Show Me Tell Me

Show Me Tell Me Questions

The examiner will ask two Show Me Tell Me Questions at the start of the test. Like everything else, first impressions last and answering them correctly gets your test off to a good start.

If you get them wrong, don't worry. You cannot fail on the questions. However an incorrect answer will acrue a minor fault that could have been avoided.

Standard Show me Tell Me questions and answers are here. Questions begin with Q. and answers with A.

If you would like some more background information on this use this link.

Show Me Questions

Q. Show me. How you release your steering lock to allow you to turn the ignition?

A. The steering lock restricts movement of the steering wheel between 2 stop points and prevents you from turning the ignition key. You need to move the steering wheel between the stoppers with your left hand, that then frees the key and you can turn the key with your right hand. 

Q. Show me. How would you check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey?

A. The clue is in the question. POWER ASSISTED steering. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel very slightly there should be a slight but noticeable movement. Or just after moving off, the wheels should move with ease. In either case if the steering feels HEAVY then its not working properly.

Q. Show me. How you would check that the brake lights are working (I can assist you)? If you need to switch the ignition on, please dont start the engine.

A. You need to press the footbrake, otherwise brake lights won't come on. Make use of reflections in windows or garage doors. Otherwise you ask some one to look. You may need to turn on the electrics (one notch up with the key) but not start the engine to do this.

Q. Show me. How would you check the direction indicators are working?

A. Turn on the ignition and use your indicators, looking for the blinking and the clicking noise on the dash. Alternatively use your hazard lights and walk around the car to ensure all indicators are operating.

Q. Show me. How would you check that the horn is working?

A. Toot it. Press hard in the middle of the steering wheel.

Q. Show me. How would you check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear; make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

A. Press the footbrake since you are taking handbrake off. Demonstrate the handbrake - it should secure itself and not slip down notches when you release it and it should hold the car securely.

Q. Show me. How do you clean the windscreen using washers and wipers.

A. Pull the right hand stalk towards you and hold it for the jets of water on the front. Turn the end up two for the jet on the back.

Q. Show me. How do you set your demister controls to clear the windows front and back.

A. Direct the air to the front windscreen, use the fan and the air direction knob. Using a/c also helps dehumidify the air. For the back windscreen press the heater button.

Q. Show me. How you switch on the rear fog light and when you use it.

A. Switch on your dipped headlights with the knob at the end of the indicator. The fog light is the inner band 2 inches from the light switch. You use it when visibility is less than 100m.

Q. Show me. How you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.

A. Pull the indicator stalk towards you to keep the beam on permanently (this only works with dipped headlights on) or you can pull the stalk towards you and the beam will stay on as long as you hold it there (works without lights on). In either case there will be a BLUE indicator on your dash telling you full beam is on.

Tell Me Questions.

For the questions under the bonnet - Don't touch stuff - otherwise the examiner may say something like  "I DID NOT ASK YOU TO TOUCH THAT" fearing a law suit because you warmed the tips of your fingers on the hot engine. Just point and describe.

Q. 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.

A. Point to the dip stick. Describe how you would remove it, wipe it clean with a dry cloth, reinsert it fully and remove it again to see that the oil level is between minimum and maximum levels on the stick.

Q. 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.

A. Point to it. The fluid can be seen and will be between the maximum and minimum markers on the container. DO NOT open this when the engine is hot, danger of scalding.

Q. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid resrvior is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

A. Point to it. The fluid can be seen and will be between the maximum and minimum markers on the container.

Q. Open the bonnet, identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

A. Point to it. The main bottle is hidden in the body work. The liquid level should be topped up regularly to the neck of the bottle, which is visible.

Q. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

A. The recommended pressures are given in the manual. A reliable pressure gauge(pronounced gage) must be used, checking and adjusting the tyres when they are cold, not forgetting the spare tyre. Remember to refit valve caps.

Q. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they had sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe for use on the road.

A. The tyre tread depth can be checked using a gauge (pronounced gage). Tyres must have a sufficient tread depth of at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. A visual inspection should ensure there are no cuts or bulges.

Q. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.

A. Switch them on and explain you would walk around the car and check them.

Q. Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.

A. Just as you are moving away press the brake it should feel firm NOT spongy or slack. They should adequately stop the car without pulling the car to one side. If they dont feel firm have them checked by a qualified mechanic.

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

A. The head restraint catches your head to prevent neck injury - it should be adjusted so that the middle of it catches the central mass of your head - ear and eye level.

Q. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A. Yellow warning light on the dashboard.