SHOW ME/ TELL ME QUESTIONS for DS3 cars

During the driving test students will be asked two questions about the operation of the car’s controls. The first of these questions will be in the test centre car park and the student must tell the examiner how the control should be operated. The second question will be during the driving test while the car is moving. The student must show how the control is operated.

The first thing to realize is that though it is desirable to answer correctly; it is not that serious if you get it wrong. The worst that would happen is that you would be given a ‘driving fault’ and that does cause you to fail. What is vital though is that during the show me question the student must retain control of the car. Therefore, do not rush to answer the question, take your time. For example don’t attempt to turn on the windscreen wipers going round a blind corner. If you don’t know the answer, just guess, or say you don’t know. These answers are for DS3 cars (2017).

PART ONE – ‘Tell Me’ Questions

Q. Tell me how you would check your brakes are working before starting a journey?
A. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. They should be tested as you set off. The vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures and how they should be checked?

A.  The handbook or manufacturers’  guide which directs you to the passengers door column. Use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold and don’t forget the spare wheel if you have one. Remember to refit the caps.

Q.  Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it that provides the best protection in the event of a crash?

A.  The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears.

Q.  Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road?

A.  No cuts and bulges, 1.6 mm tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

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

A.  Twist the end of the lights stick left of the steering wheel all the way forward. As it is a ‘tell me’ question, there is no need to check the lights outside.

Q.  Tell me how you would know if there is a problem with the anti-lck braking system?

A.  The warning light should illuminate.

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

A.  Put the hazard lights on and then walk round the vehicle. Alternatively use the indicator stalk, changing from left to right.

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

A.  Explain you’d operate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows or garage doors. Alternatively ask someone to help.

Q.  Tell me how you’d check if the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey?

A.  Either drive off slowly and test the steering or put pressure on the wheel and upon starting the engine the resistance should lessen when the system powers up.

Q.  Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you would use them?

A.  On the lighting stalk left of the steering wheel, twist the ring in the middle of the stalk forward. Then repeat. Front and back lights are now on. To turn off twist back twice. The lights should only be used in fog and poor visibility. Head lights must be dipped.

Q.  Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam?

A.  With the headlights on (see above) pull the lighting stalk to the left of the steering wheel towards you. The green headlight symbol should change to blue. Repeat to dip them.

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

A. Open the passenger door and pull the lever on the left of the foot well to release the bonnet. 

Go to the front of the car, lift the bonnet slightly, in the centre of the bonnet is a trigger that you push left and lift the bonnet.

 While holding the bonnet with your left hand, unclip the bonnet prop to the right of the engine and place the end in the long hole to support the bonnet. Then tell the examiner that the engine oil is checked by pulling out the dip stick (next to the cap with the oil can symbol), wiping the end on a rag or paper, reinsert and upon removal again read the level on the scale.

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

A.  Open the bonnet (see above), point out the coolant reservoir which is on the left and has a cap with a liquid and thermometer symbol. You would check that the level is between min. and max. This must be done when the engine is cool and on level ground. 

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

A.  Open the bonnet (as above), identify the brake fluid reservoir (just to the right of the middle below the windscreen. The cap is black with yellow warnings. The fluid should be between the min. and max. marks on the side. This must be done on level ground.

PART TWO – ‘Show Me’ Questions

One of these questions will be asked while you are driving during the test. You must demonstrate how to carry out the instruction while driving. Do not rush to do so. Only when it is safe should you demonstrate the action. 

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

A. Take the wiper stalk to the right of the steering wheel and twist the knob at the end forward and hold. Release and twist back towards you to turn off the rear wiper.

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

A. Pull the wiper stalk towards you and hold. Release.

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped head lights?

A. Take the lighting stalk to the left of the steering wheel and twist the knob at the end all the way forward. Dipped headlights will come on. Twist back towards you to turn them off.

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

A. Press the rectangular button to the right above the heating control unit on the dashboard between the driver and passenger. (see video)

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me you’d operate the horn?

A. Press the horn in the centre of the steering wheel.

Q. When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you would demist the front windscreen?

A. Press the booster button to the left above the heating control unit between passenger and driver (see video). Press again to turn off.

Q.When it is safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close a side window?

A.  On the arm rest of the driver door, operate the window controls (furthest back of the three controls). The right one operates the right window and the left one the left. Press down for down and pull up for up.

Show Me / Tell Me video