Show me / Tell me - Exam Questions

At the beginning of your practical driving test you will be asked some safety questions

about the car, these are the show me/tell me questions.

Tell me questions

Q 1. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a

journey?

ANS. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off.

Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q 2. Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it

provides the best protection in the event of a crash?

ANS. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at

least as high as the eyes or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is

comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable

Q 3. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking

system?

ANS. Warning light should illuminate on the dashboard if there is a fault with the anti lock

braking system once the ignition is turned on.

Q 4. Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working on your

vehicle? (No need to exit the vehicle)

ANS. Turn on the ignition of the car, and then operate the switch for the lights then walk

round the vehicle. (As this is a “Tell Me” question, there is no need to physically check

the lights. Listen to what the examiner says as he could ask you to “Show Me” so pay

attention)

Q 5. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre

pressure for this car and how tyre pressure should be checked?

ANS. You can find this information in the manufacturer’s guide and also on the inside of

the drivers door sill. Need to use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust the pres-

sure in the tyres when they are cold, also remembering to check the spare tyre and re-

member to refit all the valve caps.

Q 6. Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check

the windscreen washer level?

ANS. Identify reservoir (see image below). Lift the cap lid and see if you can see the

water at the first bend of the neck of the reservoir and top up if required until you can see

the water.

This is the windscreen

washer reservoir. Take

note as this is the same

symbol that is used in all

cars

Q 7. 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?

ANS. No cuts and bulges on the side walls of the tyre, and at least 1.6mm of tread depth

across the centre 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumfer-

ence. (see image below)

1.6mm depth of tread in this area all

the way round

No cuts or bulges on either the inside

tyre wall or the outside tyre wall

Show me questions

Q 1. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working?

ANS. Apply the indicators to left and check, apply to the right and check. All 3 indicators

must be checked, front, side and back (see image below). Turn on ignition

FRONT INDICATOR SIDE INDICATOR BACK INDICATOR

Q 2. Show me and explain how you check that the power assisted steering is working

before you start a journey?

ANS. If the steering becomes heavy ( i.e. too much effort required to turn steering wheel)

the system may not be working correctly. Before starting a journey 2 simple checks can

be made.

1 - apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel which should result in a slight but

noticeable movement as the system begins to operate (engine must be started for this to

work - see image below on how to demonstrate).

2 - alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an

immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Place 1 or 2 fingers at the position

shown and push up gently. The steering

wheel will move freely. If it is heavy to

move, this would indicate that there is a

problem with power assistance. The

car engine must be started for this to

work.

Q 3. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car? (The

examiner may offer to assist you with this)

ANS. (turn the ignition on) Placing a foot on the brake and using reflections on windows,

garage doors etc, or ask someone to help and check that all 3 brake lights are on.

Centre brake

light

Right brake

light

Left brake

light

Q 4. Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear?

Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

ANS. Apply footbrake firmly (make sure you do this before caring on with the demo). Dis-

engage the parking break and then apply the parking brake so that when it is fully ap-

plied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel (i.e is faulty).

From here

To here.

End of

Working

Travel

Simulate with your hand as to where End of Working Travel is

Normal position—

fully functional

Q 5. Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me

how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil?

ANS. Identify dipstick (see image 1/2 ). Tell them that you would pull the dipstick out ,

clean the end with a dry clean cloth, place it back in, leave it for a second and remove it

again and check it against the min/max level at the bottom (image 3). Engine must be cold

and on a level surface to get an accurate measurement .

This is the oil dipstick

Min marker Max marker

Oil level should be in

between these 2

markers. If close to

min marker top up

until it gets closer to

max level

Q 6. Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level and

tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level?

ANS. Identify engine coolant bottle. Use the min max markers on the side of the tank to

check that the levels are correct (see image below) and if they are too low, top up with

the recommended coolant for the car from the manufacturers guide.

Min Max level indicators

Image 1

Image 3

Image 1-Dacia

Q 7. Open the bonnet and identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you

would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid?

ANS. Identify reservoir (see image below). On the side of the reservoir there is min max

markers, and check that the level of the fluid is in between these 2 markers.

Brake fluid reservoir

Q 8. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only)?

ANS. This check can only be done on private property. (see image below on how to do

this check)

Press down evenly

Q 9. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and

wipers?

ANS. (turn ignition on) Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen ( see image below).

While holding the steering

wheel pull the wiper lever

towards you until water sprays

on the screen and the wipers

begin to move (remember

finger tip controls)

Q 10. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows

effectively, this should include both front and rear screens?

ANS. (Start up the engine) Turn on all relevant controls

Temperature

controls

Fan speed controls - select

4 to clear front windscreen

Q 11. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light and explain when you would

use it?

ANS. (turn on the ignition and dipped headlights) .Operate the fog light switch (see image

1 below), then check to see if warning light is on (see image 2 below). Only use the fog

lights when visibility has been seriously reduced to less than 100 metres.

Rear fog light switch. Turn on dipped

headlights push this arrowhead up

once then down to switch on fog lights

Front fog light

Q 12. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how

you would check the main beam is on whilst inside the car?

ANS. (turn on ignition) Turn on your dipped headlights and then push the headlight con-

trol stick away from you. Show the main beam warning light (see image 2).

Turn on dipped headlights as above, and then push

lever towards the engine. Main beam is turned on. Main beam warning light

Image 1

Image 2

Image 2

Image 1

Rear windscreen demister button.

Engine must be started for this to work

Vent directional controls

Front windscreen

demister button

Rear fog light Dipped beam

How To Guide

How to turn on the ignition.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 1 : place the key into the ignition switch.

Step 2 : gently turn towards engine until dashboard lights up

How to open the bonnet of the car.

Turing on the power will allow the driver to demonstrate most of the show me questions,

without the need to start the engine. The appropriate function symbols will be lit up on

the dashboard display.

The catch for the bonnet can be found on the drivers side, just underneath the steering

wheel to the right

Pull catch towards

you gently until you

hear a ‘pop’ sound,

then release.

To raise the bonnet, slide fingers across in between the bonnet and front grill, from the

right side of the Hyundai emblem across towards the latch. Push the latch to the left, until

you raise the bonnet a couple of inches. Once fully raised, place the bonnet bracing arm

into position.

Position of bonnet

latch

How to find the engine components.

1. Brake fluid reservoir

2. Dipstick location

3. Windscreen washer reservoir

4. Engine coolant reservoir

5. Bonnet release latch

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