Last Updated on March 6, 2025
If you have an upcoming practical driving test in the UK that you need to prepare for, you will have heard of the term, ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. These questions are an essential part of the test and are designed to assess your knowledge of basic car safety and maintenance. They are a relatively small part of the driving test, especially in comparison to the actual driving element, however getting them right is vitally important as it can help set a positive tone for the rest of your test.
It’s important to understand these questions as they test your ability to identify and explain key vehicle safety features. The questions cover essential topics such as checking your tyres, testing your brakes, and knowing how to operate your car’s controls while driving. Not only do these questions demonstrate your technical knowledge to the examiner, but they also ensure that you develop safe driving habits that will be useful long after you pass your test.
In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at what ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions are, why they are included in the test, and will explore examples of common questions with answers and explanations as to their significance when learning to drive.
What Are ‘Show Me Tell Me’ Questions?
‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions are a series of both vehicle safety and operational questions that learner drivers are asked either before or during their practical driving test. They are designed to ensure that new drivers have a fundamental understanding of vehicle maintenance and road safety.
You will be asked one ‘Tell Me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving, and one ‘Show Me’ question while you’re driving. Let’s break these down further.
‘Tell Me’ Questions
‘Tell Me’ questions require you to explain how you would carry out a specific safety check on your vehicle. These do not involve physically demonstrating anything as you just need to describe the correct procedure.
Examples of ‘Tell Me’ questions include:
- “Tell me how you would check that your brakes are working before starting a journey.”
- “Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are in good condition.”
‘Show Me’ Questions
‘Show Me’ questions, are quite different and require you to physically demonstrate a safety feature while driving. Your examiner will ask you to carry out the action during your test.
Examples of ‘Show Me’ questions include:
- “Show me how you would wash and clean the front windscreen.”
- “Show me how you would operate the horn.”
Why Do Driving Tests Include ‘Show Me Tell Me’ Questions?
The inclusion of ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions in the driving test ensures that inexperienced drivers understand how to carry out essential safety checks and operate key features of their vehicle. These questions are not designed to catch you out but to ensure that you are familiar with basic car safety procedures, for both the purpose of the test, and for your own driving benefit.
Here are some key reasons why these questions are important:
| Help learner drivers to understand basic car safety and develop essential vehicle maintenance knowledge. |
| Ensure drivers are prepared for real-world driving whilst encouraging them to routinely check their vehicles before setting off. |
| Ensure that learners know how to use safety features and can operate crucial functions while driving. |
| Reduce the risk of accidents caused by vehicle faults and improve road safety awareness. |
Common ‘Show Me Tell Me’ Questions
Below are ten commonly asked ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions, with answers and explanations:
‘Tell Me’ Questions
Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. They should be tested as you set off, and the vehicle should not pull to one side.
Ensuring your brakes work properly is essential for road safety. If your brakes are faulty, you may struggle to stop in time, increasing the risk of collisions. Regular brake checks can prevent potential failures while driving.
Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer: The recommended tyre pressures can be found in the car’s manual. Check the pressure using a reliable pressure gauge when tyres are cold, and adjust as needed.
Maintaining correct tyre pressure is crucial for optimal grip, fuel efficiency, and overall vehicle control. Underinflated or overinflated tyres can lead to uneven wear, poor handling, and an increased risk of punctures or blowouts.
Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are in good condition.
Answer: The tyres should have at least 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.
Having sufficient tread depth helps maintain proper traction, particularly in wet conditions. Worn tyres increase stopping distances and heighten the risk of aquaplaning, making it potentially dangerous to drive in bad weather.
Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Answer: Turn on the car’s ignition (if required), switch on the lights, and walk around the vehicle to check they are functioning.
Properly working lights ensure that you are visible to other road users, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions. Faulty headlights or tail lights could result in accidents or fines if not properly maintained.
Tell me how you would check that the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer: Apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel while starting the engine – the steering should move slightly as the system activates.
Faulty power steering can make the car difficult to control, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in emergency situations.
‘Show Me’ Questions
Show me how you would clean the front windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Action: While driving, operate the windscreen washer control to spray water and activate the wipers to clear the screen.
A clear windscreen is essential for visibility. Dirt or rain can obscure your view, so knowing how to activate the washers and wipers ensures you can maintain a safe line of sight in all conditions.
Show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights.
Action: Turn the headlight switch to the dipped beam setting. Most cars have an indicator light on the dashboard.
Using dipped headlights is essential in low-light conditions, such as early mornings, evenings, or fog. They improve your ability to see and make your vehicle more visible to other road users.
Show me how you would operate the horn.
Action: Press the horn button on the steering wheel.
The horn is used to alert other drivers of your presence in emergencies or to avoid potential collisions.
Show me how you would demist the front windscreen.
Action: Adjust the heating controls to direct airflow onto the windscreen and increase the fan speed as necessary.
A misted windscreen can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in cold or humid conditions.
Show me how you would open and close the side window.
Action: Use the electric window controls or manually roll down the window if necessary.
Opening windows can help improve ventilation in the car, reducing driver fatigue and keeping you alert.
Conclusion
‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions are a vital part of the UK driving test, designed to test your understanding of basic vehicle safety and operation. They help ensure that all learner drivers have a basic knowledge of their vehicle’s controls which can potentially help to create safer roads for all road users.
By taking the time to familiarise yourself with these questions and practising your responses, you will potentially feel more confident going into your test.
If you’re preparing for your test, consider practising these questions with your instructor or using an official DVSA resource to build your confidence. The more you understand your vehicle, the safer and more prepared you’ll be when you hit the road.
FAQs
You won’t fail your test for getting one wrong, but it will count as a driving fault (minor fault). Multiple driving faults can add up and affect your overall test result.
You will be asked one ‘Tell Me’ question before you start driving and one ‘Show Me’ question while driving.
Yes! Your driving instructor will likely go through these questions with you. You can also find a full list of official questions online.
Yes, the questions apply to both manual and automatic vehicles. However, the way you demonstrate certain controls may differ slightly.
The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) provides an official list of ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions on their website.
