Show me tell me questions form part of the practical driving test
Once you have completed the eyesight test of reading a number plate, (20 metres); you will then be asked to get into the car and set yourself up for driving. Afterwhich, the examiner will ask you one tell me question.
Point to note,* that if you cannot read the number plate the test stops. Also if you fail to bring your driving license the test stops.
click this link to go to GOV.UK show me tell me questions
About the Questions you will be asked !
The exaiminer will ask you one tell me question in the car at the test centre and may involve opening the vehicle bonnet.
Then one show me question whilst driving, be aware of the words "when it is safe to do so".
You will fail your driving test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the show me question.
You'll get one minor driving fault if you get one or both questions wrong but will not fail the driving test.
For those who prefer to watch a video click on the link below:-
DVSA video guide show me tell me questions click here
For those who don't .... Here are the tell me questions.
*You will only need to answer one question in the car at the test centre*
- Tell me how you'd check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer:
The Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
To clarify this answer ; the Brake pedal should feel firm; and if it does feel slack there is a very good chance your brakes will not work
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- Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer:
Manufactures guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don't forget spare tyre, refit valve caps.
To clarify this answer: manufactures guide or vehicle hand book. In practice the tyre pressures can also be found on a sticker on the drivers / passengers door frame. More importantly many new cars do not carry a spare. (think recovery when you have passed your test.} adjusting tyres when hot can lead to false reading as Air expands when heated. click link to explore recovery
*[A final point to note is that if you purchase an old car there is no way of knowing how long they have been on the vehicle and tyres can break down over time from the inside. get them checked.]
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- 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. Note: some restraints might not be adjustable.
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- 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.
Answer:
No cuts or bulges, 1.6 mm of tread depth across the centre three-quarters of the breath of the tyre, and around the outer circumference of the tyre.
To clarify this answer: A good check on the condition of your tyres is to look for the wear bar between the tread pattern when this is at the top of the tread your tyres need to be changed.
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- Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
Answer:
Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary). and then walk around the vehicle.
To clarify this answer: quite simply explain that you would do. Turn the ignition on. and for (example) say turn the knob on the indicator stalk and check to see the green dipped headlight icon on dash board then walk around the vehicle to ensure headlights and tailights working.
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- Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Answer:
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
To clarify this answer: when you turn on the ignition if there is a fault with the ABS the warning light will stay on.
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- Tell me how you would check the direction indicators are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle
Answer:
Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary). and then walk around the vehicle(as this is a tell me question you don't need to physically check the lights).
To clarify the answer: just say again what you need to do:- turn the ignition on and either push the hazard warnig light (turns on all indicators) or but moving the indicator stalk up and then down you can walk around vehicle and check each side independantly.
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- Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.
Answer:
Explain you'd operate the brake pedal the brake pedal, make use of windows or doors,or ask someone to help.
To clarify this answer: do not forget to start with, "turn the ignition on".
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- Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working properly before staring a journey
Answer:
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before staring a journey, 2 simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine has started, should result in a slight but noticable 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.
To clarify this answer: gently pull down on steering wheel whilst staring engine or ask your instructor to show you.
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- Tell me how you;d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. you dont need to exit the vehicle.
Answer:
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check that the warning light is on. Explain use.
To clarify answer: say to examiner what you would do. Turn ignition on explain how you would turn dipped headlights on which would allow you to turn on the knob/stick/ring for fog lights front and rear. the most important part of the question is when you would use them and that is, when visability gets under 100 metres.
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- Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know when main beam is on.
Answer:
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light
To clarify answer: explain, say how you would do it; Turn engine on,turn dipped headlights on, green light. push indicator stalk forward blue light. the blue light is the answer the examiner is looking for.
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- Open the Bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Answer:
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minum and maximum markers.
To clarify answer: Learn how to physicially open your vehicle bonnet. learn or get your instructor to identify dip stick and engine oil fill up/top up point . don't forget when opening bonnet to put the safety stay in place; also when closing the bonnet support the bonnet too 1 foot 30.48 cm or there abouts to the closing point, then drop to secure . Do not push down on bonnet as with some cars if you heavy handed you will dent the bonnet. Ideally learn where your min / max marks are so that you can top up with correct oil do not I say again do not overfill you will get yourself in a world of trouble.
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- Open the Bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient coolant.
Answer:
Identify high and low markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level .
To Clarify answer: open and close bonnet as above. The coolant header tank is a large plastic bottle which feeds into the radiator. usually standing towards the front of the vehicle, it is on the right hand side, you will see the coolant in the bottle min usually nothing there and a max mark. you have to identify where it is and how you would check above it will be the fill point.
should you be adventurous enough to fill your own up at some point be aware the coolant when hot works above boiling point so top up when cold. there are also different types of coolant give your vehicle reg number to the motor factors to ensure correct coolant for vehicle.
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- Open bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer:
Identify reservior, check level against high and low markings,
To clarify answer: open and close bonnet as above. The hydraulic clear plastic brake fluid reservoir, is usually situated at the back of the engine bay,on the left hand side when standing looking into from the front of the car . it will have DOT 4 brake fluid written on lid or another number; and clear low and high markings on the side, which can be checked against the fluid levels.
If you find you have low fluid levels the first question to really ask is why? and I would advise checking it with a dealership garage or a garage that you trust.
Garage we trust and use for fault finding click here
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The show me questions
You will be asked one show me question whilst driving on your practical driving test.
- when it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?
- when its safe to do so, can you show me how you open and close the side window?
Click here to go to taking your praticial driving test
What is clear in all of these actions is that practice makes perfect, so ideally you can move the relevant switches without taking your eyes off the road . However in all situations, ensure there is no traffic coming towards you, when you carry out this task. Things to be careful of; if you do look at the controls, ensure that you stick to the steering line (straight) and do not drift towards the kerb. Lastly, the one that could give you the most grief, is the front windscreen controls. heat speed of fan and direction as this can be 3 different switches depending on what car you are taking your test in.
So, good luck you have all the information, and if not you can email me on the following link for an answer to further questions you may have.
click this link to contact me Robert Whyard ADI
ref: GOV.UK Car show me tell me vehicle safety questions
author Robert Whyard ADI