Show Me Tell Me – UK Driving Test Questions Guide

Every learner driver in the United Kingdom faces two short safety questions during their practical driving test. Known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions, they form a brief but distinct part of the examination that tests basic vehicle knowledge rather than driving skill alone.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which administers the driving test, selects two questions at random from an official list. One requires a verbal explanation, while the other demands a practical demonstration. Understanding what these questions involve how they are marked, and where to find reliable practice materials can make a meaningful difference to any learner approaching their test date.

This guide draws on official DVSA sources to explain everything candidates need to know about the ‘show me, tell me’ portion of the UK car driving test, including the full question structure, fault consequences, and the most effective ways to prepare.

What Are ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions in the Driving Test?

The ‘show me, tell me’ questions are a pair of vehicle safety checks built into the practical driving test. They assess whether candidates understand fundamental car maintenance and can operate basic controls safely. The questions are not designed to test driving ability; instead, they verify that new drivers possess the minimum knowledge required to keep themselves and others safe on the road.

The format splits into two distinct types. The ‘tell me’ question comes at the beginning of the test, before the candidate begins driving. The examiner asks how a particular safety check would be carried out, and the candidate must explain the procedure verbally. The ‘show me’ question follows at some point during the driving portion of the test, at which point the examiner asks the candidate to demonstrate a control while the vehicle is in motion.

Overview of the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Format

Key Insights for Candidates

• Only two questions are asked in every test, regardless of any other circumstances
• The ‘tell me’ question always comes first, before the candidate begins driving
• The ‘show me’ question can be asked at any point during the driving portion, including during independent driving
• All questions are drawn from a fixed official list published by the DVSA on GOV.UK
• A wrong answer to either question results in exactly one driving fault, which counts as a minor rather than a serious fault
• The only way to actually fail this portion is if driving becomes dangerous while attempting the ‘show me’ demonstration
• Practice on the actual car being used for the test is strongly recommended, as controls vary between vehicles

Snapshot of Key Facts

‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions and Answers

The official list of ‘tell me’ questions covers checks that drivers should perform before beginning a journey. Each question requires the candidate to explain how they would carry out a specific safety check. The examiner poses one question from this list at the very start of the test, before the candidate drives away.

Official ‘Tell Me’ Questions (Verbal Explanation Required)

When asked a ‘tell me’ question, the candidate must provide a clear verbal explanation of how they would perform the check. The official list, as published by the DVSA on GOV.UK, includes the following examples alongside others:

1. Brakes: Explain how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. The correct answer involves describing how brakes should feel firm underfoot with no sponginess, and how the vehicle should not pull to one side when applied.
2. Tyre pressures: Describe where to find the recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle and explain how you would check them. The answer should reference the door sticker, fuel cap, or owner’s manual, and describe checking pressures with a gauge.
3. Head restraint: Explain how you would adjust the head restraint correctly to provide the best protection. The answer should note that the top of the restraint should align with the level of the eyes, and that it should be tilted to support the head comfortably.
4. Tyre condition and tread: Describe how you would check that the tyres are safe and have sufficient tread depth. The correct response includes mentioning the legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres across the central three-quarters of the tyre width, and checking for visible damage such as cracks or bulges.
5. Warning lights: Explain how you would check that the service brake and ABS warning lights are working correctly. The answer should mention turning the ignition on and observing that the lights illuminate and then go out, indicating no faults.
6. Direction indicators: Describe how you would check that the direction indicators are functioning properly. The correct answer involves turning the ignition on, activating the hazard warning lights, and walking around the vehicle to verify all indicators are working.

The complete official list contains additional questions. The DVSA publishes the full set on their GOV.UK page, along with demonstration videos on their official YouTube channel showing correct responses.

Official ‘Show Me’ Questions (Practical Demonstration Required)

The ‘show me’ question asks the candidate to demonstrate how to operate a specific vehicle control while actually driving. The examiner will prompt you at an appropriate moment, and you must safely carry out the requested action.

The following are examples of ‘show me’ questions from the official DVSA list:

1. Wash or clean the rear windscreen using the windscreen washers
2. Wash or clean the front windscreen using the windscreen washers
3. Switch on the dipped headlights and ensure they are properly illuminated
4. Set the rear screen demister to clear condensation or frost
5. Operate the horn to check it is working correctly
6. Demist the front windscreen using the demister controls and fan
7. Open and close the side window to demonstrate familiarity with the controls

Additional questions may cover windscreen wipers, headlight flasher, and other controls. The full official list is available on GOV.UK. Instructors often work through these questions with learners during normal driving lessons to build confidence.

How Many ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions Are There?

The UK car driving test always includes exactly two ‘show me, tell me’ questions. This number has remained constant since the questions were introduced. Candidates cannot receive more or fewer than two, regardless of how the rest of the test proceeds.

From the candidate’s perspective, this means the assessment is straightforward. There are no surprises in terms of the number of questions. However, the questions are selected at random from the official pool, so candidates cannot predict which specific questions they will face.

The DVSA maintains two separate pools. One contains fourteen ‘tell me’ questions, from which the examiner selects one. The second contains thirteen ‘show me’ questions, from which the examiner selects one. Candidates do not know which questions will be chosen until the examiner asks them during the test.

Because of this random selection, thorough preparation means being ready to answer any question from either list. Candidates who have learned the complete official lists feel more confident on test day, as there are no unknown surprises.

How to Prepare with ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions Quiz and PDF

Effective preparation for the ‘show me, tell me’ questions involves three key activities: studying the official list, practising verbal explanations, and gaining hands-on experience with vehicle controls.

Finding Reliable Study Materials

The most authoritative source is the official DVSA page hosted on GOV.UK, which lists every question and provides guidance on what constitutes a correct answer. This page does not offer a downloadable PDF file, but the information is clearly presented and suitable for self-study. Learners who prefer structured revision may find practice quizzes online that mirror the DVSA format.

The DVSA also publishes official demonstration videos on YouTube. These videos show instructors correctly answering both ‘tell me’ and ‘show me’ questions, providing a visual reference that written guides cannot match. Watching these recordings is particularly useful for understanding exactly what examiners expect during the ‘show me’ demonstration.

Study Strategy for Learners

• Start early: Do not leave revision for the night before the test. Spread study across several weeks to build lasting familiarity with the questions.
• Practise out loud: Saying the answers helps retention far more than silent reading. Recite each ‘tell me’ answer as if explaining to the examiner.
• Use your instructor’s car: Controls vary between vehicles, so practise the ‘show me’ actions in the exact car you will use for the test. Your instructor can guide you on where each control is located.
• Take practice quizzes: Multiple choice quizzes help identify any gaps in knowledge and familiarise you with the question wording.
• Review the DVSA videos: The official demonstration videos are freely available on YouTube and show correct responses clearly.

Combining these methods builds both knowledge and confidence. Learners who prepare systematically rarely face difficulties with this portion of the test, as the questions test basic common sense alongside specific mechanical knowledge.

‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions for 2026 Driving Test

Candidates searching for 2026-specific updates will find that the official question lists have remained largely unchanged. The DVSA last updated the ‘show me, tell me’ questions in December 2017, and no further changes have been announced in subsequent years. Several third-party sources have published guides claiming to reflect 2026 specifications, but these appear to use the same official list without modification.

The most reliable way to check for updates before your test is to consult the official GOV.UK page directly. The DVSA recommends this approach for any learner wanting to confirm they are studying the most current information. As of the latest available publications from the DVSA, there has been no confirmation of changes to the question pools for 2026.

What Has Changed and What Has Not

While the core question sets have remained stable, the DVSA occasionally releases new demonstration videos to replace older content. Candidates should ensure they are watching the most recent uploads from the official DVSA channel, as older videos may feature outdated vehicle models or controls that have since changed.

When Each Question Is Asked: Test Flow Timeline

Understanding the sequence of the driving test helps candidates mentally prepare for when each type of question will arise. The following outline describes the typical flow of events relating to the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

1. Arrival and documentation: The candidate arrives at the test centre, provides their licence, and verifies their identity. The examiner completes preliminary checks.
2. ‘Tell me’ question: Before the candidate begins driving, the examiner asks the first ‘show me, tell me’ question. This is the verbal explanation portion. The candidate must answer correctly on the spot.
3. Driving begins: The candidate moves the vehicle away from the test centre and begins the driving portion. Normal driving assessments, including junctions, manoeuvres, and independent driving, follow.
4. ‘Show me’ question: At some point during the drive, the examiner will ask the second question. The candidate must safely demonstrate the requested control while maintaining proper control of the vehicle. The examiner will choose an appropriate moment, such as when the car is stopped at traffic lights or in a safe, quiet area.
5. Test completion: The examiner directs the candidate back to the test centre. Following the drive, the examiner calculates the fault total and announces the result.

The examiner retains discretion over exactly when the ‘show me’ question is asked, and the official guidance states it can occur at any point during the driving portion, including during the independent driving section. Candidates should maintain their composure and simply wait for the examiner’s instruction.

Fault Consequences: What Happens if You Answer Incorrectly

The marking system for the ‘show me, tell me’ questions is designed to be proportionate. A single wrong answer on either question results in one driving fault, which counts as a minor. This minor is added to whatever faults the candidate accumulates during the driving portion of the test.

Critically, a wrong answer does not automatically mean failure. The driving test allows up to fifteen driving faults before a fail is recorded. Since only one fault can be earned from the ‘show me, tell me’ questions combined, the candidate would need to accumulate fourteen additional faults during the driving itself to fail on that basis alone.

Established Facts and Remaining Uncertainties

Why These Questions Matter for Road Safety

The ‘show me, tell me’ questions reflect a broader philosophy within the UK driving test: newly qualified drivers should understand basic vehicle maintenance alongside driving technique. Checks such as tyre tread depth, brake condition, and indicator function are tasks that any responsible driver performs regularly. Without this knowledge, new drivers may miss warning signs of mechanical problems that could lead to breakdowns or accidents.

The DVSA introduced these questions to address gaps in candidate knowledge that became apparent during the earlier phases of practical testing. By including a brief verbal and practical assessment, the agency ensures that every candidate who passes the test has at least demonstrated familiarity with essential safety checks. This represents a modest but meaningful contribution to overall road safety standards.

Learners who take the questions seriously often continue performing these checks after passing their test, building habits that serve them throughout their driving career. Instructors frequently report that candidates who understand why the questions exist tend to retain the information more effectively than those who simply memorise answers for test purposes.

Official Sources and Further Reading

The DVSA publishes the complete official guidance for both candidates and instructors on the GOV.UK website. This guidance forms the authoritative reference for the ‘show me, tell me’ questions and supersedes any third-party interpretation. Candidates preparing for their test should bookmark the official DVSA page as their primary reference.

According to the official DVSA guidance published on GOV.UK: “You’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions during your driving test. One ‘tell me’ question, which you’ll be asked before starting the car, and one ‘show me’ question, which you’ll be asked while you’re driving.”

Supplementary materials include the DVSA’s official YouTube demonstration videos, which provide visual examples of correct responses to both ‘tell me’ and ‘show me’ questions. These videos are updated periodically and offer the clearest available representation of examiner expectations.

Summary

The ‘show me, tell me’ questions remain a fixed and predictable element of the UK car driving test. Two questions are always asked: one requiring a verbal explanation before driving, and one requiring a practical demonstration during the drive. Wrong answers incur a single minor driving fault, and only dangerous driving during the demonstration results in failure. The official question lists have not changed since 2017, and no 2026 modifications have been announced. Thorough preparation using the official DVSA resources and practical revision in the test vehicle provides the most reliable path to success. Learners seeking broader guidance on test preparation may find additional value in resources such as Best Trading Platform UK 2026 for related study materials.

Frequently Asked Questions