image-of-show-me-tell-me-questions

Show Me Tell Me Questions: Complete Driving Test Questions and Answers

The Show Me Tell Me questions are an important part of your practical driving test. Learning them before test day can help you feel more confident and avoid an unnecessary driving fault.

During your practical car driving test, you will be asked two vehicle safety questions. One is a Tell Me question before you start driving and the other is a Show Me question while you are driving.

The questions are designed to check that you understand basic vehicle safety and know how to carry out important checks and operate essential controls.

This guide covers all the official Show Me Tell Me questions that can be used during a car driving test in England, Scotland and Wales, together with learner-friendly explanations to help you prepare.

What Are the Show Me Tell Me Questions?

The Show Me Tell Me questions are also known as vehicle safety questions.

You will be asked two questions during your practical driving test:

A Tell Me question requires you to explain how you would carry out a vehicle safety check.

A Show Me question requires you to demonstrate how you would operate a particular control while driving, when it is safe to do so.

What Happens If You Get a Show Me Tell Me Question Wrong?

If you get one or both vehicle safety questions wrong, you will normally receive one driving fault.

Getting a question wrong does not automatically mean you have failed your driving test.

However, safety remains extremely important during the Show Me question. If your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous while trying to operate a control, this can result in a failed test.

For this reason, you should never take your attention away from the road for too long. If necessary, wait until it is safe before carrying out the instruction.

The 14 Tell Me Questions and Answers

These questions are asked before you begin driving.

1. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Brakes Are Working Before Starting a Journey

You should explain that the brakes should not feel spongy or slack.

You should test the brakes as you move off and make sure the vehicle does not pull to one side.

This helps show that you understand how the brakes should feel and behave before continuing your journey.

2. Tell Me Where You'd Find the Recommended Tyre Pressures and How You Would Check Them

You would normally find the recommended tyre pressures in the vehicle manufacturer's information.

You should explain that you would:

3. Tell Me How You Would Make Sure Your Head Restraint Is Correctly Adjusted

The head restraint should be adjusted to provide the best possible protection in the event of a collision.

The rigid part of the restraint should normally be at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears.

It should also be positioned as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.

Remember that some head restraints may not be adjustable.

4. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Tyres Have Sufficient Tread Depth and Are Safe to Use

You should explain that you would check the tyres for signs of damage, including cuts and bulges.

You should also know that the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Tyres are an essential part of vehicle safety, so it is useful to understand how to check both their condition and tread depth.

5. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Headlights and Tail Lights Are Working

You do not need to physically get out of the vehicle during the test to demonstrate this.

You should explain that you would operate the relevant light switch, turning on the ignition if necessary, and then walk around the vehicle to check that the lights are working.

6. Tell Me How You'd Know If There Was a Problem With the Anti-Lock Braking System

You should explain that a warning light would illuminate if there was a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

It is useful to familiarise yourself with the warning lights in the car you will be using for your test.

7. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Direction Indicators Are Working

You should explain that you would operate the indicators, turning on the ignition if necessary.

You would then walk around the vehicle to check that the indicators are operating correctly.

8. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Brake Lights Are Working

You should explain that you would operate the brake pedal.

You could check the lights by using reflections in windows or doors, or ask another person to help you check that the brake lights are working.

9. Tell Me How You'd Check That the Power-Assisted Steering Is Working

If the power-assisted steering stops working properly, the steering may feel much heavier than normal.

You can explain that gentle pressure on the steering wheel while starting the engine should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the power assistance begins operating.

Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off can give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

10. Tell Me How You'd Switch On the Rear Fog Light and Explain When You Would Use It

You should be able to identify the rear fog light control in the vehicle.

You may need to switch on the dipped headlights and ignition before the rear fog light can be operated.

You should also check that the relevant warning light appears.

Your instructor can help you understand when rear fog lights should be used and when they should be switched off.

11. Tell Me How You Would Switch Your Headlights From Dipped Beam to Main Beam

You should demonstrate or explain how you would operate the control to change from dipped headlights to main beam.

You should also explain that you would know the main beam was operating by checking the main beam warning light.

12. Open the Bonnet and Tell Me How You'd Check That the Engine Has Sufficient Oil

You will need to open the bonnet if you are asked this question.

You should identify the dipstick or oil level indicator and explain that you would check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markings.

Before your test, make sure you know where the oil check is located in the specific car you will be using.

13. Open the Bonnet and Tell Me How You'd Check That the Engine Has Sufficient Coolant

You should identify the coolant reservoir or the relevant high and low level markings.

You should explain that the coolant level should be checked against these markings and topped up to the correct level when necessary.

14. Open the Bonnet and Tell Me How You'd Check That You Have a Safe Level of Hydraulic Brake Fluid

You should identify the brake fluid reservoir.

You should then explain that the level is checked against the high and low level markings.

Practise identifying this before your test so you are confident opening the bonnet and locating the correct reservoir.

The 7 Show Me Questions and Answers

The Show Me question is asked while you are driving.

The examiner will ask you to carry out the task when it is safe to do so.

The location of controls can vary between cars, which is why it is important to practise in the vehicle you will use for your driving test.

1. Show Me How You Would Wash and Clean the Rear Windscreen

When it is safe to do so, operate the rear windscreen washer and wiper controls.

Make sure you know exactly where this control is before your driving test.

2. Show Me How You Would Wash and Clean the Front Windscreen

When it is safe to do so, operate the front windscreen washer and wiper controls.

Practise this during your driving lessons so that you can find the control without losing concentration on the road.

3. Show Me How You Would Switch On Your Dipped Headlights

When it is safe, operate the headlight control to switch on the dipped headlights.

The location and operation of the control may vary between cars.

4. Show Me How You Would Set the Rear Demister

When it is safe to do so, operate the rear window demister control.

Before your test, ask your instructor to show you the relevant symbol and location of the control in the car.

5. Show Me How You Would Operate the Horn

When it is safe and appropriate to do so, operate the horn.

You should know where the horn control is located in the vehicle you are using.

6. Show Me How You Would Demist the Front Windscreen

When it is safe to do so, operate the controls needed to demist the front windscreen.

This may involve using the vehicle's heating, ventilation or windscreen demisting controls.

Because different cars can have different controls, practise this in your test vehicle beforehand.

7. Show Me How You Would Open and Close the Side Window

When it is safe to do so, operate the side window control.

Open the window and then close it again when instructed.

Do You Need to Know All 21 Questions?

Yes. Although you will only be asked two questions during your driving test, the questions can be selected from the official list.

The best approach is to practise all of the Tell Me and Show Me questions before test day.

You do not need to worry about memorising long speeches. Instead, concentrate on understanding:

Practise in the Car You Will Use for Your Driving Test

One of the most important parts of preparing for the Show Me Tell Me questions is practising in the actual car you are likely to use for your test.

Different vehicles can have controls in different locations.

Before your driving test, ask your instructor to show you:

Tips for Remembering the Show Me Tell Me Questions

The questions can seem like a lot to remember, particularly when you are already preparing for the rest of your driving test.

These tips may help:

What If You Cannot Find a Control During the Show Me Question?

Different cars are designed differently, which is why it is important to become familiar with your test vehicle.

If you are unsure where a control is, avoid taking your attention away from the road for too long.

Continue to drive safely and only carry out the instruction when it is safe to do so.

Your priority during the Show Me question should always be maintaining safe control of the vehicle.

Are the Show Me Tell Me Questions Difficult?

The questions themselves are generally straightforward once you understand the vehicle and the basic safety checks.

The biggest challenge for many learners is remembering where controls are located in the car.

Regular practice can make the questions feel much easier.

By the time your driving test arrives, you should be comfortable identifying the main controls and explaining basic vehicle safety checks.

Final Thoughts

The Show Me Tell Me questions are only one part of your practical driving test, but preparing for them can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Take time to practise all the possible questions with your driving instructor and make sure you understand the controls in the car you will use for your test.

Most importantly, remember that during the Show Me question, safe driving always comes first.

If you are well prepared, the questions should simply become another part of demonstrating that you understand how to drive and use a vehicle safely.


Related Learner Driver Guides

You may also find these guides useful:

Explore Our Complete Learner Driver Guides

Explore our complete guides covering every stage of learning to drive, from your first driving lesson and theory test to preparing for your practical driving test, understanding the Highway Code, mastering driving manoeuvres and keeping up to date with the latest DVSA news and updates related to driving.


Or visit our Driving Lessons & Learner Driver Blogs to explore all our latest driving guides, advice and DVSA updates.

If you're ready to start learning, book your driving lessons online today and take the first step towards becoming a safe, confident and independent driver.


Written by A Class Learners
Providing professional driving lessons across London and Essex, alongside expert learner driver advice and comprehensive UK driving guides designed to help learners become safe, confident and independent drivers for life.

⇧ Back to top ⇧