Theory test practice: Test 2

Alertness

1. Which routine does the Highway Code tell you to use before you change speed or direction?

Answer: Mirrors, then Signal, then Manoeuvre

Check your mirrors first so you know what is behind you, then signal if needed, then make the move.

Road and traffic signs

2. You see this sign as you drive into a town centre. What does it mean?

Answer: You're entering a controlled parking zone

This sign marks the entrance to a controlled parking zone. Parking rules on signs apply across the whole zone.

Safety and your vehicle

3. 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

4. You're driving your friends home from college and one says, 'Flash your lights at that driver to say thanks.' According to the Highway Code, what is flashing your headlights for?

Answer: Only to let other road users know you're there

The Highway Code says to flash your headlights only to let others know you are there. Using them to say thanks, give way or warn about anything else can be misread and cause a crash.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

5. You have started CPR on a casualty who is not breathing. When should you stop?

Answer: When they start breathing or a medical professional takes over

Keep going with CPR until the casualty starts breathing again or a medical professional takes over. If they start breathing but stay unconscious, put them in the recovery position until help arrives.

Other types of vehicle

6. You're behind a horse-drawn carriage on a narrow country lane. Which of these should you NOT do?

Answer: Rev your engine or sound your horn

Do not sound your horn or rev your engine near horses. Horses can be easily scared and may move suddenly.

Alertness

7. You're using a hands-free phone, but police see you're distracted and not in full control. What can happen?

Answer: You can be stopped and prosecuted

Police can stop you if they think you're distracted and not in control, even if you're hands-free. You can get 3 penalty points for not having proper control or a full view of the road.

Vulnerable road users

8. You've just passed some sheep being herded on a country lane. What should you avoid?

Answer: Accelerating sharply as you move off

When passing animals, don't sound your horn, rev your engine or accelerate rapidly once you have passed them.

Road and traffic signs

9. On a mountain road in Wales, you see this sign. What does it warn you about?

Answer: Falling or fallen rocks

This sign warns of falling or fallen rocks.

Road and traffic signs

10. What does this road marking tell you?

Answer: A give way junction is just ahead

A white triangle painted on the road warns of a give way marking just ahead. Slow down and be ready to give way.

Attitude

11. The speed limit on a busy shopping street is 30 mph. How should you treat that limit?

Answer: As a maximum, not a target

The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed in all conditions.

Road and traffic signs

12. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Side winds

The windsock in this triangle warns of side winds. Strong gusts can push your car sideways, especially on open roads and bridges.

Road and traffic signs

13. There's a single yellow mark on the kerb. What does it mean?

Answer: No loading or unloading at the times shown

A single yellow mark on the kerb means no loading or unloading at the times shown on nearby signs.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

14. A casualty is unconscious but breathing normally. What should you do while waiting for help?

Answer: Place them in the recovery position

Annex 7 says place a casualty who is breathing but unconscious in the recovery position until medical help arrives.

Safety and your vehicle

15. You borrow your dad's car. Why should you adjust the head restraint before driving?

Answer: To reduce neck and spine injury in a crash

Rule 97 says head restraints should be properly adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries in a collision.

Road and traffic signs

16. A tanker has an orange panel with numbers and a diamond symbol. What does it show?

Answer: It's carrying dangerous goods

Tank vehicles carrying certain dangerous goods must show hazard information panels. Diamond symbols show the risk, such as flammable liquid.

Vehicle loading and eco

17. You're towing a heavy trailer. How should you handle long downhill slopes?

Answer: Use a lower gear and reduce speed early

Rule 98 and Rule 160 advise extra care when towing; select a lower gear before going downhill to keep speed under control.

Attitude

18. When may you use your horn while driving?

Answer: To tell others you're there if you think they haven't seen you

Rule 112 says use the horn only while moving and only to warn others of your presence. Never use it aggressively.

Road and traffic signs

19. You see this sign showing one lane crossing over to the other side of the road. What is ahead?

Answer: A one lane crossover at contraflow road works

This sign warns of a one-lane crossover at contraflow road works.

Motorway rules

20. On a three-lane motorway, a traffic officer's car and a broken-down van are on the hard shoulder ahead. The middle lane beside you is clear. What should you do?

Answer: Move into the middle lane, if it's safe, to give them room

Keep left unless overtaking, but when you approach stopped vehicles, traffic officers, emergency or recovery workers, move to the next lane if it is safe to do so.

Attitude

21. What does the Highway Code say about tailgating (driving too close to the vehicle in front)?

Answer: It's dangerous and can count as careless or dangerous driving

Tailgating means the gap is too small for you to stop safely. It is dangerous, intimidating and can lead to collisions.

Road and traffic signs

22. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Route for pedal cycles only

A blue circle showing a bicycle means a route to be used by pedal cycles only.

Hazard awareness

23. 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.

Safety margins

24. You switched on your rear fog light in thick fog. Now the fog has lifted and you can see a long way. What should you do?

Answer: Switch it off now that you can see

Rule 236 says you MUST switch fog lights off when visibility improves. Left on, they can dazzle drivers behind and hide your brake lights.

Vehicle loading and eco

25. You're driving in Scotland. What is the legal limit for BREATH alcohol there?

Answer: 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath

Scotland's breath limit is 22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, lower than the 35 limit in the rest of the UK.

Vehicle handling

26. It's a hot summer afternoon and you're on a long drive. Why does the Highway Code tell you to keep the car well ventilated?

Answer: To stop you getting drowsy

Rule 237 says in hot weather keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness.

Documents

27. Your MOT runs out on 15 May. From what date can you get the next MOT and keep the same renewal date?

Answer: 16 April

GOV.UK says you can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date. If it runs out on 15 May, you can test from 16 April.

Rules of the road

28. At a crossroads, you and an oncoming car both want to turn right. Which way is generally safer to pass each other?

Answer: Right side to right side, passing behind each other

When two vehicles turn right from opposite directions, passing right side to right side (offside to offside) is generally safer, as you can see oncoming traffic past the other car.

Rules of the road

29. You come to an open level crossing with no gates, barriers or lights. What should you do?

Answer: Look both ways, listen, and only cross if no train is coming

Rule 298 says at open crossings with no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights, look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross.

Documents

30. You've just passed your driving test. Do you have to display green P plates?

Answer: No, they are optional

In Great Britain P plates are optional. You can display them to show you've just passed, and leave them on for as long as you like.