Theory test practice: Test 1

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

1. A casualty isn't responding. How should you open their airway?

Answer: Place your fingers under their chin and lift it forward

Annex 7 says if there's no response, open the airway by placing your fingers under their chin and lifting it forward.

Documents

2. You practise in your mum's car. When she drives it to work on her own, what should happen to the L plates?

Answer: Take them off or cover them

L plates should be removed or covered when the vehicle isn't being driven by a learner (driving school cars are an exception).

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

3. A child at a crash is not breathing and you start CPR. How should your chest presses differ from those for an adult?

Answer: You may only need one hand and shouldn't press as far

For an adult, press in the centre of the chest about 5 to 6 cm, about twice a second. For a child you may only need one hand and shouldn't press down as far. For a baby, use two fingers in the middle of the chest and press about a third of the chest depth.

Rules of the road

4. You realise you're going the wrong way along a busy high street. What's the best way to turn round?

Answer: Turn into a quiet side road or go round the block

Choose a safe, quiet place to turn round, such as a side road or a loop round a block. Avoid turning or reversing on busy roads, and avoid U-turns at mini-roundabouts.

Road and traffic signs

5. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Quayside or river bank

This triangle shows a car going over an edge into water. It warns of a quayside or river bank, where the road may end at the water.

Road and traffic signs

6. This sign shows lanes and widths before road works. What is it warning you about?

Answer: Lane restrictions at road works ahead, such as narrow lanes

This sign warns of lane restrictions at road works ahead, for example narrow lanes or lanes with width limits.

Road and traffic signs

7. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: A junction on a bend ahead

This sign warns of a junction on a bend ahead.

Safety margins

8. You can see a bank of fog across the road ahead. What should you do before you drive into it?

Answer: Check your mirrors and slow down

Rule 234 says before entering fog, check your mirrors then slow down.

Alertness

9. You are in a drive-through and want to pay by tapping your phone. When is this allowed?

Answer: When stopped, and you get the food as or after you pay

There is an exception for contactless payment, but only when the vehicle is stationary and the goods are received at or after the time you pay.

Vehicle handling

10. You're on a three-lane single carriageway. Which lane must you not use for overtaking?

Answer: The right-hand lane

Rule 135 says on three-lane single carriageways, use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right; don't use the right-hand lane.

Vehicle loading and eco

11. What is the legal drink-drive limit for BREATH alcohol in England and Wales?

Answer: 35 micrograms per 100 ml of breath

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the breath limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Vehicle handling

12. Your new car has electronic stability control (ESC or ESP). What is it designed to help with?

Answer: Stopping the car losing grip and skidding

The car syllabus describes systems such as ESP that help prevent loss of traction. They help, but you still need to drive to the conditions.

Attitude

13. 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.

Road and traffic signs

14. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Opening or swing bridge ahead

This sign warns of an opening or swing bridge ahead.

Hazard awareness

15. 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.

Vulnerable road users

16. A farmer is moving cows along the road and they're blocking your way. What should you do?

Answer: Stop and switch off your engine

If a herd of animals is approaching or blocking the road, stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road.

Road and traffic signs

17. You see two short yellow marks on the kerb at the edge of a road with yellow lines. What do they mean?

Answer: No loading or unloading at any time

Double yellow marks on the kerb mean no loading or unloading at any time.

Safety and your vehicle

18. Winter is coming. What should you add to your radiator and windscreen washer bottle?

Answer: Anti-freeze of the right type

Annex 6 says before winter, make sure the battery is in good condition and there is the right anti-freeze in the radiator and windscreen bottle.

Attitude

19. 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.

Road and traffic signs

20. You see this sign on a traffic island. What does it mean?

Answer: Vehicles may pass either side to reach the same place

A blue circle with two white arrows pointing down to the left and right means vehicles may pass either side to reach the same destination.

Vehicle loading and eco

21. You only need to go half a mile to the shop on a dry day. What's the most eco-friendly option?

Answer: Walk or cycle if you can

The car syllabus encourages considering alternatives to driving, such as walking or cycling, for short journeys.

Alertness

22. Two mini-roundabouts are very close together. How should you treat them?

Answer: Treat each one separately and give way to traffic from the right

Rule 189 says at double mini-roundabouts, treat each roundabout separately and give way to traffic from the right.

Alertness

23. You start to feel sleepy on the motorway. Which of these is NOT a place to stop and rest?

Answer: The hard shoulder or an emergency area

If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place, but not in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

Documents

24. What is the minimum penalty for speeding?

Answer: A £100 fine and 3 penalty points

GOV.UK says the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.

Other types of vehicle

25. You're picking up a friend on a street where tram tracks run along the road. Where must you NOT stop?

Answer: On any part of the tram track, even briefly

You must not park where you would get in the way of trams. Don't stop on any part of a tram track, except in a designated bay alongside and clear of it. A tram cannot steer round an obstruction.

Motorway rules

26. You've been on the motorway for an hour and now leave by a slip road. 50mph feels slow. Why should you check your speedometer?

Answer: You may be going faster than it feels

After driving fast for a while, your speed may be higher than you realise; 50mph can feel like 30mph. Check your speedometer and slow down for bends on slip roads.

Road and traffic signs

27. What does this marking on the kerb mean?

Answer: No loading or unloading at any time

Yellow marks on the kerb control loading. Two marks mean no loading or unloading at any time. You may still stop briefly to let passengers get in or out.

Rules of the road

28. At a level crossing with half barriers, the barriers are down but you can't see a train. What must you do?

Answer: Wait; never zigzag round the barriers

Rule 293 says never zig-zag around half barriers; they lower automatically because a train is approaching. Wait until they open and the lights stop.

Alertness

29. You are parked at the kerb and want to pull away. Your mirrors look clear. What else should you do before moving off?

Answer: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot

Mirrors do not show every area around the car. Before moving off you should look round to check your blind spots and only go when it is safe.

Road and traffic signs

30. You follow a lorry with red and yellow striped panels on the back. What are they?

Answer: Large goods vehicle rear markings

Large goods vehicles show reflective rear markings to make them easier to see.