Show me, tell me

All 21 official DVSA vehicle safety questions for the car driving test — what the examiner asks, the answer they are listening for, and how to say it out loud. Plus the diagrams that make the three bonnet questions easy.

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Two questions on the day

Before you drive

One “tell me”

One of the 14 below, asked while the car is still parked. You explain the check out loud. If it is one of the three bonnet questions, you open the bonnet and point things out.

While you drive

One “show me”

One of the 7 at the bottom of this page, asked while you are driving. You actually work the control — but only once the road is safe for it.

Get one or both wrong and it is one driving fault — a minor. It will not fail you on its own. What will fail you is letting your driving go while you answer: if your driving becomes dangerous or potentially dangerous during the show me question, that is a serious fault. The driving always comes first, and “I’ll do that as soon as it’s safe” is a perfectly good answer.

The number on each question below is its number on the official DVSA list, so they are grouped here by subject rather than running 1 to 14 in order. Taking your ADI Part 2? Same questions, but you get five: three tell me before you drive and two show me while driving.

Tell me — under the bonnet

Know the caps, not the car

Every engine bay is laid out differently, but the caps are colour-coded and carry the same symbols in almost every car. Learn the symbols and you can find them in anything.

Scroll the diagram sideways →

Screenwash and coolant are both blue-capped and both look like water — check the symbol, not the colour of the liquid. And never take a coolant cap off while the engine is hot.

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

DVSA answer

Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

Say it like this

This is the dipstick. On level ground with the engine off, I’d pull it out, wipe it clean, push it all the way back in, pull it out again and check the oil sits between the minimum and maximum markers. If it’s low I’d top up through the oil filler cap a little at a time and re-check.

Scroll the diagram sideways →

The first reading is splash from the running engine, so it means nothing. Wipe the dipstick, push it fully back in, and the second reading is the real level.

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

DVSA answer

Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Say it like this

This is the header tank. With the engine cold, I’d check the coolant sits between the low and high markings on the side. If it’s low I’d top up to the high mark with the correct coolant and refit the cap. I’d never take the cap off while the engine is hot.

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

DVSA answer

Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

Say it like this

This is the brake fluid reservoir. I’d check the level is between the low and high markings on the side. If it’s dropped I’d get it looked at, because the level usually only falls as the pads wear or if there’s a leak.

Scroll the diagram sideways →

Both tanks are read the same way: look through the side and check the fluid sits between the low and high markings. Brake fluid that keeps dropping means worn pads or a leak, so the answer there is get it checked, not just top it up.

Tell me — outside the car

Tyres

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.

DVSA answer

No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Say it like this

I’d look all the way round each tyre for cuts and bulges, and check there’s at least 1.6mm of tread across the middle three-quarters of the tyre and all the way round it.

Scroll the diagram sideways →

The 20p check is a rough guide, not the law: drop one into the main grooves and if you can see the coin’s outer band, the tread wants measuring properly with a gauge. The legal minimum is 1.6mm.

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

DVSA answer

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.

Say it like this

They’re in the manufacturer’s handbook, and usually on a sticker in the driver’s door shut or inside the fuel filler flap. I’d check them with a reliable gauge while the tyres are cold, not forget the spare, and refit the valve caps.

Tell me — inside the car

Brakes, steering and seat

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

DVSA answer

Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Say it like this

Before I set off I’d press the brake pedal — it shouldn’t feel spongy or slack. Then as I move off I’d test them at low speed, and the car shouldn’t pull to one side.

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

DVSA answer

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 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.

Say it like this

There are two checks. I can hold light pressure on the wheel as I start the engine — the wheel should move slightly as the system kicks in. Or I can turn the wheel just after moving off; if the steering feels heavy, the power assistance isn’t working.

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

DVSA answer

The head restraint should be adjusted so 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 is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

Say it like this

I’d set it so the solid part is at least as high as my eyes or the top of my ears, and as close to the back of my head as is comfortable. Some head restraints don’t adjust at all.

Scroll the diagram sideways →

Height first, then the gap. The solid part has to reach at least your eye line or the top of your ears — that is what stops your head snapping back in a shunt. Some head restraints are fixed and do not adjust at all, which is worth saying.

Tell me — lights

Lights and warning lights

Dipped headlights

Main beam

Rear fog light

ABS fault

Colour tells you the job. Green means something is simply switched on, blue is main beam, and amber is a warning — including the rear fog lights, which is why you notice when you have left them on.

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

DVSA answer

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Say it like this

I’d turn the ignition on if it needed it, switch the lights on, then walk round the car and check the front and rear lights are lit.

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

DVSA answer

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Say it like this

I’d turn the ignition on, put the hazard warning lights on so all of them flash together, then walk round the car and check front, back and the side repeaters.

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

DVSA answer

Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

Say it like this

I’d press the brake pedal and look for the red reflection in a shop window, a garage door or another car behind me — or ask someone to stand at the back and tell me.

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.

DVSA answer

Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

Say it like this

Ignition on, dipped headlights on, then this switch here — and the amber warning light on the dash tells me they’re on. I’d only use them when visibility drops below about 100 metres, and switch them off as soon as it clears, because they dazzle the driver behind.

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

DVSA answer

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

Say it like this

With the engine on and dipped headlights already on, I’d push the stalk away from me, and the blue main beam light on the dashboard tells me it’s on.

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

DVSA answer

Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Say it like this

The ABS warning light on the dashboard would stay on. It comes on with the ignition and should go out shortly after — if it stays lit, there’s a fault.

Show me — while you are driving

The seven show me questions

Every one starts “when it’s safe to do so”, and those five words are the whole point. Answer on a quiet, straight stretch, keep your eyes up, and use one hand.

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

Push or twist the wiper stalk the way that works the rear washer — usually push the stalk away from you, or twist the collar — and hold it long enough for the screen to clear.

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

Pull the wiper stalk towards you and hold it. The washers and wipers run together, so keep it held until the screen is clean.

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

Turn the light switch round to the dipped headlight symbol. The green headlight light appears on the dashboard.

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

Press the rear demister button — the rectangle with three wavy arrows going up. A light in the button shows it is on.

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?

Press the centre of the steering wheel. One short press is enough — you only need to show that you can find it.

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

Fan up, temperature up, air direction to the windscreen, air on fresh rather than recirculate, and the heated screen on if the car has one.

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

Use the switch on your own door — down, then straight back up. Do not lean across to the passenger window.

If you cannot find the control

Say so, keep driving normally, and find it when you next stop. A fumbled search that wanders the car across the lane costs far more than admitting you need a moment.

Take it with you

The same thing as a 12-page printable guide, with a tick-box revision list for the night before your test. Free, and yours to pass on.

Download PDF

The questions and the DVSA answers contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from GOV.UK. Checked September 2026 — the list can change, so check GOV.UK for the current version. The “say it like this” wording and all diagrams are Ash - Learn to Drive. Diagrams are simplified: every car is laid out differently.

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