The ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions are a crucial part of the UK practical driving test. These vehicle safety questions assess a candidate’s knowledge. The examiner will ask two questions during the test.
What are Show Me Tell Me Questions?
Show Me Tell Me questions are designed to evaluate a driver’s understanding of vehicle safety and basic maintenance. These questions, asked during the practical driving test, consist of two parts. One part requires a verbal explanation, the “Tell Me” question, and the other requires a practical demonstration, the “Show Me” question. They are also known as vehicle safety questions and are essential for ensuring a driver’s competence. The questions cover areas like braking systems, lighting, and other safety-related aspects of the vehicle.
Types of Questions
The practical driving test includes two distinct types of questions. These are the “Tell Me” questions which require verbal explanations, and the “Show Me” questions which involve practical demonstrations within the vehicle.
Tell Me Questions⁚ Verbal Explanations
Tell Me questions are posed by the examiner at the beginning of the driving test, before the candidate starts driving. These questions require the candidate to verbally explain how they would perform a specific safety check or task on the vehicle. The candidate must clearly articulate the process and demonstrate understanding of the vehicle’s safety mechanisms without physically showing it at this stage. This assesses their theoretical knowledge of vehicle safety.
Show Me Questions⁚ Practical Demonstrations
Show Me questions are asked during the practical driving portion of the test. These questions require the candidate to demonstrate how to operate a specific vehicle control or perform a safety check while driving. The candidate must perform the task safely and maintain control of the car throughout the process. Examiners emphasize that the task must be something that can be performed while the vehicle is in motion. This tests practical application of vehicle controls.
Timing of the Questions
The examiner will ask the “Tell Me” question before the driving portion of the practical test begins. The “Show Me” question is posed during the actual driving segment of the exam.
Tell Me Question Before Driving
Prior to commencing the driving portion of the practical test, the examiner will ask you one ‘Tell Me’ question. This question requires you to verbally explain how you would perform a specific safety task or check on the vehicle. It is important to provide a clear and accurate description of the process. This is to ensure you understand the safety aspects of your vehicle before driving. You might also be asked to point out certain parts of the car.
Show Me Question During Driving
During the driving portion of your practical test, the examiner will ask you a ‘Show Me’ question. This requires you to demonstrate how to operate a specific vehicle control or function while driving. The examiner will assess your ability to perform the action safely and without losing control of the vehicle. It’s crucial to maintain safe driving practices while demonstrating the required action. These questions test real-time safety and control.
Number of Questions Asked
During the practical driving test, the examiner will ask a total of two ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions. One will be a ‘Tell Me’ and the other a ‘Show Me’ question.
Two Questions in Total
The practical driving test includes exactly two vehicle safety questions, commonly known as ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions. The examiner will ask one ‘Tell Me’ question before you start driving, requiring a verbal explanation. Subsequently, during the driving portion, they will ask one ‘Show Me’ question, where you demonstrate the action safely. These two questions are designed to assess your basic vehicle safety knowledge and practical control skills. Only two questions will be asked.
Content of the Questions
The questions cover essential vehicle safety checks and ancillary controls. These include brake function, lights, and other safety-related aspects. Familiarity with these elements is vital for safe driving.
Vehicle Safety Checks
The ‘Tell Me’ questions often involve explaining how you would check various safety aspects of the vehicle. This includes the brakes, ensuring they are not spongy and that the car doesn’t pull to one side. You might also be asked about checking lights, fluid levels, and tyre condition. These checks are fundamental for ensuring the vehicle is safe to operate before commencing a journey, and the examiner will assess your understanding of these.
Ancillary Controls
The ‘Show Me’ questions require a practical demonstration of how to operate certain ancillary controls of the vehicle. These typically include the windscreen wipers, headlights, demisters, and horn. Examiners will ask you to show how you would use these controls safely while driving. It is essential to be familiar with the location and operation of these controls before the test. You should be able to use them without taking your attention off the road.
Consequences of Incorrect Answers
An incorrect answer to a ‘Show Me’ or ‘Tell Me’ question results in a driving fault. These faults are sometimes called minor faults. There is a maximum number of these allowed.
Driving Faults for Each Incorrect Answer
Each incorrect response to either a ‘Show Me’ or ‘Tell Me’ question during your practical driving test will result in a single driving fault. This is sometimes referred to as a minor fault. These faults are recorded by the examiner and will contribute to the overall assessment of your driving performance during the test. It’s essential to understand that these are not automatic failures, but they do count against your total allowed faults.
Maximum Number of Driving Faults
While each incorrect answer to a ‘Show Me’ or ‘Tell Me’ question results in a driving fault, there is a limit to how many faults you can accumulate from these questions alone. The maximum number of driving faults that can be attributed to incorrect answers is two; Receiving more than this maximum will not cause you to fail your driving test, however, the other faults would still apply if this is the case.
Resources for Preparation
To prepare for the ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions, use official DVSA materials, online quizzes, and practice tests. These resources help you become familiar with the questions.
Official DVSA Materials
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provides official resources for ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. These materials include the complete list of questions, answers, and guidance on how to demonstrate the tasks. Using these resources ensures you are learning the most accurate and up-to-date information. These materials are available on their official website. You can download vehicle safety questions for car driving tests and also for trailer driving tests, ensuring comprehensive preparation.
Online Quizzes and Practice Tests
Numerous online platforms offer quizzes and practice tests for the ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. These interactive tools allow candidates to test their knowledge and identify areas needing more study. They often simulate the actual test format, making preparation more effective. Many of these quizzes are free, offering a valuable resource. By using these practice tests, you can familiarize yourself with the questions and improve your response time. This can boost your confidence on the practical driving test day.
Changes and Updates
The DVSA occasionally updates the ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. It’s important to stay informed of any recent modifications. DVSA also releases videos to help candidates prepare for the test.
Recent Updates to Questions
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) periodically reviews and updates the ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions to ensure they remain relevant to vehicle safety. These updates may include changes to the wording of the questions, or the addition of new questions to reflect technological advancements in vehicles. It is essential to use the most current official DVSA material for preparation to be aware of the latest changes. Keeping up with these updates will ensure you give the correct responses.
Videos Released by DVSA
The DVSA has released videos to help candidates understand the ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. These videos provide a visual demonstration of what is expected for each question, covering both the ‘Tell Me’ explanations and the ‘Show Me’ practical tasks. They are a valuable resource for learners, allowing them to see the correct procedures and understand the examiner’s expectations. The videos are readily available and help to clarify any confusion.
Importance of Preparation
Preparation for these questions ensures familiarity with the vehicle’s controls. It also promotes safe and confident operation of the vehicle during the driving test and beyond.
Familiarity with Controls
Understanding the location and function of all vehicle controls is essential for both the ‘Show Me’ and ‘Tell Me’ questions. This knowledge builds confidence and ensures that you can operate the car safely during your test. Being familiar with controls such as the horn, lights, and demisters is a critical part of being a safe driver, allowing for quick and efficient reactions while on the road. This familiarity also prevents distractions while driving.
Safe Operation of Vehicle
The ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions are designed to ensure that candidates can operate their vehicle safely. Correctly demonstrating the ‘Show Me’ tasks while driving is critical, as is explaining the safety tasks in the ‘Tell Me’ questions. The aim is to demonstrate that you can maintain control of your vehicle while performing ancillary tasks. This focus on safety is crucial for preventing accidents, making you a more confident and responsible driver on the road.
Additional Information
For those pursuing an ADI qualification, the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions also form part of the ADI Part 2 exam. This includes five questions, requiring a higher level of expertise.
ADI Part 2 Questions
Aspiring Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) face a more extensive version of the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ during their Part 2 examination. Unlike the standard driving test, ADI candidates are asked a total of five questions, designed to assess their in-depth knowledge and understanding of vehicle safety and operation. This rigorous evaluation ensures that future instructors possess the necessary expertise to safely train new drivers. These questions cover a broader range of vehicle systems and controls.
Where to Find More Information
For further guidance, numerous websites and online communities offer resources about ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions. These platforms provide practice materials and support for test preparation.
Websites and Online Communities
Numerous websites and online forums offer detailed information and support regarding the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions. These platforms often provide practice quizzes, updated question lists, and discussion boards where learners can share experiences and tips. Websites like ‘drivingtesttips.biz’ and other driving instructor resources can offer valuable insights. Additionally, some online communities share advice and updates. These resources can greatly aid in preparing for the practical driving test by familiarizing candidates with the questions.