At the beginning of your driving test, after you have been asked by the DSA examiner to read a number plate and then arrive at your car (or your Driving Instructors car), you will be asked 1 of the DSA ‘tell me’ questions, then as you drive you will be asked a ‘show me’ question. If you get one of both questions wrong it will only result in one ‘minor’ driving fault on your test report.
If you are taking your driving test in a driving school car, during your driving lessons you should ensure that you become familiar with where to find the required aspects that you may be asked to identify. These questions are designed to check your knowledge of basic car safety and will include one ‘show me’ aspect, where you actually have to demonstrate how and what you would do to check/adjust something, and one ‘tell me’ aspect where you would simply have to explain how you would do something.‘show me, tell me’ questions are listed below. At the bottom of the page there is a list of the specific DSA combinations you will be asked (the examiners should only ask you the questions in these pairs).
Show Me Tell Me Questions
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
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.
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 head restraint should be adjusted so that the rigid part of it is at least as high as the the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the head as is comfortable.
Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts or bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference.
Tell me how you’d check the heights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn ignition on if necessary), then walk around the vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question you don’t need to physically check the lights)
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk around vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working. Before starting a journey check.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, then start the car, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system operates.
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.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on.
Explain use.
Tell me how you Switch your headlights from dipped beam to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check the main beam warning light.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the maximum and min markers
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markers on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
When its safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
