How it works
At the start of your test the examiner asks you one 'tell me' question (explain how you would carry out a safety check) and, while driving, one 'show me' question (demonstrate a check, such as using the washers or demisting). Get a question wrong and you get one driving fault, not an automatic fail.
Examples of tell me questions
The questions come from an official DVSA list. You might be asked:
- How you would check the tyres are safe to drive
- How you would check the brakes are working
- How you would check the engine oil level
- How you would check the headlights and tail lights
Examples of show me questions
While driving you might be asked to show how you would:
- Wash and wipe the windscreen
- Demist the front windscreen
- Switch on the rear fog light
- Set the headlights to main beam
How to learn them
Your instructor will go through the full DVSA list with you and practise the ones that apply to the car you will test in.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Fees and rules change, so always check GOV.UK for the latest.