UK practical driving test
Show me tell me questions and answers
The vehicle safety questions your examiner can ask, with short answers you can say out loud. Flip through them as flashcards first.
- 14 tell me
- 7 show me
- 3 under the bonnet
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Say your answer out loud, then flip.
Tell me questions (14) — asked before you drive
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
The brakes shouldn’t feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off: the car shouldn’t 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.
In the handbook (often also on a sticker in the door frame or fuel flap). Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust when the tyres are cold, don’t forget the spare, and refit the 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.
Adjust it so the rigid part is at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable. (Some restraints can’t be adjusted.)
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 or bulges, and at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the whole circumference.
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Switch on the lights (turning on the ignition if needed), then walk round the car to check them. You don’t have to get out to answer — just explain.
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
A warning light on the dashboard would come on if there was a fault with the ABS.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
Switch on the indicators or the hazard warning lights and walk round the car to check every indicator is flashing.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Press the brake pedal and check the reflection in a window, garage door or shop front — or ask someone to look for you.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering feels heavy, the system may not be working. Before starting, hold gentle pressure on the wheel while the engine starts: you should feel a slight movement as it begins to work. Turning the wheel just after moving off also tells you straight away.
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them.
Switch on the dipped headlights (and ignition if needed), then the rear fog light switch; check the warning light comes on. Use them when visibility is seriously reduced — generally below 100 metres.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Use the headlight stalk (with ignition and dipped lights on if needed) and check the blue main beam warning light on the dashboard.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Point out the dipstick (or electronic oil level indicator) and explain checking that the level sits between the minimum and maximum marks.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Point out the high and low marks on the coolant header tank (or the radiator filler cap) and explain topping up to the correct level. Only open it with the engine cold.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Point out the brake fluid reservoir and explain checking the level against its high and low marks.
Show me questions (7) — asked while you drive
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Operate the control that washes and wipes the rear windscreen — without taking your eyes off the road for long.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Operate the control that washes and wipes the front windscreen.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
Operate the headlight switch to dipped beam (and check the green warning light if the car has one).
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
Press the heated rear window switch.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
Press the horn — only when it’s safe and appropriate to do so.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
Set the controls for the windscreen: fan up, air directed to the screen, warm temperature and air conditioning on if fitted.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Operate the window control to open and then close the side window.
Under the bonnet: the three checks
Oil (dipstick, between min and max), coolant (header tank marks, engine cold) and brake fluid (reservoir marks). Open the bonnet of the car you’ll test in before the day, so you know where each one is.
Show me tell me — common questions
When are show me tell me questions asked?
Once, at the start of the test, you’re asked a “tell me” question. One “show me” question comes later, while you’re driving.
What happens if I get a show me tell me question wrong?
Getting one or both wrong counts as one driving fault (a minor). If you lose control of the car while doing a “show me” task, that can be a serious fault and fail the test.
Which questions involve opening the bonnet?
Three “tell me” questions: checking the engine oil, the engine coolant and the brake fluid. You point out the dipstick or reservoir and explain the check.
Are these the official questions?
Yes — these are the 21 questions DVSA uses for car tests. The answers are written in our own words from DVSA’s guidance.
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Not affiliated with DVSA. Questions follow DVSA’s list for car tests; answers are our own summary of its guidance.