Show me tell me questions: the complete guide
The show me, tell me section of the UK driving test covers basic vehicle safety checks. You will be asked one question verbally before the test starts, and one practical question while driving. Getting one or both wrong results in a single minor fault - but a confident answer takes no more than a few minutes to prepare.
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What are show me, tell me questions?
Show me, tell me questions test your basic knowledge of vehicle safety. The DVSA includes them because a driver who cannot check their own vehicle's safety is a hazard before they even leave the driveway.
There are two parts:
Tell me: Asked verbally at the start of the test, while the vehicle is stationary. You answer in words and, for most questions, point to the relevant component.
Show me: Asked while you are driving. You demonstrate a practical vehicle control - for example, using the demisters or windscreen washer - without stopping.
Getting one question wrong results in one driving fault (minor). Getting both wrong still results in only one driving fault. Neither counts as a serious or dangerous fault and will not fail the test on their own, but every minor fault adds up.
Tell me questions: under the bonnet
You will be asked one of these questions verbally before the test starts. The examiner may ask you to point to where you would check, explain what you are looking for, or both.
Engine oil: Open the bonnet, find the dipstick (usually yellow or orange), remove and wipe clean. Reinsert fully, remove again and check the level is between the MIN and MAX marks. Top up with the correct grade if below minimum.
Engine coolant: Check the coolant level in the translucent reservoir when the engine is cold. The level should sit between MIN and MAX. Never open the cap when hot.
Brake fluid: Check the brake fluid reservoir under the bonnet - usually a translucent container marked MIN and MAX. The level should be between those marks.
Screen wash: Find the screen wash reservoir (usually marked with a windscreen symbol). Check the level through the translucent container. Top up with screen wash solution.
Tyres: Check tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre around the full circumference. The legal minimum is 1.6mm. Look for cuts, bulges or embedded objects. Check pressure using a gauge when cold against the manufacturer's recommendation.
Tell me questions: lights, controls and brakes
Headlights and tail lights: Switch on the lights, then walk around the vehicle to check all headlights and tail lights are working. Alternatively, reverse close to a wall and check the reflection.
Direction indicators: Switch on the hazard lights and walk around the vehicle to check all four indicators are flashing.
Horn: Press the horn - the examiner will allow you to check it at the start of the test.
Power steering: Before starting the engine, turn the steering wheel slightly and note the resistance. Start the engine and turn again - the resistance should reduce noticeably, confirming power steering is active.
Brakes: Before moving off, the pedal should feel firm and not too low. Check the vehicle does not pull to one side when brakes are applied.
Mirrors: Adjust the interior mirror for a full rear view through the window. Adjust each door mirror so the rear corner of the car is just visible at the inner edge.
Heated rear window: Use the relevant button on the dashboard, usually marked with a grid of lines and arrows.
The show me questions (demonstrated while driving)
You will be asked one of these while the test is in progress. You should only carry out the task when it is safe to do so - for example, when stopped at traffic lights or pulling up.
1. Windscreen washers
"Show me how you'd clean the windscreen using the washers and wipers."
Action: Operate the windscreen washer stalk or button.
2. Heated rear window
"Show me how you'd switch on your heated rear window."
Action: Press the heated rear window button.
3. Dipped headlights
"Show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights."
Action: Turn the light control to the dipped headlight position.
4. Emergency warning signals / hazard lights
"Show me how you'd switch on your hazard warning lights."
Action: Press the hazard warning light button.
5. Rear fog lights
"Show me how you'd switch on your rear fog lights."
Action: Turn on the rear fog lights and identify the warning indicator on the dashboard. Then switch them off again.
6. Direction indicators
"Show me how you'd operate the front and rear demisters."
Action: Press the front demister and rear heated screen buttons.
7. Horn
"Show me how you'd use the horn."
Action: Sound the horn (examiner will ask this at a safe, appropriate moment).
8. Windscreen wipers
"Show me how you'd switch on your windscreen wipers."
Action: Operate the wiper stalk.
9. Front/rear demisters
"Show me how you'd switch on your front and rear demisters."
Action: Operate both demister controls.
How to prepare
Spend 20 minutes in the car you will use for your test. Go through the bonnet checks - find the dipstick, coolant reservoir, brake fluid and screen wash. Practice pointing to them confidently. Then sit in the driver's seat and work through every dashboard control so you can operate each one without looking for it.
Most learners fail this section not because they lack knowledge but because they panic and describe a check incorrectly or cannot find the relevant control. Familiarity fixes both problems. Our guide to the UK driving test explained covers everything else examiners assess.
Practise in a car you do not own
If you are practising for your test in a car other than your own, make sure you are properly insured. Learner driver insurance lets you use a friend's or family member's car for supervised practice with full cover, and you can spend time learning the controls of the car you will actually use in your test.
Frequently asked questions
How many show me, tell me questions are there in the UK driving test?
You are asked two questions: one 'tell me' question verbally before you start driving, and one 'show me' question to demonstrate while driving. There is a pool of approximately 19 questions in total that examiners choose from.
What happens if you get a show me, tell me question wrong?
Getting one or both show me, tell me questions wrong results in a single minor (driver) fault. It does not count as a serious or dangerous fault and will not cause an automatic fail. However, minor faults accumulate - you can fail if you collect more than 15 minors overall.
Are show me, tell me questions hard?
Most learners find them straightforward with a small amount of preparation. The most common reason for a wrong answer is not knowing the location of a particular control or component, rather than a lack of understanding. Spending 20 minutes before your test familiarising yourself with the specific car you are using removes most of the difficulty.
What is the difference between a show me and a tell me question?
A 'tell me' question is answered verbally before you start driving - you describe how you would perform a safety check, such as checking the oil level. A 'show me' question is asked while you are driving and requires you to actually operate a vehicle control, such as switching on the dipped headlights.
Can you fail the driving test on show me, tell me alone?
No. Both questions wrong counts as only one minor fault. You would need to accumulate more than 15 minor faults, or make a single serious or dangerous fault elsewhere in the test, to fail.
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