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Show Me / Tell Me — Revision

All 21 official vehicle safety questions for the UK practical driving test
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What to expect on your test

At the start of your test the examiner will ask you one Tell Me question — you answer verbally, before driving. During the drive you will be asked one Show Me question — you demonstrate a control while driving safely.

Getting one or both wrong counts as a single minor fault. It will not fail your test on its own, but every minor adds up. Answering the Show Me question dangerously can result in a serious fault.

14 Tell Me questions
7 Show Me questions
1 of each on your test
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Tell Me

Asked before you start driving — answer verbally

14 questions
1
Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
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✓ Answer
Brakes should be tested as you set off. They should not feel spongy or slack, and the vehicle should not pull to one side.
Tip: You don't need to check them before moving — you check them by applying them gently as you first pull away. Mention both points: feel (not spongy/slack) and straight-line braking (no pulling).
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2
Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
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✓ Answer
Tyre pressures can be found in the manufacturer's guide or on a sticker inside the fuel filler flap or door jamb. Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, don't forget the spare tyre, and remember to refit valve caps afterwards.
Tip: Four key points to cover: where to find the pressure, use a gauge, check when cold, check the spare.
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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.
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✓ Answer
The rigid part of the head restraint should be at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: some restraints may not be adjustable.
Tip: Two points: height (eye/top of ears minimum) and proximity (as close to head as comfortable).
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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.
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✓ Answer
The tyre should have no cuts or bulges. It must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference.
Tip: Three elements: condition (no cuts/bulges), depth (1.6mm minimum), and coverage (central three-quarters, full circumference).
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5
Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
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✓ Answer
Turn on the ignition if necessary, operate the light switch, then walk around the vehicle to check all lights are functioning. As this is a Tell Me question, you explain the process — you do not need to physically do it.
Tip: The key phrase is "walk round the vehicle." You must mention that step, even though you don't physically do it in a Tell Me answer.
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6
Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
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✓ Answer
A warning light should illuminate on the dashboard if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Tip: Simple and short — just mention the ABS warning light. Note that if ABS fails, normal braking still works but without the anti-lock function.
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7
Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
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✓ Answer
Turn on the ignition if necessary, operate the hazard warning lights switch, then walk around the vehicle to check all indicators are flashing. As this is a Tell Me question, you explain the process — you do not need to physically do it.
Tip: Use the hazard warning switch — it activates all four indicators at once, making it easier to check than signalling left and right separately.
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8
Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.
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✓ Answer
Press the brake pedal and either make use of reflections in windows, garage doors or walls, or ask someone to stand behind the vehicle and confirm the lights are illuminated.
Tip: Unlike other lights, you can't simply walk round — someone needs to press the pedal while you look, or you use reflections. Mention both options to show full understanding.
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9
Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
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✓ Answer
Apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel while starting the engine — there should be a slight but noticeable movement as the power assistance activates. Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning. If the steering feels heavy, the system may not be working correctly.
Tip: There are two valid checks — the engine-start method or the moving-off method. Mention that heavy steering is the warning sign.
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10
Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you'd use it/them. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
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✓ Answer
Turn on the dipped headlights and ignition if necessary, then operate the rear fog light switch. Check that the warning light on the dashboard illuminates. Use rear fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced — generally accepted as below 100 metres.
Tip: For questions 10 and 11, you must actually operate the switch — not just describe it. Remember: dipped headlights must be on first before rear fogs will activate on most cars.
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11
Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam, and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.
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✓ Answer
With the ignition or engine on, operate the main beam switch (usually a push or pull on the indicator stalk). Confirm the main beam is on by checking that the blue main beam warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
Tip: Like question 10, you must operate the switch, not just describe it. The blue dashboard warning light is the key identifier — mention it specifically.
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12
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.
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✓ Answer
Open the bonnet and locate the dipstick or oil level indicator. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth, re-insert it fully, then withdraw it again and check that the oil level sits between the minimum and maximum markers.
Tip: The wipe-and-recheck step is important — inserting a dirty dipstick gives a false reading. Know where your dipstick is in the test car before test day.
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13
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient coolant.
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✓ Answer
Open the bonnet and locate the coolant header tank (a translucent plastic reservoir). Check that the coolant level sits between the minimum and maximum markings on the side of the tank. If low, top up with the correct coolant mixture to the maximum line. Never open the cap when the engine is hot.
Tip: Never remove the radiator or header tank cap when the engine is hot — mention this. The reservoir is usually translucent so you can check the level without opening it.
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14
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
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✓ Answer
Open the bonnet and locate the brake fluid reservoir (usually near the back of the engine bay on the driver's side). Check that the fluid level sits between the minimum and maximum markings on the side of the reservoir. Do not remove the cap unnecessarily as brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Tip: The reservoir is translucent — you check the level visually without opening it. If the level is low, it may indicate a brake system leak, not just low fluid.
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Show Me

Asked while driving — demonstrate the control safely

7 questions
1
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd wash and clean the rear windscreen.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Operate the rear windscreen wash/wipe switch. On most cars this is on the indicator or wiper stalk — pushing or pulling it activates the rear washer. The rear wiper should activate and washer fluid should spray onto the rear screen.
Tip: Choose a safe, straight section of road with no hazards ahead before operating the switch. Keep both hands on the wheel until the moment you operate the control, then return immediately.
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2
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd wash and clean the front windscreen.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Operate the front windscreen wash/wipe switch. On most cars this is a stalk on the steering column — pulling it toward you or pushing a button activates the front washer. The front wipers should activate and washer fluid should spray onto the windscreen.
Tip: As with all Show Me questions, wait for a safe, clear stretch of road. Operating the washers briefly will not obscure your vision significantly, but be prepared for the wipers to continue for a second or two.
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3
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Locate the lighting control (usually a rotary switch on the dashboard or a stalk on the steering column) and turn it to the dipped headlight position — typically indicated by a headlight symbol. The dashboard light indicator should confirm dipped headlights are on.
Tip: Know the lighting controls in your test car before test day — they vary significantly between makes and models. Practice finding and operating them without looking away from the road for more than a brief glance.
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4
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd set the rear demister.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Locate and press the heated rear window button — usually marked with a symbol showing the rear screen with horizontal lines through it. A warning light or indicator on the button itself should illuminate to confirm the demister is active.
Tip: On some cars the rear demister only works with the ignition in a certain position, or switches off automatically after a set time. Know how your test car's demister works before the day.
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5
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd demist the front windscreen.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Set the heater blower to an appropriate speed, direct the air vents toward the windscreen (or use the dedicated windscreen vent setting), set the temperature to warm, and activate the air conditioning if fitted — this dries the air and demists more quickly. On some cars there is a dedicated front demist button.
Tip: This question has the most steps. The key is directing airflow at the screen and using air conditioning to dry the air. Mentioning A/C shows good vehicle knowledge.
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6
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd operate the horn.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Press the centre of the steering wheel where the horn button is located. The horn should sound briefly. Return both hands to the wheel immediately.
Tip: The simplest Show Me question. Just press the centre of the wheel briefly. On some cars the horn area is marked with a symbol; on others it is the entire centre pad. Know which applies to your test car.
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7
When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd open and close the side window.
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✓ How to demonstrate
Locate the electric window switch on the door panel or centre console. Press it to lower the window briefly, then press it in the opposite direction to close it fully. Keep your eyes on the road and return your hand to the wheel promptly.
Tip: Open it just a few centimetres — enough to demonstrate — then close it. In cold or rainy conditions on test day, be especially quick about closing it again. Know where the switch is before the test.
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