INTRODUCTION OF THE SHOW ME, TELL ME QUESTIONS

To comply with a European directive, practical driving tests will be extended in September 2003 to include vehicle safety and general maintenance questions.

These questions (random checks) are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

With technology advancing more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.

At the start of the practical test, candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one minor driving fault being recorded.

Examples of the show me, tell me questions follow ….

Open the bonnet, identify
where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil. where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level. where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level. where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Tell me how you would check that the
	brake lights are working on this car. brakes are working before starting a journey. tyres have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road. power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

Show me how you would check the
headlights & tail-lights are working direction indicators are working. horn is working (off road only). handbrake for excessive wear.

Vehicle Safety Checks have always been part of the officially recommended syllabus for learning to drive and learning material can be found in the DSA publication 'Driving the essential skills' and ' The official DSA driving test'.

Your Instructor should also teach you about general car maintenance during your driving lessons.

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