Attitude practice questions

1. You're driving your friends home from college and one says, 'Flash your lights at that driver to say thanks.' According to the Highway Code, what is flashing your headlights for?

Answer: Only to let other road users know you're there

The Highway Code says to flash your headlights only to let others know you are there. Using them to say thanks, give way or warn about anything else can be misread and cause a crash.

2. You're driving to the gym and spot a mate on the pavement. Your passenger says, 'Give them a beep!' What is the car horn actually for?

Answer: Warning others you're there while you're moving

Use the horn only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn others that you are there. Never use it aggressively, and never while stationary on the road.

3. Under the hierarchy of road users, who has the greatest responsibility to take care?

Answer: Those driving vehicles that can cause the most harm

The hierarchy puts those most at risk at the top. Those driving vehicles that could cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility.

4. Another driver cuts you up and you start to feel really angry. What does the Highway Code suggest?

Answer: Pull over when safe, calm down, then carry on

Don't get involved in road rage. If you feel angry, stop somewhere safe and calm down before you continue.

5. You are waiting to pull out of a side road. A driver on the main road flashes their headlights at you. What should you do?

Answer: Don't assume it means 'go'; check it's safe yourself

Flashing headlights may not mean what you think. Never assume it is an invitation to go; check for yourself that it is safe.

6. It is 11.45pm and you are outside a friend's house in a built-up area to pick them up. Can you beep your horn to tell them you've arrived?

Answer: No, not in a built-up area from 11.30pm to 7am

You must not sound your horn while stationary on the road, or in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am, except when another road user poses a danger.

7. What does the Highway Code say about tailgating (driving too close to the vehicle in front)?

Answer: It's dangerous and can count as careless or dangerous driving

Tailgating means the gap is too small for you to stop safely. It is dangerous, intimidating and can lead to collisions.

8. A car overtakes you and pulls back in close in front of you. What should you do?

Answer: Ease off to get back to at least a two-second gap

If someone pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to restore a safe two-second gap.

9. You are driving slowly on a narrow country road and a long queue has built up behind you. What should you do?

Answer: Pull in somewhere safe to let the traffic pass

Don't hold up a long queue. Check your mirrors and pull in where it is safe to let them pass.

10. You are approaching a zebra crossing. Someone is waiting on the pavement. Should you wave them across?

Answer: No, be ready to stop, but don't wave them across

Be ready to slow or stop for people waiting at a zebra crossing. Don't wave, flash or use your horn to invite them across, as another vehicle might not stop.

11. You are turning left into a side road. A cyclist is riding straight ahead on your left. What should you do?

Answer: Give way and don't turn if it would make them stop or swerve

You should not cut across cyclists going ahead when you are turning. Wait for them to pass, even if you signalled first.

12. You are in slow-moving traffic on a road with two lanes going your way. The left lane is moving a bit faster. What should you do?

Answer: Stay in your lane; don't move left to overtake

In queuing traffic you should not change lanes to the left to overtake. Keep a safe gap and stay in lane.

13. You're stopped in a queue. The driver in front hasn't noticed the lights are green. Can you sound your horn?

Answer: No, not while stopped unless there's danger

You must not use your horn while stationary on the road, except when another road user poses a danger.

14. A car is overtaking you on a single carriageway road. What should you do?

Answer: Keep a steady course and speed

If a driver is trying to overtake you, keep a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let them pass. Never obstruct them.

15. Traffic is queuing. The bus lane beside you is empty, and its sign shows it's in operation now. What should you do?

Answer: Stay out of it unless signs allow you

Don't drive in a bus lane during its period of operation unless signs show your vehicle is allowed.

16. You're turning left into a side road across a bus lane. A bus is coming up in the bus lane. What should you do?

Answer: Give way to the bus in the bus lane

When turning left, give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane, cycle track or tramway, from either direction.

17. Under the hierarchy of road users, what should you remember about people you meet on the road?

Answer: They may have sight, hearing or mobility problems you can't see

The Highway Code reminds you that people may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility, and this may not be obvious.

18. Under the hierarchy of road users, which of these is true about cyclists?

Answer: They have a duty to reduce danger to pedestrians

Rule H1 says cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles also have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.

19. A pedestrian is waiting at the kerb by a zebra crossing but hasn't stepped onto it yet. What should you do?

Answer: Give way and let them cross

Rule H2 says you should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing. You must give way once they are on it.

20. You're waiting at a zebra crossing while a group of people cross slowly. What should you NOT do?

Answer: Rev your engine or creep forward

Do not harass pedestrians by revving your engine or edging forward while they cross.

21. A driver lets you out of a side road. Should you flash your hazard lights to say thank you?

Answer: No, hazard lights aren't for that

Hazard warning lights are only for when you're stopped and temporarily blocking traffic, or briefly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn of a hazard ahead.

22. You're driving in fog and a car behind is following far too close. What should you do?

Answer: Don't speed up; keep a safe speed

In fog, don't accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is too close behind you. Keep to a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see.

23. You're in a slow queue and about to stop across the entrance to a side road. What should you do?

Answer: Stop before it and leave it clear

In slow-moving traffic, do not block the entrances to side roads.

24. On the way to a concert you're crawling along in two lanes. Signs show the right lane closes ahead for road works. How should drivers from both lanes join?

Answer: Taking turns, one from each lane

Where lanes are restricted at road works, merge in turn. Merging in turn is recommended when traffic is moving at very low speed.

25. The speed limit on a busy shopping street is 30 mph. How should you treat that limit?

Answer: As a maximum, not a target

The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed in all conditions.

26. Your friend finishes a takeaway and wants to throw the empty box out of the car window. What does the law say?

Answer: Nothing may be thrown out of a vehicle

You must not throw anything out of a vehicle, including food or food packaging. It can endanger other road users, especially cyclists and motorcyclists.

27. You want to park quickly outside a shop. The kerb is lowered there for wheelchair users. What should you do?

Answer: Park somewhere else

Do not stop or park where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles.

28. You're visiting a friend in Glasgow. Can you park with two wheels up on the pavement?

Answer: No, it's banned in Scotland, with few exceptions

In London and Scotland you must not park partly or wholly on the pavement, apart from limited exceptions. Elsewhere, only do it where signs allow.

29. On a Highland single-track road you spot an amazing view and want to stop for photos. Can you park in the passing place next to it?

Answer: No, passing places aren't for parking

Rule 156 says do not park in passing places. They're needed so vehicles can get past each other or let others overtake.

30. A driver pulls out of a side road into your path and makes you brake. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down, hold back and let them clear

If a road user pulls out into your path at a junction, slow down and hold back to allow them to get clear. Don't over-react by driving too close to intimidate them.

31. A learner driver ahead stalls at the traffic lights. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient and give them time

Rule 204 says learners and inexperienced drivers may take longer to react. Be patient with them.

32. Someone is driving very slowly in front of you on a 40mph road. What should you do?

Answer: Keep a safe gap and wait for a safe place to overtake

Rule 126 says leave enough space to stop safely, and Rule 147 says be patient and don't harass other drivers. Only overtake where it's safe.

33. A driver in front makes a mistake and nearly causes a crash. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Try to stay calm and don't react aggressively

Rule 147 says be considerate: be careful of and patient with others, and do not show your irritation or retaliate.

34. You're in the right lane and the left lane is closing. A driver from the closed lane wants to merge. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Merge in turn, letting them in when it's their go

Rule 134 says when a lane is closing, merge in turn when the traffic is moving slowly; let traffic in when it's their turn.

35. You're waiting to turn right and a driver coming the other way flashes their headlights at you. What should you do?

Answer: Make sure it's safe before you go; the flash may not mean go

Rule 110 and 111 say flashing headlights is only to let others know you're there. Never assume it's a signal to go; make sure it's safe first.

36. When may you use your horn while driving?

Answer: To tell others you're there if you think they haven't seen you

Rule 112 says use the horn only while moving and only to warn others of your presence. Never use it aggressively.

37. Between which times must you not use your horn in a built-up area, unless another vehicle poses a danger?

Answer: 11.30pm and 7am

Rule 112 says you MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am, except when another road user poses a danger.

38. A bus has stopped at a bus stop and is signalling to move off. What should you do if it's safe?

Answer: Give way and let it pull out

Rule 223 says give priority to buses signalling to pull away from stops, if you can do so safely.

39. You're in a queue and an emergency vehicle with blue lights needs to get through. Which of these is a bad idea?

Answer: Driving through a red light to make room

Rule 219 says let emergency vehicles pass when it's safe, but don't break the law, such as passing a red light, to do so.

40. A friend dares you to race another car away from the lights. What should you do?

Answer: Refuse; racing on the road is dangerous and illegal

Rule 144 says you MUST NOT drive dangerously, without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for others. Racing on public roads is dangerous driving.

41. You see a driver waiting to come out of a side road into slow-moving traffic. What could you do to help?

Answer: Leave a gap so they can pull out, if it's safe

Rule 151 says in slow-moving traffic you should allow access into and from side roads, as blocking these will add to congestion.

42. When you're overtaking a horse rider, what speed does the Highway Code say to pass at?

Answer: No more than 10mph

Rule 215 says when passing horses, do so at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space.