Show Me Tell Me Questions — Complete Guide
The full list of DVSA vehicle safety questions asked at the start of every practical driving test, with clear answers.
What Are the “Show Me Tell Me” Questions?
At the start of every practical driving test, the examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions — one before you set off and one while you are driving. These are drawn from the official DVSA question bank and are commonly known as the “show me tell me” questions.
These questions are designed to check that you can identify and carry out basic vehicle safety checks. They are straightforward if you have prepared — but they are a minor fault if you answer incorrectly, and a serious fault if your answer suggests you do not understand basic vehicle safety. If you are taking your test at Sale Driving Test Centre, the tell me question is asked in the car park before you pull away.
“Tell Me” Question
Asked before you start driving, while the car is stationary. The examiner asks you to explain verbally how you would carry out a safety check or identify a problem. You may be asked to open the bonnet for some questions.
“Show Me” Question
Asked during the drive when it is safe to do so. The examiner asks you to physically demonstrate how to operate a vehicle control — for example, the rear wash/wipe or the fog lights. You must do this safely while driving.
“Tell Me” Questions — Full List
One of the following questions will be selected at random. You answer verbally, before setting off. For the bonnet questions, the examiner will ask you to open it.
Answer: The recommended tyre pressures are found in the vehicle handbook (or sometimes on a sticker inside the fuel cap or driver’s door frame). Pressures should be checked using a reliable tyre pressure gauge when the tyres are cold — not straight after a long journey. Check all four tyres and the spare, and inflate or deflate as required to match the manufacturer’s recommended pressures.
Answer: The head restraint should be adjusted so that the rigid part is at least as high as the eyes or top of the ears, and positioned as close to the back of the head as is comfortable without being uncomfortable. This minimises the risk of whiplash injury in a rear-end collision.
Answer: The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference. Check this using a tread depth gauge. Also visually inspect for cuts, bulges, or any objects embedded in the tyre. A tyre with no bald patches, no cuts or bulges, and adequate tread depth is safe to use.
Answer: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack when the pedal is pressed. Before moving, press the brake pedal to check for normal resistance. The brakes should be tested as you set off by applying them gently and checking that the car responds promptly and straight. Any sponginess or pulling to one side indicates a problem.
Answer: If the power steering is not functioning, the steering will feel very heavy. Before moving, gently turn the steering wheel while stationary — it should feel light and responsive. If it requires significant effort to turn, do not drive the vehicle and have it inspected. Some cars also have a power steering warning light on the dashboard.
Answer: Pull or push the appropriate stalk on the steering column (this varies by vehicle — refer to your car’s handbook). When main beam is active, a blue warning light illuminates on the instrument panel. Main beam should only be used on unlit roads when no oncoming traffic would be dazzled, and should be dipped when approaching other vehicles.
Answer: A warning light marked ABS will illuminate on the instrument panel. It is normal for this light to come on briefly when the engine is started and then go out — this is a self-test. If the ABS light remains on after the engine has started, or comes on while driving, the ABS may not be functioning correctly and the vehicle should be inspected.
Answer: Switch on the ignition and activate the hazard warning lights. Walk around the vehicle to confirm all four indicator lights are flashing correctly. Alternatively, ask a helper to observe while you activate the left and right indicators separately. A dashboard tell-tale light that flashes faster than normal indicates a failed bulb.
Answer: Apply the brake pedal and ask a helper to stand behind the car and confirm the lights illuminate. If no helper is available, use the reflection in a wall, garage door or another vehicle’s bodywork. Some drivers use a mirror positioned behind the car. All brake lights including the high-level third light should illuminate when the pedal is pressed.
Answer: Switch on the headlights and walk around the vehicle to visually confirm that all lights are working — front headlights (dipped beam), front sidelights, rear tail lights and number plate light. Check both dipped and main beam at the front. Alternatively, ask a helper to observe while you operate the controls.
Answer: Operate the windscreen washer control (usually pulling the wiper stalk towards you or pressing a dedicated button). Confirm that the washer jets spray fluid onto the screen and that the wipers clear it effectively across the full sweep of the blade. Ensure the washer fluid reservoir is kept topped up.
Answer: Locate the rear demister button on the dashboard — it is usually marked with a symbol showing horizontal lines (representing the heating elements) and an arrow. Press it to activate; a warning light or illuminated button will confirm it is working. Switch it off once the screen is clear to avoid unnecessary battery drain.
Answer: With the ignition on (engine off), press the centre of the steering wheel. The horn should sound. It is good practice to check this before setting off, particularly if the car has not been used for a period. The horn should not be used while stationary except in an emergency.
Answer: With the engine off and the car on level ground, locate the oil dipstick (usually yellow or orange). Remove it and wipe it clean with a cloth. Reinsert it fully, then remove it again. The oil level should be between the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) markers. If it is below the minimum, top up with the correct grade of oil as specified in the vehicle handbook. Also check the oil is not discoloured or unusually thick.
Answer: Locate the coolant reservoir — it is a translucent plastic tank marked with a thermometer or snowflake symbol. When the engine is cold, the coolant level should sit between the MIN and MAX markings on the side of the reservoir. If it is low, top up with the correct coolant mixture as specified in the vehicle handbook. Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot — the system is pressurised and can cause serious burns.
Answer: Locate the brake fluid reservoir — a small translucent container with a yellow cap marked with a warning symbol (usually near the back of the engine bay). The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX markings visible on the side. If it is low, top up with the correct specification brake fluid. A consistently dropping brake fluid level may indicate a leak and should be investigated promptly.
“Show Me” Questions — Full List
One of the following questions will be asked during the drive, when the examiner considers it safe to do so. You must physically demonstrate the operation while continuing to drive safely.
Answer: Locate and operate the rear wash/wipe control — usually a separate stalk or button from the front wipers, often on the wiper stalk itself or on the dashboard. Activate it to spray washer fluid onto the rear screen and operate the rear wiper. Ensure you remain in full control of the vehicle while doing so.
Answer: Operate the rear fog light switch (usually on the lighting stalk or a dedicated button on the dashboard). An amber or red warning light on the instrument panel will confirm it is active. Rear fog lights should be used when visibility is seriously reduced — generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres. They must be switched off as soon as visibility improves, as they can dazzle following drivers.
Answer: Pull or push the lighting stalk (the method varies by vehicle). A blue dashboard warning light will illuminate to confirm main beam is active. Demonstrate the switch between dipped and main beam when the examiner asks, ensuring you keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road throughout.
Answer: Press the horn button, located in the centre of the steering wheel. Do this briefly and only when the examiner asks. Ensure you maintain full control of the vehicle and do not grip the centre of the wheel at the expense of your steering.
Answer: Direct the heater controls to blow warm air at the windscreen (use the windscreen symbol on the air direction control). Increase the fan speed and, if the vehicle has air conditioning, switch it on — this helps remove moisture from the air and clears the screen faster. Most modern cars have a dedicated front screen demist button that does this automatically.
Answer: Locate the electric window switch on the door panel (or the manual winder handle) and operate it to open the window, then close it again. Do this smoothly and safely without looking away from the road for an extended period. The examiner is checking that you can operate vehicle controls while maintaining control of the car.
Tips for Learning the Questions
- Understand, don’t just memorise. The answers make practical sense once you understand what each system does. A tyre with no tread cannot grip the road; a coolant system that runs dry will seize the engine. Understanding the ‘why’ makes the answer much easier to recall under pressure.
- Get hands-on. Open the bonnet on the car you will be learning in and identify the dipstick, coolant reservoir and brake fluid reservoir before your test. Seeing them in person removes the ambiguity of the description.
- Use the official DVSA resources. The DVSA publishes videos demonstrating answers to the vehicle safety questions. These are freely available on YouTube by searching for “DVSA show me tell me”.
- Practise with Bill. During your lessons, Bill will walk through the bonnet questions and show you where each component is in the car you’re learning in. Knowing the answer in theory is one thing; being able to point confidently at the dipstick in front of an examiner is another.
- Marks are minor — but don’t be complacent. An incorrect answer to a Show Me Tell Me question counts as one minor fault. While a single minor fault will not fail your test, it is an unnecessary mark against you and is easily avoided with a small amount of preparation.