Show Me, Tell Me Questions and Answers (2026)
Practise all 21 DVSA show-me, tell-me vehicle-safety questions for the car driving test, with clear answer outlines and a two-question quiz.
How the questions work
At the start of a car driving test in Great Britain, the examiner asks one ‘tell me’ question about how you would carry out a safety check. While you are driving, the examiner asks you to demonstrate one ‘show me’ task when it is safe.
You receive one driving fault if you answer either or both questions incorrectly. If you lose control or create danger while carrying out the moving task, the examiner can record a serious or dangerous fault.
How to prepare in the car you will use
Control locations and dashboard symbols vary between cars. Practise finding the lights, demisters, washers, wipers, horn and windows in the car you expect to use, without taking your attention away from the road.
These are plain-English practice prompts rather than a script to memorise. Examiners are checking basic safety knowledge, not detailed mechanical knowledge or an exact form of words. Use the official GOV.UK question list below to check the current wording before your test.
- For bonnet questions, learn where the relevant item is and how you would check it safely.
- Wait for a safe moment before operating a control during a show-me task.
- This guide covers tests in England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland has separate DVA guidance.
14 tell-me questions
The examiner asks one of these before you begin driving. Open any question to see a clear answer outline.
Tell meHow would you make sure the brakes are working properly before setting off?
The brake pedal should not feel soft, spongy or unusually loose. Test the brakes gently as you move off; the car should stop normally without pulling to either side.
Tell meWhere can you find the correct tyre pressures, and how should you check them?
Use the vehicle manufacturer's handbook or information label. Check cold tyres with a reliable pressure gauge, adjust them as required, include the spare if fitted, and replace the valve caps.
Tell meHow should you position the head restraint for the best protection?
Adjust it so the rigid part is at least as high as your eyes or the tops of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable. Some head restraints are fixed.
Tell meHow would you check that the tyres have legal tread and are safe to use?
Look for cuts, bulges and other damage. A car tyre needs at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of its width and around the whole circumference.
Tell meHow would you check that the headlights and rear lights are working?
Switch the lights on, using the ignition if the car requires it, then check visually around the vehicle.
On the test, you only need to explain this check; you do not need to leave the car.
Tell meWhat would alert you to a fault with the anti-lock braking system?
The ABS warning lamp on the dashboard would show that there is a problem, such as by remaining illuminated after the normal startup check.
Tell meHow would you check that the direction indicators are working?
Operate the indicators, using the ignition if necessary, then check each one visually around the car.
On the test, you only need to explain this check.
Tell meHow would you check that the brake lights are working?
Press the brake pedal and use reflections in windows or doors, or ask another person to confirm that the lights come on.
Tell meHow would you check the power-assisted steering before a journey?
Keep gentle pressure on the steering wheel as the engine starts and look for a slight movement as assistance begins. You can also check just after moving off; unusually heavy steering may indicate a fault.
Tell meHow would you switch on the rear fog light, and when should you use it?
Turn on the ignition and dipped headlights if required, operate the rear fog-light control and check its dashboard warning lamp. Use it only when visibility is seriously reduced—generally below 100 metres—and switch it off when visibility improves.
Tell meHow would you change from dipped headlights to main beam and know it is selected?
Use the appropriate stalk or switch, with the ignition or engine on if required. The blue main-beam symbol on the dashboard confirms it is active.
Tell meHow would you check that the engine has enough oil?
Open the bonnet, identify the dipstick or electronic oil-level display, and check that the reading is between the minimum and maximum marks.
Tell meHow would you check that the engine has enough coolant?
Open the bonnet, identify the expansion tank and its low and high marks, or the correct filler point, and explain how to top up to the proper level.
Only open a coolant cap when the engine is cool.
Tell meHow would you check that the hydraulic brake-fluid level is safe?
Open the bonnet, identify the brake-fluid reservoir, and check that the fluid level is between the minimum and maximum marks.
7 show-me questions
The examiner asks one of these while you are driving. Carry it out only when it is safe and keep full control of the car.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you wash and wipe the rear windscreen?
Use the rear washer and wiper control so that fluid sprays onto the glass and the wiper clears it.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you wash and wipe the front windscreen?
Use the front washer and wiper control so that the windscreen is sprayed and cleared.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you switch on the dipped headlights?
Operate the correct light switch or stalk and confirm that dipped headlights are selected.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you set the rear-window demister?
Press or select the heated rear-window control. Its symbol and position vary between cars.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you sound the horn?
Briefly press the horn control when the road situation makes it safe and appropriate to do so.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you set the controls to demist the front windscreen?
Select the windscreen demist setting and adjust the fan, temperature and airflow. Use the heated screen or air conditioning if the car has it.
Show meWhen it is safe, can you open and then close a side window?
Use the window switch or handle to lower the window and then raise it again while maintaining control.
Practise two random questions
Start a practice set containing one tell-me and one show-me question. Think through each answer before revealing the outline.
Your practice set will include one “tell me” and one “show me” question.
Official sources
This guide paraphrases the official pages below. Open them to check the current rule or service.