Driving Test Preparation
Show Me, Tell Me
At the start of your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you one "show me" and one "tell me" vehicle safety question. Getting these wrong counts as a minor fault — so it pays to know them all.
Show Me
You'll be asked to demonstrate a safety check while the car is stationary — for example, operating the wipers or checking the horn.
Tell Me
You'll be asked to explain how you'd carry out a safety check — for example, how to check tyre pressure or engine oil.
One wrong answer = 1 minor fault. Two wrong answers = 2 minor faults. There are no major faults for these questions alone.
Show Me Questions
Q.Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Apply the hazard warning switch and walk around the vehicle to check all indicators are flashing.
Q.Show me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car.
Operate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows, garage doors or ask someone to help. Alternatively use the reflection in a wall or door.
Q.Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear.
Apply the parking brake — it should secure itself before reaching the end of its travel. If it goes too far up before holding, it may need adjustment.
Q.Show me how you would check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Gently push against the steering wheel while starting the engine. You should feel the steering become lighter as the power assistance kicks in.
Q.Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Operate the wiper control to turn on the washers and wipers. Check that the fluid clears the windscreen effectively.
Q.Show me how you would set the rear demister.
Locate and operate the heated rear window switch (usually marked with a symbol of wavy lines). Check the warning light comes on.
Q.Show me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam.
Switch on the dipped headlights, then push or pull the indicator stalk to engage main beam. Check the blue main beam warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
Q.Show me how you would check the horn is working.
Press the centre of the steering wheel (or the horn button) to sound the horn. It should produce a clear, audible sound.
Q.Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off — the vehicle should not pull to one side. Check the brake fluid level is between the min and max marks.
Q.Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Tyre pressures are found in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the fuel cap or door. Use a reliable pressure gauge when tyres are cold. Remove the valve cap, attach the gauge, check the reading and adjust as necessary. Don't forget the spare tyre.
Q.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 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.
Q.Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
There should be no cuts or bulges in the sidewalls. The tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference. Use a tread depth gauge or the 20p coin test.
Q.Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Switch on the ignition and lights, then walk around the vehicle to check all lights are working. You may need to ask someone to help or use a reflective surface.
Q.Tell me how you would check the engine coolant is at the correct level.
Identify the coolant reservoir — it is usually a translucent plastic tank near the radiator. The coolant level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. Only top up when the engine is cold.
Q.Tell me how you would check the engine oil level.
The engine should be cold and on level ground. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove again and check the oil level is between the min and max marks. Top up with the correct grade of oil if needed.
Q.Tell me how you would check the windscreen washer fluid level.
Identify the windscreen washer reservoir — usually marked with a windscreen/water symbol. The fluid should be topped up to the indicated level using a suitable washer fluid mixture.
Tell Me Questions
Q.Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Apply the hazard warning switch and walk around the vehicle to check all indicators are flashing.
Q.Show me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car.
Operate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows, garage doors or ask someone to help. Alternatively use the reflection in a wall or door.
Q.Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear.
Apply the parking brake — it should secure itself before reaching the end of its travel. If it goes too far up before holding, it may need adjustment.
Q.Show me how you would check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Gently push against the steering wheel while starting the engine. You should feel the steering become lighter as the power assistance kicks in.
Q.Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Operate the wiper control to turn on the washers and wipers. Check that the fluid clears the windscreen effectively.
Q.Show me how you would set the rear demister.
Locate and operate the heated rear window switch (usually marked with a symbol of wavy lines). Check the warning light comes on.
Q.Show me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam.
Switch on the dipped headlights, then push or pull the indicator stalk to engage main beam. Check the blue main beam warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
Q.Show me how you would check the horn is working.
Press the centre of the steering wheel (or the horn button) to sound the horn. It should produce a clear, audible sound.
Q.Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off — the vehicle should not pull to one side. Check the brake fluid level is between the min and max marks.
Q.Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Tyre pressures are found in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the fuel cap or door. Use a reliable pressure gauge when tyres are cold. Remove the valve cap, attach the gauge, check the reading and adjust as necessary. Don't forget the spare tyre.
Q.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 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.
Q.Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
There should be no cuts or bulges in the sidewalls. The tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference. Use a tread depth gauge or the 20p coin test.
Q.Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Switch on the ignition and lights, then walk around the vehicle to check all lights are working. You may need to ask someone to help or use a reflective surface.
Q.Tell me how you would check the engine coolant is at the correct level.
Identify the coolant reservoir — it is usually a translucent plastic tank near the radiator. The coolant level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. Only top up when the engine is cold.
Q.Tell me how you would check the engine oil level.
The engine should be cold and on level ground. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove again and check the oil level is between the min and max marks. Top up with the correct grade of oil if needed.
Q.Tell me how you would check the windscreen washer fluid level.
Identify the windscreen washer reservoir — usually marked with a windscreen/water symbol. The fluid should be topped up to the indicated level using a suitable washer fluid mixture.
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