Understanding the DVSA ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions

The “Show Me, Tell Me” section of the DVSA practical driving test is a mandatory component designed to assess whether a candidate possesses a fundamental understanding of vehicle safety and routine maintenance checks, ensuring they can operate a car responsibly and legally. This part of the test isn’t just a hurdle to jump; it’s about establishing lifelong safe habits, as every driver has a legal responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy before setting off. The examiner will ask you two questions taken from a prescribed list: one ‘tell me’ question, asked before you start driving, where you explain how you would carry out a safety check, and one ‘show me’ question, asked while you are driving, where you must demonstrate an action only when it is safe to do so. Failing one or both of these questions typically results in a minor driving fault, but a dangerous action during the ‘show me’ part will result in a serious fault and an automatic fail. Therefore, confidence and preparation are paramount.

The ‘tell me’ questions often require knowledge of checks that can’t easily be done on the roadside, such as telling the examiner how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey (e.g., they shouldn’t feel spongy or slack, and the car shouldn’t pull to one side), or where you would find the recommended tyre pressures and how they should be checked (using the manufacturer’s guide and a reliable gauge when tyres are cold). Other vital ‘tell me’ topics include explaining how to check the engine oil level using the dipstick, ensuring the head restraint is correctly adjusted to prevent whiplash (the rigid part should be at least as high as your eye or top of the ears), and knowing how the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light signals a fault. Being able to clearly articulate these procedures demonstrates a responsible mindset that extends beyond simply steering and stopping. You can find the full official list of questions and expected answers on the DVSA website for car ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions.

The ‘show me’ questions, conversely, test your physical familiarity with the vehicle’s controls. These are carried out while driving, and the examiner will instruct you to perform the action “when it’s safe to do so.” These tasks cover common operational elements like showing how you would wash and clean the front windscreen using the wipers and washer jet, setting the rear demister, or operating the horn. The crucial element here is safety: you must maintain control of the car and keep your eyes on the road, performing the function quickly and without causing a hazard. For instance, if you’re asked to show the examiner how you’d switch on your dipped headlights, you must do so without looking down at the controls or veering out of your lane. Master the physical location of these controls in the specific car you will be using for the test. Consistent practice is the only way to ensure these actions become muscle memory, allowing you to focus primarily on the road ahead. Preparing for these checks forms a fundamental part of the learning process, which is why resources like driving.org provide detailed guides and explanations to complement your practical instruction. The goal is to prove to the examiner that you are a driver who understands the importance of vehicle maintenance and can respond appropriately to a safety requirement without compromising the safety of the drive.