the exam, we recommend watching this video to help your preparation of the test.

If you have more questions about this part of the driving exam, you can directly contact EasyPass Driving School using the form below.