Show me, tell me questions: the full list and how to answer them
Quick answer: The show me, tell me questions are 2 vehicle safety questions in the UK driving test. The examiner asks one "tell me" question before you drive (from a list of 14) and one "show me" question while you're driving (from a list of 7). Getting one or both wrong counts as 1 driving fault, but you'll fail if you drive dangerously while answering the show me question.
Every practical driving test in England, Scotland and Wales includes 2 vehicle safety questions, known as the show me, tell me questions. They check that you know how to carry out basic safety checks and use your car's controls. DVSA publishes the full list of 21 questions, so there are no surprises. Below is every question with the answer the examiner is looking for, how the questions are marked, and a quick tell me quiz to test yourself.
| Show me, tell me at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on test | 2 (one tell me, one show me) |
| When you're asked | Tell me at the start of the test, before you drive; show me while you're driving |
| Questions to learn | 14 tell me and 7 show me (21 in total) |
| Getting one or both wrong | 1 driving fault (a minor) |
| When it can fail you | If your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the show me question |
What are the show me, tell me questions?
A tell me question asks you to explain how you'd carry out a safety check, such as checking your tyres or brakes. You answer out loud, and for some questions you'll open the bonnet and point to things. A show me question asks you to actually use a control while you're driving, such as the horn, the front demister or the rear windscreen wiper. The examiner will say "when it's safe to do so", so take your time.
The 14 tell me questions and answers
| Tell me question | What to tell the examiner |
|---|---|
| 1. Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. | Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off, and the car should not pull to one side. |
| 2. Where would you find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how should tyre pressures be checked? | In the manufacturer's guide (handbook). Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, don't forget the spare tyre, and refit the valve caps. |
| 3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash. | Adjust it 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 your head as is comfortable. Some head restraints can't be adjusted. |
| 4. Tell me how you'd check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road. | No cuts or bulges, and at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire outer circumference. |
| 5. Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. | Operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary), then walk round the car. You don't need to physically check them. |
| 6. Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system. | A warning light on the dashboard should come on if there's a fault with the ABS. |
| 7. Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working. | Operate the switch (turn on the ignition if necessary), then walk round the car. |
| 8. Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car. | Press the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows or garage doors, or ask someone to help. |
| 9. Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey. | If the steering feels heavy, it may not be working. Apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel while you start the engine and you should feel a slight movement, or turn the steering wheel just after moving off. |
| 10. Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you'd use them. | Operate the switch (with dipped headlights and ignition on if necessary) and check the warning light. Use them when visibility is seriously reduced, generally under 100 metres. |
| 11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on. | Operate the switch (ignition on if necessary) and check the main beam warning light on the dashboard. |
| 12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil. | Point to the dipstick or oil level indicator and describe checking the level between the minimum and maximum markers. |
| 13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant. | Point to the high and low level markings on the header tank (or the radiator filler cap) and describe how to top up to the correct level. |
| 14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid. | Point to the brake fluid reservoir and check the level against the high and low markings. |
The 7 show me questions
The examiner will ask you one of these while you're driving. Each starts with "When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd…"
- Wash and clean the rear windscreen. Use the rear wiper and washer control.
- Wash and clean the front windscreen. Use the front washer and wipers.
- Switch on your dipped headlights. Turn the light switch to dipped beam and keep your eyes on the road.
- Set the rear demister. Press the rear heated screen button and check its warning light.
- Operate the horn. A short press is enough. Only do it when it's safe and won't alarm other road users.
- Demist the front windscreen. Direct the air to the windscreen, turn up the fan, and use the air conditioning if your car has it.
- Open and close the side window. Use the switch or winder briefly and keep both hands near the wheel.
Keep the car steady while you answer. Glance at the control, use it, then look back at the road. If the controls are on a touchscreen, learn where they are in the lesson car before test day.
What happens if you get a show me, tell me question wrong?
Getting one or both questions wrong counts as one driving fault. You're allowed up to 15 driving faults and still pass, so a wrong answer on its own won't fail your driving test. What can fail you is losing control of the car, drifting out of lane or not watching the road while you answer the show me question, because that becomes a serious or dangerous fault.
How to prepare for the show me, tell me questions
- Learn them in the car you'll test in. The bonnet release, rear fog light switch and demister buttons are in different places in every car. Your driving instructor will show you where they are in your Alma lesson car.
- Practise out loud. Saying "I'd check the oil level is between the minimum and maximum markers on the dipstick" is easier on the day if you've said it before.
- Practise show me questions on the move. Ask your instructor to throw one in on quiet roads, then on busier ones, until you can do it without the car wandering.
- Do a mock test. Our mock driving tests include a tell me question at the start and a show me question on the move, marked the way a DVSA examiner marks them.
Alma tip: Don't rush the show me question. "When it's safe to do so" means you choose the moment. Wait for a straight, quiet stretch, then do it.
Show me, tell me quiz: test yourself
Cover the answers and see how many you get right.
- What's the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres? 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round.
- When should you check your tyre pressures? When the tyres are cold.
- How high should the rigid part of your head restraint be? At least level with your eyes or the top of your ears.
- How do you check your brake lights on your own? Press the brake pedal and look for the reflection in a window or garage door.
- What tells you that main beam is on? The main beam warning light on the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
How many show me tell me questions are there?
There are 21 in total: 14 tell me questions and 7 show me questions. On the test you're asked 2, one tell me question before you start driving and one show me question while you're driving.
Can you fail your driving test on show me tell me questions?
Not on a wrong answer alone. One or both wrong answers count as 1 driving fault. You'll fail if your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous while answering the show me question.
When are the show me tell me questions asked?
The tell me question comes at the beginning of the test, after the eyesight check and before you drive. The show me question is asked while you're driving.
Do show me tell me questions change?
The list has been the same since December 2017, when the show me questions moved to being asked while you drive. DVSA publishes the current list on GOV.UK, so check it before your test.
Do I need to open the bonnet on my test?
You might. Three of the tell me questions ask you to open the bonnet and point to the oil dipstick, the coolant header tank or the brake fluid reservoir, so learn how to open the bonnet in your lesson car.
The questions above are from DVSA's published list of car show me, tell me vehicle safety questions and contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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