DVSA Car 'Show Me, Tell Me' Vehicle Safety Questions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the official DVSA vehicle safety 'show me, tell me' questions, procedures, tolerances, and scoring rules for the UK car driving test.

Brake operation check

-should not feel spongy or slack

-verify that the vehicle does not pull to one side

Tyre pressure check procedure

-find recommended figures in the manufacturer's guide

-use a pressure gauge (when tyres are cold)

-checking all tyres including the spare

-refit the valve caps.

Head restraint adjustment

-rigid part should be at least as high as the eyes / top of ears

-positioned as close to the back of the head as is comfortable

-some aren’t adjustable

Legal tyre tread depth requirement

A minimum tread depth of $1.6\,\text{mm}$

-across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre [what does this mean??]

-around the entire outer circumference.

Tyre roadworthiness condition check

-no cuts or bulges

-adequate tread depth

$$1.6\,\text{mm}$$

-across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre [what does this mean??]

-around the entire outer circumference

Headlights and tail lights check

-operate the light switch (turning on the ignition if necessary) and walk around the vehicle to confirm the lights are illuminated

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) fault check

Observing the vehicle dashboard to verify whether the ABS warning light illuminates, which indicates a fault with the system.

Direction indicators check

Operating the indicator switch (turning on the ignition if necessary) and walking round the vehicle to inspect all indicator bulbs.

Brake lights check

Operating the brake pedal and checking for illumination using reflections in doors or windows, or by asking someone to help.

Power-assisted steering checks

Identifying heavy steering by either maintaining gentle pressure on the wheel while starting the engine to feel slight movement, or turning the wheel immediately after moving off.

Rear fog light operation

Turning on dipped headlights and ignition, activating the rear fog light switch, confirming the warning light is lit on the dash, and explaining its use in poor visibility.

Main beam headlights check

Activating the headlight switch from dipped to main beam (with ignition or engine on if necessary) and checking that the blue main beam warning light illuminates on the dash.

Engine oil level check

Opening the bonnet, locating the dipstick or oil level indicator, and verifying that the oil level registers between the minimum and maximum markers.

Engine coolant level check

Opening the bonnet, identifying the high and low level markings on the header tank or radiator filler cap, and describing how to top up to the correct level.

Hydraulic brake fluid level check

Opening the bonnet, locating the brake fluid reservoir, and checking that the fluid level sits between the high and low markings.

Under-bonnet questions

Require the candidate to open the bonnet and describe checking:

-engine oil

-coolant

-brake fluid