Tell Me Questions

ABOUT THE QUESTIONS

You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.

The examiner will ask you one:

‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving

You’ll get one driving fault (sometimes called a ‘minor’) if you get one or both questions wrong.

You’ll fail your driving test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the ‘show me’ question.

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

The brake pedal should feel firm, pressurized and responsive. It should not feel spongy or slack. Additionally, when using the brakes, the vehicle should not pull to one side.

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

The information is in the vehicle's handbook, or printed on the inside of driver's door. I would use a reliable tyre pressure gauge, such as one at a petrol station. I'd check all the tyres, including the spare, and make sure the valve caps are secured afterwards.

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.

The central rigid part of the head restraint should be at eye level, and reasonably close to the back of the head. Some restraints might 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.

The tyres should have at least 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. The tyre should have no cuts, bulges or foreign objects (nails, etc)

5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.

I would twist the indicator stalk all the way to the headlight symbol (ask me to show you where this is), and then I would walk around the vehicle to physically check they're working (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

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

An amber warning light should stay illuminated after starting the engine if there is a fault.

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

I would press the hazard warning light button (ask me where), and then walk around the vehicle to inspect all of the bulbs are working (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

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

I would press the brake pedal and ask someone to help me by checking behind the car to see if they're working, as I can't see from the driver's seat. If I didn't have help available, then I would have to use reflections, or maybe even putting something heavy on the pedal while I check.

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

When the engine is off, the steering wheel will be heavy and difficult to turn. When I start the engine, if the power-assisted steering is working, then the steering wheel should become really light and responsive, and easy to turn. If it remains heavy, then the power steering is not operating. Additionally, some cars will display an amber warning light if it is not working.

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.

I would firstly switch on the headlights, as the fog lights don't work without them on. Once they are on, I will switch the rear fog light on (ask me where the symbol is). I would use them when visibility is less than 100 metres, such as in heavy rain, snow or fog.

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

I would switch the headlights on, and then push the indicator stalk away from me. I would know it's on because a blue warning light should appear on the dashboard.

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

When the car is parked on a flat surface and the engine is cool, I would open the bonnet. I would remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a tissue or rag. I would then dunk the dipstick back into the engine, and pull it out again. The oil will stain the dipstick, and it should be stained between the upper and lower markings on the stick.

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

When the car is parked on a flat surface and the engine is cool, I would open the bonnet. I would identify the container, and look to see if the fluid is visible between the upper and lower markings.

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