Theory test practice: Test 12

Safety and your vehicle

1. Your windscreen washers have run dry on a dirty winter road. Why is this a problem?

Answer: You may not be able to see clearly, and washers should work

Annex 6 says windscreens and windows must be kept clean, and you should check that washers and wipers work.

Motorway rules

2. You've just overtaken a slow lorry on a quiet three-lane motorway. Your passenger says, 'Just stay in the middle, it's easier.' What should you do?

Answer: Move back to the left lane when it's safe

Keep in the left lane unless you are overtaking. When you've passed slower traffic, move back to the left when it is safe.

Other types of vehicle

3. You're thinking about overtaking a long lorry on a single carriageway road. What should you keep in mind?

Answer: It takes longer to pass, so you need a bigger gap

Overtaking a large vehicle takes longer than overtaking a car. Drop back to see ahead, and if in doubt, don't overtake.

Road and traffic signs

4. What does this sign mean?

Answer: No buses (over 8 passenger seats)

A red circle showing a bus means no buses with more than 8 passenger seats.

Road and traffic signs

5. What do triangular signs mostly do?

Answer: Warn you about something ahead

Most warning signs are triangles with a red border. They tell you about hazards such as bends, junctions or schools.

Hazard awareness

6. 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.

Road and traffic signs

7. On a motorway, the signal at the side of the road shows this, with amber lamps flashing. What should you do?

Answer: Change lane in the direction shown

This motorway signal means change lane.

Vehicle handling

8. A car in front of you pulls out to overtake a tractor. You also want to get past. What should you do?

Answer: Don't assume there is room to follow

Rule 163 says do not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle.

Attitude

9. 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.

Safety margins

10. You're on a busy street with parked cars, pedestrians and cyclists. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Drive slowly and carefully

Rule 152 says drive slowly and carefully on streets where there are likely to be pedestrians, cyclists and parked cars.

Safety margins

11. Traffic stops in a road tunnel. What is the minimum gap you should leave to the vehicle in front?

Answer: At least 5 metres

If you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap to the vehicle in front.

Rules of the road

12. What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway road?

Answer: 60mph

On a single carriageway the national limit for cars is 60mph. It is a maximum, not a target.

Hazard awareness

13. 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.

Vehicle handling

14. You're driving your mates to the cinema when a deer leaps into the road ahead. Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake?

Answer: Brake firmly and keep pressing until you've slowed

In an emergency with ABS, apply the footbrake firmly and don't release the pressure until you've slowed down. ABS helps you keep steering, but it doesn't always stop you sooner.

Other types of vehicle

15. On a dual carriageway you see a vehicle ahead with a flashing amber beacon. What does it usually mean?

Answer: It's a slow-moving vehicle; approach with caution

Flashing amber beacons warn of slow-moving or stationary vehicles, such as tractors or road maintenance vehicles. Approach with caution.

Road and traffic signs

16. This sign shows that the right-hand lane of a slip road has priority over the left-hand lane. What should you do in the left lane?

Answer: Give way to traffic in the right lane of the slip road

This sign means traffic in the right-hand lane of the slip road joining the main carriageway has priority over the left-hand lane.

Road and traffic signs

17. This sign shows a measurement between two arrows above a lorry. What does it mean?

Answer: No vehicle or combination of vehicles over the length shown

This sign means no vehicle or combination of vehicles over the length shown.

Alertness

18. You're reversing out of a parking space at the supermarket. Where should you mainly look?

Answer: Mainly through the rear window, checking all around

Rule 202 says look carefully before you start reversing, check for pedestrians, especially children, and look mainly through the rear window.

Motorway rules

19. A box blows off your roof rack and lands in a motorway lane. What should you do?

Answer: Stop somewhere relatively safe and call 999

On a motorway or other high-speed road, never try to remove anything from the carriageway yourself. Stop in a place of relative safety and call 999.

Documents

20. Where must L plates be shown on a car being driven by a learner?

Answer: On the front and the back

L plates must be shown on the front and back so they can be seen easily. In Wales, D plates can be used.

Safety and your vehicle

21. The 1.6 mm minimum tread depth for car tyres must be met where on the tyre?

Answer: Across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round

The law says the tread must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference.

Vulnerable road users

22. At a junction, a cyclist is waiting in the box in front of you at the traffic lights. What is this area called?

Answer: An advanced stop line area for cyclists

Rules 178 and 192 say advanced stop lines give cyclists a space in front of other traffic. Wait behind the first white line when the lights are red.

Road and traffic signs

23. What does this sign mean?

Answer: No stopping (clearway)

A blue circle with a red border and a red cross means no stopping (clearway). You must not stop on the main carriageway, even to pick someone up.

Vulnerable road users

24. An older person is crossing the road slowly in front of you at a junction. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient and let them cross in their own time

Older pedestrians may need more time. Be patient, and don't hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward.

Road and traffic signs

25. At a junction controlled by traffic lights you see a single solid white line across your side of the road. What is it?

Answer: The stop line at signals or police control

A single solid white line across the road at lights is the stop line. When told to stop, wait behind it.

Attitude

26. 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.

Alertness

27. 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.

Road and traffic signs

28. What does this warning sign tell you?

Answer: The width and headroom available, for example under an arched bridge

This sign shows the available width of headroom: how much room there is under something like an arched bridge.

Road and traffic signs

29. You see a direction sign with the words 'Ring road'. What does it mean?

Answer: The road goes round the town, helping traffic avoid the centre

Ring road signs show routes that go round a town. Primary routes forming part of a ring road can be shown on green signs.

Rules of the road

30. A bus lane sign shows 'Mon–Fri 7–10 am, 4–7 pm'. It's 1pm on a Wednesday. Can you drive in the lane?

Answer: Yes, because it's outside its hours

You should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation, shown on the signs. Outside those times, other traffic may use it unless signs say otherwise.