Show Me, Tell Me questions are vehicle safety questions asked during the UK practical driving test. Examiners ask one “Tell me” question before you set off and one “Show me” question while you’re driving. Getting either wrong results in a driving fault, so learning all 21 official DVSA questions in advance is one of the easiest ways to protect your pass.
Every learner driver in the UK has to answer two vehicle safety questions as part of their practical test, and yet these questions catch out more candidates than you’d expect. The good news? Every single question comes from a published list set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which means there are no surprises if you prepare properly. This guide walks through exactly how Show Me, Tell Me questions work, lists all 14 Tell Me and 7 Show Me questions with model answers, and breaks down the mistakes that cost learners marks. By the end, you’ll know precisely what to expect and how to answer with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Show Me, Tell Me questions form part of the official DVSA practical driving test, with one question asked before driving and one during the drive.
- There are 14 “Tell me” questions and 7 “Show me” questions, and the examiner picks one from each category.
- Getting a question wrong counts as a driving fault, not an automatic fail, unless it directly causes a safety issue.
- Most Tell Me questions relate to checks you’d do before a journey, like oil, coolant, and tyre condition.
- Most Show Me questions ask you to physically operate a control while driving, like the windscreen wipers or demister.
How Do Show Me, Tell Me Questions Fit Into the UK Driving Test?
Show Me, Tell Me questions were introduced by the DVSA to test whether learners understand basic vehicle safety and maintenance, not just how to steer and change gear. According to gov.uk, the official government resource for UK driving tests, examiners ask exactly two questions during every practical test: one “Tell me” question at the very start, before you drive off, and one “Show me” question at some point while you’re already driving.
The “Tell me” question is straightforward. Your examiner asks you to explain how you’d carry out a specific safety check, and you answer verbally without needing to touch anything (aside from opening the bonnet for a few of them).
The “Show me” question is different because you have to physically demonstrate the action while driving, such as operating the windscreen wipers or switching on the demister. Since the driving test changed in December 2017, this question is always asked once you’re already underway, so you need to be able to do it safely without taking your full attention off the road.
If you answer a question incorrectly or don’t complete the action, you’ll receive one driving fault. A single fault won’t fail your test, but combining it with other mistakes could push you over the 15-fault limit that results in an overall fail.
Tell Me Questions – All 14 Questions and Answers
Tell Me questions are asked before you start driving, so there’s no pressure to multitask. Here’s the full list, along with clear answers for each.
1. How would you check that the brakes are working before starting a journey?
Press the brake pedal and hold pressure. The pedal shouldn’t feel spongy or sink to the floor, and it should stay firm.
2. How would you check the tyre pressures?
Use a reliable pressure gauge, and check pressures when the tyres are cold, since driving heats up the tyres and skews the reading. Compare your findings to the pressures listed in your vehicle handbook.
3. How would you adjust the head restraint for the correct position?
The head restraint should sit level with the top of the driver’s head, or as close as possible, with a minimal gap between the restraint and the back of the head, to reduce the risk of whiplash.
4. How would you check the tyres for sufficient tread depth and general condition?
Legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Check for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects, along with even wear across the tread.
5. How would you check the headlights and tail lights are working?
Turn on the ignition and the lights switch, then walk around the vehicle to check that all lights are working. If you can’t check independently, ask someone to confirm while you operate the switch.
6. How would you check the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is working?
The ABS warning light should illuminate briefly when you turn the ignition on, then switch off. If it stays lit, there could be a fault with the system.
7. How would you check the direction indicators are working?
Switch on the ignition, activate the indicators, and walk around the vehicle to confirm all indicator lights are flashing correctly.
8. How would you check the brake lights are working?
If you’re near a wall, reflective surface, or have help from another person, apply the footbrake and check that both brake lights illuminate.
9. How would you check the power-assisted steering is working correctly?
If the steering feels heavier than usual, or if there’s a strange noise when turning the wheel, the power-assisted steering system may not be working properly. Before starting the engine, gentle resistance is normal.
10. How would you know the rear fog lights are working?
Switch on the ignition and the fog light switch, then check the dashboard warning light illuminates to confirm the fog lights are on.
11. How would you switch from dipped to main beam headlights?
Operate the indicator stalk (usually pushing it forward) to switch to main beam, and check the dashboard for a blue main beam warning light confirming it’s engaged.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient oil.
Locate the dipstick, remove it, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove it again to check the oil level sits between the minimum and maximum markers.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has the correct level of coolant.
Check the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold, ensuring the level sits between the minimum and maximum markings on the tank.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the hydraulic brake fluid level is correct.
Locate the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level sits between the minimum and maximum markers, without opening the reservoir cap unnecessarily.
Show Me Questions – All 7 Questions and Answers
Show Me questions are asked while you’re driving, so you’ll need to complete each action safely and without losing focus on the road.
1. Show me how you’d wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Operate the rear washer and wiper controls (if fitted) to clean the rear windscreen.
2. Show me how you’d wash and clean the front windscreen.
Operate the windscreen washer and wiper stalk to clean the front windscreen.
3. Show me how you’d switch your headlights from dipped to main beam.
Operate the indicator stalk to switch from dipped to main beam, confirming the change with the dashboard indicator.
4. Show me how you’d set the demister controls to clear the rear windscreen.
Switch on the rear demister and adjust the fan and temperature as needed to clear condensation.
5. Show me how you’d operate the horn.
Press the horn, checking it’s safe and appropriate to do so (this is often demonstrated off-road or while stationary if instructed).
6. Show me how you’d set the demister controls to clear the front windscreen.
Switch on the front demister function, adjusting fan speed and temperature to clear the windscreen effectively.
7. Show me how you’d open and close a side window.
Operate the window control to open, then close, one of the side windows.
Also Read: How to Book Your Practical Driving Test Under the New DVSA Rules
Common Mistakes on Show Me Questions
Because Show Me questions happen mid-drive, most mistakes come from candidates losing focus on the road rather than misunderstanding the task itself.
- Taking eyes off the road for too long while locating a control, especially with unfamiliar dashboard layouts in a test vehicle.
- Fumbling with the wrong stalk or switch, which happens when learners haven’t practiced controls in the specific car they’re testing in.
- Losing steering control while reaching for a switch, which can result in a more serious fault than the question itself.
- Forgetting to check mirrors before adjusting anything, since safety always takes priority over completing the task.
Common Mistakes on Tell Me Questions
Tell Me questions are asked before driving, so mistakes tend to come from nerves and gaps in preparation rather than multitasking.
- Confusing similar checks, like mixing up the process for checking oil versus coolant.
- Vague answers that don’t reference specific components, such as saying “check the tyres” without mentioning tread depth or pressure.
- Freezing under pressure, particularly with bonnet-related questions if a learner hasn’t practiced opening the bonnet of their test vehicle beforehand.
- Not knowing where components are located in the specific car being used for the test, especially for oil dipsticks and coolant reservoirs.
Top Tips for Passing the Show Me, Tell Me Section
- Practice in the exact car you’ll be tested in. Control layouts vary, and familiarity removes hesitation.
- Say your answer out loud, not just in your head, while practicing at home or with your instructor.
- Learn the bonnet-related questions first, since these require the most hands-on familiarity.
- Ask your instructor to quiz you randomly, rather than working through the list in order, to build genuine recall.
- Stay calm if you’re unsure. A confident, partial answer often lands better than freezing completely.
Can You Fail Your Driving Test on Show Me, Tell Me Questions?
Getting a Show Me, Tell Me question wrong results in one driving fault, not an automatic test fail. However, if answering incorrectly leads to a dangerous action, such as taking your eyes off the road for too long or losing control of the vehicle while completing a Show Me task, this could be marked as a serious or dangerous fault, which does result in failure. In short: the question itself rarely fails a test, but how you respond to it might.
FAQs
How many Show Me, Tell Me questions are asked in a driving test?
Two questions are asked in total: one “Tell me” question before you start driving, and one “Show me” question while you’re driving.
Do Show Me, Tell Me questions count toward the 15-fault limit?
Yes. An incorrect answer to either question results in one driving fault, which counts toward the total of 15 faults allowed before a test result becomes a fail.
Are the Show Me, Tell Me questions the same for every test?
No. The examiner selects one question from each of the two official lists (14 Tell Me questions and 7 Show Me questions), so the specific combination varies between candidates.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a Show Me, Tell Me question?
Yes, you’re allowed to ask the examiner to repeat or clarify a question if you didn’t hear or understand it the first time.
Do I need to memorize the exact wording of each answer?
No. Examiners are looking for a correct demonstration of understanding, not word-for-word recitation. Explaining the process clearly in your own words is enough.
Master Your Show Me, Tell Me Questions with Glow Driving School
Show Me, Tell Me questions are entirely predictable, which makes them one of the easiest parts of the driving test to prepare for properly. Learn all 21 official questions, practice them in your actual test vehicle, and you’ll walk into that part of the test with genuine confidence.
At Glow Driving School, our instructors build Show Me, Tell Me practice into every lesson plan, so you’re never caught off guard on test day. Book a lesson with Glow Driving School today and get personalized, patient tuition that covers every part of the UK practical driving test, from vehicle safety checks to your final drive to the test center.