Show Me / Tell Me
Part of your test includes a 'Show me, Tell Me'
section. This is when your examiner will ask you one 'Show
me' and one 'Tell me' question about general maintenance and
safety checks on your car.
You can get an idea of the questions you will be asked on
this page and by clicking each of these , you can see see
an example of the response you would give.
A wrong answer to one, or both of the questions counts as
one Minor Fault.
Tell me questions
|
Tell
me how you would check the brakes are working before starting
a journey |
|
Brakes
should be tested as you set off by applying gentle pressure
at slow speed. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack and
the vehicle should not pull to one side. |
Tell
me where you would find the information for the recommended
tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should
be checked |
|
In
the manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure
gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t
forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps. |
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 |
|
Tyres
should be checked to ensure there are no cuts or bulges.
There should be 1.6mm of tread depth across the central
¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire
outer circumference. This can be checked with a tyre depth
guage or the depth markers in the tyres themselves. |
Tell me
how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted
so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash |
|
Adjust
the rigid part of the restraint so that it is close to the
back of your head and level with your eyes or top of your
ears |
Tell me
how you would check that the headlights & tail lights
are working? (no need to exit the vehicle) |
|
Operate
switch (turn on ignition if necessary), get somebody to
walk round vehicle. |
Tell
me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti
lock braking system |
|
The
ABS warning light would become illuminated on the instrument
panel if there is a fault |
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 |
|
Identify
dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level
against the minimum/maximum markers. |
Open the
bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell
me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic
brake fluid |
|
Identify
reservoir, check level against high/low markings. |
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 |
|
Identify
high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator
filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level. |
Open
the bonnet, identify where the windscreen washer reservoir
is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level |
|
Identify
reservoir and explain how the washer fluid should be filled
to a level between the min and max markers on the side of
the reservoir |
Show Me Questions |
Show
me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering
is working before starting a journey |
|
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.
|
how me
how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive
wear, make sure you keep control of the vehicle |
Apply
footbrake firmly, Demonstrate by applying parking brake
so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and
is not at the end of the working travel. |
Show
me how you would check that the horn is working (off road
only) |
Check
is carried out by pressing gently on the control (turn on
ignition if necessary) |
Show
me how you would check that the direction indicators are working |
Applying
the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning
of all indicators. |
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) |
Switch
ignition on, operate brake pedal, make use of reflections
in windows, garage doors etc, ask someone to help. |
Show
me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen
washers and wipers |
Operate
windscreen washer control button and then activate the windscreen
wipers (turn on ignition if necessary). |
Show
me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the
windows effectively, this should include both front and rear
screens |
Set
all relevant controls including air vents at both sides
to point towards the side windows, use the control switch
to direct hot air onto the windscreen then operate the fan,
press the heated rear screen switch to clear the rear window |
Show
me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain
when you would use it /them (no need to exit the vehicle) |
Operate
the rear fog switch after switching on dipped headlights
check switch is illuminated and explain that they should
only be used when visibility is reduced to 100 metres or
less |
Show
me how you would switch on your headlight from dipped to main
beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst
inside the car |
Move
the stalk attached to the steering column forwards which
will illuminate a blue warning light on the instrument panel |