Show Me, Tell Me Questions – 2025

At the start of your driving test, the examiner will ask you two questions known as ‘show me, tell me’ questions, officially called vehicle safety questions. These are designed to assess your understanding of basic car maintenance and essential safety checks. Knowing how to carry out these checks is important not only for passing your test, but also for keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy, protecting both you and your passengers.

Here’s The List Of “Show Me, Tell Me” Questions For This Year

Show Me Questions

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how to wash and clean the rear windscreen?

  When the road ahead is clear and it’s safe to do so, use the rear washer control-usually a twist or push on the indicator stalk. This sprays water on the back window and activates the rear wiper. Be sure not to take your eyes off the road for long and only do this when it won’t affect your control of the vehicle.

• When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

  Once you’ve made sure the road is straight and safe, use the windscreen washer control-commonly found on the indicator or wiper stalk. This will spray fluid onto the windscreen, and the wipers will usually activate automatically. Be mindful of reduced visibility if sunlight hits the wet screen or if the windscreen is especially dirty.

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?

  As long as it’s safe, turn on your dipped headlights using the headlight dial or switch-usually located near the steering wheel. Quickly glance at the dashboard to make sure the dipped beam symbol is showing, and that the main beam light (blue icon) isn’t on.

• When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

  While driving on a clear, straight stretch of road, find and press the rear demister button-usually marked with a window and wavy lines. This activates the heated element in the rear window to clear fog or frost.

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?

  When it’s legal and safe to do so—such as when you’re not likely to startle or confuse other road users-briefly press the horn. You should be able to find it without looking, usually at the centre of the steering wheel. Avoid using it unnecessarily, especially when stopped.

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?

  On a safe, straight bit of road, switch on the front demister. This may be a dedicated button or part of the fan control settings. You might need to adjust airflow direction, temperature, or fan speed to clear the front windscreen effectively.

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

  While driving safely and with a clear view ahead, use the window control-usually a button on the driver’s door-to open and then close the window. Only take a brief look if needed and stay fully in control of the car at all times.

Tell Me Questions

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

  Before driving off, gently press the brake pedal to check that it doesn’t feel too soft or sink too far. Once you start moving, test the brakes in a safe, quiet area to make sure the car stops properly and doesn’t veer to one side.

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

  You can find the correct tyre pressures in the car’s handbook, or on a sticker located on the inside of the driver’s door or fuel cap. To check the pressure, use a reliable pressure gauge, either built into a pump or separate, and adjust the air level as needed. Don’t forget to check all tyres, including the spare, and put the valve caps back on after.

• Tell me how to make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

  If your car has adjustable head restraints, the top should line up with the top of your ears or be at eye level. It should also sit close to the back of your head to give the most support in case of a collision.

• 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.

  Inspect each tyre, checking both the sidewalls and the tread, for any damage like cuts or bulges. Use a tread depth gauge to ensure there’s at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and all the way around it.

• Tell me how you’d check the headlights and tail lights are working.

  You’d switch on the lights (with the ignition if needed), and then check they’re working by walking around the vehicle. In the test, just explain this process-no need to get out of the car.

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

  If there’s an issue with the ABS, a warning light will show up on the dashboard when you turn the ignition on.

• Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.

  Turn on the hazard lights (after switching on the ignition if needed), and walk around the car to make sure all the indicator bulbs are flashing. Again, during the test, just describe what you would do.

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

  Turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal. Look for reflections of the brake lights in windows or other surfaces behind you-or ask someone to confirm they’re lighting up properly.

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

  If the steering feels heavy or a warning light appears, it could indicate a fault. To check the system is working, apply light pressure to the steering wheel as you start the engine-you should feel it ease slightly. You can also test it shortly after setting off; if the steering is hard to turn, there may be an issue.

• 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.

  First, turn on your dipped headlights, then activate the rear fog light using the switch. A warning light will confirm it’s on. Use fog lights only when visibility drops below 100 metres, such as in thick fog, and remember to switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling drivers behind you.

• Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and how you’d know the main beam is on.

  With the ignition on, activate the main beam using the headlight switch or stalk. A blue warning light will show on the dashboard to let you know the main beam is on.

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

  Make sure the car is on level ground and the engine has been off for a few minutes. Open the bonnet and secure it, then pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, and pull it out again to check the oil level against the minimum and maximum marks. Add oil if it’s low, but avoid overfilling.

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

  Once the engine is cool, open the bonnet and locate the coolant reservoir-it’ll have markings to show the minimum and maximum levels. If the coolant is below the minimum, top it up with the correct mix of water and coolant.

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

  With the bonnet open and safely supported, find the brake fluid reservoir. It’s usually a small container near the back of the engine bay. Check the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. If it’s low, you may need to top it up with the correct brake fluid.