Free Driving Tips and Tutorials
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Learn to Drive with Confidence
Whether you are taking lessons with Easy Pass Driving School or learning with family and friends, these free resources are here to help. From local test route videos to downloadable guides — everything here is completely free.
Reading Test Route Videos
Watch our local test route videos filmed in Reading and Berkshire. These routes are used at the Reading DVSA test centre at Pacific House, Imperial Way, Reading RG2 0TD
Tesco roundabout A33 to basingstoke Three Mile Cross, 2nd Exit at the big roundabout A327 to Reading
Hartland Rd, A327 to Shinfield Rd TVSP & Shinfield Three Mile Cross A33 to Reading
Position at Roundabout Meeting Traffic Fire Station Whitley Wood Rd Wincanton Blandford Spencer
Reading Driving Test Route TVSP Garden Centre BlackBoy roundabout Reading Test Centre Routes
Reading Driving Test Centre Car Park Reception and Waiting Room explained Tesco Roundabout map 2025
How To Use Wipers on a Toyota Yaris 15 Reg UK Driving Show Me Tell Me Questions
Free Downloadable Guides (coming soon)
Download and print these free guides to help you prepare for your driving test in Reading
Reading Test Routes Guide
Common routes used at Reading DVSA test centre
Local Roundabouts
Key roundabouts in Reading and Berkshire
Dificult Junctions Guide
Tricky junctions to know before your test
Test Day Check List
Everything to bring and know on test day
Highway Code Quick Reference
Key rules every driver must know
Pre-Lesson Checklist
How to prepare for each lesson
Show Me Tell Me Questions
The examiner will ask you one Show Me question while you are driving and one Tell Me question at the start of your driving test. Here are all the questions and answers you need to know.
✅ These questions test your basic knowledge of routine vehicle maintenance and essential safety checks.
🛡️ Goal: Ensure your car is roadworthy and safe for you and others.
👀 “Show Me” Questions (Demonstrated)
These questions require you to physically demonstrate how to operate a control while you are driving.
⚠️ Safety First:
The phrase “When it’s safe to do so…” means you must be in full control of the car and safely viewing the road ahead before you operate any secondary control.
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. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
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).
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
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).
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or 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, 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.
10. 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.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers. Note: You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level. Note: You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings. Note: You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.
Show Me Questions
1. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Action: Operate the rear washer/wiper control.
⚠️ Safety Note: Keep your eyes on the road. A quick glance at the control is all you should take.
2. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
Action: Operate the front washer/wiper control.
⚠️ Safety Note: Keep your eyes on the road. A quick glance at the control is all you should take.
3. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
Action: Operate the headlight switch to the dipped setting.
⚠️ Safety Note: Ensure they are not on main beam, as this would dazzle others.
4. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
Action: Press the dedicated rear demister button (usually shows squiggly lines in a rectangle).
⚠️ Safety Note: Try to do this on a straight stretch of road to minimise distractions.
5. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
Action: Sound your horn once.
⚠️ Safety Note: The horn must only be used to alert other road users to your presence. It is illegal to use it when stopped or out of anger/frustration.
6. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
Action: Operate the controls for the front demister (may involve turning on the heater, fan, and air-con).
⚠️ Safety Note: This can sometimes take a few steps, so be safe and make sure you are on a straight road.
7. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
Action: Operate the window switch or winder to open and then close the window.
⚠️ Safety Note: Keep your focus on driving while operating the switch.
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