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. There are 14 of them.
- The “show me” question is asked while you are driving. You demonstrate the task, safely, without stopping. There are 7 of them.
How they are marked
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 all 21 questions are published in advance and the answers do not change.
The one way they can fail you is the “show me” question: if your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous while you are answering it, that is a serious fault. The demonstration is never worth more than the road in front of you.
Tell me
The 14 “Tell Me” Questions
Asked before you start driving. The answers below are the official DVSA wording, which is what the examiner is listening for.
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Official DVSA answer
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
Official DVSA answer
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 head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.
Official DVSA answer
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 and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
Official DVSA answer
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.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
Official DVSA answer
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Official DVSA answer
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
Official DVSA answer
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
Official DVSA answer
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
Official DVSA answer
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Show me
The 7 “Show Me” Questions
Asked while you are driving. The DVSA publishes no model answers to these, because they are demonstrations — so the notes below are ours.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Find the rear washer on the wiper stalk — usually a further twist or a push in the opposite direction to the front washer — and hold it long enough for the wipers to clear the screen properly rather than just wet it.
Know which way your car’s stalk turns before test day. Hunting for the control is what takes your eyes off the road.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Operate the front washer on the wiper stalk and keep it going until the screen is genuinely clear. If the wipers do not run automatically with the washer, switch them on as well.
Check your washer bottle is topped up before the test. An empty one turns a simple demonstration into a fault you cannot recover.
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 — on most cars the second click round from off, or out of AUTO. Check the dashboard symbol has come on so you can confirm it rather than guess.
Do it by feel and confirm on the dashboard. Looking down at the switch itself is the fault, not the switching.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
Press the rear demister button — the rectangle with three upward arrows — and check its indicator light comes on. It switches itself off again after a few minutes, which is normal.
Say that it is on rather than staring at the button to be sure.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
Press the centre of the steering wheel firmly enough to sound the horn once, with your hands otherwise staying where they are.
Choose the moment: not beside a pedestrian crossing, and not in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am. Judging when is part of the answer.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
Direct the airflow to the windscreen vents, turn the fan up and set the temperature warm. Air conditioning, on a car that has it, clears the screen faster because it dries the air.
Set it with one hand and keep your eyes on the road. If the screen is badly misted, say you would pull up somewhere safe and clear it before driving on.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Use the driver’s window switch on the door to lower the window a little and close it again. There is no need to open it fully.
Reach for it without looking down, and only when the road ahead is clear enough to spare a hand.
We Cover These In Your Lessons
Every control in the list above sits somewhere different on every car. Your instructor will go through the questions with you on the car you will actually be tested in, because knowing that the rear demister is the third button along is worth more on the day than knowing that it exists.
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.