Show Me Tell Me Questions and Answers

You may have heard the term 'show me, tell me' when discussing your driving test and driving lessons. These are a series of basic questions that revolve around the safety and maintenance of your vehicle.

Rest assured that these are fairly simple! With a little dedication and homework, you won't just answer the questions correctly on your driving test. You'll also be able to complete basic maintenance on your own vehicle, which can help avoid costly repair bills in the future.

Understanding the 'Show Me, Tell Me' Questions

At the start of your test, you'll be asked one 'tell me' question, often while walking to the car you'll be using. If you answer incorrectly, or if you don’t know the answer, it will be classed as a 'driving fault'—commonly known as a 'minor fault'.

While driving, you’ll be asked one 'show me' question, generally on a straight piece of road. Again, if you answer incorrectly, it’s a 'driving fault'. If you lose control of the car or show the examiner the controls unsafely, that could lead to a 'serious fault'—which means a driving test fail.

The examiner may not use the exact wording for the show me, tell me questions that you’ve seen in your revision materials, but it will be very similar. If you're in any doubt about what you’re being asked, feel free to ask the examiner for clarification!

When and How Should I Revise the 'Show Me, Tell Me' Questions?

You can’t start revising these too soon! They may seem daunting at first, but you'll soon get used to them. The more you practice, the quicker they’ll 'roll off the tongue'.

The beauty of the show me, tell me questions is that you don’t need to pay your instructor to learn them. It’s something you can do in your own time. With our learners, we go over them once in full to ensure they fully understand, then we allow them to revise at their own pace, checking their knowledge during lessons.

Ask a friend or family member to quiz you a couple of times a week. This can really speed up your learning! You might even want to print them out and stick them on your fridge for regular viewing.

The engine bay looks pretty similar in most cars. If you have access to a vehicle outside of your lessons, lift the bonnet and try to identify the relevant areas to answer the questions. You can even check the tyre pressures and tread depth, which is great practice for maintaining your own vehicle.

You can purchase a tread depth gauge HERE and a tyre pressure gauge HERE.

What Are the 'Show Me' Questions?

The 'show me' questions require you to demonstrate how to perform a specific task while driving. Here are a few examples:

1. Show me how you’d operate the windscreen wipers.

2. Show me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights.

3. Show me how you’d check the indicators are working.

   
   

These questions are practical and will help you get comfortable with the controls of your vehicle.

What Are the 'Tell Me' Questions?

Now, let’s dive into the 'tell me' questions! Here are some examples:

1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Brakes shouldn’t feel spongy or slack. You should test them as you move off. The vehicle shouldn’t pull to one side when you apply the brakes.

2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

You can find this in the manufacturer’s guide. I'd use a pressure gauge, best done when the tyres are cold.

3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted for the best protection in a crash.

The head restraint should be adjusted 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.

4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are in a safe condition.

There shouldn’t be any obvious damage, cuts, or bulges. There should be at least 1.6mm of tread within the central three-quarters, which you should check at several points around the entire circumference.

5. Tell me how you’d check the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

You’d switch on the headlights (physically do so), walk around the car, and check them. (No need to do this physically during the test.)

6. Tell me how you’d know if there were a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A warning light would appear on the dashboard.

7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

You’d switch on the hazard warning lights, walk around the car, and check them. (Again, no need to do this physically.)

8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

You’d apply the brakes and use reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

You’d start the engine and gently move the steering wheel—there should be a slight but noticeable movement. You could also drive off slowly and ensure it responds correctly. If it feels heavy, there may be a problem.

10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

You’d switch on the fog lights (physically do so), and a symbol will come up on the dashboard. Use fog lights when visibility is less than 100 metres, and switch them off when visibility improves.

11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

You’d switch them on (physically do so) and check the symbol is showing on the dashboard.

12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator. When the engine is cold and the car is on a level surface, you’d remove the dipstick, clean it, reinsert it, and remove it again. Check the oil is between the two markers. If it’s low, top it up!

13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify the reservoir. You’d check that it’s between the minimum and maximum markers.

14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify the reservoir. You’d check that it’s between the minimum and maximum markers.

For questions 12, 13, and 14, you don’t need to physically touch any of the items—pointing and identifying is sufficient. These questions may also be asked without needing to open the bonnet—you may simply be asked where you’d find them.

So, what are you waiting for? Revise the 'show me, tell me' questions and answers! Having this knowledge will help build your confidence and speed up your progress on your driving lessons.

If you’d like to know more or want to book your driving lessons with us at Day Tripper Driving Tuition, contact us today!

See you soon!

Adrian

Company Owner