You get two of these on the day: one tell me question at the test centre before you drive, and one show me question once you are moving. They are drawn from the published list below, which does not change and is not secret. Getting one wrong costs a single driving fault, so this is the cheapest part of the test to make certain of.
The catch is that the answers depend on the car. Where the oil dipstick is, which stalk works main beam, whether the demister has its own button — all of that varies, which is why learning the list in the abstract is worth less than five minutes spent in the actual car you will be tested in.
Tell me questions
Asked at the test centre, before you get in and drive. You explain how you would carry out the check; you do not have to do it, except for opening the bonnet on the last three.
1. Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off: pressing the brake should slow the car promptly, and the car should not pull to one side.
2. Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
In the manufacturer’s handbook, and usually on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or the fuel filler flap. Check them with a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold, and do not forget the spare.
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.
The rigid part of the head restraint should be level with the top of your head, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable — no lower than eye level.
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 in the sidewalls, and at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre and round its entire circumference.
5. Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
Switch the lights on and walk round the car to check — or, without leaving it, look for the reflection in a window or wall, and use the dashboard light to confirm they are on.
6. Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
A warning light on the dashboard stays lit after you start the engine, rather than going out as the system finishes its check.
7. Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.
Switch the hazard warning lights on and walk round the car, or check the reflection in a window. The dashboard indicator will also tick and flash.
8. Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.
Press the brake pedal and have someone look, or use a reflection in a window, wall or garage door behind the car.
9. Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Press lightly on the steering wheel as you start the engine — the wheel should give slightly as the system takes over. Or turn the wheel just after moving off; heavy steering means a fault.
10. Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you'd use it/them.
Operate the switch with the dipped headlights or sidelights on, and check the warning light. Use them only when visibility drops below 100 metres, and switch them off when it improves.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.
Turn the lights on, then push or pull the stalk to main beam. A blue warning light on the dashboard shows main beam is on.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Find the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, pull it out again and check the film of oil sits between the minimum and maximum marks.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Find the coolant header tank and check the level sits between the minimum and maximum marks on the side. Only remove the cap when the engine is cold.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Find the brake fluid reservoir and check the level is between the minimum and maximum marks.
Show me questions
Asked while you are driving, "when it's safe to do so". That phrase is part of the question: if operating the control right now would take your attention from the road, wait until it would not. Examiners are watching whether you keep control of the car, not whether you find the switch quickly.
1. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Operate the rear washer and wiper with the relevant switch or stalk, without taking your attention off the road.
2. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Hold the washer control so screenwash sprays and the wipers run.
3. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?
Turn the light switch to the dipped headlight position and check the dashboard confirms it.
4. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?
Press the rear demister button — it usually has its own warning light. Explain that you would switch it off once the screen is clear.
5. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?
Press the centre of the steering wheel, or wherever the horn is on that car, briefly.
6. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?
Direct the airflow to the windscreen, turn the fan up and the temperature to warm, and use air conditioning if fitted.
7. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?
Operate the window switch or winder briefly, keeping your eyes on the road.
How they are marked
A wrong or incomplete answer is recorded as a driving fault. You are allowed up to 15 driving faults and still pass, so this is never the reason someone fails — but it does eat into the margin you may want later for something that matters more. Serious and dangerous faults are a different category entirely, covered in driving test faults explained.
One genuine risk is worth naming: the show me question is asked while you are driving, and reaching for an unfamiliar switch is exactly the moment people drift out of lane or miss a change in the road ahead. The fault recorded then is not for the question — it is for the driving. If you need a second to find the control safely, take it.
Before the day
- Sit in the test car and physically find every control on the show me list.
- Open the bonnet once and locate the oil dipstick, coolant tank and brake fluid reservoir.
- Check where the tyre pressures are printed on that car — door frame or filler flap.
- Say the answers out loud. They are easy to know and awkward to phrase under pressure.
Question wording is quoted from DVSA's car show me, tell me vehicle safety questions , published on GOV.UK under the Open Government Licence. The answers are ours.
Next: what to bring on the day, and how to pass first time.
