Show Me Tell Me

The show me tell me questions are an important part of the UK practical driving test. You’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions during your test: one “tell me” question before you start driving and one “show me” question while you’re driving. To find out more about what to expect on test day read our What Happens On Your Driving Test guide.

There are 14 official tell me questions and 7 official show me questions to practise. This guide covers all of them, with simple answers and explanations to help you prepare for test day.

What happens in the show me tell me questions?

You’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions during the practical driving test. The examiner will choose one tell me question and one show me question.

The tell me question is asked before you start driving. You’ll explain how you would carry out a vehicle safety check. The show me question is asked while you’re driving, and you’ll demonstrate a safety check when the examiner asks you to.

You do not need to memorise complicated wording. The important thing is to understand what you’re checking and why it matters for safe driving.

Our Driving Test Checklist also covers the other things worth getting ready before test day, so you can make sure you haven’t overlooked anything. And if you’re not sure what to bring read our guide on What to Take on Your Driving Test.

The 14 Tell Me Questions and Answers

1. Brakes

Question: How would you check that the brakes are working before starting a journey?

Answer: The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you move off and make sure the car does not pull to one side.

2. Tyre pressures

Question: Where would you find the recommended tyre pressures and how would you check them?

Answer: Check the manufacturer’s information for the recommended pressures. Use a reliable pressure gauge and check and adjust the pressures when the tyres are cold. Remember to refit the valve caps.

3. Head restraint

Question: How would you make sure the head restraint is correctly adjusted?

Answer: The rigid part of the head restraint should be 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.

4. Tyres

Question: How would you check that the tyres have sufficient tread and are safe to use?

Answer: Check that there are no cuts or bulges. The tread must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire outer circumference.

5. Headlights and tail lights

Question: How would you check that the headlights and tail lights are working?

Answer: Operate the light switch, turning on the ignition if necessary, then explain that you would walk around the vehicle to check the lights. You don’t need to physically check them for this tell me question.

6. Anti-lock braking system

Question: How would you know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system?

Answer: The ABS warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

7. Direction indicators

Question: How would you check that the direction indicators are working?

Answer: Operate the indicator switch, turning on the ignition if necessary, and explain that you would walk around the vehicle to check them.

8. Brake lights

Question: How would you check that the brake lights are working?

Answer: Press the brake pedal and use reflections in windows or doors to check the lights, or ask someone to help you.

9. Power-assisted steering

Question: How would you check that the power-assisted steering is working?

Answer: If the steering becomes unusually heavy, the system may not be working properly. You can apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel while starting the engine and check for a slight movement as the assistance activates. Alternatively, turning the steering wheel shortly after moving off should indicate whether the assistance is working.

10. Rear fog lights

Question: How would you switch on the rear fog lights and when would you use them?

Answer: Operate the switch, turning on the dipped headlights and ignition if necessary. Check that the warning light is on, and explain when rear fog lights should be used.

11. Dipped headlights to main beam

Question: How would you switch from dipped headlights to main beam and know that the main beam is on?

Answer: Operate the appropriate switch with the ignition or engine on if necessary, and check the main beam warning light on the dashboard.

12. Engine oil

Question: How would you check that the engine has enough oil?

Answer: Open the bonnet and identify the dipstick or oil-level indicator. Explain how you would check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markings.

13. Engine coolant

Question: How would you check that the engine has enough coolant?

Answer: Open the bonnet and identify the high and low level markings on the coolant header tank, where fitted, or the relevant filler point. Explain how you would top it up to the correct level.

14. Brake fluid

Question: How would you check that the hydraulic brake fluid is at a safe level?

Answer: Open the bonnet, identify the brake fluid reservoir and explain how you would check the level against the high and low markings.

Important: For questions involving the bonnet, you are explaining the check. You should not touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels during the test. More info

The 7 Show Me Questions and Answers

1. Show me how you would wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Operate the rear windscreen washer and wiper controls. Make sure you can do this while maintaining proper control of the vehicle.

2. Show me how you would wash and clean the front windscreen.
Operate the front windscreen washer and wiper controls. Make sure you can operate them safely without losing control of the car.

3. Show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights.
Use the light controls to switch on the dipped headlights. You should know which control to use in your car before your test.

4. Show me how you would set the rear demister.
Switch on the rear demister using the appropriate control. You should be able to locate the button without taking your attention away from driving.

5. Show me how you would sound the horn.
Operate the horn control. Only use the horn when appropriate and make sure you remain in full control of the vehicle.

6. Show me how you would demist the front windscreen.
Use the appropriate controls to direct air towards the front windscreen and clear the glass. You should know how to do this quickly and safely.

7. Show me how you would open and close the side window.
Operate the side-window control to open and close the window. Keep your attention on the road and maintain proper control of the vehicle.

Official GOV.UK show me, tell me questions

What Happens If You Get a Show Me or Tell Me Question Wrong?

Getting one or both questions wrong does not mean you automatically fail your driving test. If you get one or both vehicle safety questions wrong, you’ll receive one driving fault.

This is the same whether you get just the Tell Me question wrong, just the Show Me question wrong, or both wrong. A single driving fault is not enough to fail your test on its own.

If you want to understand how driving faults are recorded and how they differ from serious and dangerous faults, see our Driving Test Faults guide.

There is an important exception with the Show Me question. Because you answer it while driving, you must remain in proper control of the vehicle. If you lose control or your driving becomes dangerous while carrying out the check, this could result in a serious or dangerous fault and could cause you to fail.

The best approach is to make sure you know where the controls are before your test and practise operating them without taking your attention away from the road.

You do not need to panic if you make a mistake. If you realise you’ve done something incorrectly, stay calm, keep the car under control and continue driving safely.

GOV.UK: Car show me, tell me vehicle safety questions

How to Remember the Show Me Tell Me Answers

You don’t need to memorise every answer word for word. The easiest way to prepare is to understand what you are checking and why it matters.

Practise in your own car
Spend a few minutes before or after your driving lessons locating each control and checking that you know exactly what to do. Controls can vary between cars, so practise in the car you’ll use for your test. Taking your own car? Your car needs to meet certain legal and safety requirements before you can use if for your driving test. Check our Driving Test Car Requirements guide before test day.

Learn the key points rather than a script
For the Tell Me questions, remember the important safety points in each answer. You can then explain the check naturally instead of trying to recite a long answer from memory.

Practise the Show Me questions while driving
Your instructor can ask you to demonstrate each Show Me task during normal driving. Practise finding the controls without looking away from the road.

Mix up your practice
Don’t always practise the questions in the same order. The examiner chooses the questions from the official set, so being able to answer any of them is better than simply memorising a sequence.

Stay calm if you forget something
If you are unsure about an answer, don’t let it affect the rest of your driving. Deal with the question, stay safe and carry on.

If test-day nerves are something you struggle with, our guide to Driving Test Nerves has practical tips for staying calm and focused during your test.

Show Me Tell Me Practice Checklist

Before your driving test, make sure you can:

• Answer all 14 Tell Me questions confidently.
• Demonstrate all 7 Show Me questions safely.
• Find the relevant controls in your test car without taking your eyes off the road.
• Explain the important safety points rather than simply repeating a memorised script.
• Carry out the Show Me checks while maintaining proper control of the vehicle.
• Stay calm if you make a mistake or forget part of an answer.
• Practise the questions in a different order so you are prepared for whichever ones the examiner selects.

For more general advice on preparing for your practical test, see our Driving Test Tips guide.

A few minutes of practice during each driving lesson can make these questions much easier to handle on test day.

Final Thoughts

The show me tell me questions are a small part of your practical driving test, but they are well worth preparing for. Knowing what you’ll be asked and where the controls are can help you feel more confident when you arrive at the test centre.

Remember, you do not need to give a perfect answer word for word. Focus on understanding the safety checks and, for the Show Me question, keep the car under proper control while you demonstrate the check.

The best preparation is simple: practise the questions regularly, become familiar with the controls in your car and stay calm if you make a mistake.

More Help With Your Driving Test

For more help preparing for your practical test, these guides cover some of the other areas worth knowing before test day:

• Driving Test Tips: practical advice to help you prepare and drive safely and confidently on test day.
• Driving Test Checklist: make sure you know what to bring and what to check before your test.
• Theory Test Help: your complete guide to the theory test.
• Driving Test Faults: understand how driving faults, serious faults and dangerous faults are recorded.
• Driving Test Nerves: find practical ways to manage nerves and stay focused during your test.
• Driving Test Marking Sheet: learn how your examiner records your driving and what is assessed during the test.
• Driving Test Manoeuvres: learn about the different manoeuvres you could be asked to complete during your practical test.

Good preparation can make a big difference on test day. 🚗