You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.
The examiner will ask you one:
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‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
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‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving
You’ll get one driving fault (sometimes called a ‘minor’) if you get one or both questions wrong.
You’ll fail your driving test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the ‘show me’ question.
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‘Show me’ questions
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Push away from you the right stalk behind the steering wheel to squirt an amount of screen wash onto the rear screen, the wiper will sweep a couple of times to clear the fluid.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen.
Pull towards you right stalk behind the steering wheel to squirt an amount of screen wash onto the front windscreen, the wipers will sweep a couple of times to clear the fluid.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights.
Ensure that switching the headlights on and off again will not confuse any other road user. The headlights can be manually switched on by turning the round switch on the lower right dash area (near your right knee) from Auto to the full headlight symbol. An instrument panel green light will identify that the lights are on, if its blue you have full beam, pull the left-hand stalk behind the steering wheel to click off the full beam. Switch the lights back to Auto.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d set the rear demister.
The rear demister is the second from left touch screen button on top left of the climate panel in the centre console above the cubby hole.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d operate the horn.
Depress the left or right of the centre of the steering wheel boss until the horn sounds.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d de-mist the front windscreen.
The front demister is the left touch screen button on top left of the climate panel in the centre console above the cubby hole.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d open and close the side window.
The window controls for all four windows are located on the inside of the driver’s door below the open/close handle. Push the front left-hand button until its clicks, put your hand back on the wheel while it opens. Then pull the same button until it clicks and the window will close. Be mindful that you should be able to do this without taking your eyes off the road for more than a second.
When it’s safe to do so, show me how you’d operate the cruise control.
On the left steering wheel button cluster press the ‘set’ button to activate climate control. Only activate when the road ahead is clear.
‘Tell me’ questions
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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 as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
On a sticker, inside driver’s door shut and in the manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, this vehicle has no spare tyre, but if it did it would be checked, remember to refit valve caps.
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.
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.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
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).
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
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.
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.
Tell 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.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use: Low Visibility 100m or less.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), operate main beam with left stalk, check with main beam warning light.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Open the bonnet using the lever in the passenger footwell, and release catch under the front of the bonnet. Use the bonnet stay to safely keep the bonnet open. Identify dipstick or oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers. To close the bonnet, hold with one hand whilst you remove and put away the stay. Then lower the bonnet gently, and at around 4 inches gap drop the bonnet so that it fully shuts on its catch.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Open the bonnet using the lever in the passenger footwell, and release catch under the front of the bonnet. Use the bonnet stay to safely keep the bonnet open. Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level. To close the bonnet, hold with one hand whilst you remove and put away the stay. Then lower the bonnet gently, and at around 4 inches gap drop the bonnet so that it fully shuts on its catch.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Open the bonnet using the lever in the passenger footwell, and release catch under the front of the bonnet. Use the bonnet stay to safely keep the bonnet open. Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings. To close the bonnet, hold with one hand whilst you remove and put away the stay. Then lower the bonnet gently, and at around 4 inches gap drop the bonnet so that it fully shuts on its catch.