Vehicle Safety Briefing
Prepare for your practical test with the full DVSA "Show Me, Tell Me" question bank. Professional standards for safe driving.
Step 1: "Tell Me" Questions (Knowledge Check)
Tell me how you’d check the brakes are working.
Action: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off. The vehicle should not pull to one side.
Tell me where you’d find tyre pressure info and how to check them.
Action: Check the manufacturer’s guide. Use a reliable pressure gauge when tyres are cold. Check all tyres and the spare; refit valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted.
Action: The rigid part should be at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as comfortable.
Tell me how you’d check tyres for tread depth and condition.
Action: No cuts or bulges. Minimum 1.6mm tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth and around the entire circumference.
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Action: Operate the switch, then walk round the vehicle to inspect (ignition on if required).
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your ABS.
Action: The ABS warning light should illuminate on the dashboard if there is a fault.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
Action: Operate the indicator switch or hazard lights and walk round the vehicle to check all bulbs.
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working.
Action: Operate the brake pedal; use reflections in windows/doors or ask someone to help check.
Tell me how you’d check the power steering is working.
Action: Apply gentle pressure to the wheel while starting the engine; it should move slightly. Or, turn the wheel just after moving off.
Tell me how you’d switch on rear fog lights and when to use them.
Action: Turn on dipped headlights, then the fog switch. Check for the dash warning light. Use when visibility is under 100m.
Tell me how you switch from dipped to main beam and identify the warning light.
Action: Operate the switch and check for the blue main beam light on the instrument panel.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine oil level.
Action: Identify dipstick. Wipe clean, refit, remove again, and check oil is between min and max markers.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine coolant level.
Action: Identify high/low markings on the header tank and describe topping up to the correct level.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the hydraulic brake fluid level.
Action: Identify the reservoir and check the level against the high and low markings.
Step 2: "Show Me" Questions (Practical Demo)
Show me how you’d wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Action: Operate the rear washer and wiper controls when safe.
Show me how you’d wash and clean the front windscreen.
Action: Operate the front washer and wiper controls.
Show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights.
Action: Rotate/flick the light switch to the dipped beam position.
Show me how you’d set the rear demister.
Action: Press the heated rear window/demister button.
Show me how you’d operate the horn.
Action: Press the horn (short blast).
Show me how you’d demist the front windscreen.
Action: Set fan and temperature controls to the screen clear setting.
Show me how you’d open and close the side window.
Action: Use the window control switch.
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Instructor's Professional Advice
For the "Show Me" questions, the examiner is checking your car control. Do not let the task distract you from the road ahead.