You will be required to answer 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test:
• A 'tell me' question, where you will verbally need to give a correct answer, will be asked at the very start of your driving test (before you start driving). This question may additionally involve opening the bonnet of your vehicle, or perhaps operating an internal control as part of your explanation.
• A 'show me' question, where you will need to physically demonstrate a car safety task (such as washing the front window using the washer and wiper).
This page lists all the different questions the examiner might ask, together with a summary of the answers you should give. On one of your driving lessons, typically near the end of your course, your Instructor will explain in detail the answers together with any necessary controls you need to use on your vehicle.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
A: Using the palm of your hand, press the horn, located at the centre of the steering wheel.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
A: Operate control to wash and wipe the front windscreen, located on the wiper stalk.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
A: Operate control to wash and wipe the rear windscreen, located on the wiper stalk.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
A: Set all relevant controls including fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the rear windscreen?
A: Press the rear demister button to turn the demister on. Press again after the demonstration to switch the demister off.
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
A: Press the window open/close button located on the driver's door.
Q: Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Q: Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A: Consult the car manufacturer's guide or look on driver or passenger door, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don't forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
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: A properly adjusted head restraint prevents the head and neck from extending backwards on impact, significantly reducing the risk of injury. The head restraint should be adjusted so the top of 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.)
Q: Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Q: Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle.)
A: Explain that you would operate the light switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle. (As this is a 'tell Me' question, there is no need to physically check the lights.)
Q: Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. (No need to exit the vehicle.)
A: Apply the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators. You may need to switch ignition on, but no need to start engine. (As this is a 'tell me' question, you don’t need to physically check the lights.)
Q: Tell me how you would 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.
Q: Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car.
A: Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (You may need to switch ignition on, but no need to start engine.)
Q: Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
A: If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two 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.
Q: Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it / them.
A: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Rear (and front) fog lights must not be used unless visibility is seriously reduced, i.e. when when you cannot see further than 100 metres (328 feet). Fog lights must be switched off as soon as visibility improves to avoid dazzle. (As this is a 'tell me' question, you don’t need to physically check the lights.)
Q: Tell me how you would switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
A: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light. Remember to turn off the main beam after the demonstration.
Q: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A: Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.
Q: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
A: Identify the high / low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
Q: Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A: Identify reservoir, check level against high / low markings.
The following questions were previously asked on the driving test (prior to December 2017) and are still useful to know.
Q: Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, making sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
A: Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.
Q: Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
A: Identify reservoir, make visual inspection or use washer to test if some liquid left.