The Show Me, Tell Me Answers 2026

​The Show Me, Tell Me test is a part of the practical driving test. The examiner will ask one ‘Show Me’ question and one ‘Tell Me’ question before, during or after the test to check your knowledge.

‘Tell Me’ Questions 

These questions are designed to check your knowledge on certain areas of the car. It should be easy to clearly explain how to test your car to make sure it is roadworthy.

You should be able to answer these questions concisely, and you will not be required to show the instructor how to perform the answer.

You will only be asked one of the questions below:

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

The car’s brakes should not feel spongy or slack. To test the brakes, you would gently press down on the brake pedal, and the vehicle shouldn’t pull to one side as you do this.

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

In the manufacturer's guide, you will find the recommended tyre pressure, or you should find it on the side of the driver's door.

Use a reliable pressure gauge and remove the valve cap and put the nozzle onto the gauge to check and adjust pressures when the tyre is cold. When done, you should refit the valve caps. You should also check the spare tyre.

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

Your head restraint is correctly adjusted when 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 comfortable. However, some head restraints may not be adjustable.

4.  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.

To ensure your tyre is in a legal condition, there should be no cuts, cracks or bulges in the tyre. The tread depth of all tyres should be at 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

5.  Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and taillights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

You would explain how you turn on your ignition, switch to the correct symbol and walk around the vehicle to see if they have turned on. This is only a ‘Tell me’question, so you will not have to physically get out of the car.

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

When there is a problem with the anti-lock braking system, a warning light (Yellow circle with ABS inside) will illuminate on your dashboard.

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

You will explain how you will turn on your ignition and how to operate the switch of the indicator stalk, and that you would walk around your vehicle to check the lights. As this is a ‘Show me’ question, you will not have to physically leave the vehicle.

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

Tell your examiner that you would push the brake pedal, and you would use the reflections from windows or doors or ask someone to help you see if the brake light comes on.

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

You will know that the power-assisted steering may not be working when steering becomes heavy.

Before you start your journey, you should either put some pressure on the steering wheel when the engine has started and see if there is any slight but noticeable movement as the system starts.

Or you can turn the steering wheel just after moving off to see immediately if the power assistance is functioning.

10. 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.

You will explain how to turn on your ignition, and how to operate the switch to the correct symbol for dipped headlights.

Make sure the light appears on your dashboard to see that it is on. You are looking for a vertical wiggly line with three horizontal lines through it for the rear lights and a 3-diagonal-line symbol for headlights.

Explain that you will use it when visibility is challenging, such as fog or heavy snow.

11. Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

You will explain that you will turn on your ignition or engine and operate the switch from dipped headlights to headlights to main beam. Depending on your car, you should just need to pull or push the full beam indicator.

You will check that the main beam light (a blue light in the shape of a beaming light) has appeared on your dashboard.

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

You will open the bonnet and show them the dipstick/oil level indicator. You should tell them how you will know what the oil level is by taking the dipstick/oil level indicator out (Usually a yellow ring-shaped handle), cleaning it with a clean rag and reinserting it to clearly view the minimum and maximum markers. 

You can read a more detailed guide by reading our Car Fluid Levels guide.  

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

You will open the bonnet and show them where to find the engine coolant tank. On the tank, you should find a level or maximum arrow to show how much the tank needs.  

If the engine coolant is within the acceptable range, then there is enough coolant. However, if it is low, explain that you would top up the coolant with approved coolant by opening the tank cap and carefully pouring it in within the range.  

You can read a more detailed guide by reading our Car Fluid Levels guide. 

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

You will open the bonnet, and you will point to the hydraulic brake fluid reservoir (right hand/driver side of the engine), open the cap, and check the current levels against the high-to-low markings.

‘Show Me Questions’

When you attempt these questions, ensure there are no hazards around you, and you feel confident and comfortable showing the answer. If you get the question wrong, it will be marked as a minor fault, and if your driving becomes dangerous while performing the answer, you will fail the test.

Remember to breathe, be aware of your surroundings and do the answer when you are ready.

The exact instructions or location of where to find these answers may vary depending on your model. Check with your instructor or family member for advice before your test.

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

To wash and clean your rear windscreen, make sure your engine or ignition is turned on, and, depending on your car, push or twist your indicator stalk or separate stalk of the steering wheel to activate the wipers. Twist the stalk three times to properly dry your windscreen.

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

To wash and clean the front windscreen, turn on your engine or ignition and use the indicator stalk or separate stalk of the steering wheel and push it towards you or away from you, depending on your car. Push down the stalk three times, or fully down, to properly clear your windscreen.

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

To turn on your dipped headlights, use your indicator stalk or the separate switch on the dashboard and switch to the dipped headlight position. You will see the symbol (three or four parallel diagonal lines pointing downwards) on the dashboard to show it is on.

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

Your rear demister button should be on your dashboard or centre console. Find the rectangle symbol with three wavy arrows pointing upwards. Push that button to operate the rear demister.

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

Your horn is on the centre of the steering wheel or on a pad either side of the steering wheel. Gently push it for a few seconds to hear the sound.

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

Ensure your blowers are set towards the windscreen position. Turn up the fan speed and turn on the warm air. If your car has one, you can also press the front demister button or use the air conditioning to clear the screen faster.

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

Depending on the model of your car, you can use an electric window switch on the driver’s door. Press down to open and pull up to close. If you have a manual lever, twist down to close the window and twist upwards to open the window.

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