The phrase "show me, tell me" is commonly associated with vehicle safety questions in the UK driving test. These questions involve two types of checks:
- "Tell me" questions ask the candidate to explain how they would carry out a safety check or vehicle maintenance task. This is done at the start of the driving test before driving begins.
- "Show me" questions require the candidate to demonstrate how to perform a safety task while driving or at a safe moment during the test.
The purpose of these questions is to ensure that the driver understands basic vehicle safety and roadworthiness to keep themselves and others safe. Candidates get one "tell me" and one "show me" question during the test, and errors in these questions usually result in minor faults rather than failing the test unless the "show me" task is carried out dangerously. Examples of "show me" tasks include washing or cleaning the windscreen, switching on headlights, or setting the rear demister. Examples of "tell me" questions include explaining how to check brakes, tyre tread depth, or how to adjust head restraints. These questions are officially part of the United Kingdom's driving test safety checks for 2024-2025 and are required by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
