DSA SHOW ME TELL ME QUESTIONS
DSA SHOW ME TELL ME MECHANICAL SAFETY QUESTIONS
DSA Safety Check Question Bank for Cars Drivers on L-Test
The examiner will ask you 1 'tell me' question after you've read a number plate (eye sight test) at the start of the practical driving test. You'll be asked 1 'show me' question whilst you're driving.
Tell Me
1.
Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A: This involves you opening the bonnet. You would check the oil level by removing the dipstick, wipe it clean of oil, dip it back in, removing it again and the oil should leave an oily mark between the maximum and minimum marker.
Tell Me
2.
Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
A: This involves you opening the bonnet. The coolant can be checked by looking at the maximum and minimum levels found on the side of the expansion tank (never open the coolant when it's hot).
Tell Me
3.
Q: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A This involves you opening the bonnet. It can be checked by looking at the maximum and minimum levels found on the side of the brake fluid reservoir
Tell Me
4.
Q: Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A: Tell the examiner that you would drive forward slowly, press the foot brake, it shouldn't feel spongy or slack and the car shouldn't pull to one side.
Tell Me
5.
Q: Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A: Tell the examiner that you would check and adjust all the tyres including the spare tyre when they're cold with an air pressure gauge. Don't forget to refit the valve caps after. Tyre pressure information can be found in the car manual or sometimes there's a sticker on either the drivers or passengers door pillar.
Tell Me
6.
Q: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
A: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part is at least as high as your eye or top of the ears and as close to the back of your head as comfortable. If you do need to adjust it, there's a little button at the base of the head restraint that you can press and then move the head restraint up or down.
Tell Me
7.
Q: Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A: You would check all the tyres with a tread depth gauge. The tread depth should be no less than 1.6mm across the central three quarters breadth of the tyre and you'd check this all the way round the tyre. There also shouldn't be any cuts or bulges on the outside of the tyre wall.
Tell Me
8.
Q: Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
A: You'd turn the ignition on, turn the dipped headlights on and then walk round the car to check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Tell Me
9.
Q: Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).
A: You'd tell the examiner that the ABS warning light will illuminate on the dashboard if theres a problem.
Tell Me
10.
Q: Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
A: Tell the examiner that you'd press the hazard warning lights button, it's identified by a red triangle. Then you would walk around the car to make sure all six indicators are working (you don't need to physically check on the driving test as it's a 'tell me' question).
Tell Me
11.
Q: Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
A: Tell the examiner that you'd turn the ignition on, press the foot brake and either see reflections in windows or a garage door for example or ask someone to help and check the brake lights are working.
Tell Me
12.
Q: Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
A: To check it's working, you can pull down on the steering wheel as you start the engine. There should be slight movement as the power steering begins to operate. Also, as soon as you move off, you'll feel the steering is light to turn and not heavy.
Tell Me
13.
Q: Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
A: Tell the examiner that you would use the rear fog light when you can't see further than 100 metres. You would firstly need to turn on the ignition, turn on the dipped headlights and then turn on the rear fog light ( a light will illuminate) .
Tell Me
14.
Q: Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
A: Tell the examiner that you would have to turn on the ignition. Turn on the dipped headlights. Push the indicator stalk on the left away from you for the main beam , a blue light will illuminate on the dash board.
Show Me
15.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
A: The control for this is on the right hand stork To use it, push the stork away from you and hold to squirt water, and then pull back to stop the wiper arm continuing to wipe .
Show Me
16.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
A: The control for this is on the same stalk as the rear windscreen washer. This time you'll have to pull the wiper arm towards you until water sprays on the windscreen.
Show Me
17.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
A: Turn the switch twice to the right for the dipped headlights. The symbol on the dashboard shows they're on. Don't forget to turn them off after. Try not to look at the control when driving.
Show Me
18.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
A: The demister controls are on the dash board, Press it to turn it on. Don't forget to turn it off by pressing it again.
Show Me
19.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
A: The horn is in the centre of the steering wheel. When there aren't any other road users nearby just press it.
Show Me
20.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
A: The demister controls are on the dash board, set the dial to windscreen and put the fan on.
Show Me
21.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
A: The same as all the other 'show me' questions, only do this when it's safe. The controls are on the drivers door. You can open and close any window. The button on the right and forward is for the drivers window. Press it down to fully open the window. Pull it up to close the window. Try not to look at the controls when driving.
What happens if I fail the Show Me, Tell Me questions?
Firstly, you won't fail your driving test! You will get a maximum of one 'driving fault' (a minor as they're commonly called) if you get one or both the questions wrong.