Show Me / Tell Me Questions

"Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working."

A.1. Apply the indicators or hazard warning switch then walk round the vehicle and check the functioning of all indicators. (You may need to switch the ignition on but do not start the engine)

TIP – Most cars will not need to have the ignition switched on to activate the hazard switch, so it should be simple to lean into the car, switch on the hazard warning switch, walk around the car checking all four main indicators (there may also be indicators on the front wings and/or the door mirrors), and then lean into the car to switch off the hazard warning switch.

"Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please do not start the engine)"

A.2. Operate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to assist by checking that the lights are operating. (You may need to switch the ignition on but do not start the engine)

"Show me or explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."

A.3. If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure applied 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 by feeding back to the driver either normal resistance to turning or excessively heavy resistance.

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Q.3.

"Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear; make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle."

A.4. Apply the footbrake firmly. Release the parking brake (handbrake) and demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself and it is not at the end of the working travel.

TIP – Keep the button pressed in when applying the parking brake (handbrake) so that you do not hear the ratchet noise as this will wear the ratchet teeth with repeated application increasing the chance of parking brake failure.

Q.4.

"Please open the car bonnet. Identify where the brake fluid reservoir tank is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."

A.7. Identify the hydraulic brake fluid reservoir tank and check the brake fluid level against the minimum / maximum level indicator.

Q.5.

We have provided a list of questions and suggested answers to the SHOW ME / TELL ME safety check questions that the examiner will ask at the beginning of a driving test.

The examiner will ask these questions when you reach the vehicle, before the driving element of the test. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

You should be familiar with the relevant component's location and the method of checking each component on the vehicle that will be used on the day of the test.

Q.6.

Q.7.

"Please open the bonnet. Identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level."

A.6. Identify the engine coolant tank and check the minimum and maximum level indicator displayed on the side of the tank. If the coolant is below the minimum mark, more coolant (water) will need to be added. To do this, unscrew the tank cap when the engine is cold and pour in coolant until the maximum mark is reached.

"Please open the bonnet. Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil."

A.5. Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe how to check the oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.

TIP – You will have to open the bonnet but then just point to the dipstick and describe pulling it out to check the level. Different cars have different min / max markers – they could have lines, notches, rings, cross hatched area between min / max level, etc. People usually wait for the engine to be stopped for a while before checking the oil level(on level ground), pull out the dipstick, wipe it on a cloth, re-insert it then pull it out once more to check the level.

Q.8.

"Show me how you would check that the horn is working (This will only be asked when you are off road)."

A.8. Press the horn and listen (turn on ignition if necessary).

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Q.19.

"Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers."

A.9. Operate control and hold for approximately 3 seconds to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary). If asked this question on a driving test, ensure your windscreen is left clean after the initial clean. Sometimes 2 or 3 cleans are necessary.

"Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens."

A.10. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. The engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

"Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (There is no need to exit vehicle)"

A.11. Turn on the headlights (dipped) [A] and operate switch [B] (turn on ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on [C]. Operate switch again to turn off. Explain use.

TIP – Rear foglight should be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally less than 100 metres (328 feet). It must be switched off as soon as visibility is improved to avoid dazzling other drivers, especially at night.

A

B

C

"Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car."

A.12. With the headlights already turned on operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

TIP – Main beam warning light will be a blue light, usually close to the main instruments.

"Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."

A.13. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

TIP – Spongy brakes are caused by air in the hydraulic system and the brakes should be bled immediately. The cause of the air ingress should be investigated and remedied at the same time. Pulling brakes may be caused by one brake being faulty, usually seized, which results in the effect of the ‘good’ brake pulling the car to one side.

"Tell me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level."

A.14. Identify reservoir, usually under the bonnet, and explain how to check level.

TIP – On some cars you can see the level in the bottle, but on many the bottle is concealed and all you can see is the filler neck. In this case you could say that you would open the filler cap and look down the neck for a level or just try topping up the bottle with screenwash/water.

"Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked."

A.15. Look in the Manufacturer’s Handbook and, using a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold. Don’t forget the spare tyre. Remember to refit 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."

A.16. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is as high as the eye or top of the ears and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Nota bene – Some head restraints may not be adjustable.

Correctly Adjusted

The head restraint is at the correct height and close enough to the back of the head to help prevent injury.

Incorrectly Adjusted

The head restraint is at the correct height but not close enough to the back of the head.

Incorrectly Adjusted

The head restraint is at the wrong height and also not close enough to the back of the head.

"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."

A.17. No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

"Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. (No need to exit the vehicle)"

A.18. Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary) then walk round the vehicle. (As this is a ‘Tell Me’ question there is no need to physically check the lights).

"Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system."

A.19. A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).