On your driving test, your DVSA examiner will ask you one tell me question at the beginning before the car is moving and one show me question during the test while the car is moving.
A show me question requires a demonstration of how you would operate one of the ancillary controls on your car – for example:
“When it is safe to do so, show me how you would check that the horn is working properly.”
A tell me question just requires an explanation.
At driveJohnson’s driving school, we take everything about preparing you for your driving test seriously, so we have provided a printable show me, tell me question sheet so you can practise on your own as well as with your instructor.
Show me, tell me questions
The two videos provided here are provided by the DVSA and watching them should help you grasp what is expected. There are many videos online for the show me, tell me questions, but we would recommend the DVSA ones over any other as the terminology used will be the same or very close to what your examiner will say on the day of your driving test.
Download 'Show Me, Tell Me' Questions Click here to download and print the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions.Show me questions video
Tell me questions video
What happens if you get one or both ‘show me, tell me’ questions wrong?
In the event you answer both questions incorrectly, you will receive just one driver fault. However, while you are answering the show me question, it’s important that you do so safely as the car is moving. See the next question for more information on this.
What are the common mistakes made by a learner on their test when doing the show me question?
No one will fail for getting the show me question wrong. However, if you attempt to do a show me question and it affects your driving, then you will be marked down for this and, in some instances, you could fail your test.
We have provided a list of common faults and tips to avoid making the mistake when demonstrating the show me question.
Most of these mistakes happen if you are not familiar with the car you’re driving or you haven’t practised them while the car is moving very much.
Wash and clean the rear windscreen
In some cars, the rear windscreen washer can be mixed up with the front one. Pressing the front one could cause you to panic and look down at the buttons, meaning your eyes are off the road for too long.
Another mistake is putting the wipers on afterwards and not fully understanding how to turn them off again. This can cause extra anxiety which may distract you from driving safely.
Wash and clean the front windscreen
Just remember that not all vehicles have the washers on the direction indicators. Again, if you are unfamiliar with the car you’re driving, you may start looking for the washer on the direction indicator and accidentally put a signal on.
Another problem which could occur is putting on your wipers at the same time – if it’s a hot sunny day and the wipers are going off, it can smear your windscreen or just distract you from your driving until you have turned them off.
Switch on your dipped headlights
Avoid putting your fog lights on at all costs – this can blind other road users and be deemed as a serious fault. To turn the lights on in many vehicles, you have to lean or lower your body to get to the switch. Just be mindful to focus on your steering. If you lose control of your steering, this will be marked as a driver fault.
Setting the rear demister
The rear demister can easily be mistaken for the front demister. Just remember that the rear demister has arrows pointing up in a rectangle. If you press the front one by accident without the air conditioning while it’s raining, it can sometimes cause the front windscreen to mist up very quickly.
Operate the horn
This is probably one of the easiest show me questions. Just be mindful you don’t press the horn when other road users are near you. The examiner shouldn’t ask you to do this in a busy moment, though if you are late responding to the instruction, the situation could change into a busier area.
Demist the front windscreen
If you put this on and off quickly during cold and rainy conditions, you should have no problems. Leaving it on without the aircon on could mist the windows up.
You will be expected to use this button yourself without the examiner’s instruction if your windows mist up on their own. If you are taking your test on a cold, rainy or icy day, then it may pay to start the test with it on straight away – with the air conditioning as well – to prevent your windows from misting up.
Open and close the side window
Try not to do the examiner’s window if you can help it. During a nice sunny day it’s not so bad but if it’s raining, the last thing you want is to drench the examiner. The side window doesn’t have to go all the way down but if you are unfamiliar with the window controls, this can easily happen. You can open the window briefly and bring it back up again if you know how to operate the car you are driving competently enough.
General rule for all show me questions
Never try to do a show me question when you are in a difficult driving moment. For example, avoid doing a show me question when you are on a roundabout, trying to change lanes or overtake. The examiner should ask you when it’s safe and you have time to demonstrate the show me question. However, something may pop up soon afterwards such as a car slowing down suddenly or a car cutting in front of you. If this happens, the examiner would expect you to deal with the driving incident first and then, when it is safe, perform the show me demonstration.
Most faults which occur around the show me question are to do with steering and positioning. If you practise the show me questions regularly in your lessons, then you shouldn’t lose control of your steering on the day of your test.
Good luck!
