You will be asked a ‘Tell Me’ question at the start of your Practical Driving test and a ‘Show Me’ question when you’re driving.
TELL ME.
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Press the brake pedal; Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Then move off and try them again to check that the vehicle does not pull to one side.
2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
In the manufacturer’s guide (my car also has them on a sticker inside the fuel filler flap), use a reliable pressure gauge (pronounced GAYJ), check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget to check the spare tyre if the car has one, remember to refit valve caps. On my car tyre pressures can also be checked by using the on-board computer or with the Mercedes Me phone app.
3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as your eyes, and if it tilts as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable, mine aren’t as they are sports seats.
4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts or bulges (this damage is usually on the side from hitting kerbs), the legal minimum of tread depth is is 1.6mm. (safer to replace by 3mm)
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
First turn on ignition. Explain how you’d operate the headlight switch, then explain that you’d walk round vehicle to see that the bulbs are all working. (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to actually do it).
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).
The ABS Warning light would stay on if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you’d check the indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d switch on the hazard warning lights and then walk round vehicle to look (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to actually do it).
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d switch on the ignition, operate the brake pedal and ask someone to help.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey turn the engine on, then turn the steering wheel a little to see that it feels light as normal and not unusually heavy. (Some cars like mine also have a power-steering warning light on the dashboard)
10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light and explain when you’d use it. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate switch (on my car when you switch on the fog light the dipped headlights and tail lights will also come on). You can check the rear fog light warning light on the dashboard is on (it’s amber) so you know you’ve pressed the correct button. Explain fog lights will be used when visibility is below 100 metres.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Switch the ignition on, then switch dipped beam headlights on, then move indicator stalk away from yourself and check that the main beam blue warning light on the dashboard has come on. (on my car automatic main beams can be activated)
(12 & 13 not applicable for electric cars)
12. How would you check that the engine has sufficient oil?
Check by using the on-board computer in my car, as it does not have a dipstick. In a car with a dipstick, pull it out, wipe the oil off it with a dry cloth or kitchen roll, put all the way it back in the hole it came from, then pull it out again and check that the oil level is between the minimum and maximum lines.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify the header tank and explain that you’d check when the engine is cold that the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum markers.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify brake fluid reservoir, (it will have a brake warning symbol inside an octagon like a stop sign shape). check level is between the minimum and maximum markers.
SHOW ME.
You will need to learn where these controls are in the car you’re taking your test in.
1. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the FRONT windscreen?
2. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the REAR window?
3. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
4. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
5. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
6. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
7. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
What happens during a Practical Driving Test
