The “show me, tell me” questions are two vehicle safety questions asked during every car driving test. The full list is published by DVSA, so there are no surprises: if you learn all 21 questions below, you can walk into your test knowing you will be able to answer whichever ones come up. This page lists every current question with a clear answer, explains how they are marked, and ends with a quick self-test.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Checked against the Highway Code and GOV.UK.
How the questions work on the test
According to GOV.UK’s car “show me, tell me” page, the examiner will ask you:
- one “tell me” question, where you explain how you would carry out a safety task, at the start of the test before you start driving
- one “show me” question, where you show how you would carry out a safety task, while you are driving
There are 14 “tell me” questions and 7 “show me” questions on the current list.
How they are marked
GOV.UK is clear on the marking:
- You get one driving fault (a “minor”) if you get one or both questions wrong.
- You fail the test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the “show me” question.
So a wrong answer alone will not fail you, as you can pass with up to 15 driving faults (see our practical test guide). The real risk is losing control or looking down for too long during the “show me” task.
The question wordings below are published by DVSA on GOV.UK under the Open Government Licence. The answers are our own explanations, based on DVSA’s guidance and the Highway Code.
The 14 “tell me” questions and answers
For questions 12, 13 and 14, GOV.UK says you need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you would do the check. Practise opening and closing the bonnet of the car you will use before test day.
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Press the brake pedal: it should feel firm, not spongy or slack. Then test the brakes gently as you set off. The car should not pull to one side when you brake.
2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
The recommended pressures are in the manufacturer’s guide (the car’s handbook). Check them with a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold, adjust them if needed, remember to check the spare, and refit the valve caps afterwards. Warm tyres can give a misleading reading (Highway Code Annex 6).
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 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. Mention that some head restraints cannot 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.
Look for cuts and bulges in the tyre walls. Check the tread is at least 1.6 mm deep across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference. This is the legal minimum for cars (Highway Code Annex 6).
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain that you would switch the lights on (turning on the ignition if necessary) and then walk round the car to check they are all working. Because it is a “tell me” question, you do not need to actually get out and look.
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
A warning light on the dashboard would come on if there was a fault with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain that you would switch on the indicators, or the hazard warning lights (turning on the ignition if necessary), and then walk round the car to check each one is flashing. Again, you do not need to physically check.
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Press the brake pedal and look for the reflection of the lights in windows, garage doors or a shop window behind you, or ask someone to stand behind the car and tell you.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Heavy steering suggests the system may not be working. Two simple checks: keep gentle pressure on the wheel while starting the engine and feel for a slight movement as the system starts, or turn the wheel just after moving off and check it feels power-assisted straight away.
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.
Switch on the dipped headlights (and the ignition if necessary), operate the fog light switch and check the warning light comes on. Use them only when visibility is seriously reduced, generally less than 100 metres, and switch them off when it improves (Highway Code rules 226 and 236).
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
With the ignition or engine on if necessary, operate the headlight switch or stalk to select main beam. The main beam warning light on the dashboard shows that it is on.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Point out the dipstick or oil level indicator. Explain that you would check the oil level is between the minimum and maximum marks, and top up if it is low.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Point out the header tank (or radiator filler cap) and its high and low level markings. Explain that the level should sit between them, and how you would top it up to the correct level. The Highway Code (Annex 6) says that if an engine overheats, wait until it has cooled naturally before removing the coolant filler cap.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Point out the brake fluid reservoir and explain that you would check the level against the high and low markings.
The 7 “show me” questions and how to answer them
Each one starts “When it’s safe to do so”. Stay in control, keep scanning, and only glance at the controls. If it is not safe at that moment, wait until it is.
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 control, usually on the wiper stalk or a separate switch.
2. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Operate the front screen washer control so the washers spray the screen and the wipers clear it.
3. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
Operate the headlight switch to select dipped beam, and check the warning light on the dashboard if the car has one. Be careful not to select main beam, which could dazzle other road users.
4. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
Press the rear heated window switch and check its warning light comes on.
5. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
Press the horn briefly. On real drives, remember Highway Code rule 112: use the horn only while moving and when you need to warn others of your presence.
6. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
Set the heating or ventilation controls to direct air onto the windscreen, turn up the fan, and use the air conditioning if the car has it.
7. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Use the electric window switch or the manual winder to open the window a little and then close it again, keeping a firm hold of the steering wheel with the other hand.
Tips for getting them right
- Practise in the car you will use for the test. Switches are in different places in every car.
- Rehearse the “show me” tasks on real drives. Ask your supervising driver to call them out at random on quiet roads, so you learn to do them with a quick glance.
If you are still looking for someone to practise these with in a dual-controlled car, you can compare driving instructors near you.
Test yourself
These practice questions are written by Get Driving Test Ready to help you revise. They are not official DVSA questions.
Q1. When in the test are you asked the "tell me" question?
A) During the reversing exercise
B) At the end, after the drive
C) During independent driving
D) At the start, before you start driving
Answer: D. The "tell me" question is asked at the start of the test before you start driving. The "show me" question is asked while you are driving. (GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: Before each lesson, practise answering one tell me question aloud before you move off.
Q2. You answer both the "show me" and the "tell me" questions wrongly. What is the result?
A) You fail the test
B) One driving fault
C) Two driving faults
D) One serious fault
Answer: B. You get one driving fault if you get one or both questions wrong. (GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: Practise all the show me tell me questions in the car you will use for your test.
Q3. What is the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres?
A) 3 mm on the front tyres only
B) 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference
C) 1 mm across three-quarters of the tread
D) 2 mm across the full width of the tread
Answer: B. Cars MUST have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. (Highway Code Annex 6; GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: Before a drive, look at each tyre for cuts, bulges and tread depth, with your supervisor watching.
Q4. When should you check tyre pressures?
A) Only at an MOT
B) When the tyres are cold
C) Straight after a long motorway drive
D) Only when a warning light comes on
Answer: B. Check pressures when tyres are cold. Warm or hot tyres may give a misleading reading. (Highway Code Annex 6; GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: Find the recommended tyre pressures for your practice car and check them before a drive with cold tyres.
Q5. When may you use your rear fog lights?
A) When it is raining lightly
B) Whenever it is dark
C) When a vehicle behind is too close
D) When visibility is seriously reduced, generally less than 100 metres
Answer: D. You may use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres, and MUST switch them off when it improves. (Highway Code rules 226 and 236)
Practise this on the road: In the practice car, find the rear fog light switch and its warning light while parked.
Q6. How should a head restraint be adjusted?
A) As low as it will go
B) The rigid part at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears, close to your head
C) Tilted as far back as possible
D) The rigid part level with your shoulders
Answer: B. The rigid part 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. (Highway Code rule 97; GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: Before each drive, adjust your head restraint so the rigid part is level with your eyes or ear tops.
Q7. You may be asked to show how you would use the horn. Between which times MUST you not use it in a built-up area, unless another road user poses a danger?
A) Between 9 pm and 7 am
B) Between midnight and 8 am
C) Between 11.30 pm and 7 am
D) Between 10 pm and 6 am
Answer: C. You MUST NOT use your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am, or while stationary on the road, except when another road user poses a danger. (Highway Code rule 112)
Practise this on the road: When it is safe on a drive, practise pressing the horn briefly without taking your eyes off the road.
Q8. While answering a "show me" question on the move, your driving becomes dangerous. What is the result?
A) One driving fault
B) No fault, because you were following an instruction
C) The examiner asks a different question
D) You fail the test
Answer: D. Getting a show me or tell me question wrong is one driving fault, but you fail if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the "show me" question. (GOV.UK: car show me tell me questions)
Practise this on the road: With your supervisor, practise using the washers and demisters while driving on a quiet road, keeping control.
Next steps
Read our full practical test guide to see how this fits into the whole test, then revise the safety and your vehicle theory topic, which covers many of the same checks, and the road signs hub for independent driving.