Show me Tell me Questions | Martin Barker Driving

Show me, Tell me

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On the day of your driving test, you will need to show that you can carry out safety and maintenance checks on your car. Therefore, you will be asked two “Show me, Tell me” Questions.

Getting either of these questions wrong counts as one driver fault ("minor") on your test, so I’ve listed the questions and answers below, along with some handy reference pictures at the bottom of the page to help you practice.

Remember, the “Tell me” question will be asked at the start of the test, before moving off and you’ll be asked to demonstrate the “Show me” question while on the move.

For extra help with this part of your test click here for a very helpful video from the DSA, demonstrating the process

THE TELL ME QUESTIONS

You willl be asked one of these before leaving the test centre, either while sat in the car or on your way over to it.

Q1) Tell Me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

A1) Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off.

Vehicle should not pull to one side.

TIP- Spongey brakes are caused by air in the hydraulic system, and the brakes should be bled immediately, and the cause of air ingress investigated. Pulling brakes may be caused by one brake being faulty- usually seized- which results in the effect of the 'good' brake pulling the car to one side.

Q2) Tell Me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

A2) You’d find this information in the manufacturer’s guide/handbook, use a reliable pressure gauge to check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget the spare tyre and remember to refit valve caps.

Q3) Tell Me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

A3) 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 comfortable.

Note. Some restraints might not be adjustable

Q4) Tell Me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A4) There should be no cuts or bulges and there should be at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Q5) Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)

A5) Turn on ignition and headlights , then walk around the vehicle. As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights, just explain how you would.

(see pic at the bottom of this page for the location of this switch in my car)

Q6) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.

A6) A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system. It will say “ABS”

Q7) Tell me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

A7) You would apply the hazard warning lights and check functioning of all indicators by getting out and looking.

Q8) Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car.

A8) You’d switch on the ignition, operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc. or ask someone to help

Q9) Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

A9) If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two 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 as to whether it’s working correctively.

Q10) Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use

it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)

A10) Turn on the ignition followed by the dipped headlights then the fog lights

(see pic at the bottom of this page for the location of this switch in my car)

Explain use... “You would use it if visibility ahead of you is less than 100m and you would switch them off as soon as visibility is improved to avoid dazzling other road users”

Q11) Tell me how you would switch your lights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on.

A11) Turn on the ignition followed by the dipped headlights then operate the main beam switch

(in most cars pulling the left “indicator” stalk back towards you until it clicks is the way to do this but in my car this just switches on the automatic high beam assist system. instead, the stalk will need to be pushed forwards to manually select the high beam)

and you’d check for the blue, full beam warning light on the dash board.

(see pic at the bottom of this page for the location of this switch in my car)

Position of hazard light

button in my car

Check this dashboard light is on.

Under The Bonnet...

One of the following 3 questions can also be asked as your “tell me” question and will all require you to open the bonnet.

In my car the bonnet release catch it located by the door above the driver’s side footwell

(see pic at the bottom of this page for a more accurate location)

Q12) Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient oil.

A12) Identify the oil level dipstick (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location) and explain that you would pull the dipstick out, wipe the end of it to clean off the excess oil before putting it back in the same place, pulling it back out and checking the level sits somewhere between the maximum and minimum levels markers on the end of the stick.

Q13) Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient coolant.

A13) Identify the maximum and minimum markings on the coolant/water reservoir (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location) and explain you would always keep it topped up to a level somewhere between the two.

Q14) Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

A14) Identify the maximum and minimum markings on the brake fluid reservoir (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location) and explain you would always keep it topped up to a level somewhere between the two.

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THE SHOW ME QUESTIONS

You’ll be asked to demonstrate any one of these while on the move.

Q15) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the REAR windscreen?

A15) When YOU feel safe to do so you’d then demonstrate this. In my car you would do this by pushing the right stalk away from you and holding it for a second until you see/hear the washer spraying the back window, before letting the stalk go back to its original position.

(see the bottom of this page for a clearer picture of the location of this stalk and the process needed)

Q16) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the FRONT windscreen?

A16) You’d then demonstrate this when you feel it is safe to do so. In my car you would do this using the right (wiper) stalk too. You’d pull the whole stalk back towards you and hold it for a second until you see/hear the washer spraying the front window, before letting the stalk go back to its original position. (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location)

Q17) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you would switch on your dipped headlight?

A17) The dipped headlights are switched on in my car by twisting the end of the left “indicator” stalk 2 clicks forward (the first click selects the side lights, the second is the dipped headlights.) Once demonstrated you can switch them off by returning the switch to its original position. (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location)

TIP - You’ll know if this has been carried out correctly by looking for the headlight indictor lamp on the cars instrument panel.

Q18) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you would set the rear de-mister?

A18) You’d demonstrate this by switching on the heated rear windscreen with the button located in the centre panel of the car. (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location)

Q19) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you would operate the horn?

A19) You’d demonstrate this by pressing down firmly on either side of the steering wheel where the horn symbols are. (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location)

Q20) When it’s safe to do so, can you Show me how you’d de-mist the front windscreen?

A20) You’d demonstrate this by switching on the heated Front windscreen with the button located in the centre panel of the car. (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location)

Q21) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you would open and close the side window?

A21) You’d demonstrate this by using the switch located on the inside of the door, next to the handle (see the bottom of this page for a clear picture of its location.) Push the button down to lower it and hook your finger under it and pull it up to close it.

TIP - The driver’s side window switch is automatic, meaning if you depress the switch firmly to a click while on the move the window will open fully without the need to hold it, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel for longer, giving you more car control. The same can be done for putting the window back up.