Prepare
Show me, tell me — and your theory test.
Two things stand between you and your licence. Below are all 21 DVSA vehicle safety questions with answers in plain English, followed by the theory test essentials. Start with the safety questions — they come up on the day of your practical test.
Show me, tell me questions
On your practical test the examiner asks you two vehicle safety questions: one tell me question at the start, before you drive off, and one show me question while you are driving. Get either wrong and it is one minor fault — not a fail on its own, but they are the easiest marks on the whole test.
You don't need perfect wording
The examiner wants to know you understand the check. Explaining it in your own words is fine — and for the “open the bonnet” questions you can point at things rather than reciting from memory.
“Tell me” questions — asked before you drive
You answer these while parked, before moving off. 14 questions, one of which you will be asked.
Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.+
As you set off and the car begins to move, press the brake gently. It should not feel spongy or slack, and the car should not pull to one side.
This is the one question you answer by doing it as you move off, not while stationary.
Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car, and how tyre pressures should be checked.+
The pressures are in the owner's manual, or on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or the fuel filler flap. Check them with a pressure gauge when the tyres are cold, and don't forget the spare if the car has one.
Cold matters — driving warms the air inside and gives a falsely high reading.
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 firm part of the head restraint should be level with the top of my head, and as close to the back of my head as is comfortable.
It is a safety device, not a cushion — set too low it can make whiplash worse.
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.+
There should be no cuts or bulges in the sidewall, and at least 1.6mm of tread across the middle three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round.
1.6mm is the legal minimum. Most garages suggest replacing at around 3mm.
Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working.+
Turn the ignition on — the engine does not need to be running — switch the lights on, then walk round the car and check. You can also use the reflection in a window or garage door.
Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.+
A warning light on the dashboard, usually the letters ABS, comes on and stays on.
Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working.+
Turn on the hazard warning lights and walk round the car to check all four indicators are flashing. Or switch the ignition on and use each indicator in turn.
Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.+
Press the brake pedal and have someone check behind, or look for the reflection in a window, garage door or wall behind the car. Some cars also show a brake light warning on the dashboard.
Tell me how you'd check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.+
With the engine off, press gently down on the steering wheel and turn it slightly — as the engine starts you should feel the wheel give slightly. Or just after starting, turn the wheel gently and it should feel light and easy.
Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you'd use it or them.+
Turn the ignition and lights on, then press the rear fog light switch — a warning light appears on the dashboard. I'd only use them when visibility drops below 100 metres, and switch them off once it clears.
Examiners like hearing the second half — leaving fog lights on dazzles drivers behind you.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam, and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.+
Push or pull the light stalk to switch to main beam. A blue warning light appears on the dashboard when it is on.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient oil.+
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in fully, then pull it out again. The oil level should sit between the minimum and maximum marks.
Wiping and re-inserting is the step learners forget — the first reading is never reliable.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient coolant.+
Find the coolant header tank and check the level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the side.
Never open the cap while the engine is hot — the system is pressurised and can scald.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.+
Find the brake fluid reservoir and check the level sits between the minimum and maximum marks.
“Show me” questions — asked while you drive
You demonstrate these on the move. 7 questions, one of which you will be asked.
Keep your eyes on the road and both hands ready. If you cannot find the control by feel, say so and wait until it is safe — pausing is fine, looking down for several seconds is not.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd wash and clean the front windscreen?+
Pull or press the washer control to squirt fluid onto the windscreen and let the wipers clear it — usually a couple of sweeps.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd wash and clean the rear windscreen?+
Operate the rear washer control, normally by pushing or twisting the wiper stalk, so fluid goes onto the rear screen and the rear wiper clears it.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?+
Turn the light switch — a stalk or a dial depending on the car — to the dipped headlight position, usually two clicks from off.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?+
Press the heated rear window button, marked with a rectangle and wavy arrows. It normally lights up when it is on.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?+
Press the centre of the steering wheel, or wherever the horn is on that particular car.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?+
Set the fan to a decent speed, direct the airflow to the windscreen vents, turn the temperature up, and switch on the air conditioning if the car has it.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?+
Use the electric window switch on the door, or the winder handle, to lower the window a little and then close it again.
The DVSA occasionally updates this list. The official version lives at gov.uk — worth a glance before your test.
Theory test essentials
You need a theory pass before you can book your practical test. It is two parts, sat together, and you must pass both in the same sitting.
Multiple choice
Questions from the official DVSA bank — road signs, rules of the road, vehicle safety and attitude to other road users.
Hazard perception
Video clips where you click as soon as you spot a hazard developing. It measures how early you notice risk building.
What actually works
- Use the official DVSA app or materials — third-party apps lag behind question bank updates.
- Work through the whole question bank once, not just the questions you find easy.
- Short, regular sessions beat one long cram the night before.
- Spend your extra time on the topics you keep getting wrong.
- Learn every road sign category properly — sign questions come up constantly.
Don't click-spam hazard perception
Clicking continuously through a clip to guarantee hitting the scoring window is detected, and zeroes your score for that clip. Watch properly and click once, when you genuinely see the hazard developing.
On the day
Bring your provisional licence — you cannot sit the test without it. Arrive early for ID checks. The test takes under an hour and you get your result shortly afterwards.
You do not need a theory pass before starting practical lessons. Most learners study theory alongside their early lessons, and each makes the other easier to understand.
Ready to start your practical lessons?
You do not need to wait for your theory pass to get started.
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