These are simple vehicle safety
check questions, and are things you should be doing before
taking you car on the road, to ensure the car is roadworthy.
You aren't expected to have the skills of a qualified mechanic.
Show Me- Tell Me Under The Bonnet video on youtube
Show Me - Tell Me Outside The Car video on youtube
Show Me - Tell Me Inside The Car video on youtube
At the beginning of your practical driving test, before you go out on the road, your examiner will usually ask you 2 of these questions.
One will usually be a "Show Me" and the other will usually be a "Tell Me", and if you get one or both of these questions wrong, there will be 1 driving fault recorded.
You should understand why you are giving the answer to these questions, and not merely answering "Parrot Fashion".
Some checks will involve you opening the bonnet, and identifying where you would check various fluid levels, although you will not be asked to physically check fluid levels or touch any potentially hot components.These will be "Tell Me"
If the car you are using for test has some of the more sophisticated electronic diagnostic systems, it will be acceptable for you to refer to these.
The list of current questions from which you will be asked are as follows, and whether it will be likely to be a SHOW ME or a TELL ME :-
01 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level, and TELL ME how you would check the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify the dipstick, and explain that you would first ensure the car is standing on level ground, and when the engine hasn't been running for a while, so the oil level will have had a chance to "settle down".
You would remove the dipstick, wipe it clean on a rag or piece of paper kitchen towel (because oil will have been splashing around all over inside the engine), re-insert it, and remove it again to check that the oil level is between the "high" and "low" marks on the dipstick.
02 SHOW ME how you would check that the power assisted steering (PAS) is working before starting a journey.(If fitted)
Either:-
Make sure it is safe to move off, drive a short distance and try the steering. If it feels heavy, the PAS isn't working properly.
or:-
When the engine is off, feel the effort needed to move the steering a small amount, then start the engine and try again. If the effort needed is considerably less, then the PAS is working properly.
or:-
If there is a warning light on the dashboard, it should go off after a few seconds. If it doesn't then there is something wrong with the PAS
03 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and TELL ME how you would check the engine has the correct level.
Identify the coolant reservoir, and check that the level is between "Max" and "Min"
04 SHOW ME how you would check the parking brake (or handbrake) for excessive wear. Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Assuming you are parked on a slope, and the gear lever is in neutral to avoid a false impression of not moving, apply firm pressure to the footbrake and keep it on. Now release the handbrake and re-apply it as normal, then take your foot off the brake. The car shouldn't move.
05 Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and TELL ME how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Identify the location of the reservoir in the engine compartment and explain how you would check the level. On some cars this is visible between "Min" and "Max": on others there will be a warning on the dashboard when the level approaches minimum. Fill the reservoir to the top with water mixed with the recommended additive.
06 SHOW ME how you would check the horn is working. (Off the road only)
Press the horn control, but only if the car is off the road, as it is illegal to sound your horn whilst stationary on a public road unless there is a danger.
07 Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and TELL ME how you would check there is a safe level of hydraulic fluid.
Identify the see-through container, and check the level is between "Min" and "Max". Do not remove the cap.
08 SHOW ME how you would check the direction indicators are working.
The easiest way to do this is to switch on the hazard warning lights, and walk around the car to check they are all working.
09 SHOW ME how you would check the brake lights are working on this car. I can assist you. If you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine.
Either:-
Reverse up to something reflective eg a wall , garage door etc and look through the back window to look for reflections as you press the brake pedal.
Or:-
Ask someone (the examiner) to stand behind the car and check the brake lights as you press the pedal. Some cars require the ignition to be turned on first (so the warning lights appear on the dashboard), but if this is the case, don't start the engine.
10 TELL ME how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Explain how you would first make sure it's safe, then drive a short distance and try the brakes. The car should stop smoothly.
There should be no strange or unusual feel or noise as you apply the brakes, in particular the pedal shoudn't feel soft or spongy, and the car shouldn't veer to one side as you brake.
11 TELL ME how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working on this car.
Explain that you would switch on the lights (to the headlight position), then get out of the car and walk around to check that all the lights (including the number plate lights) are working.
12 TELL ME where you would find the information for the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressures for this car, and explain how you would check the tyre pressures.
The information should be in the vehicle handbook, and you would check the pressures using a suitable tyre pressure gauge.
First you would need to unscrew the dustcap from the valve on each tyre in turn (including the spare tyre), and apply the gauge to the exposed valve.
The best time to check tyre pressures is when the tyres are cold (ie before a journey)
13 TELL ME how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth, and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Using a tyre tread depth gauge, you would apply it to the tread surface of the tyre over the grooves, push the indicator down to the bottom of the groove,and read off the depth of tread. There should be a MINIMUM of 1,6 mm tread depth on the central 3/4 of the tyre's width , and all around the circumference of the tyre. This can also be readily checked by inserting a 20p coin into the groove, and if you can see the band around the edge of the coin, then there isn't enough tread depth.
In addition, there should be no cuts or bulges on either side wall of the tyre, This can be visually checked on the side wall that you can see, but the side wall you can't see can be checked by carefully feeling around.
14 SHOW ME how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen wipers and washers.
Turn on the ignition, so that the warning lights appear on the dash, and operate the washer, usually by pulling the wiper stalk towards the steering wheel. The washer will spray onto the windscreen, and the wipers should do several sweeps of the windscreen before stopping.
15 SHOW ME how you would set the de-mister controls to clear the windows effectively, This should include both front and rear windows.
The air recirculation should be set to fresh air (ie not recirculating), and the air distribution control should be set to blow air onto the windscreen.
The fan speed control should be turned up, and the temperature control should be set to warm air.
The air outlets on the dash should be open and set to direct air at the windows.
If you have air-conditioning, this can also be used to advantage, as it dries the air, so helping to clear the windows quicker.
The rear window is normally cleared by electrical means, by operating the appropriate control. Some cars also have electrical clearing of the front windscreen.
16 SHOW ME how you would switch on the rear fog lights, and explain when you would use them.
Normally, the ignition and the headlights should be on before the fog lights will operate. Switch on the appropriate control.
Fog lights should only be used when visibility falls below 100 metres, and should be switched off again when visibility improves.
17 SHOW ME how you would switch the headlights from "dipped" to "main beam", and explain how you would know that "main beam" is on whilst inside the car.
With the headlights switched onto "dipped" beam, pull the lighting control stalk towards you unil it clicks into place. There should now be a blue light on the dashboard, indicating that "main beam" is on. To return to "dipped beam", pull the stalk towards you again until it clicks into place.
18 TELL ME how you would ensure that your head restraint is correctly adjusted to provide the best protection in a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so that the top of it is in line with the top of your head.
19 TELL ME how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS)
When you turn on the ignition, there should be an "ABS" warning light appears on the dash. This should go off after a few seconds.
If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, this indicates a fault, and should be rectified by a suitably qualified mechanic
You aren't expected to have the skills of a qualified mechanic.
Show Me- Tell Me Under The Bonnet video on youtube
Show Me - Tell Me Outside The Car video on youtube
Show Me - Tell Me Inside The Car video on youtube
At the beginning of your practical driving test, before you go out on the road, your examiner will usually ask you 2 of these questions.
One will usually be a "Show Me" and the other will usually be a "Tell Me", and if you get one or both of these questions wrong, there will be 1 driving fault recorded.
You should understand why you are giving the answer to these questions, and not merely answering "Parrot Fashion".
Some checks will involve you opening the bonnet, and identifying where you would check various fluid levels, although you will not be asked to physically check fluid levels or touch any potentially hot components.These will be "Tell Me"
If the car you are using for test has some of the more sophisticated electronic diagnostic systems, it will be acceptable for you to refer to these.
The list of current questions from which you will be asked are as follows, and whether it will be likely to be a SHOW ME or a TELL ME :-
01 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level, and TELL ME how you would check the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify the dipstick, and explain that you would first ensure the car is standing on level ground, and when the engine hasn't been running for a while, so the oil level will have had a chance to "settle down".
You would remove the dipstick, wipe it clean on a rag or piece of paper kitchen towel (because oil will have been splashing around all over inside the engine), re-insert it, and remove it again to check that the oil level is between the "high" and "low" marks on the dipstick.
02 SHOW ME how you would check that the power assisted steering (PAS) is working before starting a journey.(If fitted)
Either:-
Make sure it is safe to move off, drive a short distance and try the steering. If it feels heavy, the PAS isn't working properly.
or:-
When the engine is off, feel the effort needed to move the steering a small amount, then start the engine and try again. If the effort needed is considerably less, then the PAS is working properly.
or:-
If there is a warning light on the dashboard, it should go off after a few seconds. If it doesn't then there is something wrong with the PAS
03 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and TELL ME how you would check the engine has the correct level.
Identify the coolant reservoir, and check that the level is between "Max" and "Min"
04 SHOW ME how you would check the parking brake (or handbrake) for excessive wear. Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Assuming you are parked on a slope, and the gear lever is in neutral to avoid a false impression of not moving, apply firm pressure to the footbrake and keep it on. Now release the handbrake and re-apply it as normal, then take your foot off the brake. The car shouldn't move.
05 Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and TELL ME how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Identify the location of the reservoir in the engine compartment and explain how you would check the level. On some cars this is visible between "Min" and "Max": on others there will be a warning on the dashboard when the level approaches minimum. Fill the reservoir to the top with water mixed with the recommended additive.
06 SHOW ME how you would check the horn is working. (Off the road only)
Press the horn control, but only if the car is off the road, as it is illegal to sound your horn whilst stationary on a public road unless there is a danger.
07 Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and TELL ME how you would check there is a safe level of hydraulic fluid.
Identify the see-through container, and check the level is between "Min" and "Max". Do not remove the cap.
08 SHOW ME how you would check the direction indicators are working.
The easiest way to do this is to switch on the hazard warning lights, and walk around the car to check they are all working.
09 SHOW ME how you would check the brake lights are working on this car. I can assist you. If you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine.
Either:-
Reverse up to something reflective eg a wall , garage door etc and look through the back window to look for reflections as you press the brake pedal.
Or:-
Ask someone (the examiner) to stand behind the car and check the brake lights as you press the pedal. Some cars require the ignition to be turned on first (so the warning lights appear on the dashboard), but if this is the case, don't start the engine.
10 TELL ME how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Explain how you would first make sure it's safe, then drive a short distance and try the brakes. The car should stop smoothly.
There should be no strange or unusual feel or noise as you apply the brakes, in particular the pedal shoudn't feel soft or spongy, and the car shouldn't veer to one side as you brake.
11 TELL ME how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working on this car.
Explain that you would switch on the lights (to the headlight position), then get out of the car and walk around to check that all the lights (including the number plate lights) are working.
12 TELL ME where you would find the information for the manufacturer's recommended tyre pressures for this car, and explain how you would check the tyre pressures.
The information should be in the vehicle handbook, and you would check the pressures using a suitable tyre pressure gauge.
First you would need to unscrew the dustcap from the valve on each tyre in turn (including the spare tyre), and apply the gauge to the exposed valve.
The best time to check tyre pressures is when the tyres are cold (ie before a journey)
13 TELL ME how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth, and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Using a tyre tread depth gauge, you would apply it to the tread surface of the tyre over the grooves, push the indicator down to the bottom of the groove,and read off the depth of tread. There should be a MINIMUM of 1,6 mm tread depth on the central 3/4 of the tyre's width , and all around the circumference of the tyre. This can also be readily checked by inserting a 20p coin into the groove, and if you can see the band around the edge of the coin, then there isn't enough tread depth.
In addition, there should be no cuts or bulges on either side wall of the tyre, This can be visually checked on the side wall that you can see, but the side wall you can't see can be checked by carefully feeling around.
14 SHOW ME how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen wipers and washers.
Turn on the ignition, so that the warning lights appear on the dash, and operate the washer, usually by pulling the wiper stalk towards the steering wheel. The washer will spray onto the windscreen, and the wipers should do several sweeps of the windscreen before stopping.
15 SHOW ME how you would set the de-mister controls to clear the windows effectively, This should include both front and rear windows.
The air recirculation should be set to fresh air (ie not recirculating), and the air distribution control should be set to blow air onto the windscreen.
The fan speed control should be turned up, and the temperature control should be set to warm air.
The air outlets on the dash should be open and set to direct air at the windows.
If you have air-conditioning, this can also be used to advantage, as it dries the air, so helping to clear the windows quicker.
The rear window is normally cleared by electrical means, by operating the appropriate control. Some cars also have electrical clearing of the front windscreen.
16 SHOW ME how you would switch on the rear fog lights, and explain when you would use them.
Normally, the ignition and the headlights should be on before the fog lights will operate. Switch on the appropriate control.
Fog lights should only be used when visibility falls below 100 metres, and should be switched off again when visibility improves.
17 SHOW ME how you would switch the headlights from "dipped" to "main beam", and explain how you would know that "main beam" is on whilst inside the car.
With the headlights switched onto "dipped" beam, pull the lighting control stalk towards you unil it clicks into place. There should now be a blue light on the dashboard, indicating that "main beam" is on. To return to "dipped beam", pull the stalk towards you again until it clicks into place.
18 TELL ME how you would ensure that your head restraint is correctly adjusted to provide the best protection in a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so that the top of it is in line with the top of your head.
19 TELL ME how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS)
When you turn on the ignition, there should be an "ABS" warning light appears on the dash. This should go off after a few seconds.
If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, this indicates a fault, and should be rectified by a suitably qualified mechanic