A practical guide to 'show me, tell me' questions for new drivers

Monday 2nd June 2025

Welcome to the world of driving! Handling a car gives you so much freedom, whether it’s popping to the shops, picking up your friends, or planning your next exciting adventure. The main thing is that you’re in control. But before you get there, you need to pass your driving test. 

Our practical guide explains what these driving test questions are, how you can prepare to answer them, and more practical advice on how to maintain your car when you start driving.?? 

What are ‘show me, tell me’ questions? 

‘Show me, tell me’ questions are one part of the UK’s practical driving test. The other four sections are: an eyesight check, general driving ability, reversing your car, and independent driving.   

On your driving test, you’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions:

• One ‘tell me’ question: Asked before you start driving, where you need to explain how you would carry out the task. 

• One ‘show me’ question: Asked while you’re driving, where you are expected to carry out the task when it’s safe to do so.

You should familiarise yourself with every question on this list. This will not only prepare you for your driving test but also set you up for a smoother driving experience, as you’ll know how to operate your vehicle safely.? 

What are the 7 ‘show me’ questions in a driving test? 

Here are the seven ‘show me’ questions which your driving test instructor may ask you on your driving test. You should only act upon these when it’s safe to do so while driving. If you’re parked up, ensure your handbrake is on and you have switched on the car's electrical components, either by turning the ignition key to the ‘start position’ or by pressing the start button. 

Can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen? 

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you can either pull, push, toggle or twist the right-hand indicator stalk to activate the rear wipers. Your hands must stay on the steering wheel while you operate the controls behind it.? 

It’s not part of the test to know how to check your windscreen wash, but the Highway Code states all windows and windscreens should be clean and clear. It’s also useful to regularly check the condition of your windscreen wipers. 

Can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen? 

Just like above, the front windscreen wiper stalk can be activated on the right-hand side, but it’s usually a pull motion towards you. Again, keep both hands on the steering wheel and continue monitoring the road and environment around you.? 

Can you show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights? 

Your dipped headlights will show up as a headlight symbol with angled lines on your car dashboard. This may be different in every car, so make sure you check the handbook of the car you’re learning in. Although, your dipped headlights are usually turned on by a switch or a knob near the steering wheel. 

Can you show me how you would set the rear demister? 

On your centre console next to the temperature controls, you’ll see a rectangle with three wavy lines. This is the rear demist button – not to be mistaken for the arched rectangle with three wavy lines, which is the button to demist the front windscreen. These lines represent air being blown onto the windows. 

Can you show me how you would demist the front windscreen? 

Like the rear demister, press the button and turn the fan dial to a high setting. You could also turn on the air con. Head to our guide to uncover tips on how to demist your windscreen quicker. 

When driving, you may notice issues with demisting the windscreen, or you may notice an unpleasant smell when the air con is switched on. Your car may need an air con re-gas or a clean.? 

Can you show me how you would operate the horn? 

Avoid carrying out this task next to pedestrians or other drivers, as this may confuse them. Press sharply on the middle of the steering wheel for a quick beep. Your car may have specific panels to press, if so, these will be marked with a small horn icon.?

Can you show me how you would open and close the side window? 

Most modern cars have side window buttons on the driver’s door. They’re easy to operate, and all you need to do is flick the button to the respective window and close it again. If your car has rotary handles to open the windows, simply unwind (usually in a clockwise motion), then wind them back up (usually in an anticlockwise motion). 

What are the 14 ‘tell me’ questions in a driving test? 

Here are the 14 ‘tell me’ questions which your driving test instructor may ask you on your driving test.?

Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey? 

Gently press the brakes before you set off. They shouldn’t feel spongy or slack, and you could also tell the examiner that the car shouldn’t pull to one side when you need to brake while driving. 

When you’re driving independently after you’ve passed your test and you experience spongy or slack brakes, brake judder, or the car pulls to one side when braking, book in for a free brake check at your closest Formula One Autocentres branch.??

Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked 

There are a few ways to find this:

• In the manufacturer’s guide 

• On the sidewall of the tyre 

• By using Formula One Autocentre’s tyre pressure calculator

You should only ever check the pressure when tyres are cold. Remove the valve cap and attach the pressure gauge tool to the valve and take a reading. Adjust the pressure accordingly. If you’re unsure of what the numbers on the side of your tyres mean, read our guide to tyre markings here.?

Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash 

It’s important to note that some head restraints aren’t adjustable – don’t worry if not, your instructor will let you know if this is the case. Otherwise, explain that the rigid part of the head restraint should be aligned as high as eye level or level with the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.?

Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and their general condition is safe to use on the road 

Tyre safety is critical. Make sure there are no cracks, splits or bulges. You can use a tyre tread depth gauge or a 20p coin to check if there is more than 1.6mm tread across the middle three-quarters of the tyre and around the outer circumference.?

Tell me how you would check that the headlights and taillights are working (you don’t need to exit the vehicle) 

While you don’t have to leave the vehicle when you’re asked this question, you can explain that when the vehicle’s ignition is switched on, you would turn the lights on from the controls behind the steering wheel and walk around the car to ensure the lights are functioning properly. 

Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system?  

Your dashboard lights will let you know if there’s an issue with many components of your car. The ABS warning light will illuminate briefly when switching on the ignition but will then go out. It will remain illuminated if there’s a fault with your anti-lock braking system, but you’ll also be able to feel if your steering becomes heavy. You should still be able to see the outline of the symbol when it isn’t lit; point this out to your instructor if they ask this question. 

Tell me how you would check the direction indicators are working (you don’t need to exit the vehicle) 

For this question you don’t need to get out of the car as it’s a ‘tell me’ question. Instead, you can explain how, with the car turned on, you would toggle the relevant indicator stalk and walk around the car to check the rear and front indicator lights are both flashing. It’s also useful to check the dashboard signals and external reflections.? 

Tell me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car 

You can explain that you would operate the brake pedal and see if the brake lights activated by looking at reflections in windows or other vehicles. You can also ask someone else to check for you when you apply the brakes. 

Tell me how you would check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey 

Explain there are two simple ways to check it. While the engine is on, you could apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel, and you should feel slight movement as systems start up. You can also turn the steering wheel slightly from side to side, the steering wheel should not feel too heavy or stiff. Heavy steering impacts your car’s safety and performance, so it’s crucial to be aware of the causes. 

Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain how you would use them/it (you don’t need to exit the vehicle) 

You can explain that most cars have a separate button to the right of the steering wheel, symbolised by a semicircle and lines to indicate the light intersected by a wavy line to indicate the fog. A dashboard symbol will appear if they’re switched on and working correctly, and you would use these lights in difficult driving conditions like fog and heavy snow.? You should not leave them switched on when visibility is good.  

Tell me how you switch on your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on 

Explain that you would turn on the engine and toggle the full beam stalk. You’ll know that the main beam is active when your dashboard shows a main-beam headlight symbol. The main beam lights would be used in fog and heavy snow or on unlit roads where visibility is poor and there are no other drivers nearby who could be ‘dazzled’ by your headlights. 

For the following three questions, you must open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you would do the checks. 

Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient oil 

You would open the car bonnet once parked on a level surface and point to the oil level indicator, which has a yellow handle. Then explain that you would check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markers by picking up the dipstick, wiping it with a cloth, and putting it back in the oil to check the level. 

It is really important that your car has the right oil to keep it operating effectively. There are six signs to spot if your car needs an oil change, so make sure you’re aware of these before you pass your test.? 

Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient engine coolant 

Knowing the function of engine coolant is essential to stop your engine from overheating, and it’s crucial to know that this is different from antifreeze. You should open the bonnet when the car engine has cooled down and point to the header tank’s markers or radiator cap, and explain that you would open the coolant cap to top it up to the correct level. 

Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid 

Point to the brake fluid reservoir and explain you can check the level against the markers and top it up if necessary. You should check the brake fluid level regularly, as insufficient brake fluid can cause your brakes to fail and can damage brake components. There are usually four signs which indicate you need to renew your car’s brake fluid, and Formula One Autocentres can do it in less than an hour for you. 

Good luck with your driving test! 

Formula One Autocentres wishes you all the best on your new adventures. If you have any car-related concerns, contact our friendly team at your local branch to see how we can help. We offer a range of free checks, including a 10-point safety check, brakes, and wheel alignment, to name just a few.?