Hazard awareness practice questions

1. An ice cream van is parked ahead with its chimes playing. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down and look out for children running out

Children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road. Slow down and be ready to stop.

2. You're driving slowly along a terraced street lined with parked vans on a sunny Saturday. Between two vans you spot a scooter wheel and a pair of small trainers. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down and be ready for a child to step out

On residential streets watch for children running out from between parked cars. Clues like feet or toys under vehicles mean someone may appear suddenly.

3. You are driving past a school just as it is finishing for the day. What should you do?

Answer: Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area

Children may cross or step out without looking near schools. Drive slowly and watch for young pedestrians and cyclists; where a flashing amber school sign is showing, drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.

4. You are going to a party and will drive home afterwards. What is the safest choice about alcohol?

Answer: Don't drink any alcohol at all

Alcohol affects judgement and reactions. The Highway Code advises new drivers not to drive if they have had any alcohol.

5. A bus has stopped at a bus stop on your side of the road. What hazard should you look out for as you pass?

Answer: People from the bus crossing in front of it

Look out for passengers who have just got off and may step out from in front of the bus.

6. Your friend is driving you to town. The car in front indicates left, then drives straight past the turning without turning. What does this show?

Answer: Signals can be left on, so watch what drivers actually do

Be aware that another vehicle's indicator may not have been cancelled. Don't act on a signal alone; check what the driver is really doing.

7. You have taken some cold medicine. The packet says it may cause drowsiness. What should you do?

Answer: Ask a pharmacist or doctor; don't drive if it affects you

Some medicines can make you unfit to drive. Check with your doctor or pharmacist and don't drive if it is affecting you.

8. You are driving along a street with parked cars on both sides. Which hazard is the Highway Code most likely to warn you about here?

Answer: A car door opening or a parked car pulling out

On residential streets, watch for car doors opening, vehicles pulling away, and people stepping out.

9. You are approaching a sharp blind bend on a narrow country lane. What should you be ready for?

Answer: Something slow round the bend, like walkers or a horse

Take extra care on country roads. Slow down for bends and be ready for hazards you can't see yet, such as people, animals or farm vehicles.

10. According to the Highway Code, which time of day is especially high risk for new drivers?

Answer: Between midnight and 6am

Between midnight and 6am is a time of high risk for new drivers, and natural alertness is at its lowest then.

11. Which of these statements about drink-drive limits is true?

Answer: Scotland has a lower legal limit than England and Wales

In England and Wales the breath limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 ml. In Scotland it is lower, at 22 microgrammes.

12. How far away must you be able to read a car number plate in good daylight (wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need them)?

Answer: 20 metres

You must be able to read a number plate in good daylight from 20 metres. If you need glasses or lenses to do this, you must wear them.

13. At 8am you come up behind a coach stopped in a lay-by on a country road. Its back window shows a square sign with two children on it. How should you pass?

Answer: Slowly, ready for children to appear

Drive carefully and slowly when passing a stationary bus showing a 'School bus' sign, as children may be getting on or off.

14. You're passing a primary school. A person in a hi-vis coat walks into the road and holds up a round 'Stop children' sign. No children are in the road yet. What must you do?

Answer: Stop and wait for them to clear the road

You MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a 'Stop for children' sign, whether or not children have started to cross.

15. Road works signs show a temporary 40 mph limit on a road that's normally 60 mph. The road looks clear. What must you do?

Answer: Keep to 40 mph

You MUST NOT exceed any temporary maximum speed limit at road works.

16. You're driving through road works with loose grit and mud on the road. A motorcyclist is ahead. Why leave extra room?

Answer: They could skid on the grit or mud

At road works, take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists, who are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris.

17. Driving to the airport, signs send you across into a motorway contraflow. Only cones separate you from oncoming traffic. What should you do as you go in?

Answer: Slow down and drop back from the car ahead

In a contraflow you may be in a narrower lane than normal with no permanent barrier. At the start and finish, slow down and increase the distance to the vehicle in front, as changes in the camber of the road may affect stability.

18. You're on a dual carriageway. A slow works vehicle in your lane shows this sign on its back. What must you do?

Answer: Pass it on the left

Where a works vehicle shows a large 'Keep left' or 'Keep right' sign, you MUST pass on the side shown and not move back into the closed lane until it's safe.

19. Heavy rain on the dual carriageway. A lorry ahead is throwing up so much spray you can barely see past it. What's the best move?

Answer: Drop further back so you can see ahead

In wet weather, keep well back from the vehicle in front. This increases your ability to see and plan ahead, and your stopping distance will be at least double.

20. It's icy and you're coming up to a sharp left bend on a country lane. When should you do your braking?

Answer: Gently, on the straight before the bend

On ice, drive particularly slowly on bends. Brake progressively on the straight before you reach a bend, then steer smoothly round it, avoiding sudden actions.

21. On a stormy day you're driving along a road lined by a tall hedge. Ahead there's a wide gap where a field gate is. What should you be ready for?

Answer: A sudden gust pushing your car sideways

Strong gusts can hit you on open roads exposed to crosswinds, on bridges and when you pass gaps in hedges.

22. A sign warns of fog, but the road ahead looks clear. What should you remember?

Answer: Fog banks can appear suddenly

Even if a road looks clear, fog banks can be patchy and form suddenly, so check your mirrors and slow down before you reach fog.

23. It snowed overnight. You've cleared the windows, lights and plates, but thick snow is still on the roof. What should you do?

Answer: Clear the roof before you go

Before setting off in snow, remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users.

24. Your doctor prescribes a medicine that's on the drug-driving list. When can you generally drive after taking it?

Answer: If prescribed, you follow advice and you're not impaired

You can generally drive after taking a listed medicine if it was prescribed, you followed your doctor's or pharmacist's advice, and it isn't making you unfit to drive.

25. Police stop you and use a roadside drug kit. Which drugs can it screen for?

Answer: Cannabis and cocaine

Police can use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine. They can also do a field impairment assessment.

26. You drank a lot at a party last night and slept a few hours. Is it safe to drive to work this morning?

Answer: Not necessarily; alcohol may still be in you

Alcohol takes time to leave your body. You may be unfit to drive the morning after drinking the previous evening.

27. An older man in the car ahead is slow to move off at a junction. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: Their reactions may be slower; allow for it

Older drivers' reactions may be slower than other drivers'. Make allowance for this.

28. Traffic is queuing near a pedestrian crossing and the stopped vehicles block your view. What should you expect?

Answer: People crossing between the stopped vehicles

Take extra care where your view of either side of a crossing is blocked by queuing or parked traffic. Pedestrians may be crossing between stationary vehicles.

29. You're on a fast country road and coming into a village. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down as you enter the village

Slow down where country roads enter villages.

30. It's 32°C and you're driving to the beach. The tar on the road looks wet and shiny, but it hasn't rained. Why should you take care?

Answer: The soft surface can affect steering and braking

In very hot weather the road surface may become soft, which can affect steering and braking.

31. You see a ball bounce into the road ahead between parked cars. What should you expect?

Answer: A child may run out after it

Rule 206 says drive carefully and slowly when pedestrians, especially children, are around; they may run out unexpectedly.

32. You see an older person with a white stick waiting at the kerb. What does the white stick mean?

Answer: The person is blind or partially sighted

Rule 207 says a white stick or cane usually means a person is blind or partially sighted. A red band on it means they may be deafblind.

33. A pedestrian ahead is using a white cane with a red band. What does this tell you?

Answer: They are deaf and blind

Rule 207 says deafblind people may carry a white cane with a red band, or use a dog with a red and white harness. They may not see or hear you.

34. You're driving in a residential street at school leaving time. Which of these is the biggest hazard?

Answer: Parked cars hiding children who may step out

Rules 206 and 208 say drive slowly near schools and watch for children who may step out from between parked cars.

35. On a country road you come up behind a slow-moving tractor with a long trailer. What is a hazard to think about?

Answer: It may turn into a field entrance without much warning

Rule 154 says on rural roads expect slow-moving farm vehicles and be ready for them to turn. Rule 167 says don't overtake if a vehicle could turn across you.

36. You're on a fast road and the car in front suddenly brakes hard. What is the best way to have time to stop?

Answer: Keep at least a two-second gap in good conditions

Rule 126 says leave enough space so you can pull up safely if the vehicle in front suddenly slows down or stops: at least a two-second gap on fast roads.

37. You see a 'zigzag' line ahead with a lollipop person near a school. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down and be ready to stop

Rules 191 and 209 say you must not overtake near a crossing, and be ready to stop near schools and crossing patrols.

38. You're turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is about to cross it. Who has priority?

Answer: The pedestrian

Rule H2 and Rule 170 say you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road you're turning into.

39. You see a 'Slow' marking painted on the road before a bend. What does it mean?

Answer: Reduce speed because of a hazard ahead

SLOW painted on the road warns you to reduce speed because of a hazard ahead, such as a sharp bend or junction.

40. You're driving at night on a country road. What's a good clue that a vehicle is coming round a bend ahead?

Answer: The glow of headlights on hedges or trees

At night, the light from other vehicles' headlights can show they're coming before you see them. Rule 115 tells you to dip your lights to avoid dazzling them.

41. You see a car with its reversing lights on in a car park. What should you do?

Answer: Expect it to back out and be ready to stop

White reversing lights show a vehicle is about to reverse. The driver may not see you.

42. Water is spraying up from a bus on a wet road and blocking your view. What should you do?

Answer: Drop back until you can see better

Rule 227 says in wet weather keep well back from the vehicle in front to improve your view; spray from large vehicles can reduce visibility.