The show me tell me questions are the vehicle safety questions asked during the UK practical driving test. You will be asked one tell me question at the start of the test and one show me question while driving.

They are not the biggest part of the test, but they still matter. If you get one or both wrong, you can pick up a driving fault. That is why it makes sense to learn them properly before test day, especially if you are taking intensive driving courses in Glasgow and want to be fully prepared.

What Are Show Me Tell Me Questions?

These questions are designed to check that you understand basic car safety checks and controls. The examiner wants to know that you can use important features properly and understand simple maintenance and safety points.

A tell me question is normally asked before you start driving. You explain your answer verbally.

A show me question is asked while you are driving. You demonstrate something safely while staying in control of the car.

Why These Questions Matter

You will not fail your test just because of one question, but getting them wrong can still cost you a mark. More importantly, they are easy marks to avoid losing if you prepare properly.

If you are already working toward test standard through a crash course Glasgow option, there is no reason to leave this part to chance.

Common Show Me Questions

• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would wash and clean the rear windscreen.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would wash and clean the front windscreen.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would set the rear demister.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would operate the horn.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would demist the front windscreen.
• When it is safe to do so, show me how you would open and close the side window.

Common Tell Me Questions

• Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
• Tell me where you would find the recommended tyre pressures and how tyre pressures should be checked.
• Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted.
• Tell me how you would check the tyres have sufficient tread depth and are safe to use on the road.
• Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
• Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
• Tell me how you would check the direction indicators are working.
• Tell me how you would check the brake lights are working.
• Tell me how you would check that the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
• Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you would use them.
• Tell me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know main beam is on.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
• Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Simple Tips for Answering Them Properly

• Keep your answers simple and direct.
• Learn the exact control locations in the car you are using for your test.
• Practise saying the answers out loud, not just reading them silently.
• Do not rush a show me question while driving. Wait until it is safe.
• If the question involves opening the bonnet, know exactly what you are pointing to.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

• Overcomplicating the answer.
• Learning general information but not the actual car controls.
• Panicking if the question sounds slightly different from how they practised it.
• Trying to complete a show me task before it is safe to do so.

The fix is simple: practise the questions in the actual car and keep the answers clear. That will do more for you than reading endless versions of the same list.

Do You Need to Memorise Every Word?

No. You do not need to sound robotic. You just need to show that you understand the safety point and can explain or demonstrate it properly.

If you are still unsure about other practical test details, check our frequently asked questions page for more help.

Final Word

The show me tell me questions are one of the easiest parts of the practical test to prepare for. Learn the common questions, practise them in the car, and keep your answers simple. That way you avoid losing easy marks and go into the test feeling more prepared.

If you are getting close to test day and want a faster route to being fully prepared, our intensive driving courses in Glasgow are built to help learners sharpen up quickly and work toward test standard with fewer gaps between lessons.