Tell Me Questions
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off, and the vehicle should not pull to one side.
2. Tell me where you’d find the car’s recommended tyre pressures and how you’d check them.
-Refer to the manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, and don’t forget the spare tyre.
3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted.
-The middle of the rigid part of the head restraint should be level with your ears and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.
4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres, to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are safe to use.
Tyres must be free from any cuts or bulges and have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference.
5. Tell me how you’d check the headlights and tail lights are working.
-Turn on the ignition (if necessary), operate the switch, then walk around the vehicle to check
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).
-A warning light should illuminate on the dashboard if there’s a fault.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
-Turn on the ignition (if necessary), operate the indicators or hazard warning lights, and then walk around the car to check.
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working.
-Press the brake pedal and either check in reflections (like windows or doors) or ask someone to help
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working.
To check the power-assisted steering, I would turn the engine off and try to turn the steering wheel—it should feel stiff. Then I would start the engine and turn the steering wheel again—it should feel much easier to turn.
10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you’d use them.
To switch on the rear fog lights, I would use the fog light switch and check that the warning light comes on. I would use the rear fog lights when visibility is very poor, such as in fog, and I cannot see more than 100 metres ahead.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
In Joe’s car, you switch from dipped headlights to main beam by pushing the lever on the left side of the steering wheel away from you — it’s the same lever used for the indicator left and right. When the main beam is on, the blue warning light will appear on the dashboard.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient oil.
-Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator, remove it, wipe it clean, dip it back in, and check the level is between minimum and maximum markers.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient coolant.
-Identify the high and low level markings on the header tank or radiator filler cap and top up to the correct level.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
-Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the level against high and low markings.
Want help with this on a real lesson? Book driving lessons in Swindon with JM Drive.