DVSA Show Me, Tell Me Questions – Driving Test Guide

Preparing for your practical driving test? Rev and Go Automatic Driving School in Cleckheaton has put together this useful guide to the DVSA Show Me, Tell Me questions to help you prepare with confidence.

During your driving test, the examiner will ask you one Tell Me question at the beginning of the test and one Show Me question while you are driving.

The questions are designed to check your knowledge of basic vehicle safety and that you understand how to operate important controls safely.

If you answer either question incorrectly, you'll normally receive a driving fault (minor). However, you could receive a serious or dangerous fault if your actions while answering a Show Me question affect your driving.

 

The 7 Show Me Questions

During your driving test, the examiner may ask you one of the following while you're driving:

1. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

2. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

3. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?

4. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

5. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?

6. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?

7. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

 

The 14 Tell Me Questions

1. Brakes

Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. The brakes should be tested as you set off, and the vehicle should not pull to one side.

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2. Tyre Pressures

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

Check the manufacturer's guide. Use a reliable pressure gauge and check and adjust the pressures when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare tyre, if fitted, and remember to refit the valve caps.

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3. Head Restraint

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 is at least as high as the eyes or top of the ears and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Some head restraints might not be adjustable.

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4. Tyre Tread & Condition

Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

There should be no cuts or bulges. The tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

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5. Headlights & Tail Lights

Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain that you'd operate the switch, turning on the ignition if necessary, and then walk around the vehicle to check the lights.

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6. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

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

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

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7. Direction Indicators

Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain that you'd operate the indicator switch, turning on the ignition if necessary, and then walk around the vehicle to check the indicators.

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8. Brake Lights

Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

Operate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

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9. Power-Assisted Steering

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.

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.

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10. Rear Fog Lights

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 the switch, turning on the dipped headlights and ignition if necessary. Check that the appropriate warning light is illuminated and explain when the rear fog lights should be used.

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11. Main Beam Headlights

Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

Operate the switch with the ignition or engine on if necessary and check that the main beam warning light is illuminated.

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12. Engine Oil

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify the dipstick or oil-level indicator and explain how you'd check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

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13. Engine Coolant

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify the high and low level markings on the header tank, where fitted, or the radiator filler cap, and explain how you'd top it up to the correct level.

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14. Hydraulic Brake Fluid

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the level against the high and low markings.

 

Prepare for Your Driving Test with Rev and Go

At Rev and Go Automatic Driving School, we don't just teach you how to pass your driving test. We help you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a safe driver for life.

Stuart provides professional automatic driving lessons in Cleckheaton and surrounding areas, with lessons tailored to your individual ability and learning pace.

 

Established in 2006

Rev and Go provides friendly, patient and professional automatic driving tuition, including help preparing for your DVSA Show Me, Tell Me questions, theory test and practical driving test.

Looking for automatic driving lessons in Cleckheaton?

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Call Stuart at Rev and Go Automatic Driving School on 0775 776 4444 to discuss lessons and availability.

Here's the preview on the 'show me' and 'tell me' questions in your driving test, compiled for your use by Rev and Go your Automatic Driving School in Cleckheaton​

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