Show me tell me questions, with answers

Brakes

Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Say: "I'd press the brake pedal before I start: it shouldn't feel spongy or slack. Then I'd test them gently as I move off, and the car shouldn't pull to one side."

DVSA’s answer: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Tyre pressures

Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

Say: "In the owner's manual, and often on a sticker inside the driver's door or the fuel flap. I'd check them cold with a reliable gauge, include the spare, and put the valve caps back on."

DVSA’s answer: Manufacturer's guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don't forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

Head restraint

Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

Say: "The rigid part should be at least level with my eyes or the top of my ears, and as close to the back of my head as is comfortable."

DVSA’s answer: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

Tyre tread and condition

Tell me how you'd check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

Say: "No cuts or bulges, and at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round." The number to remember is 1.6mm.

DVSA’s answer: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Headlights and tail lights

Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.

Say: "I'd turn the lights on, with the ignition on if needed, then walk round the car to check them." Point to the switch as you say it; you don't get out.

DVSA’s answer: Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a 'tell me' question, you don't need to physically check the lights).

Anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Say: "A warning light comes on in the dashboard if there's a fault with the ABS."

DVSA’s answer: Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Direction indicators

Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working. You don't need to exit the vehicle.

Say: "I'd switch the hazard warning lights on, or each indicator in turn, with the ignition on, and walk round the car to check them."

DVSA’s answer: Explain you'd operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a 'tell me' question, you don't need to physically check the lights).

Brake lights

Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.

Say: "I'd press the brake pedal and look for the reflection in a window, a garage door or a car behind, or ask someone to watch."

DVSA’s answer: Explain you'd operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

Power-assisted steering

Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

Say: "I'd hold gentle pressure on the wheel while I start the engine: it should move slightly as the system comes on. Or I'd turn the wheel just after moving off. If the steering feels heavy, it isn't working properly."

DVSA’s answer: If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Rear fog light

Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you'd use it/them. You don't need to exit the vehicle.

Say: Turn on the dipped headlights, then the fog light switch, and point to the warning light. "I'd use it when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when I can't see more than 100 metres, and switch it off when it clears."

DVSA’s answer: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

Main beam

Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.

Say: Push the stalk away from you (on most cars) and point to the blue warning light on the dashboard: "That blue light tells me main beam is on."

DVSA’s answer: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

Engine oil

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Say: Point to the dipstick. "I'd pull it out, wipe it, put it back in, pull it out again and check the oil is between the minimum and maximum marks."

DVSA’s answer: Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

Engine coolant

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Say: Point to the coolant header tank. "The level should be between the high and low marks. I'd top it up to the right level with the engine cold."

DVSA’s answer: Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Brake fluid

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Say: Point to the brake fluid reservoir. "I'd check the level is between the high and low marks."

DVSA’s answer: Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

Wash the rear windscreen

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

Do: Use the rear washer on the wiper stalk (usually push the stalk away from you, or twist its end). Keep your eyes on the road ahead while you do it.

Wash the front windscreen

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

Do: Pull the wiper stalk towards you: the washer sprays and the wipers run. One pull is enough.

Dipped headlights

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?

Do: Turn the light switch to dipped headlights; on automatic-light cars, move it off 'auto'. Then put it back as it was.

Rear demister

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?

Do: Press the rear demister button (a rectangle with wavy arrows). Its light comes on. Press it again to switch off.

Horn

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?

Do: Press the centre of the steering wheel briefly, then put both hands back on the wheel.

Demist the front windscreen

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?

Do: Set the fan to full, the air direction to the windscreen, and turn on the air conditioning or heated screen if fitted. Then set it back.

Open and close the side window

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?

Do: Use the driver's window switch to open it a little and close it again. Keep one hand on the wheel and your eyes on the road.