If you are preparing for your Irish driving test, the “show me, tell me” questions are one of the easiest areas to prepare for — but many learners still ignore them until the last minute. These questions are designed to check that you understand basic vehicle safety, roadworthiness, controls, lights, tyres, brakes, and how to explain simple checks before driving.
In Ireland, the RSA driving test includes questions on the Rules of the Road, road signs, basic vehicle roadworthiness, vehicle controls, hazard awareness, and safe driving behaviour. The RSA also advises learners to prepare by revising the Rules of the Road, using an Approved Driving Instructor for pre-test advice, and keeping regular practice before the test.
What Are “Show Me, Tell Me” Questions?
“Show me, tell me” questions are short technical questions asked by the driving tester before or during the practical driving test.
A “tell me” question usually means you explain how you would check something.
A “show me” question usually means you physically demonstrate something inside or around the car.
For example:
Questions
You should identify the dipstick or oil level indicator and explain that the oil level must be between the minimum and maximum marks.
You should press the hazard warning light button and explain when hazards should be used.
Irish driving schools commonly prepare learners for under-bonnet checks such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, lights, tyres, indicators, brake lights, reflectors, handbrake, power steering, demisters, wipers, and windscreen washer controls.
Many learners focus only on driving routes, roundabouts, and manoeuvres, but the technical questions still matter. If you answer poorly, it can create unnecessary faults before you even begin the road section.
The good news is that these questions are very learnable. With one proper pre-test lesson or mock driving test, most learners can cover all the main “show me, tell me” questions in a simple way.
Open the bonnet, identify the dipstick or oil level indicator, remove and clean it if needed, reinsert it, then check that the oil level is between the minimum and maximum marks.
Identify the coolant reservoir and check that the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Never open the coolant cap when the engine is hot.
Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check that the fluid is between the minimum and maximum marks.
Check that tyres have no cuts, bulges, or visible damage. The legal minimum tread depth in Ireland is 1.6 mm, but tyres should be replaced before they become unsafe.
The brake pedal should not feel spongy or go too far down. After moving off safely, the car should stop normally and should not pull strongly to one side.
Apply the handbrake fully. It should hold the car securely and should not reach the end of its working travel.
If power steering is not working, the steering will feel very heavy. You can check by gently turning the wheel after starting the engine and confirming that the steering becomes lighter.
Common “Show Me” Questions
During the driving test, the examiner may ask you to demonstrate controls such as:
• Dipped headlights
• Full headlights
• Hazard lights
• Indicators
• Brake lights
• Front and rear demisters
• Windscreen wipers
• Windscreen washers
• Horn
• Fog lights
• Anti-glare mirror
• Headrest adjustment
For example, if the tester asks you to show the windscreen washer, you should operate the correct control safely and make sure you do not confuse it with the wipers only.
Under-Bonnet Checks
Under-bonnet checks are very common in pre-test preparation. Learners should be able to identify:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Brake fluid
- Windscreen washer fluid
- Battery, where visible
- General leaks or obvious damage
You do not need to be a mechanic. The RSA does not expect advanced mechanical knowledge. The tester wants to see that you understand basic safety checks and can recognise whether the car is roadworthy.
Lights, Indicators and Brake Lights
A simple answer is usually enough:
To check lights or indicators, switch them on and walk around the car, or ask someone to help. Make sure the lenses are clean, not cracked, and working correctly.
For brake lights, you can ask someone to check while you press the brake pedal, or reverse near a reflective surface and check through the mirrors.
Do “Show Me, Tell Me” Questions Cause a Fail?
Getting one question wrong usually does not automatically fail you. However, weak answers can create faults, and several small mistakes can affect your overall result.
More importantly, poor technical knowledge can make you look unprepared. A learner who cannot explain basic tyre, brake, light, or fluid checks may appear less confident before the test even begins.
How to Prepare for “Show Me, Tell Me” Questions
The best way to prepare is simple:
Spend 20–30 minutes with your instructor before the test and go through the car controls properly. Do not just memorise answers from a website. You should practise inside the actual car you will use for the driving test.
This is especially important if you book driving test car hire, because every car has slightly different controls.
Before your RSA driving test, make sure you know:
- Where the bonnet release is
- How to open the bonnet safely
- Where the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid are
- How to operate lights and demisters
- How to use wipers and washers
- How to check tyres visually
- How to adjust mirrors, seat, and headrest
Show Me, Tell Me Questions During a Mock Driving Test
A good mock driving test should include “show me, tell me” questions. Many learners only practise the driving route, but the real test starts before the car moves.
During our mock driving test preparation, we normally check:
- Road signs
- Rules of the Road questions
- Vehicle safety questions
- Under-bonnet checks
- In-car controls
- Manoeuvres
- Test route driving
- Observation and hazard awareness
This helps learners feel more confident and reduces stress on test day.
“Show Me, Tell Me” Questions and Driving Test Car Hire
If you are using an instructor’s car for your driving test, you should still know the basic controls. Do not assume the instructor will explain everything on the day.
Before the test, ask your instructor to show you:
- Headlights
- Fog lights
- Hazard lights
- Wipers
- Demisters
- Bonnet release
- Fuel cap
- Handbrake or electronic parking brake
- Gear selector, especially in automatic cars
This is why many learners book a pre-test lesson before driving test car hire. It gives you time to warm up, practise controls, and feel comfortable in the car.
Best Way to Learn the Questions
Do not try to learn every answer like a script. Instead, understand the purpose behind each check.
The tester wants to know:
Can you keep the car safe?
Can you recognise basic problems?
Can you operate the car controls correctly?
Can you explain simple roadworthiness checks?
If the answer is yes, you are already in a much stronger position.
Prepare Properly Before Your Irish Driving Test
The “show me, tell me” questions are not the hardest part of the Irish driving test, but they are an easy place to lose confidence if you are not ready.
With proper preparation, a mock driving test, and a quick review of your vehicle controls, you can answer these questions calmly and start your test with confidence.
Whether you are preparing for a driving test in Dublin, Tallaght, Finglas, Raheny, Dun Laoghaire, Naas, or Navan, make sure your pre-test preparation includes both driving skills and vehicle safety questions.
