Show Me Tell Me Questions
Learners drivers are required to answer 1 ‘Tell me question’ and 1 ‘Show me question’ during their driving test.
The exact answers to the questions will depend on the make and model of the car you are driving. All cars are slightly different with functions in slightly different places. Below is a list of questions and answers from the Show Me Tell Me question bank and a video we think is really helpful in explaining them.
Tell me questions…
Remember every car’s different and your instructor should be teaching you how to do all these checks these are the tell me questions you will do one of these at the start of the test before you set off we’ll show you how to do these checks but you only need to tell the examiner how you do them.
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
When you press the brake pedal it shouldn’t feel spongy or slack if your brakes are working properly the car shouldn’t 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.
I look in the car manual and then use a reliable pressure gauge to check and adjust the pressures when the tires a cold don’t forget to refit the valve caps and check the spare tyre if you’ve got one.
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.
Adjust the head restraint so the rigid part is at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears make sure it’s close to the back of your head and comfortable some cars might not have adjustable head restraints
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.
Check they have no cups or bulges, they must have at least 1.6 mm of tread depth across the middle three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Turn on the switch, you might need to turn the ignition on then walk around the car to check the lights are working.
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
The abs warning light should light up if there’s a fault.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Turn on the hazard warning lights, you might need to turn the ignition on then walk around the car to check the indicators of working.
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Press the brake pedal and ask someone to check the brake lights come on or use reflections in windows and doors.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Turn the ignition on and then turn the steering wheel it should move with ease you can also turn the steering wheel just after moving off to check that it works.
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.
Turn the ignition on then turn on the dipped headlights and then the fog lights. Check the warning light on the dashboard is on tell the examiner you’d only use them when visibility is seriously reduced generally when you can’t see for more than 100m.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Turn the ignition on then turn on the dipped headlights and switch to the main beam. Check that the main beam warning light on the dashboard is on.
12*. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a cloth. Put it back in the holder then take it out again look at the high and low marks. Oil level should be between them if it’s too low top it up but don’t overfill it because you could damage the engine.
13*. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Check the coolant level by looking at the high and low-level marks on the radiator header tank. If the levels are low top it up with water and antifreeze mix but only when the engine is cold. You could get a serious injury if you open the cap when the engine is hot.
14*. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
The brake fluid must be kept between the high and low marks. If it’s low top it up with the correct type of fluid. You can find out what this is in your car’s manual.
*You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked questions 12, 13 or 14.
Show me questions…
- 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?