1st Car School of Motoring

The "Show me... Tell me..." questions.

At the start of your practical driving test the driving examiner will ask you two questions, one "Show me" and one "Tell me" question. Below is a list of all the possible questions you could be asked and an appropriate answer.

It's a good idea to be familiar with all the "Show me, Tell me" questions although they are asked in set pairs, and these are :- questions 8 & 10, questions 5 & 9, questions 2 & 12, questions 4 & 5, questions 1 & 12, questions 3 & 18, questions 7 & 13, questions 6 & 13, questions 10 & 14, questions 11 & 15, questions 16 & 19, questions 9 & 11, questions 17 & 19.



Question 1. 'Show Question'
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Answer 1.
Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, explain how the dipstick is removed, cleaned, replaced and removed again and the oil level should be checked against the minimum/maximum markers or the shaded area.



Question 2. 'Show Question'
Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

Answer 2.
If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two 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.



Question 3. 'Show Question'
Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

Answer 3.
Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.





Question 4. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle

Answer 4.
Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.



Question 5. 'Tell Question'
Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

Answer 5.
Identify screen wash reservoir (see under bonnet picture at the top of the page) and explain how to check level.



Question 6. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).

Answer 6.
Check is carried out by using horn/control (turn on ignition if necessary).



Question 7. 'Show Question'
Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is (see under bonnet at top of page) and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Answer 7.
Identify reservoir, check level against min/max markers on the side of the brake fluid container.



Question 8. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

Answer 8.
Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch (pictured left) and check the functioning of all indicators.



Question 9. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)

Answer 9.
Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)



Question 10. 'Tell Question'
Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Answer 10.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.



Question 11. 'Tell Question'
Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)

Answer 11.
Operate switch located under the vent on the right-hand side of the dashboard by rotating the switch (shown on the right) from the 'b.' to the 'c.' position.



Question 12. 'Tell Question'
Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

Answer 12.
Correct tyre pressure's can be found in the car owners handbook. Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to check the pressures, normally when tyres are cold (don't forget to check the spare tyre and remember to refit valve caps once checked). Tyres can normally be checked and inflated using a foot pump, mini compressor or at most petrol stations using the public air dispenser, some air dispenser's are free but most require a minimal charge for a set period of use.



Question 13. 'Tell Question'
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.

Answer 13.
No cuts and bulges in the outer tyre walls and 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.



Question 14. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers

Answer 14.
Operate the control shown on the left to wash and wipe the front and rear windscreen. Ignition needs to be turned on then pulling and holding the arm towards yourself will commence front windscreen wash mode, wipers will then wash 3 or 4 times and reset. Rear washwipe is on the same control, to operate push the arm away and hold to wash rear windscreen, then push arm away again to turn off rear wiper.



Question 15. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens

Answer 15.
Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration. Central dial controls fan speed, 'a.' is demister for the rear windscreen and 'b.' fan direction setting for the front windscreen.



Question 16. 'Show Question'
Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)

Answer 16.
Turn light control from 'b.' to 'c.' position, turn the ignition on then Operate switch 'a.' Check warning light is on. Explain that fog light is used when visibility drops below 100 metres.



Question 17. 'Show Question'
Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car

Answer 17.
Main beam headlight control is on the indicator arm, to operate, the headlights and ignition must be on (headlight switch 'b.' to 'c.' position in above diagram) then push indicator arm away from yourself. Blue main beam warning light will appear on dashboard when main beam is on, as in picture to the right 'a.'. When main beam is off dash will show as in 'b.'.



Question 18. 'Tell Question'
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash

Answer 18.
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. The control for adjusting the head restraint is pictured left 'a.'.



Question 19. 'Tell Question'
Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system

Answer 19.
Warning light should illuminate on the dashboard if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system, the symbol is shown to the right above 'a.'.

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