Tell Me in plain English
Your examiner will ask you two questions during your practical driving test in the UK, one from each of the lists below.
Here are some simple ways to answer.
You do not need to learn the answers to the Tell Me questions word for word. If you go blank and can’t answer the Tell Me question you will get a driving fault but you will not fail your test.
But you do need to make sure you can do any of the Show Me things safely while driving. If you need to take your eyes off the road for too long, you risk a dangerous fault and could fail your test.
Tell Me Questions
You’ll need to answer one of these questions before you start driving
How you would check that the direction indicators are working?
Switch them on, walk around the car and check they are working.
How would you check that the brakes are working before starting a journey?
The brakes shouldn’t feel spongy or slack and they should not pull to one side when braking.
How would you check that the brake lights are working?
Press the brake pedal and get someone else to check if they are working, or use the reflections in a window behind the car.
How would you check that the power-steering is working before starting a journey?
The steering wheel should turn easily when the engine is running. If the steering wheel still feels heavy and hard to turn after the engine is started, then the power steering isn’t working.
How you would check the tyre pressures and how would you know what they should be for this car?
The recommended pressure will be in the owners manual and can be checked using the air pump at a petrol station, ideally when the tyres are cold.
How should your head-restraint be adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash?
The hard part of the headrest should be above the tops of your ears and as close to your head as possible.
How would you check that the tyres have sufficient tread depth and are safe to use?
You need to make sure that there are no cuts or bulges on the sides of the tyres and that they have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm around the entire circumference of the tyres and across at least 3/4 of their width.
How would you check that the headlights and tail lights are working?
Switch them on, walk around the car and check they are working.
How would you switch on the rear fog lights and when would you use them?
Turn on the dipped headlights and then turn on the rear fog lights if the visibility is less than 100 metres.
How would you know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system?
There would be a warning light on the dashboard.
How would you switch your headlights from dipped beam to main beam and how would you know they were on main beam?
Pull or push the indicator stalk to turn main beams on and off. A blue light will appear on the dashboard when the headlights are on main beam.
Open the bonnet and tell me - how you would check the engine has enough oil?
You pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in, pull it out a second time and make sure the oil level is between minimum and maximum. (Pointing at the yellow loop sticking out of the front of the engine.)
Open the bonnet and tell me - how you would check the engine coolant level?
You make sure the level is between minimum and maximum. (Pointing at the side of the largest plastic tank, the one with pink liquid.)
Open the bonnet and tell me - how you would check the brake fluid level?
You make sure the level is between minimum and maximum. (Pointing at the side of the smaller plastic tank, the one with grey liquid and a black lid.)
Show Me Questions
You’ll be asked to do one of these things while you are driving