Should I ask the examiner to check them or do I not need to unless they ask?
i just mentioned that i could ask someone for help when checking the break lights and that seemed to be satisfactory for the examiner
Depends on the examiner as to whether asking them to check them is good enough or whether they will actually go to the rear of vehicle and wait for you to press the pedal, but do not ignore them completely as they are part of your checks…
You should say that you will check the brake lights as they are essential for road use. If you are doing a couple-recouple bit on your CE test then you need to ask the examiner to check your lights at the end of that part otherwise you will fail!
3 occasions to ask the examiner to check:
Mod 4 - last question - walk round checks
Driving test - if brake lights are mentioned on show me/tell me
Re-coupling - as mentioned, together with all other lights
Hope this helps, Pete 
Thanks. But I don’t mean as a show me/tell me question. I don’t have to them anyway?
Why? I suggest you talk to your trainer as there’s obviously something not very clear.
I’ve given you the 3 occasions - that’s it.
Hope this helps, Pete
Peter Smythe:
Why? I suggest you talk to your trainer as there’s obviously something not very clear.I’ve given you the 3 occasions - that’s it.
Hope this helps, Pete
OK thanks.
Why would you NOT ask the examiner to assist on the test?
It is a requirement to check the lights, and unless it is dark or you have a surface to reflect off you’ll need someone to help you with the brake lights. The examiner is in hand, and is probably familiar with the requirement, so is unlikely to refuse. You might as well go through the process in practice rather than simply explaining what you would ‘normally’ do in theory? After all, you have just hitched up to a trailer…
(and for many drivers it’s probably the last time you’ll ever check your brake lights 
)