With less than three months to go until the driving test changes, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published two new videos explaining how the updated ‘show me, tell me’ questions will be asked.
During a driving test, examiners ask candidates two vehicle safety questions – these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
Currently, both questions are asked at the start of the test, but from 4 December candidates will have to carry out the ‘show me’ question while they are driving.
The ‘show me’ question can include tasks such as washing the windscreen and operating the wipers, and is designed to show whether candidates can carry out the sort of everyday basic safety tasks drivers need to be able to do while driving.
In the new test, the examiner will still ask the ‘tell me’ question (where the candidate explains how they would carry out a safety check) at the start of the test. This can cover things like explaining how they would check the engine oil levels or that tyres are legal and safe.
If a candidate loses, control of the car while answering the ‘show me’ question it will result in a serious or dangerous fault, meaning the candidate fails the test.
A ‘driving fault’ will be incurred by the candidate if they answer both the ‘show me’ and the ‘tell me’ questions incorrectly.
Lesley Young, DVSA chief driving examiner, said: “Asking a ‘show me’ question while driving will be valuable preparation for real life driving.
“It’s important that learner drivers work with their driving instructor to make sure they can operate the in car-controls safely whilst they’re driving. Combined with practice with an instructor, these new official videos will help you learn the skills you need to do these tasks.”
The ‘DVSA official guide to learning to drive’ book has also been updated to include all the new elements of the practical test. This edition will be available to buy from 18 September.
Related stories
DVSA sets out new-look driving test
08 August 2017
Category: Driver training.
Comment on this story