Show me, tell me

Question

Answer

1

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.

2

Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how

tyre pressure should be checked.

Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

3

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. 

4

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.

5

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) and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

6

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.

7

Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Press the hazard warning 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) checking all six indicators are working.

8

Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

Explain you’d turn on ignition and operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

9

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.

10

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.

Turn on ignition and dipped headlights followed by rear fog light switch. Check warning light is on. Explain the 100m rule  for use of fog lights.

11

Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

Turn on ignition, turn lights to dipped, push indicator stalk forwards. A blue light will come on the fuel gauge area of

instrument panel to show main beam is on.

12

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify the engine oil dipstick.  Tell examiner you would remove dipstick, wipe oil off, dip oil again and check the oil is between the maximum and minimum markers.  (do not remove dipstick).

13

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify the coolant bottle. On this car when the engine is cold the correct coolant level is on the weld of the bottle or you can also say just below the arrow.

(approx. middle of bottle)

14

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Open the bonnet and show examiner the brake fluid reservoir and check fluid is between min and max.

Question

Answer

1

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.

When it's safe push the Windscreen washer stalk away from you and hold for 2 to 3 seconds.

2

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen.

When it's safe pull the Windscreen washer stalk towards you and hold for 2 to 3 seconds.

3

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights.

When it's safe turn the switch all the way to the right.

4

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister.

When it’s safe press the rear heated window switch.

5

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn.

When it’s safe press the centre of the steering wheel.

6

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen.

When it’s safe turn the dimister dial all the way to the right.

7

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window.

When it’s safe use the switch to open and then close the window.