Show me/Tell me
On the day of your test, your examiner will ask you two questions relating to basic car maintenance. These are called the Show Me Tell Me questions and count towards passing your test. You will be asked one Show Me question and one Tell Me question. Getting one or both of these incorrect will result in a minor on your driving test.
Below is the full question bank for 2010. It is important to learn these, not only for your test but so you can enjoy Safe Driving For Life.
The show me questions are:
1. Rear fog light / lamp
Q. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light/ lamp and explain how you would know if the light/lamp is on and when would you use it.
A. Turn the ignition key or push starter button to the second ignition position, turn on dipped headlights, press rear fog light/lamp switch and point to the orange rear fog light /lamp warning light and then explain that the rear fog light/lamp should be used if visibility falls below 100 metres
Then switch of dipped headlights.
2. Demist and clear condensation from windows.
Q. Show me how you would demist and clear condensation from the windscreen, side windows and rear screen.
A. Turn the key or push starter button to the second ignition position, turn the fan speed control to maximum power , turn the temperature control to maximum heat, direct the hot air to the windscreen and the front side windows, turn on heated rear window
Then reset the controls.
3. Clean windows.
Q. Show me how you would use the windscreen washer and wipers to clean the windscreen.
A. Turn the ignition key or push starter button to the second ignition position , pull wiper stalk towards steering wheel and release wiper stalk when water and wipers activate
The wipers will self cancel.
4. Main beam headlights.
Q. Show me how you would switch from dipped headlights to main beam headlights and explain how you would know that the main beam headlights were on.
A. Turn the ignition key or push starter button to the second ignition position, turn on dipped headlights, push the indicator stalk forward to activate the main beam headlights and point to the blue main beam warning light , Then pull the indicator stalk back towards the steering wheel to turn of the main beam headlights then turn of dipped headlights.
5. Direction indicators.
Q. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
A. Switch on the hazard warning lights, all the direction indicators will come on, and when safe walk round the car to check they are all working
Then switch of hazard warning lights
6. The horn
Q. Show me how you would check that the horn is working
A. Point to the horn and only sound the horn if you are off road
7. Power assisted steering.
Q. Show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before moving off
A. Hold the steering wheel gently with your left hand and explain that the steering wheel feels heavy (do not start the engine) only explain that when you start the engine the steering wheel should feel light which means the power assisted steering system is working.
8. The parking brake.
Q. Show me how you would check that the parking brake is working correctly.
A. Apply the foot brake so that your vehicle is secure, release the parking brake, reapply the parking brake and explain that it should hold the vehicle still and should not be at the end of its working travel.
The Tell me questions are:
1. Engine oil.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct oil level.
A. Release bonnet catch inside the car, open bonnet and secure bonnet, point to the dip stick and explain that you would remove the dip stick and wipe it clean with a clean rag to identify the minimum/ maximum marks, explain that you would replace the dip stick and remove the dip stick again to check the oil level, point to the oil filler cap and explain that you would top up as necessary, make sure you close the bonnet and it is secure, as it would be dangerous for the bonnet to fly open when the vehicle is moving.
2. Engine coolant.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct coolant level
A. Release bonnet catch inside the car, open bonnet and secure bonnet, point to the coolant header tank and identify the minimum / maximum marks and explain that you would top up with the correct mixture of water and anti- freeze as necessary,, make sure you close the bonnet and it is secure, as it would be dangerous for the bonnet to fly open when the vehicle is moving.
3. Windscreen washer reservoir.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the windscreen washer level.
A. Release bonnet catch inside the car, open bonnet and secure bonnet point to the windscreen washer reservoir and explain that you would top up weekly with the correct mixture of water and washer additive as it does not have a minimum / maximum mark, make sure you close the bonnet and it is secure, as it would be dangerous for the bonnet to fly open when the vehicle is moving.
4. Hydraulic brake fluid.
Q. Tell me how you would check that you had the correct level of hydraulic brake fluid
A. Release bonnet catch inside the car, open bonnet and secure bonnet point to the hydraulic brake fluid reservoir and explain that would check the minimum / maximum fluid level marks and top up as necessary, make sure you close the bonnet and it is secure, as it would be dangerous for the bonnet to fly open when the vehicle is moving.
5. Anti-lock braking system.
Q. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
A. Point to where the anti-lock braking system warning light is located and explain that it would light up if there was a problem.
6. The brakes.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working.
A. I would move of safely under full control check the mirrors and if safe test the brakes, the vehicle should not pull to one side, the brakes should not feel slack or spongy.
7. Brake lights.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working.
A. I would use a reflective surface or ask someone to stand behind the car while I pressed the brake pedal, then turn the ignition key or push starter button to the second position and ask the examiner to assist you on this occasion.
8. Tyre condition and tread depth.
Q. Tell me how you would check the tyre tread and the condition of your tyres.
A. Point to a tyre and explain that you would use a reliable tyre tread gauge and explain that the minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the width of the tyre and around the entire circumference, and you would check both side walls for cuts and bulges to make sure they were safe and legal.
9. Tyre pressure.
Q. Tell me where you would find the information for the correct tyre pressure and how would you check the tyre pressure.
A. Explain that you would find the recommended tyre pressure in the owner’s manual and you would remove the valve caps and use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to inflate the tyres to the recommended pressure then refit the valve caps
10. Dipped head lights and tail lights.
Q. Tell me how you would check that the dipped headlights and tail lights are working
A / turn the key or push the starter button to the second position turn on the dipped headlights and check that the dipped headlights and tail lights are working, then turn of the dipped headlights.
11. Head restraint.
Q. Tell me how you would adjust the head restraint to give the best protection against neck and spine injuries.
A. Explain that the head restraint should be adjusted so that the top of the head restraint is in line with the top of your head and is as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.
