Know your Show Tell Me questions?

The show me / Tell section of your test lets the examiner know you understand how to perform basic safety checks and maintenance on your car.

This is not just important for passing your test though as this is an important aspect of driving and will keep you, your passengers and other road users safer.

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'Show me, tell me': show me questions 2024: official DVSA guide

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Driving test 2024: official DVSA guide

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Show Me Question examples

"When it's safe to do so..."

Show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen

First ensure the road is clear, as visibility will be reduced for a few seconds.

The washer control will usually be on the indicator stalk and operated by pulling towards you. Hold it there for a couple of seconds as screen wash squirts onto your windscreen. The wipers will also operate until the stalk has been released.

Once released, the wipers my perform a couple of additional intermittent wipes

Show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen

The rear window washer / wiper control is usually located at the end of the wiper and washer switch stalk on the steering wheel. To operate the rear wiper, turn the switch to the desired position.

To wash the rear screen, you push the stalk away from you which will squirt washer liquid and operate the wiper until released.

Show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights

The headlight switch is normally on a steering wheel stalk which can be twisted to the required position

Show me how you'd set the rear demister

The rear window de-mister is normally controlled by a button in the centre console.

It is simply on or off so you would just switch it to the 'On' position when needed.

Show me how you'd operate the horn

The horn is usually in the centre of the steering wheel and is sounded by pushing on it.

Note : The horn should only be used to warn others of imminent danger

Show me how you'd demist the front windscreen

The front winder de-mister control is normally a button located in the centre console and is simply on or off.

Set the button to the 'On' position and this will send warm air up from the bottom of the windscreen helping prevent or remove condensation on the inside of the screen

Show me how you'd open and close the side window

Window controls will be either in the door panel or the centre console.

Pressing the button down or up will operate the window.

Many cars will have an 'auto' setting which will lower or raise the window completely after you've pressed the button for a short time allowing you to release the button while the window continues its operation

Tell Me Question examples

"Tell me..."

How you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey

The brakes should be tested before you pull away.

They should not feel soft or spongy and the car shouldn't pull in either direction when the brake is applied.

Where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked

Most cars have the recommended pressure guide located in the drivers door frame.

Ideally the tyres should be cold when putting air in and always use an accurate, reliable pressure gauge

Don't forget to check the spare tyre and remember to refit valve caps when done.

How you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash?

Most head restraints will have a 'lock' at the bottom of one of it's arms where it goes into the top of seat.

Pushing in the button on this will allow the arms to be adjusted up or down to get the restraint to the correct position.

The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head 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.

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

Tyres should be checked regularly for tread depth, cuts or bulges

Tyres MUST have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference.

How you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system

The warning light would become illuminated on the instrument panel if there is a fault with the brake system

How you'd check the indicators or lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle

You may need to turn the ignition on and operate the indicators and/or lights

To check these are working, you could get out and physically check or use reflective surfaces that allow you to see the indicators while still in the car.

How you'd check the brake lights are working on this car

As the brake lights only come on when the brake pedal is pressed, this can only be done when on your own by using reflections in windows or other reflective surface.

Alternatively, ask someone to check for you while you press the pedal

How you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey

Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.

1. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.

2. Turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light and explain when you'd use it

Your main lights will need to be on order for the fog lights to operate.

The location of the fog light controls can vary from car to car so it's important to know where these are BEFORE you start a journey.

These lights show only be used when visibility is very poor e.g in fog or very heavy rain and should be turned off as soon as visibility improves

How you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on

The lights are normally controlled from a stalk on the steering wheel.

When the dipped beam is on, pulling the stalk towards you will operate the full beam until the stalk is released.

Pushing the stalk away from you will turn the full beams off without you needing to keep it in position and will remain on until you pull the stalk back to the dipped beam position.

How you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil

The oil level is checked by using the dipstick. This should be pulled out and cleaned with a rag to remove any oil already on it so you don't get a false measurement.

You would then put the dipstick back in and out again to check the level against the Min / max markers on the stick

How you'd check coolant & brake fluid levels

Identify the appropriate reservoir and check the coolant / brake fluid level against the min / max markers.

Where the level is low, remove the filler cap, top it up with suitable fluid & replace the cap.