Show Me Tell Me Vehicle Safety Questions

As part of your driving test, you'll be asked a series of 'show me' and 'tell me' questions to demonstrate your knowledge of vehicle safety. Here are some common questions to help you prepare:

Show me how to check the brakes.
Tell me how you would check the tire pressure.
Show me how to check the oil level.
Tell me how you would check the lights and signals.
Show me how to check the mirrors and seatbelts.

Remember, these questions are designed to ensure you're familiar with basic vehicle safety checks. Practice these regularly to feel confident during your test.

Tell me questions 2025: official DVSA guide

Official DVSA guide to the driving test ‘tell me’ questions (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test. You’ll do this before you start driving.

Tell Me Questions

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.

Show me questions 2025: official DVSA guide

Official DVSA guide to the driving test ‘show me’ questions (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving.

Show Me Questions

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

Use the windscreen washer control (usually on the right-hand side of the steering wheel). Push the control stalk away from you or push it forward to activate the rear wash and wipe function. The control will spray water onto the rear windscreen and activate the rear wiper to clean it.

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

Use the windscreen washer control on the right-hand side of the steering wheel. Pull the control stalk towards you and hold it for approximately 2 seconds, then release. This will spray washer fluid onto the front windscreen and activate the wipers to clean it. The wipers will stop automatically once the cycle is complete.

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

Turn the headlight switch (usually located on the left side of the steering wheel or on the dashboard) to the dipped headlights position. This is typically marked with a headlight symbol. You may need to turn the ignition on first if the car isn't running.

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

Locate the rear demister switch on the dashboard (usually marked with a rectangular symbol with wavy lines). Press the switch to activate the rear demister. A warning light will typically illuminate to show the demister is working.

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

The horn is located in the centre of the steering wheel. Give a short, gentle tap on the horn button. Important: Only do this when it's safe and legal - not when close to other road users, pedestrians, or in built-up areas between 11:30 PM and 7:00 AM unless there's immediate danger.

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

Turn on the front demister controls on the dashboard. This usually involves:

Setting the air conditioning or heating to blow air onto the windscreen
Selecting the windscreen demister setting (marked with a windscreen symbol)
Adjusting the fan speed if necessary

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

Use the window control switches(usually located on the driver's door armrest or central console). Press down on the switch to lower the window, and pull up or press the opposite direction to raise it. Some cars have automatic windows that will fully open/close with one press.