Safety Questions (Show Me Tell Me)

These are simple vehicle safety checks that you should carry out to make sure that your vehicle is in a safe condition to use on the road. You are not expected to have the knowledge of a qualified mechanic.

On your Practical Driving Test, the examiner will usually ask you two of these questions before setting off on the drive. One will usually be a "Show Me" and one will be a "Tell Me".

One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

You should understand why you are giving the answer that you do, and not merely "parrot fashion".

Some checks will involve you opening the bonnet to identify where you would check various fluid levels etc., although you will not be asked to physically check fluid levels or touch any hot components under the bonnet.

If the car you are tested on has the more sophisticated electronic diagnostic systems, it will be acceptable for you to refer to these.

Current questions likely to be asked are as follows: -


01 - Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and TELL me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify the dipstick,and explain that you would check the oil level on level ground, ideally when the engine hasn’t been running for a while, so that the oil level will have chance to "settle down".

You would remove the dipstick, wipe it on a piece of rag,(because oil will have been splashing around everywhere 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 / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

Either

  1. Make sure that it is safe to move off, drive a short distance, and try the steering. If it feels heavy, then the PAS isn’t working properly.
  2. When the engine is off, feel the effort needed to move the steering wheel a small amount, then start the engine and feel again. If the effort needed to move the wheel is considerably less, then the PAS is working correctly.


03 - Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and TELL me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

Identify the reservoir and check that the level is between "Max" and "Min"


04 - SHOW me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear; make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

Assuming you are parked on a hill, you should first ensure that neutral gear is selected to avoid a false impression of not moving. Then apply sufficient pressure to the footbrake to hold the car still, and keep the pressure on.

Now release the handbrake, and re-apply it as you normally would, then release the pressure from the footbrake. 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 reservoir in the engine compartment, and explain how you would check the level. On some cars if the level reaches minimum, there will be a beep, and a warning light will show on the dashboard. Fill the reservoir to the top with water and the recommended additive.

06 - SHOW me how you would check the horn is working (off road only).

Press the horn control, but only if the car is off the road.

07 - Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic fluid.

Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid in the see- through plastic container.It should be between the "Max" and "Min" marks.

08 - SHOW me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

The easiest way to do this is to switch on the Hazard Warning light switch, walk around the car and check that all the flashing lights are working.

09 - SHOW me how you would check that 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

  1. Get someone (the Examiner) to stand behind the car. Turn the key until the warning lights come on the dash, but DON’T START THE ENGINE. Press the brake pedal, and the brake lights should come on.

    2. Or

  2. Reverse the car up to something reflective eg a garage door, wall, van etc and look in the rear window for reflections as you press the brake pedal.

10 - TELL me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Ensure it is safe to move off, then drive a short distance, and try the brakes.

In addition to the obvious that the brakes stop the car, the pedal shouldn’t feel soft or spongy or in any way feel "odd". There should be no strange noises, and the car shouldn’t pull to either side as the brakes are applied.


11 - TELL me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working (no need to exit the vehicle).

You should describe how you would switch on the lights to the headlight position,and pull the light stalk towards you until a blue light appears on the dash. This means that the headlights are now on main beam. You would then exit the car, walk around and check that all the lights are working (including the number plate lamps)

12 - TELL me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

The information is in the vehicle handbook. Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold (before a journey) using a suitable tyre pressure gauge, by unscrewing the dust cap from the tyre valve and applying the gauge to the exposed valve, on each wheel in turn (including the spare wheel)

13 - TELL me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

Use a tyre tread depth gauge, by applying it to the surface of the tread, over a groove and pushing down the indicator until it reaches the bottom of the groove. The tread depth can then be read on the gauge.

There should be a MINIMUM of 1,6mm depth of tread over the central ¾ of the width of the tyre, and around the entire circumference of the tyre. In addition, there should be no cuts or bulges on either side wall of the tyre. This can be checked visually on the visible sidewall, and by carefully feeling around the other sidewall.

14 - SHOW me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers.

Turn the key until the warning lights appear on the dash, pull the windscreen wiper stalk towards you then let go.

The washers should operate, and the wipers should make a few sweeps of the windscreen.

15 - SHOW me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.

The air recirculation control should be set to fresh air , and the distribution control should be set to direct air at the windows. The fan speed control can be adjusted by turning the knob.

The air temperature can be varied using the adjuster knob (use warm air)

The rear window can be demisted by pressing the demist button

The air outlet vents on the dash should be open and directed towards the windows. If necessary, the air conditioning (if you have it) can be switched on by pressing the AC button on the front of the heater panel. This will ensure that dry air is directed to the vents, thereby increasing the effectivity of the demisting.

16 - SHOW me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them.

The fog lights can be switched on using the appropriate control. The headlights and ignition should be on first for the fog lights to work.

Fog lights should only be used when visibility is less than 100 metres

17 - SHOW me how you would switch your 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 on, pull the lighting stalk back towards you until the blue light appears on the dash.

To switch back to dipped beam, pull the stalk back again until the blue light goes off.

18 - 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 should be adjusted by pressing the release catch and sliding the restraint up or down until the centre of the restraint is about in line with your eyes.

19 - TELL me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.

When the key is turned, and the warning lights appear on the dash, there is a light marked "ABS"

This should go out after a short while and when the engine is running. If this light remains lit when the engine is running, then there is a problem.