Show me, tell me: all 21 driving test questions and answers
Every driving test includes two vehicle safety questions. The examiner asks one “tell me” question before you start the engine and one “show me” question while you are driving. Get either wrong and it is a single driving fault, not a fail. Get so distracted answering the “show me” question that you drift or miss a hazard and that can be serious. The list is published by DVSA and has not changed in years, so there is no reason to be caught out.
The 14 “tell me” questions
Answer these with the engine off, in the car park. You can point at things and, for the last three, open the bonnet. You do not need to carry out the check, only explain it.
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off: 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, or on a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel flap. Check with a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold, remember the spare, and refit the valve caps. Our tyre pressure guide covers it.
3. Tell me how you’d 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 restraint should be at least level with your eyes or the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable. Some restraints are fixed and 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. No cuts or bulges, and at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its whole circumference. See our tread depth guide.
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. Turn on the ignition, switch on the lights, and walk round the car. Or, if there is a reflective surface nearby, use that. You do not need to leave the car for the answer.
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 stay on, or come on while driving. Our ABS light guide explains what to do if it does.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. Turn on the ignition, operate the hazard warning lights, and walk round the car checking all indicators flash.
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car. Turn on the ignition, press the brake pedal, and either ask someone to check or look for the reflection in a window or garage door behind you.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey. Two ways. Apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel while starting the engine; it should move slightly as the system engages. Or turn the wheel just after moving off; it should feel light.
10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. Turn on the ignition and dipped headlights, then operate the fog light switch and check the warning light comes on. 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. Operate the switch, usually by pushing or pulling the indicator stalk, and a blue warning light shows on the dashboard.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil. Locate the dipstick or the electronic oil level display, and check the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Our engine oil guide shows the whole process.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant. Locate the coolant reservoir and check the level against the minimum and maximum marks on the side. Only ever open it when the engine is cold. See our coolant guide.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid. Locate the brake fluid reservoir and check the level against the minimum and maximum marks.
The 7 “show me” questions
You are asked one of these while driving. The examiner will say “when it’s safe to do so”. Wait for a straight, quiet stretch of road, do the action briefly, and keep your eyes up.
1. Show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen. Operate the rear wash-wipe control, usually on the wiper stalk.
2. Show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen. Operate the front washer and wipers. If the washer is empty this is an awkward moment, so top it up the night before. Our screenwash guide is 60 seconds long.
3. Show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights. Operate the light switch to the dipped position; check the dashboard indicator.
4. Show me how you’d set the rear demister. Press the rear demister button; the warning light comes on.
5. Show me how you’d operate the horn. Press it briefly. This is the one people hesitate over because it feels rude. Do it.
6. Show me how you’d demist the front windscreen. Direct the air to the windscreen using the vent control, increase the fan speed and, if the car has it, switch on the air conditioning.
7. Show me how you’d open and close the side window. Operate the driver’s window switch down and back up.
How they are marked
One question wrong, or a fumbled control, is one driving fault. Both wrong is still only one fault. The risk is elsewhere: candidates fail the test because, while hunting for the demister button, they let the car wander or miss a car pulling out. If you cannot find a control immediately, say so and keep driving; the examiner would rather you drove safely than pressed the right button.
The questions are also a reasonable checklist for the car you will own after you pass. Our dashboard warning lights guide covers what the lights in question 6 and 11 mean when they come on for real. The rest of the test format is in what to expect on your driving test.
Frequently asked questions
How many show me, tell me questions are asked?
Two: one “tell me” before you drive and one “show me” while driving.
Is getting a show me, tell me question wrong a fail?
No. It is a single driving fault. Losing control of the car while answering can be.
Do I have to open the bonnet?
Only for questions 12 to 14 if asked. Practise finding the bonnet release on the car you will use.
Are the questions the same for automatics?
Yes. The list is identical for manual and automatic cars.
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