Before you can secure your full Great Britain driving licence, you must demonstrate to your DVSA examiner that you know how to keep your vehicle safe and roadworthy. The 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions assess this essential capability in two distinct phases: one verbal safety explanation before you set off, and one practical demonstration of secondary controls while driving. Thorough preparation on these questions is highly recommended to build safe vehicle maintenance habits and avoid picking up avoidable driving faults during your test.
The mandatory vehicle safety questions asked during the practical driving test in Great Britain to assess a learner's ability to perform basic maintenance and safety checks.
TELL before you set off, SHOW while you go.
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At the start of the practical test, before starting the engine, the examiner asks you to explain how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Point to the engine dipstick, explain that you would pull it out, wipe it clean with a rag, reinsert it fully, pull it out again, and check the oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
This is a 'Tell Me' question. You do not need to perform the check physically or wait for the engine to cool down; you only need to explain the correct sequence of steps clearly to the examiner.
While you are actively driving along a safe stretch of road, the examiner asks you to show them how you would operate the horn.
While keeping your eyes on the road and maintaining complete control of the steering wheel, briefly press the center of the steering wheel to sound the horn when it is safe to do so.
This is a 'Show Me' question. It tests your ability to operate secondary vehicle controls while driving without losing situational awareness or steering control.
During the drive, the examiner asks you to show them how you would clear the windscreen using the front demister.
Locate the front demister control on the dashboard by touch and quick glances, turn it on to clear the glass, ensuring you do not drift or lose concentration on the road ahead.
The 'Show Me' questions assess whether you can operate everyday auxiliary controls under real-world driving conditions safely without diverting your main attention from the road.
A complete guide to the mandatory vehicle safety questions asked during the GB practical driving test, covering both engine checks and on-the-move operations.
The 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions are a core part of the practical driving test in Great Britain, administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Designed to test your knowledge of basic vehicle safety and maintenance, these questions ensure that all new drivers understand how to perform safety checks and use primary and secondary controls before they drive unsupervised.
Rather than testing professional mechanical skills, the assessment focuses on the everyday checks that keep a car roadworthy and safe. This includes monitoring tyre safety, verifying fluid levels under the bonnet, and operating safety controls like windscreen demisters or headlights while driving.
The driving test evaluates safety checks in two distinct ways, separated by when they are asked and how you respond:
For the 'Tell Me' portion of the test, the examiner may ask you to open the bonnet or explain a control inside the vehicle. Here are common checks you must be prepared to explain:
The 'Show Me' task is designed to check that you can operate auxiliary controls while maintaining proper lane discipline and situational awareness. The examiner will ask you to show them how to perform a task such as:
When asked to perform a 'Show Me' action, do not rush. Take a moment to assess the road ahead. Wait for a straight, quiet section of road, keep your eyes primarily on the path ahead, and use quick glances to locate and operate the control. Losing steering control, drifting across road markings, or tailgating while performing a 'Show Me' task can lead to a serious or dangerous fault.
Many learner drivers worry that answering a safety question incorrectly will result in an immediate test failure. This is not the case.
If you answer either the 'Tell Me' question, the 'Show Me' question, or both questions incorrectly, you will only receive one driving fault (often referred to as a 'minor'). You cannot fail your test solely because of incorrect verbal answers. However, if your physical execution of the 'Show Me' question while driving compromises safety—such as steering poorly or failing to observe a hazard—the examiner may record a serious or dangerous fault, which will result in an automatic test failure.
Find all British driving theory study content related to Show Me, Tell Me Questions for learners in Great Britain. Explore lessons, road sign explanations, theory units, articles, and practice materials covering the meaning, usage, and exam relevance of Show Me, Tell Me Questions.
Get clear answers to the most searched questions about Show Me, Tell Me Questions in British driving theory for Great Britain. This FAQ explains the definition, real exam context, practical meaning, and common learner doubts to support confident theory test preparation.
The 'Tell Me' question is asked at the very beginning of the driving test, before you start the engine. The 'Show Me' question is asked while you are actively driving on the road when the examiner deems it safe to do so.
If you answer one or both of the questions incorrectly, you will receive a single driving fault (commonly called a minor). This will not cause you to automatically fail the practical driving test, unless your attempt causes a dangerous situation.
Yes, some of the 'Tell Me' questions require you to explain how you would check fluid levels, which involves identifying where the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, or windscreen washer reservoir is located under the bonnet.
No, maintaining safe vehicle control is critical. If you lose control, veer out of your lane, or take your eyes off the road for too long while demonstrating a task, the examiner may mark it as a serious or dangerous fault, resulting in a test failure.
Yes, both Great Britain (DVSA) and Northern Ireland (DVA) use the 'Show Me, Tell Me' format during their practical tests, but minor procedural details and localized driving restrictions, like the 45 mph limit for learners in NI, can differ.
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