Theory test practice: Test 19

Hazard awareness

1. 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.

Road and traffic signs

2. A police officer at a junction holds up both arms, one to the front and one to the back. Who must stop?

Answer: Traffic from both the front and behind

This signal means stop for traffic approaching from both front and behind.

Vulnerable road users

3. Why should you take extra care near people on electric scooters and bikes in town?

Answer: They can be quiet and move quickly and unpredictably

Rule 211 and the hierarchy of road users ask drivers to look out for cyclists and others who can be fast, quiet and hard to see.

Vehicle handling

4. Your car starts to skid because you braked. What should you do first?

Answer: Release the brake and steer in the direction of the skid

If braking caused the skid, release the brake. Steer in the direction of the skid to help the car straighten up.

Road and traffic signs

5. You see an area of white diagonal stripes in the road, bordered by a solid white line. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: You must not enter it except in an emergency

Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons separate traffic lanes or protect turning traffic. If bordered by a solid white line, you must not enter except in an emergency.

Attitude

6. 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.

Vulnerable road users

7. At a roundabout a cyclist is in the left lane but signalling right. What does this probably mean?

Answer: They're going round, so don't cut across them

Cyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left lane when going round a roundabout and signal right to show they aren't leaving. Don't cut across them.

Safety and your vehicle

8. Your passenger is 12 and 140cm tall. What must they use in a car with seat belts?

Answer: An adult seat belt

Children over 12 years old or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt. Children under those thresholds normally need a child car seat.

Road and traffic signs

9. What does this sign with an exclamation mark mean?

Answer: Other danger; a plate below says what it is

A red triangle with an exclamation mark warns of other danger. A plate below tells you what the danger is.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

10. An adult casualty is not breathing. How should you press on their chest when doing CPR?

Answer: Press down about 5 to 6 centimetres, about twice a second

For an adult, place interlocked hands in the centre of the chest and press down 5 to 6 cm about twice a second. Keep going until help takes over.

Hazard awareness

11. 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.

Rules of the road

12. On the way to college you stop at a crossing by the park that people walking and cycling both use (a toucan crossing). After your red light, what will your lights show?

Answer: Red and amber together, then green

Toucan, puffin and equestrian crossings have no flashing amber phase. The lights follow the same order as normal traffic lights: red, red and amber, then green.

Road and traffic signs

13. You're driving on an unlit dual carriageway late at night. Rain is making the lines hard to see, but the road studs on your right are glowing amber. What do they mark?

Answer: The central reservation

Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway. Red studs mark the left edge, white mark lanes and green mark lay-bys and slip roads.

Road and traffic signs

14. You pass these signs on the left side of a motorway. What does each bar stand for?

Answer: 100 yards to the exit

These are 'countdown' markers at an exit from a motorway. Each bar represents 100 yards to the exit, so three bars means about 300 yards.

Documents

15. Jay passed his test a year ago and is caught holding his phone while driving. What happens if he gets the full penalty for this offence?

Answer: He loses his licence and must pass both theory and practical tests again

The phone offence carries 6 points. New drivers who reach 6 or more points within 2 years of passing lose their licence and must retake both tests.

Road and traffic signs

16. What does this road works sign mean?

Answer: Temporary hazard at road works

This sign warns of a temporary hazard at road works.

Safety margins

17. On an icy road, which gear should you use where possible?

Answer: The highest gear you can

Rule 231 says drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible on ice; accelerate and brake very gently.

Road and traffic signs

18. Before an old bridge you see a red-ringed circle with '18T'. What does it mean?

Answer: No vehicles over 18 tonnes in total

A red circle with a weight in tonnes means no vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown.

Alertness

19. There's no signal, so your phone is offline. Can you hold it to change the song while you drive?

Answer: No, holding it is banned online or offline

You must not use a hand-held phone or similar device for any reason while driving, whether it's online or offline.

Other types of vehicle

20. What is the national speed limit for a coach (up to 12 metres long) on a single carriageway road?

Answer: 50mph

Buses, coaches and minibuses up to 12 metres long have a 50mph limit on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways.

Safety and your vehicle

21. You start the engine. Which warning light is it normal to still see on after the engine is running?

Answer: The parking brake (handbrake) light

Annex 6 says warning lights should go out once the engine starts, except the handbrake light. If others stay on, find out why.

Road and traffic signs

22. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Traffic merging from the left ahead

This sign warns that traffic will be merging from the left ahead.

Safety margins

23. Using the Highway Code's typical figures, what is the braking distance alone at 70 mph?

Answer: 75 metres

At 70 mph the typical braking distance is 75 metres. Add the 21 metre thinking distance for 96 metres overall.

Motorway rules

24. Your car breaks down on a motorway and you cannot reach the left lane or any place of relative safety. What should you do?

Answer: Stay in the car with seat belts on and hazard lights on, and call 999

If you cannot get to the left or a safe place, or cannot get out safely, stay in the vehicle with seat belts and hazard lights on and call 999.

Other types of vehicle

25. At night, which lights must a cyclist have on their bike?

Answer: A white front light and a red rear light, plus a red rear reflector

Rule 60 says at night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit, and be fitted with a red rear reflector.

Motorway rules

26. Before overtaking on a motorway, which check is especially important after your mirrors?

Answer: Your blind spot

Rule 267 says check your mirrors, judge speeds carefully, check your blind spot and signal in good time before overtaking.

Vehicle handling

27. You're going downhill and want to control your speed. What helps most?

Answer: Using a lower gear

Using a lower gear on a long downhill lets engine braking help control your speed (Rule 160 and Rule 122).

Rules of the road

28. You don't have a Blue Badge. Can you use a disabled parking bay for 'just five minutes'?

Answer: No, you must not park there

Rule 241 says you MUST NOT park in parking spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, unless entitled to do so.

Attitude

29. 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.

Documents

30. What is the pass mark for the multiple-choice part of the car theory test?

Answer: 43 out of 50

GOV.UK says the pass mark for the multiple-choice questions is 43 out of 50.