Driving Test Preparation
Show Me, Tell Me Questions
During your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions from the official DVSA list. You will be asked one "tell me" question at the start of the test (before you drive) and one "show me" question while you are driving.
There are 21 questions in total: 14 tell me questions and 7 show me questions. Getting one or both wrong results in one driving fault (minor). If your driving becomes dangerous while answering a show me question, you will fail the test.
14 Questions
Tell Me Questions
These are asked at the start of your test before you begin driving. You explain how you would carry out the safety check without physically doing it (except questions 12, 13 and 14, where the examiner will ask you to open the bonnet).
1. Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not 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.
Manufacturer's guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don't forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
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.
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. Note: some head restraints might not be adjustable.
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.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
5. Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a "tell me" question, you don't need to physically check the lights).
6. Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a "tell me" question, you don't need to physically check the lights).
8. Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you'd operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
9. Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, two simple checks can be made. 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. Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
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.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use: rear fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced (generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres).
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
Note: The examiner will ask you to open the bonnet for this question.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
Note: The examiner will ask you to open the bonnet for this question.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
Note: The examiner will ask you to open the bonnet for this question.
7 Questions
Show Me Questions
These are asked while you are driving. The examiner will ask you to physically demonstrate how you would carry out the task. Wait until it is safe to do so before answering.
1. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Operate the rear windscreen washer and wiper. On most cars this is controlled by the indicator stalk or a separate stalk on the right side of the steering column. Push or twist the stalk to activate.
2. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Operate the front windscreen washer and wiper. Usually controlled by pulling the indicator stalk towards you or pushing it away from you. Your instructor will show you the exact control in your lesson car.
3. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?
Locate and operate the headlight switch. This is usually a dial on the indicator stalk or a separate switch on the dashboard. Turn it to the dipped headlight position and check the dashboard symbol is lit.
4. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?
Locate and press the rear demister button. It is usually on the dashboard or centre console and has a rectangle symbol with three wavy arrows pointing upward. A warning light or indicator will confirm it is on.
5. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?
Press the horn on the steering wheel. On most cars, the horn is in the centre of the steering wheel or on a pad either side of the steering wheel.
6. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?
Set the blowers to the windscreen position, turn up the fan speed, and use warm air. You can also press the front demister button if the car has one, or use the air conditioning to clear the screen faster.
7. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?
Locate and operate the electric window switch on the driver's door. Press down to open, pull up to close. Some cars have a manual winder instead.
The exact location of each control varies between cars. Your instructor will make sure you know where everything is in the car you learn in before test day.
Preparation
How to Prepare
Your Select Drive instructor will cover all of the show me tell me questions with you during your lessons. You will practise finding and operating every control in the car you learn in, so by test day the answers will feel second nature.
A few things worth knowing: the examiner will only ask you one tell me and one show me question on the day, chosen at random from the lists above. Even if you get both wrong, it only counts as one driving fault (minor), so it will not cause you to fail on its own. The only way these questions can cause a fail is if your driving becomes dangerous while you demonstrate a show me answer.
If you are learning in an automatic car, the questions are the same. The only difference is that question 9 (power-assisted steering) may feel slightly different in an automatic, and your instructor will explain this.
Useful Links
Official DVSA question list on GOV.UK – the source for all questions on this page
Beginner driving lessons – starting from scratch? We cover everything from first lesson to test day
Intensive driving courses – pass your test in weeks, not months
Read our reviews – see what learners say about Select Drive
Questions sourced from the DVSA publication “Car show me, tell me vehicle safety questions” on GOV.UK, last updated 4 December 2017. Published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.