Show Me Tell Me Questions & Answers

       Show Me Tell Me Questions & Answers

You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.

The examiner will ask you one:

·         ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving

·         ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving

You’ll get one driving fault (sometimes called a ‘minor’) if you get one or both questions wrong.

You’ll fail your driving test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the ‘show me’ question.

‘Tell me’ questions

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 would  find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures 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. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

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), 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.

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).

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

Explain you’d 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.

Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

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

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

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

Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

13. 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, and describe how to top up to correct level.

14. 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.

You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.

DVSA PLANS TO REDUCE DRIVING TEST WAITING TIMES

 

DVSA sets out NEW plan to reduce Driving Test Waiting Times

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has today (Wednesday 18 December 2024) set out a 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times, and get new drivers on road.

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, said:

Passing your driving test is a life changing opportunity for millions – but sky-high waiting times for tests in recent years have denied that opportunity to too many people.

No one should have to wait six months when they’re ready to pass, travel to the other side of the country to take a driving test or be ripped off by unscrupulous websites just because they can’t afford to wait.

The scale of the backlog we have inherited is huge, but today’s measures are a crucial step to tackle the long driving test wait times, protect learner drivers from being exploited, and support more people to hit the road.

1. Recruit and train 450 Driving Examiners

DVSA will recruit and train 450 driving examiners across Great Britain.

2. Review and improve the Rules for Booking Driving Tests

DVSA will review and improve the driving test booking system to make sure that learner drivers can book their driving test easily and efficiently.

To do this, DVSA will follow these steps:

1.   Launch a call for evidence about the current rules and processes, which DVSA has done today (18 December 2024).

 

2.   Analyse the evidence and develop proposals to improve the rules and booking system.

 

3.   Run a consultation on the proposed improved rules.

 

4.   Introduce the improved rules - changing the law if necessary.

This work will take time to complete, and it will take some time for learner drivers and driving instructors to see improvements. But it will help to make the system fairer for learners and better protect them from being exploited.

3. Introduce tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and Manage Car Driving Tests for their Pupils

These new terms and conditions will come into force on 6 January 2025.

They set out that only driving instructors or businesses that employ driving instructors can use the service to book car driving tests.

The new terms and conditions make it clear that driving instructors and businesses must not book driving tests on behalf of learner drivers they are not teaching.

They also stop driving instructors and businesses from using a learner driver’s details to book a driving test that they have no intention of that particular learner driver using. This is sometimes done to create a placeholder so the test can be swapped to another learner driver later.

If anyone breaks the terms and conditions, DVSA can:

·         issue them with a warning notice

·         suspend their account

·         close their account

4. Consult on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test in certain situations

DVSA will run a consultation on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test if they either:

·         make multiple serious or dangerous faults during their driving test

·         physically or verbally assault their driving examiner

·         fail to attend their driving test without telling DVSA - and consider charging them a penalty

Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test. The consultation, which will launch at a later date, will set out the full details of the potential options.

5. Increase the amount of notice you need to give to change or Cancel a Car Driving Test without losing the fee

DVSA will increase the amount of notice people need to give to change or cancel their car driving test without losing their fee to 10 clear working days.

It’s currently set at 3 clear working days. DVSA consulted on proposals to increase this in 2022.  

This change will:

·         encourage people to change or cancel their test sooner if they’re not ready

·         give more chance for appointments to be used by someone else

DVSA is working to bring in this change from spring 2025. The exact date has not yet been confirmed. DVSA will let learner drivers and driving instructors know when the date is confirmed.

Learner drivers will still be able to apply for a refund in cases such as illness or bereavement.

DVSA will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests it cancels with fewer than 3 clear working days’ notice while it conducts a review of its out-of-pocket expenses process.

6. Explore changing the current 24-week limit on how far ahead car driving testscan be booked

DVSA will explore ways of changing how far ahead car driving tests can be booked. This is currently set at 24 weeks.

Any changes DVSA makes will be made so it can better understand how many people want to take a driving test at each test centre.

7. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test through the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign

DVSA will continue to run its ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which 95% of users rate as useful, to encourage learner drivers to take the right action to prepare for their driving test.

Research from DVSA shows that about 23% of learner drivers take their first attempt at the driving test within one month of starting driving lessons.

The campaign aims to change this behaviour, and focuses on helping learner drivers to:

·         understand what skills they need to have mastered

·         prepare for their test by giving tips on managing nerves

·         take a realistic mock driving test

·         understand what will happen during their driving test

It also encourages people who are not ready to pass to move their test back.

Reducing waiting times

The actions being taken will help DVSA to provide 1.95 million car driving tests between April 2024 and March 2025 and to reduce the waiting time to 7 weeks by December 2025.

BEATING DRIVING ANXIETY ON YOUR DRIVING TEST

Beating Anxiety on Your Driving Test

1. Put any thoughts of drinking alcohol or taking drugs – at least the night before your driving test – out of your mind.

 

2. Have some food and stay well hydrated. There’s nothing worse than having the jitters before and during your test and focusing on a growling stomach will disturb your concentration.

 

3. Take an hour long driving lesson with your Driving Instructor before your test. This’ll give you the chance to have a last-minute practice, brush up on manoeuvres and warm up for your Driving Test.

 

4. It’s perfectly acceptable to let the examiner know if you have any additional support needs. Examiners give instructions in good time but if you don't understand ask them to repeat.

 

5. During your test, make safety your number one priority. If you’ve been told to go left, but you are in a right only lane for example, go where the lane takes you. You might have to pull over and allow your Examiner to reroute, but what is important is that you demonstrate your ability to follow traffic rules and are always aware of your surroundings.

 

6. After your test, whether you pass or not, pay close attention to your examiner’s feedback. This is what will be most useful to you afterwards.

 

7. Finally, stay safe, trust yourself and your instructor and treat your test as a learning experience, regardless of the outcome.

DRIVING CONVICTIONS

 What is Dangerous driving conviction?

Lets see here what constitutes a driving conviction, and how you can avoid a increase in your insurance costs because of one.

What constitutes as dangerous driving?

All motoring offences determined by magistrates or at a crown court will lead to a criminal conviction and it can can be anything from causing death by dangerous driving or driving under the influence of alcohol, to speeding or failing to wear a seatbelt.

All these offences can lead to a fine, penalty points on your licence, disqualification and, in extreme cases, imprisonment.

But it’s not just the manner of your driving that can lead to convictions. You may be committing an offence if you are driving a defective vehicle, perhaps driving at night with no rear lights, or driving without insurance or a valid licence or MOT. These offences can also lead to a driving conviction.

The rules are the same, whether the person pleads guilty, or is found guilty by the court.

However, offences that are committed but dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice, do not lead to criminal convictions. The fixed penalty notice is served because the authorities believe the offence is serious, but not serious enough to be considered by a court of law.

Here are some of the examples listed by the police as to what constitutes as dangerous driving, but not limited to:

• Speeding, racing, or driving aggressively
• Ignoring traffic lights, road signs
• Overtaking dangerously
• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs
• Driving when unfit, including having an injury, being unable to see clearly, not taking prescribed drugs, or being sleepy
• Knowing the vehicle has a dangerous fault or an unsafe load

Distractions are also causes of dangerous driving, for example:

• Using a hand-held phone or other equipment
• Reading, or looking at a map
• Talking to and looking at a passenger
• Lighting a cigarette, selecting music, tuning the radio

Do I have to declare my driving convictions?

You will need to declare your convictions, both motoring and criminal when getting a quote for an insurance policy. If you fail to do so your insurance may be invalid and your insurer may cancel the policy. 

In the event of a claim you may not be paid, and if you have already been paid for a claim and a previous conviction becomes apparent, your insurer can ask for its money back.

AA calls for graduated driving licensing for new drivers

 

The AA is calling on the government to introduce a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) to protect newly qualified drivers, limiting newly qualified drivers from carrying peer-age passengers for the first six months after passing their test.

·         One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and 1,500+ young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.

·         72% of AA members think a graduated licence limiting passengers is good idea.

·         Call for a Graduated Driver Licence comes as the AA launches a motoring manifesto with five key pledges.

·         Safer roads, fixing potholes, scrapping smart motorways, helping EV transition, keeping costs down, and career paths for young people in the industry, are all included.

An average of five people per day are killed on UK roads and 82 are seriously injured, but one in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and 1,500+ young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.

Its asking government to make five key pledges to improve Britain’s roads.

1.      Supporting drivers: keeping motoring costs low through fuel duty freeze, better fuel price transparency and reducing Insurance Premium Tax.

2.      Sustainable future: providing the right incentives, infrastructure, and information to support the switch to zero emission vehicles. For example, helping those without on-street parking by cutting VAT for on-street EV charging.

3.      Smoother journeys: addressing the pothole crisis with ring-fenced funds and use of technology for more permanent repairs. Scrapping the failed experiment of ‘smart’ motorways.

4.      Safer roads: reducing road deaths through setting clear targets, increased roads policing and addressing the tragedy of new driver deaths through graduated licences such as restricting passengers for six months after passing their test.

Strengthening the industry: providing support to the sector to enable greater investment in innovation and skills. Maintain push for regulations to allow access to vehicle data to improve the safety, convenience, running costs and environment via connected car services.

 

Experts Reveal How to  Overcome Driving Anxieties

Driving is a skill many of us take for granted. But for some, it’s a real source of anxiety..

Whether it’s the thought of merging onto the motorway, the fear of shifting from an automatic to a manual vehicle, or simply the worry of getting behind the wheel of your used car, driving anxieties are common.

Mental health coach Jeremy Schneider states: “Driving is challenging because it highlights the anxieties we feel about not feeling in control. But there are ways we can help ourselves when we feel that way – whether it is driving or in other life situations.”

Anxiety specialist Zoe Clews echoes this idea: “Parking, motorway driving, and driving at night can all be big triggers for nervous drivers simply because they require more focus and are therefore more intense. In all of these situations, which demand a higher level of control and concentration, there is more ‘scope’ in an individual’s mind for things to ‘potentially go wrong’.”

Sam Sheehan, a motoring editor at cinch, the UK’s leading online used car retailer, has teamed up with Zoe and Jeremy to help anxious drivers overcome their fears and be more confident on the road.

Motorway driving

A lot of drivers find motorways intimidating – it’s especially common in new drivers who don’t have much experience on them. Higher speeds, multiple lanes, and merging into traffic are some of the things people find stressful.

Sam Sheehan recommends easing into it and taking your time to get used to motorways: “There’s no rush to get comfortable driving on the motorway. It’s key to take your time and start with short trips when the roads are quiet, if possible. Don’t be afraid to ask a more experienced or confident driver to come along with you for support either.

“Before setting out, plan your route to decide where you’ll get on and off the motorway and brush up on lane discipline. When you get onto the motorway, stick to the left lane until you feel confident enough to overtake in the middle and right lanes.”

Going from automatic to manual

Research by Direct Line Group shows the number of people taking driving tests in automatic cars rose to 42% of all driving tests in 2020/21.

Sam Sheehan suggested this trend could be due to, “drivers feeling intimidated by driving manual” and that, “maybe tech is making us less likely to master or refresh manual driving skills.”

Also, 2.2 million people who learnt to drive in an automatic car are aged under 35, and younger drivers (18-24 years old) report the highest stress levels at 59%. That suggests young people could be so worried about driving a manual car that they avoid it completely and won’t have the chance to get over it unless they pass a manual driving test.

It can be the same for drivers who took their tests in a manual car but have been driving an automatic for some time, too. Relearning the skill may also make them feel apprehensive.

Sam Sheehan has offered some advice to those looking to make the switch and ease their anxieties:

“If you have a manual license, don’t be afraid to take your time to get back into using gears after driving an automatic.

“Start by practising during quieter times in a safe, open space such as an empty car park. This environment allows you to focus on the mechanics of driving a manual without the stress of traffic, while you rebuild your muscle memory.

“Practice regularly and be patient with yourself. It’s normal to stall or make mistakes initially, but with consistent practice, your confidence and skills will return.”

General Driving Anxiety

General driving anxiety can stem from a few things, including past negative experiences, fear of accidents, or lack of confidence. Overcoming these challenges takes a combination of mental and practical strategies.

The mental approach

Anxiety specialist Zoe Clews explains that the most common causes of driving anxiety include being involved in or witnessing a car accident. “The subconscious mind is your inner protector and doesn’t understand time. When you experience shock or trauma, it sets up a protective defence mechanism – anxiety – to keep you safe, even if the incident occurred decades ago.

“The individual may understandably start avoiding specific roads, like motorways, or driving altogether, as human behaviour tends to avoid perceived painful situations. However, the issue is that anxiety thrives on avoidance, causing the fear to grow.”

She also recommends self-talk as a way of working through this anxiety: “Our ability to bounce back from adrenaline spikes, catastrophising thoughts, panic attacks, and anxious moments comes from our self-talk.

“When we get anxious, we tend to judge ourselves harshly, often telling ourselves we are foolish for panicking over certain things. But the more we judge ourselves, the more anxious we become, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and self-criticism.

“Learning to talk to ourselves in a kind, reassuring, and encouraging way when facing driving anxiety may feel strange and indulgent, but it is the foundation to overcoming your fears.”

Physical techniques

According to mental health coach Jeremy Schneider, one of the best ways to combat the physiological effects of anxiety is by breathing.

“We take about 20,000 breaths per day without ever thinking about it. But if we take a big breath in and then exhale longer than we inhaled, we will slow down our nervous system.

“For instance, breathe in for 5 seconds and out for 7 seconds. Do that for ten breaths and see how you feel and then repeat.”

Driving anxieties, whether specific or general, are more common than we might think. The key to overcoming these anxieties lies in preparation, practice, and patience.

Remember, it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about driving, but with the right strategies and support, you can become more confident and relaxed.