Show Me Tell Me Driving Quiz
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Example Questions From the Test
- Rely only on the temperature gauge because coolant reservoirs have no level markings
- Remove the pressure cap immediately after a journey and check whether steam escapes
- Check the coolant by touching the radiator hose while the engine is running
- When the engine is cool, check the level against the minimum and maximum marks on the expansion or header tank
- Start the engine and rely on the absence of a general warning light
- Operate the appropriate light switch, then walk around the stationary vehicle to check the lamps, using reflections or assistance if needed
- Flash the main beam once and assume every exterior lamp shares the same circuit
- Press the brake pedal because it activates all front and rear lights
- The anti-lock system is actively improving grip because the road is wet
- The parking brake has been applied correctly
- The brake lights are switched on continuously
- The anti-lock braking system may have a fault that needs attention
Show Me Tell Me Driving Quiz - Description and methodology of the test
Designed for learner drivers and anyone revising vehicle safety before supervised practice, the Show Me Tell Me Driving Quiz checks whether you can recognise safe responses to common checks, controls and warning lights. Together, its questions form a show me tell me quiz that identifies topics to revisit so an instructor or supervisor can focus practice. The result turns uncertain vehicle knowledge into a practical revision plan.
What This Assessment Explores
These questions examine car preparation, unsafe conditions and basic controls. A learner preparing for the show-me, tell-me driving test can use this quiz to identify revision needs involving maintenance, warning lights, controls and responses to faults. The result reflects performance on educational topics and highlights knowledge to revisit before practice.
The main themes are:
- Fluid checks show whether you can assess coolant, oil and brake fluid safely.
- Lighting and visibility checks indicate whether you can verify lamps, fog lights and demisting controls.
- Braking, steering and tyres reveal whether you recognise appropriate pedal feel, assistance, pressure and tread.
- Control and overheating scenarios show whether you can choose a safe response to a warning or fault.
The score is Show Me Tell Me Driving Knowledge: 0-16. The displayed bands are Foundations to review (0-6), Developing knowledge (7-12) and Strong knowledge (13-16).
Methodology and Evidence Base
Each item presents a vehicle-safety situation with four answer choices. You select the response that best matches safe practice, such as checking a fluid correctly, identifying a warning light or operating a control only when safe. Practice for the show-me, tell-me questions requires recognition and applied recall, linking each choice to a practical check, control or response to a warning.
Content is conceptually consistent with DVSA show-me, tell-me material and its 2010 category-B driving framework. The questionnaire is an online educational tool rather than an adaptation of those materials.
The result is reported through the displayed bands and can guide revision; the item-weighting formula is unpublished. No published norms, reliability estimates or validity study are established for this questionnaire, so its bands describe performance on this exercise rather than formal driving competence. Answers can vary with guessing, recent study, self-awareness and familiarity with one vehicle's controls. Follow current official guidance and the handbook, stopping safely if a warning or unsafe condition appears.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Car 'show me, tell me' vehicle safety questions., updated 4 December 2017.
- Brake and Green Flag. Green Flag & Brake Reports on Safe Driving: Vehicle maintenance. Brake, 2020.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. National standard for driving cars and light vans (category B)., 2010.
- Shaun Helman and Jill Weekley. Driver2020 - an evaluation of interventions designed to improve safety in the first year of driving. Report D4: Summary of findings (PPR2012). Transport Research Laboratory, 2024. 10.58446/qezy6194
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