Tell Me and Show Me Questions and Answers on the Driving Test

The UK practical driving test consists of ‘Show Me’ and ‘Tell Me’ questions to assess a candidate’s knowledge of basic vehicle safety checks and the operation of various controls. These questions are designed to ensure that new drivers understand how to perform essential checks, possess knowledge of routine vehicle maintenance, and operate their vehicles safely. These questions are a key part of the UK driving practical test, aimed at assessing your basic vehicle knowledge and ensuring you can perform safety checks.

Show Me Questions: In these questions, you must show how you would carry out a vehicle safety check. There are seven ‘show me’ questions asked in the test.

Tell Me Questions: For these questions, you must explain how you would carry out a vehicle safety check. There will be 14 questions in this section.

Here’s a list of the Show Me Tell Me Questions that were previously asked and are likely to be asked in the driving test.

‘Show Me’ Questions and Answers

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Answer: Turn on the rear windscreen washer and the wiper. In some cars, the rear wiper comes on automatically. Check the controls for activating the rear windscreen washer and wiper. Be sure to always be in full control of the car.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Answer: Turn on the front windscreen washer and the wiper. In most modern cars, the wipers will automatically activate to clean the windscreen. Use the controls and activate them to clean the windscreen. Turn on the ignition if required.
How would you check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear? Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Answer: Apply the footbrake firmly and the parking brake or handbrake so that when it is fully applied, it secures itself.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
Answer: Ensure your lights are not set to full beam before switching them on. Operate the headlight control to the dipped headlight position. This control is usually found on a dial to the right of the steering wheel or on the left stalk. If the blue full-beam warning light is showing, revert to dipped beams quickly so you do not disturb other drivers coming toward you.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
Answer: Press the rear window demister button, typically located on the central console with a symbol representing a window with heating lines.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
Answer: It is safe to use the horn briefly as a test. During emergencies, you might need to sound your horn without looking. Therefore, be sure to horn without taking a look. You may be penalised if you look for the horn during the test.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
Answer: Activate the front windscreen demister by pressing the button on the central console. Adjust the fan speed and temperature to ensure quick clearing of the windscreen.
How would you set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively?
Answer: Set all relevant controls, including the fan, temperature, air direction/source, and heated screen, to clear the windscreen and windows. The engine does not need to be started for this demonstration.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Answer: Before opening the window, make sure it is safe. Use the window control switch on the driver’s door to open and close your side window.

‘Tell Me’ Questions and Answers

Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer: Before setting off, test the brakes lightly to ensure they don’t feel spongy or slack. Explain that before switching on the ignition, press down on the brake pedal to check. Try out the brakes to check if the car stops quickly and does not pull to one side or the other.
Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer: Recommended tyre pressures can be found in the vehicle’s handbook or on a label inside the driver’s door frame or fuel filter lid. Check tyre pressures using a pump with a gauge to increase or decrease pressure to the desired level. If your pump does not have its gauge, use one that stands alone and replace the valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer: For adjustable head restraints, set it at least as high as the eye level or the top of your ears and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.
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.
Answer: Check each tyre carefully for any cuts or bulges. Use a depth gauge to verify a minimum of 1.6 mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth and around the entire circumference.
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Turn on the ignition if necessary, using the switch, and explain that you would walk around the vehicle to check that all the lights are working.
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Answer: Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Explain that you would turn on the hazard warning lights (or indicators) and walk around the vehicle to check that all indicator lights are working. You would follow the same with the left and right turn signals.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Answer: Explain that you’d turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal. You would also check the reflection of the brake lights in windows or doors behind you or ask someone to help check that the brake lights are on.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer: If the steering feels heavy or a warning light is illuminated, the system may not be working properly. To check, apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel while starting the engine. If the system is working properly, there should be a slight movement. Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will indicate if the power assistance is working.
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you’d use them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Explain that you’d operate the switch to turn on the rear fog lights. You would also start the engine and set the low-beam headlights if necessary. Check if the emergency warning lights are on. Explain that you would activate the rear fog lights when visibility drops below 100 metres to allow traffic to see you. You would then turn them off with improved visibility, as they might blind the cars behind and obscure your brake lights.
Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to the main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Answer: Operate the switch to change from dipped to the main beam after turning on the ignition if necessary. Once the main beams are on, check for the blue main beam warning light on the dashboard.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Answer: Explain to them that before checking the oil, the car must be on level ground and must be idle for a brief time to give the oil sufficient time to settle. Open the bonnet and use a strut to hold it open. Take out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and then remove it again to check the oil level. The markings indicate if more oil is required or if it is in excess.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Answer: Open the bonnet and secure it with the strut. When the engine is cool, top up with water or properly diluted radiator coolant. Check the level against the header tank or on the radiator filler cap to find the correct level.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer: Open the bonnet and secure it with the strut. Identify the brake fluid reservoir, which depends on the make of your vehicle. In most cases, it is a small plastic cylinder attached to the engine bulkhead, containing a fluid that is oil coloured. Check the fluid level by ensuring it is within the markings on the side of the translucent bottle. Mastering the Show Me, Tell Me Questions is a crucial part of your driving test preparation. By going through our blog and practising these questions, you will build your confidence to approach the exam as well as enhance your knowledge of routine vehicle maintenance, ensuring you drive safely. Familiarise yourself with the questions by visiting the website, https://www.gov.uk/ and prepare effectively for your driving test. If you are a first-time driver preparing for your driving licence, start practising for your theory test with us. We provide practise tests, ensuring you are well-prepared for your DVSA theory test practise. Take our driving theory test practise test and start preparing for your exam day.