Driving test show me tell me questions 2026 worry a lot of learners. Many people feel nervous, even if they drive well. We understand that feeling. The good news is that this part of the test is simple once you know what the examiner wants and how to answer with confidence.
What are driving test show me tell me questions 2026?
Driving test show me tell me questions 2026 are short safety questions the examiner asks at the start and during your UK practical driving test. They check that you know how to keep a car safe and legal, not just how to move it.
You will get:
- One “tell me” question at the start of the test, before you start driving.
- One “show me” question while you are driving.
The tell me question asks you to explain how you would carry out a basic safety check. The show me question asks you to actually use a control, such as the demister or horn, while you keep control of the car.
Driving test show me tell me questions 2026 are based on real life. They match the small tasks you will do often as a driver, like checking lights, using wipers in heavy rain, or cleaning the windscreen when it gets dirty.
How many show me tell me questions 2026 are there?
There is a fixed list of official questions used across England, Scotland, and Wales. The list does not change as often as driving styles or car tech change, but wording can be updated for clarity. That is why learners search for “show me tell me questions 2026” to make sure they study the latest version.
There are:
- 14 “tell me” questions about basic safety checks.
- 7 “show me” questions about using controls while driving.
Your examiner will choose one from each group. You do not have to answer all show me tell me questions 2026, only the two they choose. Still, you should learn every question and answer because the examiner can pick any of them.
How are show me tell me questions 2026 marked?
Many learners worry that one wrong answer will fail the test. That is not true. The rules are clear and fair.
You will get:
- 1 driving fault (minor) if you answer one or both questions incorrectly.
A driving fault is not the same as a serious or dangerous fault. You can pass your test with up to 15 driving faults. So even if you make a mistake on show me tell me questions 2026, you can still pass if your driving is safe.
However, if you try the show me task and lose control of the car, such as swerving across lanes while reaching for a switch, the examiner may mark a serious fault. That can cause a fail. This is why practice in your own car or with your instructor is important.
Full list of “tell me” questions 2026 with simple answers
Below we cover the most common tell me questions. We use simple words and real exam style answers so you can repeat and practice. You can also adjust wording so it feels natural to you.
1. Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before a journey.
You could answer:
“I press the brake pedal as I set off. It should feel firm, not spongy or slack, and the car should not pull to one side.”
2. Tell me where you would find information about recommended tire pressures and how you would check them.
“In the car’s manual or on a sticker inside the door frame. I would use a reliable pressure gauge when the tires are cold, check all four tires and the spare, and adjust pressures at a garage if needed.”
3. Tell me how you make sure head restraint is correctly adjusted.
“The rigid part of the head restraint should be level with the top of my ears or eyes. It should be close to the back of my head, not pushed too far away.”
4. Tell me how you would check the tires to make sure they are safe to use.
“I would check for no cuts or bulges on the sides, and that they have at least 1.6 millimeters of tread across the middle three-quarters of the tire around the full outside.”
5. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
“I would turn on the ignition if needed, switch on the lights, then walk around the car to see that the front and back lights are on.”
6. Tell me how you would know if a problem has occurred with the anti-lock braking system.
“A warning light with the ABS symbol would show on the dashboard if there was a fault.”
7. Tell me how you would check the direction indicators are working.
“I would turn on the hazard warning lights and then walk around the car to make sure each indicator is flashing.”
8. Tell me how you would check the brake lights are working.
“I would press the brake pedal and look at reflections in a window or door, or ask someone to stand behind the car and tell me if the brake lights come on.”
9. Tell me how you would check the power-assisted steering is working before a journey.
“With the engine on, the steering should feel light and easy to turn. If it feels heavy or stiff, there may be a problem.”
10. Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it.
“I would turn on the dipped headlights, then press the fog light switch. A warning light will show on the dash. I would only use rear fog lights when it is very foggy and I cannot see more than about 100 meters behind.”
11. Tell me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know main beam is on.
“With the headlights on, I push or pull the stalk to switch to main beam. A blue main beam warning light shows on the dashboard.”
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil.
If asked, you do not actually open the bonnet yourself unless the examiner asks you to. You just explain. A good answer is:
“I would open the bonnet safely, find the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in, pull it out again, and check the oil is between the minimum and maximum marks.”
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough engine coolant.
“I would find the coolant tank and check the level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the side. I would only top it up when the engine is cool.”
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
“I would find the brake fluid tank and make sure the fluid is between the minimum and maximum marks.”
Full list of “show me” questions 2026 with clear steps
Show me tell me questions 2026 also include tasks while you are driving. The examiner will choose a quiet, safe stretch of road before asking you. If you are unsure what they said, ask them to repeat the question.
Show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen.
Use the front screen washer. In most cars you pull the wiper stalk toward you and hold for a few seconds until water sprays and the wipers move. Keep looking ahead and only glance down for a split second if needed.
Show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.
Use the rear washer control, often by pushing the same stalk away from you or turning a ring switch. Let the wiper clear the glass and then switch it off when the rear window is clean.
Show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights.
Turn the lighting dial or stalk from “off” or “auto” to the dipped headlight symbol. Do not stare at the controls for long. Practice in your lesson car so this feels natural.
Show me how you would set the rear demister.
Press the rear window demist button, usually marked with a rectangle and three wavy arrows. A small light on the button will show it is on. You can turn it off once the window is clear.
Show me how you would demist the front windscreen.
Use the front heater and fan. Turn the blower to the windscreen setting, set the temperature to warm, and adjust the fan speed. In many cars there is a “front screen” quick-clear button.
Show me how you would open and close the side window.
Press the electric window switch down to open then up to close. Only open it a little so you stay focused and in full control of the car.
Show me how you would sound the horn.
Press the center of the steering wheel for a short beep, but only if safe and not near horses or close to pedestrians where it may startle someone. Many examiners ask this while you are stopped or moving very slowly.
How to remember show me tell me questions 2026
Many learners feel that the list is long. With a smart plan, you can remember it without stress.
Here are simple ways to study:
- Group questions by topic: lights, brakes, tyres, engine fluids, visibility.
- Practice answers out loud in the car with your instructor.
- Record yourself saying each question and answer, then listen on a walk or bus ride.
- Do short daily quizzes instead of cramming the night before.
Because the exam only uses one show me and one tell me, you do not need to say every answer word-perfect. Examiners just want to see that you understand how to keep the car safe.
Common mistakes learners make in 2026
Even strong drivers slip up on the small things. We see the same errors again and again when people face show me tell me questions 2026.
The most common are:
First, trying to be too technical. Some learners try to quote the car manual word for word. Clear, simple language works better. You are not being tested as a mechanic, just as a safe driver.
Second, not practicing with the actual car used in the test. Controls move between models. Ask your instructor to walk you through every switch and button in the test car, not just on paper.
Third, looking down too long during show me questions. Your eyes must stay on the road. Find the control with a light touch, not long staring. If you cannot find it safely, say so and wait until you stop.
How your instructor can help with show me tell me questions 2026
A good driving instructor will build show me tell me into your normal lessons. You should not feel it as a separate subject. While parked, they may ask two or three tell me questions and ask you to point at parts under the bonnet. While driving, they may suddenly say, “Show me how you would wash the front screen.”
You can ask your instructor to:
- Print or share the official show me tell me questions 2026 list.
- Do a full mock test that includes the questions at the start and while driving.
- Explain any controls on their car that confuse you, such as automatic lights or wiper settings.
Keeping an open, honest chat with your instructor also lowers nerves. Tell them which questions worry you most so you can repeat those more often.
Handling nerves during the questions
Nervous learners often know every answer at home but freeze in the test center car park. That is normal, and examiners know people feel pressure.
To calm your nerves before show me tell me questions 2026, try this:
Take slow, deep breaths while you wait. Remind yourself that one mistake here is only one minor fault. It is not the end of your test.
Listen carefully to the examiner. It is fine to say, “Could you repeat the question please?” if you did not hear it well. This shows you care about getting it right.
Answer in your own words. You do not need to sound like a textbook. Speak calmly, as if you were explaining it to a friend who just bought a car.
Why show me tell me questions 2026 matter beyond the test
These questions do more than tick a box for the DVSA. They cover skills you will use for years:
You will check tire tread often in winter, especially before long trips. You will notice warning lights, such as ABS or engine oil, and know not to ignore them. You will clear a foggy screen fast on a cold morning before school or work.
Knowing how to answer driving test show me tell me questions 2026 turns you from someone who can move a car into someone who can look after a car. That makes you safer, your passengers safer, and everyone else on the road safer too.
Final review for your test day
The night before your test, read through the show me tell me questions 2026 list once or twice. Do not stay up late trying to memorize every word. Trust the practice you have already done.
On the day, as you sit in the car with the examiner, remember that you already know how to use the wipers, lights, and demisters. You have done it many times in real traffic. The questions are just a chance to show that skill clearly.
By learning these driving test show me tell me questions 2026 in a calm, steady way, you give yourself a strong start to the test and a safer start to your life as a new driver.
FAQs about show me tell me questions 2026
Do I fail if I get both show me tell me questions 2026 wrong?
No. If you get one or both questions wrong, the examiner usually records just one driving fault. You would still pass as long as you have fewer than 16 driving faults in total and no serious or dangerous faults.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat the show me question while driving?
Yes, you can. If you are not sure what they said, ask them to say it again. It is better to be clear than to guess and fumble with the wrong control.
Do the show me tell me questions 2026 change every year?
The list does not change every single year, but it can be updated. That is why many learners search for the latest “show me tell me questions 2026” to be sure they are using current wording and tasks.
Are show me tell me questions the same for automatic and manual cars?
Yes. The show me tell me questions 2026 are the same for both automatic and manual tests. They focus on basic safety checks and controls, not on gear changes or clutch use.
Will the examiner show me where the controls are before asking?
Before driving away, the instructor who teaches you should already have shown you all the main controls. On test day, if the examiner asks a show me question and you truly do not know where something is, you can say you are not sure, but it is far better to learn them in advance.
How long do show me tell me questions 2026 take during the test?
The tell me question at the start takes less than a minute. The show me question while driving takes only a few seconds once you know what to press or switch. They are a small part of the whole 40-minute test.
Do I need to open the bonnet myself in the test?
Not always. For bonnet questions, the examiner often says, “Tell me how you would…” and you just explain. If they ask you to open it, they will check that you do it safely, but they do not expect expert mechanical skills.