Show Me Tell Me Questions and Answers
All 21 DVSA vehicle safety questions
The questions your examiner can ask on the car driving test, with clear answers. Learn them at home, then practise them in the car with your BNM instructor.
Your test at a glance
- Questions asked
- 2
- Tell me question
- Before you drive
- Show me question
- While driving
- One or both wrong
- 1 driving fault
- Dangerous driving while answering
- Test fail
Preparing for Your Driving Test
You'll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test. Here's how they fit into the test.
- Start of the testTell me questionYou explain how you'd carry out a safety task, before you start driving.
- During the driveShow me questionYou show how you'd carry out a safety task while you're driving.
- Wrong answerOne driving faultGetting one or both questions wrong counts as one driving fault (a 'minor').
- Stay in controlTest failDriving dangerously or potentially dangerously while answering the show me question fails your test.
14 Tell Me Questions
Asked at the start of your test, before you drive. Try to answer each one before you open it.
If you're asked question 12, 13 or 14, you need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you'd do the check.
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.
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.
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 restraints might not be adjustable.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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, 2 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7 Show Me Questions
Asked while you're driving. Only carry out the task when it's safe, and keep full control of the car.
Controls vary between cars. Your instructor will show you where each one is in the car you'll use for your test.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Use the rear washer setting on the wiper control to spray and wipe the rear screen, then switch it off.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Operate the front washer on the wiper control so the screen is sprayed and the wipers clear it.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?
Turn the light switch to the dipped headlight setting and check the dipped headlight warning light on the dashboard.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?
Press the rear demister button and check its warning light comes on.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?
Press the horn, usually the centre pad of the steering wheel, briefly.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?
Set the airflow to the windscreen and turn up the fan, using the air conditioning if fitted, or press the front demist button.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?
Use the window switch to open the window a little, then close it again.
Practise Every Question in the Car
Our DVSA-approved instructors go through the show me, tell me questions during your lessons, so you know where every control is before test day.
Questions and tell me answers from the DVSA's Car 'show me, tell me' vehicle safety questions. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.