Show Me, Tell Me
At the beginning of your driving test, on your way to the vehicle, your examiner will conduct an eye sight test. When you get to your car the examiner will ask you the 'show me tell me' questions. They will ask you one 'show me' question, where you will have to show them how you carry out a vehicle safety check. You'll also be asked one 'tell me' question, where you'll have to explain to the examiner how you'd carry out the check.
There are a possible of nineteen questions that the examiners will ask you. Listed below are all 19 possible questions and answers.
Question 1: Show me how you can check the direction indicators are working.
Answer: Turn the hazard warning lights on, get out and check from the pavement that all the indicators are working at the front and the back (both sides).
Question 2: Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer: Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.
Question 3:Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Answer: Turn the ignition on and operate the windscreen washer lever.
Question 4:Show me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car, (if you need to switch the ignition on, please don’t start the engine).
Answer: Activate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in garage doors etc. to see if the brake lights come on, or ask someone to help.
Question 5: Show me/explain how you can check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer: If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made.
1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly.
Question 6: Show me how you would check the horn is working (off road only).
Answer: Press the horn and listen (turn on ignition if necessary).
Question 7: Show me how you can check the handbrake (parking brake) for excessive wear.
Answer: Press the foot brake, release the handbrake, re-apply the handbrake and the handbrake shouldn't come up too high and the car shouldn't move when you release the foot brake.
Question 8: Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them, (no need to exit vehicle).
Answer: Turn the ignition on. Turn the dipped headlights on and then the rear fog light. Check that the warning light is on for the fog light (no need to get out or switch the engine on). Explain that you would only use the fog light(s) if visibility was poor and that you could not see further than 100 metres.
Question 9: Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on.
Answer: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Question 10: Show me how you would set the demister controls to demist the front and rear screens.
Answer: Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.
Question 11: 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.
Answer: This involves you opening the bonnet. You would check by removing the dip-stick, wiping it clean of oil, dipping it back in, removing it again and the oil should leave a mark between the maximum and minimum marker.
Question 12: Open the bonet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that it has the correct level.
Answer: Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark more coolant should be added. To do this, unscrew the cap and pour in coolant until the max mark is reached.
Question 13: Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before you start a journey.
Answer: Tell the examiner you would start the car, drive forward slowly and try the foot brake. It should stop the car and the pedal should feel firm and not spongy.
Question 14: Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Answer: Tell the examiner that you would start the engine and a warning light will stay illuminated on the dashboard if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Question 15: 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.
Answer: The tread depth can be measured using a tread depth gauge. The legal minimum amount of tread should me no less than 1.6mm of tread in the central ¾ of the tyre and there shouldn't be any cuts or bulges on the edge of the tyre.
Question 16: Tell me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working.
Answer: Turn on lights (turn ignition if necessary), walk around car and check that the lights are on (this is a tell me question so no need to physically do it).
Question 17: Tell me how you would check the tyre pressure and how you would know how much air to put in to the tyre.
Answer: Information will be found using the car manufacturer's manual. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare and remember to refit the valve caps.
Question 18: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer: 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. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.
Question 19: Tell me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Answer: Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.
