Tell Me Questions - Driving Test

Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Test your brakes before you set off. When you press the brake peddle - it should not feel spongy or slack. If they are working properly, the vehicle should not pull to one side.

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

Look in the Manufacturer’s guide for the recommended tyre pressure.

Check pressure when the tyres are cold.

Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures. Refit valve caps after adjusting.

Don’t forget to check your spare tyre pressure if you’ve got one.

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.

Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

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.

Check that there are no cuts and bulges on the tyre.

They should have 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.

Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

I would operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

ABS Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

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

I would operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), turn on the hazard warning lights and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

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

I would press the brake pedal, and either make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help check.

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, I would do 2 simple checks. Start the engine and apply gentle pressure on the steering wheel, this 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.

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.

Press bottom fog light button to turn on rear fog lights (Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary).

Check warning light is on.

I would use rear fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced. 100m or less

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

Turn ignition on.

Switch from dipped to main beam.

Push left handle/stalk away. (remember to turn off again by pulling back and checking there is no warning light)

(towards me until it clicks into place and let go - flashes them)

Check main beam warning light is on.

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

Open bonnet - open passenger door and pull lever twice.

Identify yellow dipstick/oil level indicator.

Take out and clean with a cloth.

Put back in and then take it out again.

Check oil level is inbetween the minimum and maximum markers.

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

Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap.

To top up to correct level - make sure engine is cold. Then top up with water and anti-freeze mix until levels are correct - between high and low markings.

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

Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.