A lot of learners worry about manoeuvres, roundabouts and parallel parking, then get caught out by the show me tell me questions because they seem small and easy to forget. The truth is, these questions are a straightforward part of the practical test, and with the right preparation, they are one of the easiest marks to secure.
If you understand what the examiner is looking for, the show me tell me questions stop feeling like a memory test and start feeling like a chance to show that you can use the car safely. That matters not just for passing, but for becoming a confident driver after your test too.
What are show me tell me questions?
Show me tell me questions are vehicle safety questions asked during the practical driving test in Great Britain. There are two parts. One is a “tell me” question, usually asked at the start of the test before you begin driving. The other is a “show me” question, asked while you are driving.
The aim is simple. The examiner wants to know whether you understand basic vehicle checks and essential controls. They are not expecting you to be a mechanic. They are checking that you can deal with everyday safety tasks, such as using demisters, checking lights, or knowing how to confirm that your brakes are working.
You can pick up a driving fault if you answer one or both incorrectly, but this is usually only a minor. That means a mistake here will not normally fail your test on its own. Still, there is no reason to give away a mark if you can prepare properly.
Why show me tell me questions matter more than learners think
Many pupils treat this part of the test as a last-minute revision topic. That is understandable, because compared with junctions or independent driving, it can seem less important. But these questions do something useful. They show whether you are thinking like a safe driver, not just someone trying to get through a test.
For example, knowing how to clear the windscreen quickly in poor weather is not just a textbook answer. It affects visibility. Understanding how to check tyre pressures is not just theory. It affects grip, braking and control. Once you look at the questions that way, they become easier to remember because they connect to real driving.
This is also why patient, test-focused teaching makes a difference. When learners practise these checks in the car rather than just reading them from a sheet, the answers tend to stick.
How the questions are asked on test day
The tell me question comes first, before you set off. The examiner may ask something like how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. You need to explain the process clearly and calmly.
The show me question comes later while you are driving. You might be asked to show how you would wash and clean the rear windscreen, or how you would operate the horn. Because you are moving, the examiner is also watching how safely you manage the task.
That second part catches some learners out. They know the control, but they rush, look down too long, or lose concentration on the road. So this part is not only about knowing the answer. It is about keeping control of the car while using the control safely.
The easiest way to learn show me tell me questions
Trying to memorise each answer word for word is not usually the best approach. It can work for some learners, but under pressure, exact wording is easy to lose. A better method is to learn the meaning behind each question.
Start by grouping them into themes. There are questions about visibility, such as wipers, washers and demisters. There are questions about lights and indicators. There are questions about tyres, brakes and engine checks. Once you see the pattern, the list feels smaller.
Then practise in the actual vehicle you are using for lessons and test. This matters because controls can vary slightly between cars. In one car, the rear demister may be obvious. In another, it may be a small button you have ignored for weeks. Familiarity reduces panic.
It also helps to say answers out loud. Reading silently is one thing, but speaking clearly under test conditions is another. A calm instructor will often ask them naturally during lessons so the format feels normal by the time test day arrives.
Common show me tell me questions learners should know
Some questions come up again and again because they relate to everyday safety. You may be asked how you would check that the direction indicators are working, how you would know that the anti-lock braking system is working, or how you would check the headlights and tail lights.
Tyres are another key area. You should know that tyres must be in good condition, free from cuts and bulges, and have the correct tread depth and pressure. You do not need to guess figures on test day. You need to understand what safe tyres look like and why they matter.
You may also be asked about fluid levels, such as engine oil, coolant or brake fluid. The usual pattern is to explain that you would check the level against minimum and maximum markers, following the vehicle handbook if needed. The examiner wants safe, sensible awareness, not technical jargon.
For the show me part while driving, expect simple controls. Front or rear windscreen washers, dipped headlights, heated rear window and demisters are all common. The key is not speed. The key is safe observation and steady control.
Mistakes that turn easy marks into avoidable faults
The most common problem is overthinking. Learners often know the answer but start second-guessing themselves because they want to sound perfect. A simple, correct explanation is better than a complicated answer that drifts off course.
Another mistake is learning answers for a different car. If you switch between vehicles, especially manual and automatic, take time to check where the relevant controls are. The basic safety principles stay the same, but the layout may not.
During the show me question, some pupils focus so hard on the control that they forget the road ahead. If you need a moment, keep your eyes up, choose a safe opportunity and operate the control smoothly. The examiner is not trying to trick you. They want to see that you can divide attention safely.
Nerves can also make learners rush their speech. Slow down. If you pause briefly to think, that is fine. A calm answer delivered clearly is always better than blurting out the first thing that comes into your head.
A calm way to practise before your test
In the final weeks before your test, spend a few minutes at the start or end of each lesson going through two or three questions. Short, repeated practice usually works better than one long revision session the night before.
Ask your instructor to mix them in randomly. That helps because the examiner will not ask them in the same order as your revision sheet. Random practice builds confidence and makes your knowledge more flexible.
It also helps to connect each question to a real situation. Think of misted windows on a cold morning, low washer fluid after a motorway drive, or checking tyres before a longer journey. The more practical the question feels, the easier it is to remember under pressure.
At EE Driving School, this kind of preparation is part of building confident, test-ready drivers. When learners understand both the answer and the reason behind it, they tend to feel more settled on the day.
Show me tell me questions and confidence on test day
Confidence does not come from hoping the examiner asks the ones you revised best. It comes from knowing that even if the wording changes slightly, you understand the control or check being discussed.
That is why steady preparation matters more than cramming. If you can explain basic safety checks in your own words and operate the key controls without taking your attention away from the road, you are already in a strong position.
There is also no need to chase perfection. If you get one wrong, keep going. Many successful learners make a small mistake somewhere in the test and still pass well. What matters most is staying composed and driving safely throughout.
Treat the show me tell me questions as an opportunity, not an obstacle. They are one of the clearest chances to show that you are not only learning to pass, but learning to drive with care, awareness and confidence.
