Vehicle Safety Checks: Find Problems Before They Become Driving Problems
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30-second summary
A learner does not need to be a mechanic, but does need to recognise basic safety issues and know when a vehicle should not be driven.
A simple mental model
Use the DVSA teaching aid FLOWER as one memory prompt where your instructor teaches it, but understand the actual checks rather than memorising letters.
Step by step
Look for obvious tyre damage and understand pressure/tread checks.
Know the key warning information for the vehicle you drive.
Check that brakes and steering feel normal before normal driving.
Keep lights, windows and mirrors usable and clean.
Ask for help or stop the journey if a safety warning is not understood.
Show me, tell me
Read each question, then the answer directly underneath. All answers are open — no quiz or extra clicks.
You will be asked one “tell me” question before driving and one “show me” question while driving. Learn the controls in your own lesson car while parked first; demonstrate only when it is safe.
Tell me: 14 questions and answers · Show me: 7 questions and demonstrations
Tell me: 14 questions and answers
Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
DVSA answer: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
DVSA answer: Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
DVSA answer: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
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.
DVSA answer: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
DVSA answer: Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
DVSA answer: Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
DVSA answer: Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
DVSA answer: Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
DVSA answer: If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
DVSA answer: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
FPA note: Use rear fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see more than 100 metres. Switch them off when visibility improves. Highway Code rules 226 and 236.
Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
DVSA answer: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
DVSA answer: Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
DVSA answer: Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
FPA note: Follow the vehicle handbook. Never remove a coolant filler cap while the engine is hot.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
DVSA answer: Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
For questions 12, 13 and 14, open the bonnet and explain the check to the examiner.
Show me: 7 questions and demonstrations
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, operate this car’s rear washer and wiper control to wash and clear the rear windscreen. Keep looking where you are driving and maintain control.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, operate the front washer and wiper control to wash and clear the front windscreen. Keep looking where you are driving and maintain control.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, operate the lighting control to select dipped headlights. Learn the correct setting in your lesson car beforehand; do not select main beam instead.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, switch on the heated rear-window demister using the correct button or control in this car.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, briefly press the horn control. Know its location before driving so you can keep your attention on the road.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, select the front-windscreen demisting setting and adjust the fan, temperature and air conditioning as appropriate for this car. Learn the controls with your instructor while parked first.
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
How to demonstrate — FPA guidance: When it is safe, use the side-window control to open the window and then close it. Keep looking where you are driving and maintain control.
The “tell me” questions and answers, and the “show me” questions, reproduce DVSA wording. GOV.UK does not give written model answers for “show me”: the demonstration guidance above is written by First Pass Academy and depends on the car you use.
Official DVSA questions, answers and videos on GOV.UK. Checked 13 October 2026; applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. DVSA / Crown copyright 2017. Read the licence. Independent learning material; no DVSA endorsement.
Common learner mistakes
Treating show-me/tell-me questions as test trivia.
Ignoring warning lights because the car still moves.
Assuming somebody else checked the vehicle.
What good performance looks like
notices obvious defects
knows the vehicle-specific handbook matters
can explain when professional help is needed
Safe practice / reflection
With the car parked and switched off where appropriate, identify the tyre-information location, key fluid/warning information and the controls needed to keep the windows clear.
Real-world scenario
You are about to leave for a lesson and notice one tyre looks different from the others. The mature response is not to hope it is fine because the lesson is booked. Stop, check, and get appropriate help if needed.
Next-lesson drill
With the car safely parked, identify the key safety checks you can make without becoming distracted or attempting repairs you are not qualified to do.
Quick check
Think through each question before opening the answer. These checks are not saved and do not assess your practical driving competence.
Do you need to become a mechanic?
Show suggested answer
No. You need enough knowledge to recognise basic safety issues and respond properly.
Are safety checks only for the driving test?
Show suggested answer
No. They are real driving and ownership habits.
What should you do with a warning you do not understand?
Show suggested answer
Check the handbook/instructor or qualified help before assuming it is safe.
Connected lesson focus
If this topic appears in your lesson report, choose one observable target for the next drive rather than trying to fix the whole skill at once.
Official basis and further reading
DVSA skill 2: safety checks.
This FPA guide uses original teaching language. Current GOV.UK / Highway Code wording takes priority for law, test procedure and safety rules.