For learners
Show me, tell me questions
You are asked exactly two vehicle-safety questions on your driving test: one "tell me" at the car before you drive, and one "show me" while you are driving. They come from a fixed, published bank of 14. Getting one wrong is a single driving fault - it will never fail you on its own. Here is the whole bank with a short, correct answer for each.
01
How they work
- "Tell me" is asked before you drive, at the car, engine off. You explain in words how you would carry out a safety check - you do not have to physically do it.
- "Show me" is asked while you are driving. You actually demonstrate the action - working a control safely without taking your attention off the road.
- One wrong answer is a single driving fault (a minor). You can have up to 15 minors and still pass, so a slip here will not fail you.
02
Tell me questions (asked before you drive)
- How would you check the brakes are working before starting a journey?
- The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. As you move off, test them at low speed - the car should slow evenly and not pull to one side.
- Where would you find the recommended tyre pressures, and how would you check them?
- In the car's handbook, and often on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or fuel flap. Check with a reliable gauge when the tyres are cold, don't forget the spare, and refit the valve caps.
- How would you check the power-assisted steering is working before a journey?
- If the steering feels heavy, the system may be faulty. Apply gentle pressure to the wheel as you start the engine - it should move slightly as the assistance kicks in - or turn the wheel just after moving off to feel the assistance working.
- How would you switch on the rear fog light(s), and when would you use them?
- Use the fog-light switch (a dashboard symbol); a warning light confirms it is on. Use it only when visibility drops below 100 metres, and switch it off when visibility improves so you do not dazzle the driver behind.
- How would you set the demister to clear all the windows effectively?
- Direct airflow to the windscreen, turn up the fan and temperature, switch on the air-con or heated screen if fitted, and press the heated rear-window button for the back screen.
- How would you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam, and how would you know main beam is on?
- Push or pull the headlight stalk to main beam; a blue warning light on the dashboard tells you main beam is on.
- How would you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted?
- The rigid part should be roughly level with the top of your head and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable, to protect your neck in a collision.
03
Show me questions (asked while driving)
- Show me how you would wash and clean the front windscreen.
- Operate the washer to spray screen wash, then run the wipers to clear the glass.
- Show me how you would wash and clean the rear windscreen.
- Operate the rear washer and wiper control to spray and wipe the back window.
- Show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights.
- Turn the light switch to the dipped-beam position - check the dashboard symbol lights up.
- Show me how you would set the rear demister.
- Press the heated rear-window button; the symbol lights up while it is on.
- Show me how you would demist the front windscreen.
- Direct the airflow to the windscreen and turn up the fan and temperature (and air-con or heated front screen if fitted).
- Show me how you would operate the horn.
- Press the centre of the steering wheel, or the horn control, briefly.
- Show me how you would open and close the side window.
- Use the electric window switch, or the winder, to open and then close the window.
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