Show Me, Tell Me Questions
Updated June 2008
At the start of your driving test, the examiner will ask you a couple of easy questions about safety checks you should make on your car. The hardest thing you might have to do is open the bonnet, to point something out. At present, if you answer incorrectly, you will not fail the test. A "driving error" (minor error) will be recorded.
This page...
...lists all the questions the examiner can ask you, and has photos showing under the bonnet of the cars we use. All drivers should know how to carry out basic checks. It's better to spot a problem before your motorway journey, than to end up on the hard shoulder.
Questions which involve opening the bonnet:
- Examiner:"Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil."
- Your response: Open the bonnet, and point at the dipstick / oil level indicator. Describe checking oil level against the minimum / maximum markers. Mention that the car should be on a flat surface, and has been switched off for a short while to allow the oil to collect in the bottom of the engine.
- Examiner:"Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level."
- Your response: Open the bonnet, and point at the high / low level markings on the header tank (or radiator filler cap in an older car). Describe how to top up to the correct level. Explain that the engine must be cold when topping up, as there is a danger of scalding.
- Examiner:"Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level."
- Your response: Open the bonnet, and point at the reservoir and explain how to check the level.
- Examiner:"Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."
- Your response: Open the bonnet, and point to the reservoir. Explain how to check the level against high/low markings.
Questions requiring you to demonstrate something:
- Examiner: "Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car."
- Your response: Turn on the ignition if necessary. Press the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help (in this case the examiner).
- Examiner: "Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."
- Your response: If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey a simple check 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.
- Examiner: "Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear."
- Your response: The parking brake is the handbrake. Demonstrate by applying the handbrake (press the footbrake, and release and re-apply the handbrake). When it is fully applied it secures itself (stays up), and is not at the end of the working travel (feels like it could go higher).
- Examiner: "Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only)."
- Your response: Press the horn until you can hear it (you may have to turn the ignition on). You won't be asked to do this if you are at a test centre where your car is on the road.
- Examiner: "Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working."
- Your response: Put the hazard warning lights on and walk around the car. Point out each indicator bulb. (The hazard warning lights are used if you have to stop for an accident or breakdown. All the indicators flash at once.)
- Examiner: "Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use them. "
- Your response: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check that the warning light is on. Explain that fog lights should only be used if visibility is reduced to below 100 metres.
- Examiner: "Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car."
- Your response: Operate the switch (with ignition on if necessary), check with the blue main beam warning light.
- Examiner: "Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers."
- Your response: Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).
- Examiner: "Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens."
- Your response: Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source, air conditioning, and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. The engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.
Questions requiring you to explain something:
- Examiner: "Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working."
- Your response: Operate switch (turn the ignition on if necessary), and explain that you would walk round your vehicle and look at the lights, front and rear. Don't forget the light(s) which shine on the rear number plate.
- Examiner: "Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash."
- Your response: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: some restraints might not be adjustable.
- Examiner: "Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."
- Your response: "The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. I would test the brakes as I set off. The car should not pull to one side."
- Examiner: "Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked."
- Your response: "I would look in the car handbook to find the tyre pressures needed. I would use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, not forgetting the spare tyre. I would remember to refit valve caps."
- Examiner: "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."
- Your response: "I would check there are no visible cuts and bulges, and that there is 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference."
- Examiner: "Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system."
- Your response: "The warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system."