Online driving tutorials
Online driving tutorial - Show Me/Tell Me
I leave the show me tell me questions until quite late on in a students training. The driver must be able to multitask and have exceptionally good control of the vehicle.
During the practical driving test, you'll be asked one question at the driving test centre and one whilst on the move. It's important to practise these show me tell me questions whilst actually driving. You'll be required to perform the show me section at your convenience. Meaning when you're ready.
Make sure you know exactly what your going to do before you do it. If you draw a mind blank, don't panic. Take the hit and say pass. It's just a minor. You don't want to start looking down and hitting all the buttons and dials in the car randomly. Any loss of control here could spell disaster.
Tell me
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested before you set off.
2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
In the hand book/manufacturer’s guide. It's usually in the glove box. Use a reliable pressure gauge to check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold. Don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint 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. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable. A simple answer here is top of the head inline with the top of the cushion.
4. 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.
The legal tread depth requirement of a tyre is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference. You'd be looking for 'cuts and bulges' on the outside of the tyre to be road worthy.
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d press the hazard button and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
Show Me
10. Show 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.
Turn on the headlights first, then press the fog light button. Once for front, a second time for rear (which is what they're after) and a third press gets rid of them. Fog lights are needed when visibility is less than 100 meters.
11. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Rotate the end of the washer stalk forwards to activate the head lights. To turn on the full beam you need to push the stalk away from you. A blue jelly fish looking light comes on the dash board when activated.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
15. Show me how you'd open a window.
The window operating buttons are by your left knee and the gear stick.
16. Show me how you'd clean the windscreen if dirty.
Pull the wiper stalk towards you for a few seconds. Wait until the water squirts on the windscreen. The wipers will then activate to clean the screen.
17. Show me how you'd clean the rear window.
Push the wiper stalk away from you for a few seconds, then the water will spray over the rear window followed by the wiper.
18. Show me how you'd demist the rear window.
Press the rear window demist button.
19. Show me how you'd demist the front window.
Turn the air flow to front window. Turn the air flow speed to high. Turn the temperature to high.
I think this is the hardest show me tell me question as you'll potentially have three dials to turn. It could be worth setting the car up to ave the air flow pointing to the front window before the exam starts. This would then require one less action.
20. Show me how you'd operate the horn.
Press the centre of the steering wheel firmly.
Will only be done at the test centre.
You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.
Now you know all the show me tell me questions and answers it's time to move on to reading my top ten tips for passing you driving test.
