Before you start the driving part of your practical test, the examiner will ask you a ‘tell me’ question. You’ll have to explain how you’d undertake a simple task on your car, such as checking the tyre pressures. Get the answer wrong and you’ll notch up a driver fault. The ‘show me’ question is asked while you are driving. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can carry out a basic safety task, such as demisting the windscreen. Neither question should trip you up so long as you practice common show me, tell me questions and answers.
Typical ‘show me’ questions
Q: Can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
A: While still driving carefully, push the demister button, then switch it off again.
Q: When it’s safe, can you show how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
A: Turn the headlights on using the appropriate control. It’s likely to be a rotary control to the side of the steering wheel or a twist switch on the indicator stalk. Your instructor will have made sure you are familiar with all the important controls in the car.
‘tell me’ questions
Q: Where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how its tyre pressures should be checked?
A: Information will be found using the car manufacturer’s manual. The figures may also be inside the driver’s door, fuel filler flap or on the back of one of the sun visors. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold. Don’t forget the spare and remember to refit the valve caps.
Q: How would you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash?
A: The restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of it is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Bear in mind that some restraints aren’t adjustable.
Easy once you know how
As you can see, the show me, tell me questions and answers are nothing to worry about so long as you prepare well.
