TESTS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Practical Test

Costs

Car
Weekday £62.00
Weekend £75.00

Extended test - for disqualified drivers.
Costs weekday price - £124.00
Weekend - £150.00

The DSA Show Me Tell Me Test - Questions and Answers

The DSA Show me, tell me questions test your knowledge on basic car maintenance and safety. At the start of the practical driving test the show me, tell me questions will begin. The driving test examiner will ask you two questions, one show me question and one tell me question. Answer any of these two questions incorrectly and you will gain one driving test fault. There are 19 different questions, which can be asked, in 18 different combinations. Below you will find all the show me, tell me questions and answers.

Q1. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level.
A. Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark then more coolant will need to be added. To do this, unscrew the cap and pour in coolant until the max mark is reached.

Q2. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
A. Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.

Q3. Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
A. If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made.

1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.

2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly.

Q4. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil.
A. Identify the dipstick, pull it out and check the oil level against the min/max markings.

Q5. Open the bonnet, identify where the Windscreen Washer reservoir is and tell me how you check the level?
A. Identify reservoir, lift off cap and make a visual check of level as there are no external markings on reservoir.

Q6. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
A.Press the horn and listen (turn on ignition if necessary).

Q7. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine).
A.Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)

Q8. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A. As you move off check the brakes. They should not feel spongy and the car should not pull to one side.

Q9. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
A. Turn on lights (turn ignition if necessary), walk around car and check that the lights are on.

Q10. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working correctly.
A. Activate the indicators or hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working correctly.

Q11. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A. Information will be found using the car manufacturer's manual. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare and remember to refit the valve caps.

Q12. Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
A. Apply the parking brake. When it is fully applied it should secure itself.

Q13. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
A. 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. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.

Q14. Tell me how you would check the tyres to show that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
A. A safe tyre will have no cuts or bulges. The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the central 3/4s of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Q15. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
A. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary.

Q16. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.
A. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

Q17. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
A. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.

Q18. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
A. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light

Q19. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle).
A. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

The test will include general driving with the following;

• eyesight- if you are unable to read the number plate the examiner will not be able to conduct the rest of
  the test.
  
• Safety checks - The examiners will ask you two questions about carrying out safety checks on your vehicle before the start of your test.
  

Special Excercises

You'll be asked to carry out two of the following exercises during your test. These will take place at carefully selected places .

- your examiner will ask you to pull up and explain the exercise and ask you to carry it out.

• reversing round a corner.
  
• turning in the road.
  
• reverse parking (either in a bay at the test centre or on the side of the road).
  
• emergency stop -you may be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
  

Your practical driving test will include approximately 10 minutes of independent driving.

During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:

• traffic signs
• a series of directions
• a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram. It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers. Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route
If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.
If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.
If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.
You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

Special needs
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs you have so reasonable adjustment can be made.
For the independent driving section, this could be by asking you which method you prefer - following traffic signs or a series of directions (a maximum of three), which are supported by a diagram. In some cases this may be shortened to just two directions.
Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English. For example, sometimes they will write place names so it is clear to you where you’re being asked to drive to.
You can have an interpreter along with you on your test if you wish. Your approved driving instructor can act as your interpreter.

How your driving test is assessed.

Your examiner will assess any errors you make and, depending on how serious they are, record them on the
driving test report form. You'll fail your test if you commit a serious or dangerous faults. You'll also
fail if you commit more than 15 driving faults.

REMEMBER

Special rules under the new drivers act apply for the first two years after you have passed your test.

New Drivers Act

Your licence will be revoked if you receive six or more penalty points as a result of offences you commit within two years of passing your first practical test. This includes any offences you may have commit within two years of passing your first practical test. This includes any offences you may have commited before passing your test.

REMEMBER

- you will get minimum of three penalty points for speeding - two speeding offences means six points.

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Theory Test

The Theory test is a screen-based test, and consists of two parts. It has been devised to test the knowledge of driving theory, in particular the rules of the road and best driving practice.

Multiple Choice Questions

The first part of the theory test consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You select your answers for this part of the test by simply touching the screen. This 'touch screen' has been carefully designed to make it easy to use.

Before you start this part of your test you'll be given the chance to work through a practice session for up to 15 minutes to get used to the system. Staff at the test centre will be available to help you if you have any difficulties.

The questions will cover a variety of topics relating to road safety, the environment and documentation. Only one question will appear on the screen at a time. Most questions will ask you to mark one correct answers from the a selection, but this is shown clearly on the screen. If you try to move on without marking the correct number of answers you'll be reminded that more answers are needed.

To answer, you need to touch the box alongside the answer or answers you think are correct. If you change your mind and don't want that answer to be selected, touch it again. You can then choose another answer. Take you time and read the questions carefully. You're given 57 minutes for this part of the test, so relax and don't rush.

Some questions will take longer to answer than others, but there are no trick questions. The time remaining is displayed in the screen.

You'll be able to move backwards and forwards through the questions and you can also 'flag' questions that you?d like to look at again. It's easy to change your answer If you want to. Try to answer all the questions. If you're well prepared you shouldn't find them difficult.

Before you finish this part of the test, if you have time, you can use 'review' feature to check your answers. If you want to finish your test before the full time, touch the 'review' button and then the 'end' button on the review screen. When the touch the review button you will see the following screen.

Hazard Perception

The hazard perception (or awareness) test consists of 14 video clips, each about a minute long. Each clip shows driving situations involving other road users and is shot from a car driver's point of view. As each clip plays a hazard - something that will cause the driver to change speed, direction or stop will develop.

In 13 of the clips you will have one hazard to identify, in the other, two. You will not be told which hazard perception test clip is the two hazard clip.

You identify the correct hazard or hazards by clicking on either the left or right mouse button. The earlier you identify the correct hazard or hazards the more you score. The scoring goes from five to zero points.

Don't think you can continuously and frantically smoother the screen with clicks as the hazard perception clip plays. If you do you will score zero. However, you will not lose points for clicking on other potential hazards that may also be seen.

So, you watch a clip and in that clip you will see several potential hazards unfolding. Most will stay exactly that, potential hazards but one (or two) will become an actual hazard and cause the vehicle (the camera shot, the driver's point of view) to change speed, direction or stop. This is the hazard you must click on in order to score points. Clicking on the potential hazards will neither score you points nor lose you points.

PASS RATE

To pass the hazard perception test you must score at least 44 points out of a possible 75.

TAKEN

The hazard perception test is the second part of the driving theory test. After you finish the multiple-choice section (the actual theory test) you will be permitted a break of up to 3 minutes. A short tutorial video on the hazard perception test will then play, once finished the hazard perception test will begin.

BOOKING

Book your practical test here.
Book your theory test here.