SHOW ME TELL ME

This part of the Test is carried out at the beginning of the test when you reach the car. Failure to answer one of the questions will result in one "driving fault" being recorded. Candidates will not fail for being unable to answer these questions.

The following are sample questions from the Driving Standards Agency website. In green are sugggested answers based on those supplied by the Driving Instructors Association.

CAR TESTS - Candidates will be asked two questions, one ‘show me' and one ‘tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded. Examples of safety check questions for cars:

Open the bonnet, identify

1. where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify where the dipstick is and explain you would check the oil level against the minmum & maximum markers on the dipstick

2. where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
Identify where the header tank is and how to check the level against the minimum & maximum markers

3. where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Identify the reservoir and and that you would check the level of screenwash in the bottle

4. where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify the reservoir and check the level against minimum & maximum markings

Tell me how you would check that the

1. brake lights are working on this car.
Operate the brake pedal checking the reflection behind you or ask someone to stand behind the car to check brakes are working before starting a journey. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brake gently when you pull off. Vehicle should not pull to one side

2. tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
They should have 1.6mm of tread over 3/4 of the width of the tyre. No cuts or gouges. If asked you would put more air in at a petrol station with an air supply

3. the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Turn the steering wheel after moving off to ensure that power assistance is functioning

Show me how you would check the

1. headlights & taillights are working.
Switch them on and go and check them front and back of the car. Be prepared to check main beam as well if asked

2. direction indicators are working.
Switch on hazard warning switch and check them front and back of the car

3. horn is working (off road only).
Hoot the horn!

4. handbrake (or parking brake) for excessive wear. Release the handbrake and reapply it.
Ensure that it secures itself and the car and is not at the end of it's travel

Additional Information
In practice supplemental questions are sometimes asked by the examiner. These include
Where would you top up the engine oil?
How you would check tyre pressures, how you would inflate the tyre and how you would know what the tyre pressure would be
How you would check main beam