Theory test practice: Test 14

Hazard awareness

1. 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.

Vulnerable road users

2. A cyclist is coming up on your left as you prepare to turn left. What should you do?

Answer: Wait and let them go ahead before you turn

Rules H3 and 183 say do not cut across cyclists going ahead when you're turning. Give way and wait for a safe gap.

Alertness

3. You've reversed into a side road and want to keep going backwards along it to reach a parking space. What does the law say?

Answer: You must not reverse further than necessary

Rule 203 says you MUST NOT reverse your vehicle further than necessary.

Documents

4. From what age can you apply for a provisional car licence?

Answer: 15 years and 9 months

You can apply for a provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months. You can usually start driving a car at 17.

Road and traffic signs

5. What does this sign mean?

Answer: No vehicles over the width shown

A red circle with a figure between two side-pointing arrows means no vehicles over the width shown.

Rules of the road

6. You're driving over a level crossing and have just passed the white stop line when the steady amber light comes on. What should you do?

Answer: Keep going and clear the crossing

If you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on, keep going. Never reverse onto or over a crossing.

Documents

7. Which of these do you NOT need to tell DVLA about?

Answer: Being short-sighted, if you meet the standard with glasses

You must tell DVLA about any eyesight problem that affects both eyes (or your one eye). This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind.

Motorway rules

8. Driving on an unlit motorway at night, you notice a line of green reflective studs on your left. What do they mark?

Answer: The edge of the main road at a slip road or lay-by

Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads. White studs mark lanes, red the left edge and amber the central reservation.

Vehicle handling

9. Before you overtake, which of these must you be sure of?

Answer: The road is clear far enough ahead to pass and get back in

Rule 162 says before overtaking you should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead and that you can get back in without cutting in.

Rules of the road

10. At a roundabout, who should you normally give priority to?

Answer: Traffic coming from your right

Give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs, markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise.

Road and traffic signs

11. You see red crosses above a lane at a tunnel entrance. What do they mean?

Answer: The lane is closed to traffic facing the sign

Red crosses mean the lane is closed to traffic facing the sign. You must not use it.

Other types of vehicle

12. Many lorries are fitted with speed limiters. What does this mean for you?

Answer: They may be limited to 56 mph, even on a motorway

Many large vehicles are limited to 56 mph even on motorways. Be patient and only overtake when it is safe.

Safety and your vehicle

13. Your electric car is charging at a street charge point. What does the Highway Code advise about the cable?

Answer: Keep it tidy so it isn't a trip hazard

Rule 239 says when charging an electric vehicle, park close to the charge point and avoid creating a trip hazard for pedestrians from trailing cables. Return cables neatly after use.

Safety margins

14. Your car has ABS (anti-lock brakes). What does the Highway Code say about it?

Answer: It helps you steer, but may not stop you any shorter

ABS can help you steer while braking hard, but it does not guarantee a shorter stop. You still need safe gaps.

Safety and your vehicle

15. You're driving home from a late shift. Between which times MUST your sidelights and rear number plate lamp be on?

Answer: Between sunset and sunrise

Rule 113 says you must use sidelights and rear registration plate lamps between sunset and sunrise.

Road and traffic signs

16. You reach a junction with two broken white lines across your lane and a triangle painted before them. What do they mean?

Answer: Give way to traffic on the major road

Double broken white lines across the road, often with a triangle before them, mean give way to traffic on the major road. They can also be used at mini-roundabouts.

Road and traffic signs

17. What does this blue sign showing a motorcycle and a 'P' mean?

Answer: Parking place for solo motorcycles

This sign shows a parking place for solo motorcycles.

Road and traffic signs

18. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Minimum speed 30 mph

Blue circles give positive orders. A number in a blue circle is a minimum speed, so you must not go slower than this unless it is unsafe to keep up.

Alertness

19. What is the minimum eyesight standard (sharpness of vision) for driving a car, measured on the Snellen scale?

Answer: At least decimal 0.5 (6/12)

You need a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale, using glasses or contact lenses if needed. You also need an adequate field of vision.

Road and traffic signs

20. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Dual carriageway ends

This triangular sign warns that the dual carriageway ends. Expect traffic coming towards you on the same road.

Motorway rules

21. A red X is shown on the sign above your lane. What does it mean?

Answer: The lane is closed; you must not drive in it

A red X means that lane is closed. You must move to an open lane and must not carry on in the closed one.

Road and traffic signs

22. At a level crossing without barriers, you see small red and green lights. What are they?

Answer: Miniature warning lights; you must stop on red

Miniature warning lights at level crossings show red when a train is coming. Stop on red and wait for green.

Vulnerable road users

23. The car in front has a 'P' (new driver) plate and is hesitating at a roundabout. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient, as new drivers may be slower to react

Be particularly patient with learner and young drivers. They may not be as skilled at anticipating and responding to events.

Road and traffic signs

24. Direction signs with a green background are used for which roads?

Answer: Primary routes

Green direction signs are for primary routes. Blue is for motorways, white with a black border is for local roads and brown is for tourist attractions.

Other types of vehicle

25. You're driving close behind a lorry and can't see its door mirrors. What does that tell you?

Answer: The driver probably can't see you either

Rule 222 says drivers of large vehicles may find it difficult to see you. Staying back where you can see their mirrors helps them see you.

Hazard awareness

26. 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.

Attitude

27. 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.

Attitude

28. 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.

Safety margins

29. You're driving in fog and you can only see 50 metres. Which lights may you use?

Answer: Dipped headlights, and fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced

Rule 226 says use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally under 100 metres. You may also use front or rear fog lights, but switch them off when visibility improves.

Vehicle handling

30. Why should you not coast down a steep hill in neutral or with the clutch pressed down?

Answer: You lose engine braking and your speed can build up quickly

Coasting takes away engine braking. Going downhill, the car can speed up fast and you have less control.