Show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.
👉 Pull/press the rear wash-wipe control to spray water and wipe the back window.
Show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen.
👉 Pull/press the front wash-wipe control to spray water and wipe the windscreen.
Show me how you switch on your dipped headlights.
👉 Turn the headlight switch to the dipped beam setting (usually a small light symbol pointing down).
Show me how you set the rear demister.
👉 Press the rear demister button (a rectangle with wavy arrows symbol). The orange light shows it’s on.
Show me how you operate the horn.
👉 Briefly press the horn control in the centre of the steering wheel (only when safe).
Show me how you demist the front windscreen.
👉 Adjust heater controls: set fan to windscreen setting, turn on heat/airflow, and if available use the heated windscreen button.
Show me how you open and close a side window.
👉 Use the window switch (push down to open, pull up to close).
Tell me how you’d check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
→ Brakes shouldn’t feel spongy/slack. Test as you set off; 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.
→ Manufacturer’s guide/door frame. Use reliable gauge, check when cold, include spare, refit valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection.
→ Rigid part in line with eyes/ears, close to the back of the head.
Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are safe.
→ 1.6mm tread depth across central ¾, no cuts/bulges.
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
→ Switch them on, then walk round to check.
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
→ ABS warning light should stay on if there’s a fault.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
→ Operate indicators/hazard lights, then walk round to check.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
→ Press brake pedal, check reflections or ask someone to help.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
→ Gentle pressure on wheel while engine starts = slight movement. Steering should not feel heavy once moving.
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them.
→ Switch on dipped headlights and fog switch, check warning light. Use when visibility <100m.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know.
→ Operate control; blue main beam warning light shows.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
→ Identify dipstick, remove, clean, reinsert, check between min/max marks.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
→ Identify reservoir, check high/low marks, top up when engine is cold.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
→ Identify reservoir, check level against high/low marks.
Tell me how you’d check the windscreen washer level.
→ Identify reservoir and check visually (fill if low).
Tell me how you’d check that the handbrake/parking brake is working properly.
→ Apply firmly – should secure the car, lever shouldn’t come up too high.
Tell me how you’d check that the steering is working correctly.
→ Turn wheel just after moving off; steering should respond normally (not heavy or unusual).
Will I fail my driving test if I get both Show Me and Tell Me wrong?
No — you’ll only get 1 minor fault in total. It won’t cause an automatic fail.
Do I have to answer the questions in English?
Yes, the DVSA requires you to answer in English or British Sign Language (BSL).
Can I ask the examiner to repeat the question?
Yes, you can politely ask the examiner to repeat the Show Me or Tell Me question if you didn’t hear it properly.
What happens if I can’t reach a control during the Show Me question?
You can safely pull over before attempting it. Examiners prefer safety over rushing.
Are the Show Me / Tell Me questions the same for automatic and manual cars?
Yes, the questions are the same for both car types. The only difference is how you operate the vehicle controls.
When will the examiner ask me the Show Me question?
The Tell Me question is asked at the start of the test, before driving. The Show Me question is asked while you are driving.
Do I need to know where everything is under the bonnet?
Only the basics, like where to check the oil, coolant, and brake fluid. You don’t need advanced mechanical knowledge.
Stay calm if you forget. You can take a moment, think, or ask the examiner to repeat the question.
Practice before test day. Run through the Show Me and Tell Me list with your instructor until you feel confident.
Keep safety first. If you’re asked to “show” something while driving, only do it when it’s safe.
Don’t rush your answer. The examiner is checking your understanding, not your speed.
Think of it as a conversation. The examiner isn’t trying to trick you — they just want to see you know your car.
Check your car in advance. Familiarise yourself with the car you’ll be driving in the test, especially where the controls are.
Boost confidence with mock tests. At Shah Driving School in Bolton, instructors can run practice Q&As with you before the real test.
Our DVSA-approved instructors make sure you’re fully prepared for every Show Me and Tell Me question. We focus on building your confidence so that when test day comes, you’re ready to succeed.
WhatsApp us