Show Me and Tell Me Questions

Examples of questions that are usually asked at the start of the Practical Driving Test 

Link to the combinations of questions that may be asked

LORRY AND PASSENGER CARRYING VEHICLES (C & C1, D & D1)
Drivers seeking vocational licence entitlement should be experienced and technically expert, the assessment criteria reflects this.
Candidates will be asked five questions, which will be a combination of ‘show me’ and ‘tell me’. A driving fault will be recorded for each incorrect answer to a maximum of four driving faults.

If the candidate answers all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault (a fail) will be recorded.

Examples of safety check questions that could be used for C & C1, D & D1

Identify where:

• you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
• you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
• the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
  

Tell me how you would check:

• your tyres to ensure that they are correctly inflated, have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
• that the brake lights are working.
• the condition of the reflectors on this vehicle.
• the condition of the windscreen & windows on this vehicle.
• the condition of the windscreen wipers on this vehicle.
• the condition of the suspension on this vehicle.
• that the condition of the body is safe on this vehicle.
• that the power assisted steering is working.
  

Tell me:

• how you would operate the loading mechanism on this vehicle (vehicle specific i.e. Tail Lift).
• the main safety factors involved in loading this vehicle.
  

Show me how you would check:

• that the headlamps, sidelights & tail lights are working.
• that the direction indicators are working.
• the operation (specify) of the audible warning devices on this vehicle.
• the wheel nuts are secure on this vehicle.
• the condition of the mudguards on this vehicle.
• for the correct air pressure on this vehicle.
• for air leaks on this vehicle.
• that your cargo doors are secure.
• that your cab locking mechanism is secure.

Show me how you would:

• replace the tachometer disc on this vehicle.
  

Show me:

• what instrument checks you would make before and after starting the engine on this vehicle.
• where the emergency exits are and how you would check that they are operating correctly.
• where the first aid equipment is on this vehicle.
• where the fire extinguishers are on this vehicle.

LORRY AND TRAILER, PCV AND TRAILER (C+E & C1+E, D+E & D1+E)

Candidates will have answered five questions at the C & D testing stage, therefore only two further questions will be asked. The assessment criterion reflects the knowledge and understanding expected of a competent vocational driver.

Candidates will be asked two questions. One ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One incorrect answer will result in a driving fault being recorded.

Both questions answered incorrectly will result in a serious fault being recorded. Safety check questions for C+E and D+E will be taken from the C&D question bank but should be specific to the trailer being used.

LORRY TEST CAT. C & C+E. PARK SAFELY FOR LOADING /  UNLOADING AT A LOADING RAMP / PLATFORM

Candidates will be asked to carry out the current reversing exercise. At the end of the reversing bay will be a simulated loading platform. The candidate will be required to reverse up to the platform and park safely for loading and unloading.

The candidate will be required to stop with the extreme rear of the vehicle within a stopping area marked by black and yellow hatched lines.

For the purposes of category C and C+E tests the solid yellow section no longer forms part of the stopping area. The black and yellow hatched marked area will be incorporated within the yellow stopping area used in the current LGV reversing exercise.

The rearmost part of the yellow stopping area will be marked with black and yellow hatched lines and will cover the full width and three quarters of the depth of the current yellow stopping area.

Stopping short of the marked stopping area will be assessed as a serious fault. Reversing through the marked stopping area and dislodging the simulated loading/unloading platform will be assessed as a serious fault.

Stopping within the marked stopping area but unacceptably short of the platform will be assessed as a driving fault.

A total loss of vehicle control, which causes actual danger to the driver, examiner or another road user, will be assessed as a dangerous fault.

It is recognised that some professional drivers reverse, under control, up to a loading/unloading platform until they gently touch the platform. This will be acceptable on test as long as the platform is not dislodged.

Candidates presenting themselves for B+E and PCV tests will carry out the reversing exercise in the same way as the current test. The whole box, both the yellow section and the black and yellow hatched section constitutes the stopping area. However, the loading platform will remain in situ.

UNCOUPLING AND RECOUPLING EXERCISE (C+E, C1+E, D+E, D1+E, B+E)

After uncoupling the candidate will be required to park the towing vehicle alongside the trailer. The candidate will then be required to realign the towing vehicle with the trailer before recoupling.

The competencies of control, accuracy and effective observation will be assessed during the exercise. A fault which involves actual danger to the driver or another road user will be assessed as a dangerous fault.

A fault that would be potentially dangerous to the driver or another road user will be assessed as a serious fault.

Faults that reflect that the driver does not have the required competencies to carry out the exercise following industry best practice and recognised procedures will be assessed as driving or serious faults, depending upon the severity of the fault.