Printer friendly page

Click here to Print This Page

Practical driving test - Show me, Tell me questions.

At the beginning of a practical driving test, your examiner will ask you some questions relating to car safety.

The purpose of the questions is to test your knowledge of various maintenance checks that a driver should make on a regular basis.

You will be asked two questions. If you answer either or both questions incorrectly, then your examiner will mark a minor fault on their Driving Test Report form.

Each question is in a combination of two. They are:

Combination 1:

Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level, and how you would check the engine oil level
  • Point to the engine oil dipstick and describe how you would check the level. (Method: Before checking, make sure the car in on a level surface, and the engine is cool; pull the dipstick out, and wipe it with an old cloth or tissue. Replace the dipstick, then take it out again. the oil level, should be between a minimum and maximum marks at the end of the stick.)

 
Show me and explain how you would check that the power sterring is working correctly before a journey.
  • If the steering becomes heavy (difficult to turn) then the power steering may not be working correctly. Before starting a journey, there are two methods of checking. Pulling the steering wheel down gently, while starting the engine, will result in the steering becoming lighter, or turning the steering wheel slightly when you first move off, the steering wheel should become easier to turn.

Combination 2:

Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level, and show me how you'd check that its at the correct level and describe how you would top it up.
  • You should do this when the engine is on a level surface, and when its cold. Point to the engine coolant high/low levels on the header tank or radiator filler cap. Open the radiator header cap, or radiator cap and pour water into it until it reaches the max level. On no account should you do this when the engine is hot, otherwise you will get serious injuries.

 
Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear
  • Demonstrate by applying the parking (handbrake) brake so when its fully secured, it secures itself (meaning that it doesn't release on its own) and that it doesn't go to the end of its travel.

 

 

Combination 3:

Identify where the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is, and tell me how you would check the level
  • Open the bonnet, and point to the washer fluid reservoir, depending on the car, it should be semi-transparent, so you can see the level. If you're not sure, have a look in your vehicle owners manual.
Show me how you would check the horn is working correctly
  • To check the horn, turn on the ignition, and press the horn button.

Combination 4:

Open the bonnet, and identify the brake fluid reservoir and how you would check if you have the correct level of brake fluid.
  • Identify and point to the brake fluid reservoir, and check the minimum levels. To top up, unscrew the cap and pour brake fluid to the maximum level. This should be don when the vehicle is on a level surface.
Show me how you check the direction indicators.
  • Turn the ignition on, operate the indicator switch, get out of the car and walk around it, checking each indicator all around the car is working correctly.

Combination 5:

Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working correctly
  • You need to press on the foot brake and make use of anything reflective behind your car, such as windows, garage doors.
Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear
  • Demonstrate by applying the parking (handbrake) brake so when its fully secured, it secures itself (meaning that it doesn't release on its own) and that it doesn't go to the end of its travel.

Combination 6:

Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working properly before starting a journey.
  • Press on the foot brake and say that they shouldn't feel spongy or slack. the brakes should be tested as you move off. It shouldn't pull to one side when you apply the foot brake
Show me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working correctly
  • Switch on the ignition, turn the headlight switch on and walk around the car to check that all the bulbs are illuminated

Combination 7:

Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how would you check the pressures.
  • The tyre pressures are in the car's owners manual. You would check the pressures using a reliable and accurate tyre gauge, checking all the tyres including the spare. Its important to refit the valve caps after the check.
How would you check that the direction indicators are working correctly?
  • You can turn the hazard warning switch on, or turn the ignition on and the direction indicators and walk around the car to check the bulbs.

Combination 8:

Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and they are safe on the road.
  • There should be no cuts or bulges on the side of the tyre. The tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6 millimetres across 3/4 of the width of the tyre, and all around the circumference.
Show me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working correctly
  • Switch on the ignition, turn the headlight switch on and walk around the car to check that all the bulbs are illuminated

Combination 9:

Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and they are safe on the road.
  • There should be no cuts or bulges on the side of the tyre. The tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6 millimetres across 3/4 of the width of the tyre, and all around the circumference.
Show me how you would check the horn is working correctly
  • To check the horn, turn on the ignition, and press the horn button.

Combination 10:

Open the bonnet, and identify the brake fluid reservoir and how you would check if you have the correct level of brake fluid.
  • Identify and point to the brake fluid reservoir, and check the minimum levels. To top up, unscrew the cap and pour brake fluid to the maximum level. This should be don when the vehicle is on a level surface.
Show me and explain how you would check that the power sterring is working correctly before a journey.
  • If the steering becomes heavy (difficult to turn) then the power steering may not be working correctly. Before starting a journey, there are two methods of checking. Pulling the steering wheel down gently, while starting the engine, will result in the steering becoming lighter, or turning the steering wheel slightly when you first move off, the steering wheel should become easier to turn.

Combination 11:

Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level, and how you would check the engine oil level
  • Point to the engine oil dipstick and describe how you would check the level. (Method: Before checking, make sure the car in on a level surface, and the engine is cool; pull the dipstick out, and wipe it with an old cloth or tissue. Replace the dipstick, then take it out again. the oil level, should be between a minimum and maximum marks at the end of the stick.)
Show me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working correctly
  • Switch on the ignition, turn the headlight switch on and walk around the car to check that all the bulbs are illuminated

Combination 12:

Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level, and show me how you'd check that its at the correct level and describe how you would top it up.
  • You should do this when the engine is on a level surface, and when its cold. Point to the engine coolant high/low levels on the header tank or radiator filler cap. Open the radiator header cap, or radiator cap and pour water into it un till it reaches the max level. On no account should you do this when the engine is hot, otherwise you will get serious injuries.
Show me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working correctly
  • Switch on the ignition, turn the headlight switch on and walk around the car to check that all the bulbs are illuminated