Show Me Tell Me
The show me, tell me vehicle safety questions asked on the practical driving test, how they are marked, and what they cover.
Vehicle Safety Questions
Every practical driving test includes two vehicle safety questions, known as the “show me, tell me” questions. They check that you understand how to carry out basic safety checks on the car you are driving.
How they are asked
- The “tell me” question is asked at the start of your test, before you begin driving. You explain how you would carry out a safety task.
- The “show me” question is asked while you are driving. You demonstrate the task, safely, without stopping.
Getting one or both wrong is recorded as a single driving fault. They will not fail your test on their own — but they are the easiest marks on the test to keep, because the questions are published in advance and the answers do not change.
What they cover
The Areas You Will Be Asked About
The questions are drawn from a published list covering everyday checks any driver should be able to make.
Lights and indicators
Switching them on, checking they work, and knowing when each one is used.
Brakes
Checking the brakes before setting off and recognising when something is wrong.
Tyres
Tread depth, pressure, and the condition that makes a tyre unroadworthy.
Fluid levels
Where to check oil, coolant and screen wash, and how to know the level is right.
Steering and demisting
Spotting a steering problem, and clearing a misted or frozen windscreen.
Washers and wipers
Operating them safely while driving, without taking your attention off the road.
We Cover These In Your Lessons
Your instructor will go through the questions with you on the car you will actually be tested in, because the answer to “show me how you would check the brakes” depends on the vehicle in front of you.
We would rather you understood why each check matters than memorised a script. A driver who knows what a worn tyre looks like keeps that knowledge for life; a driver who learnt the words forgets them the week after the test.
Want to run through them?
Ask your instructor at your next lesson, or get in touch and we will book you in.