Show Me / Tell Me

Since September 2003, Practical Driving Test candidates have had to answer two questions on routine car maintenance at the start of the test.  There are thirteen questions in total and they are asked in set pairs.  All thirteen questions are presented below along with suitable answers and photographs (where appropriate) of the relevant part of the car.

On your driving test, getting either or both of the Show Me / Tell Me questions wrong would only result in a single driving fault being marked.  However, as these questions are asked at the very beginning of your test, it makes sense to show the examiner that you are well prepared for the test so make sure you know how to answer all the questions.

Oil

You will be asked : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has a sufficient level of oil.

How you should respond : Identify the orange dipstick towards the front centre of the engine bay, and describe how you would check the oil by waiting until the engine is cold and you are parked on flat, level ground.  You would pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean and put it back.  You would then pull it out again and check that the oil level is between the minimum and maximum marks.

As this is a "tell me" question, you should not actually pull the dipstick out, merely pointing to it and describing how you check the level is sufficient.

Coolant

You will be asked : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has a sufficient level of coolant.

How you should respond : Identify the header tank with the light blue lid at the left of the engine bay. Describe how you would check the coolant by waiting until the engine is cold and you are parked on flat, level ground. You would look at the side of the header tank and check that the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum marks.  Explain how you would top the tank up to the maximum level by opening the lid and adding more coolant if necessary.

Brake Fluid

You will be asked : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the brake fluid level and tell me how you would check that the brake fluid level was sufficient.

How you should respond : Identify the brake fluid reservoir with the yellow lid at the left rear of the engine bay. Describe how you would check that the level of brake fluid is between the minimum and maximum marks.

Washer Fluid

You will be asked : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the windscreen washer fluid level and tell me how you would check that there was a sufficient level of windscreen washer fluid.

How you should respond : Identify the windscreen washer reservoir with the light blue lid at the right of the engine bay. Describe how you would carry out a visual check to ensure that the car has a sufficient level of windscreen washer fluid and top up as necessary.

Headlights

You will be asked : Show me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working properly.

How you should respond : Turn on the headlights by turning the ignition (but not the engine) on and twisting the elight switch beneath heater vent to the right of the steering columntwice to turn the sidelights and then headlights on. Then walk around car checking that all the lights come on both front and rear.  Don't forget to turn the lights off when you finish.

This is a "show me" question, so you will be expected to actually check the lights rather than just describing the method.

Indicators

You will be asked : Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working properly.

How you should respond : Turn on the hazard warning lights with the triangular button in the middle of the dashboard and walk around car checking that all six lights are flashing. Don't forget to turn the lights off again when you finish.

This is a "show me" question, so you will be expected to actually check the indicators rather than just describing the method.

Horn

You will be asked : Show me how you would check that the horn is working properly.

How you should respond : All you need to do is turn on the ignition (but not the engine) and press horn push (at either side of the the centre of the steering wheel) and ensure it sounds.

Parking Brake

You will be asked : Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.

How you should respond : The "parking brake" simply means the handbrake. Place your right foot on footbrake to prevent the car rolling.  Take your handbrake off and then reapply the handbrake. Describe how when you release the button, it should secure itself and not drop back down or have travelled up too high which would indicate that it had reached the end of its working travel.

This is a "show me" question, so you will be expected to actually check the handbrake rather than just describing the method.

Steering

You will be asked : Show me / explain how you would check that the power-assisted steering is working properly.

How you should respond : Holding the steering wheel with your left hand at the 8 position as on a clock face, turn the wheel right a little and hold the wheel in that position as you start the engine. Describe how the steering should jolt slightly to the right as the power-assisted steering becomes operative.

This is a "show me" question, so you will be expected to actually check the steering rather than just describing the method.

Brake Lights

You will be asked : Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working properly.

How you should respond : Describe how you would ask someone to check whilst you press the brake pedal or use a reflective surface like a garage door or window and look for the reflections when you press the brake pedal.

Tread Depth

You will be asked : Tell me how you would check that the tyres have the required minimum tread depth and that their general condition is safe for use on the road.

How you should respond : Describe how you would use a tread depth gauge to check that there is 1.6mm minimum tread depth across the central three-quarters of the width of the tyre around the complete circumference. There should be no cuts or bulges in the tyre.

Tyre Pressure

You will be asked : Tell me where you would find information on the recommended tyre pressures for this vehicle and how you would check that the tyres are at the correct pressure.

How you should respond : The information is in the car handbook or manual.  Describe how you would use an accurate tyre pressure gauge applied to the valve when the tyres are cold. Compare the reading to the reading in the handbook and remember to reapply the dustcaps.  Don't forget to check all four tyres and the spare if you have one.

Brakes

You will be asked : Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working properly before starting a journey.

How you should respond : Brakes should feel firm, not spongy or slack and should stop the car properly without pulling to one side.