Show Me Tell Me questions 2026
There are 21 current vehicle-safety questions: 14 “tell me” questions and 7 “show me” questions. The examiner asks one before you drive and one while you are driving. Learn the format here, then practise every answer inside your Layna practical plan.
The questions and answers
Use this list as a reference. Learn where the controls and fluid reservoirs are in the car you will use; locations differ between models. For a recall session with saved progress, open the practice above.
Tell me: explain the check
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you move off and check that the car does not pull to one side.
Tell me where you’d find the recommended tyre pressures and how you would check them.
Use the manufacturer’s guide and a reliable gauge. Check and adjust cold tyres, include the spare if fitted, then replace the valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure the head restraint is correctly adjusted.
Set the rigid part at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.
Tell me how you’d check the tyres have enough tread and are safe for the road.
Look for cuts or bulges. Tread must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its full circumference.
Tell me how you’d check the headlights and tail lights are working.
Switch them on, using the ignition if needed, then walk around the car to check each light.
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
The ABS warning light would remain lit or illuminate to show a fault.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
Operate the indicator or hazard switch, turn on the ignition if needed, then walk around the vehicle to check each lamp.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working.
Press the brake pedal and use reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to stand behind the car and help.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before a journey.
Hold gentle pressure on the wheel while starting the engine and feel for a small movement. Heavy steering after moving off can also signal a fault.
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light and when you would use it.
Turn on the dipped headlights and ignition if needed, operate the rear fog switch and check its warning light. Use it only when visibility is seriously reduced.
Tell me how you switch from dipped headlights to main beam and how you know it is on.
Use the main-beam control with the ignition or engine on if needed, then check for the blue main-beam warning light.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has enough oil.
Identify the dipstick or oil-level indicator and check the reading sits between the minimum and maximum markers.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has enough coolant.
Identify the high and low marks on the header tank, or the radiator filler cap, and explain how you would top up to the correct level when safe.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the hydraulic brake fluid is at a safe level.
Identify the brake-fluid reservoir and check the level sits between its high and low marks.
Show me: operate a control when it is safe
When it’s safe, show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Keep control of the car, identify the rear washer control and operate it without looking away from the road for longer than necessary.
When it’s safe, show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen.
Keep control of the car, identify the front washer control and operate it while maintaining observation.
When it’s safe, show me how you switch on your dipped headlights.
Operate the dipped-headlight control while keeping the car under full control and your attention on the road.
When it’s safe, show me how you set the rear demister.
Use the rear-demister control, checking its indicator if fitted, while continuing to drive safely.
When it’s safe, show me how you operate the horn.
Press the horn control briefly when it is safe and appropriate, without losing control of the car.
When it’s safe, show me how you demist the front windscreen.
Set the ventilation controls to direct warm air to the windscreen, using the fan, temperature and air-conditioning controls as fitted.
When it’s safe, show me how you open and close the side window.
Use the correct window control to open and close the window while keeping your attention on the road.
Two questions. One before you drive, one while moving.
The examiner asks one safety question before you start driving. Three possible questions require you to open the bonnet.
The examiner asks you to operate one control while you drive. Wait until it is safe and keep the car under control.
Getting one or both wrong means one driving fault.
The answer does not need to sound rehearsed. It needs to cover the safety-critical points. Dangerous or potentially dangerous driving while answering the show me question can cause a fail.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Source updated 4 December 2017. Content reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0; answers are presented in Layna’s own concise wording.
How many Show Me Tell Me questions are there?
The current DVSA list contains 21 questions: 14 “tell me” questions and 7 “show me” questions. You are asked one of each during the practical test.
What happens if I answer incorrectly?
You receive one driving fault if one or both answers are wrong. Dangerous driving while answering the moving “show me” question can cause the test to be stopped and not passed.