Theory test practice: Test 20

Road and traffic signs

1. A hatched area of white stripes in the road is bordered by a broken white line. What should you do?

Answer: Don't enter it unless it is necessary and you can see it is safe

Rule 130 says you should not enter a hatched area bordered by broken white lines unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.

Road and traffic signs

2. You find a free space on a street, but this sign is next to it. What does it mean?

Answer: Only people with the right permit may park

This sign means parking is restricted to permit holders.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

3. A motorcyclist is lying in the road after a crash. When should you remove their helmet?

Answer: Only if it's essential and you're trained to do it

Rule 283 says do not remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless it is essential and you are trained to do so.

Road and traffic signs

4. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Road works ahead

A person digging in a warning triangle means road works. Watch for temporary speed limits, lane changes and workers.

Safety and your vehicle

5. On the way to college the battery charge warning light comes on. What could this mean?

Answer: The battery may not be charging

Annex 6 says the charge warning light may show the battery isn't being charged. Get it checked as soon as possible.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

6. Should you give an injured person at a crash something to eat or drink?

Answer: No, do not give them anything to eat or drink

Do not give casualties anything to eat or drink. Keep them warm and reassure them until help arrives.

Safety margins

7. You're on a motorway in heavy rain and the car ahead is throwing up spray. What should you do?

Answer: Increase your gap and use dipped headlights

Rules 226 and 227 say use headlights when visibility is reduced and keep well back; stopping distances are at least double in the wet.

Hazard awareness

8. You're driving at night on a country road. What's a good clue that a vehicle is coming round a bend ahead?

Answer: The glow of headlights on hedges or trees

At night, the light from other vehicles' headlights can show they're coming before you see them. Rule 115 tells you to dip your lights to avoid dazzling them.

Attitude

9. A pedestrian is waiting at the kerb by a zebra crossing but hasn't stepped onto it yet. What should you do?

Answer: Give way and let them cross

Rule H2 says you should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing. You must give way once they are on it.

Rules of the road

10. You're visiting a friend in London. Can you park with two wheels on the pavement?

Answer: No, unless signs allow it

Rule 244 says you MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland, and elsewhere should only do so where signs permit it.

Hazard awareness

11. You're driving through road works with loose grit and mud on the road. A motorcyclist is ahead. Why leave extra room?

Answer: They could skid on the grit or mud

At road works, take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists, who are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris.

Vulnerable road users

12. You're passing a parked ice cream van in your street. What should you be most careful about?

Answer: Children running out from behind it

Rule 206 says watch out for children, especially near ice cream vans, where they may dash out without looking.

Motorway rules

13. Amber lights are flashing on a motorway signal. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down, and only speed up after a non-flashing signal or END sign

Flashing amber lights warn of a hazard ahead, such as an incident or fog. Reduce speed and only speed up again once past a non-flashing signal or END sign, when safe.

Documents

14. If the police give you a fixed penalty for driving without insurance, what is it?

Answer: £300 and 6 penalty points

The fixed penalty is £300 and 6 points. If it goes to court the fine is unlimited and you can be banned. Police can also seize the car.

Road and traffic signs

15. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Soft verges

This sign warns of soft verges: the grass edge of the road may not take a vehicle's weight.

Road and traffic signs

16. You see this sign at road works showing arrows and red bars over lanes. What does it tell you?

Answer: Which lanes are open and which are closed ahead

This sign shows a temporary lane closure. Arrows show the open lanes and red bars the closed ones.

Other types of vehicle

17. On a three-lane motorway, you notice the big articulated lorries never use the right-hand lane. Why?

Answer: Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes must not use it

On motorways with three or more lanes, goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes must not use the right-hand lane except in special cases, such as lane closures.

Safety margins

18. You've been up most of the night revising. Which part of your stopping distance is most likely to get longer?

Answer: Your thinking distance

Overall stopping distance is thinking plus braking distance. Your physical and emotional state, such as tiredness, affects thinking distance.

Safety and your vehicle

19. You're leaving your car for a few minutes. Where should you keep a laptop bag?

Answer: Take it with you or lock it in the boot

Annex 6 says when leaving your vehicle, take all valuables with you or lock them in the boot.

Rules of the road

20. You park on a road at night. Which way should your car face?

Answer: Facing the same way as the traffic flow, unless in a recognised parking space

At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless you are in a recognised parking space. Your rear reflectors need to face oncoming cars.

Other types of vehicle

21. A learner motorcyclist with L plates is riding ahead of you. What should you do?

Answer: Give them extra room and be patient

Rule 204 says learners and inexperienced riders may not be as skilful at anticipating and responding to events. Be patient.

Alertness

22. You want to study the map on your sat nav screen to find a new route. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Stop safely before you study it

If you need to look at maps or screen-based navigation, stop in a safe place first.

Vehicle handling

23. Why shouldn't you park in a passing place on a single-track road?

Answer: Other drivers need them to pass each other

Rule 155 says do not park in passing places.

Road and traffic signs

24. You're driving home at night when a car behind you starts flashing blue lights, and the officer uses the left indicator. What must you do?

Answer: Pull over when it's safe and switch your engine off

If the police signal you to stop, for example with blue lights and the left indicator, you must pull over and stop as soon as it is safe, then switch off your engine.

Motorway rules

25. You break down on the motorway and stop on the hard shoulder. How should you and your passengers get out?

Answer: By the doors furthest from traffic, if it's safe

Rule 277 says exit your vehicle by the side furthest from traffic, if it is safe and possible to do so.

Road and traffic signs

26. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Double bend, first to the left

This sign warns of a double bend, first to the left (the symbol may be reversed).

Vulnerable road users

27. Two cyclists are riding side by side on a quiet narrow lane. What should you do?

Answer: Let them, and pass when it's safe

Cyclists may ride two abreast, and may ride in the centre of the lane on narrow or quiet roads. Allow them to do so, and pass only when it's safe.

Vehicle handling

28. You see this sign on a country lane. What is ahead?

Answer: Water may cross the road

This worded warning sign shows there is a ford ahead, where a stream crosses the road. Check the depth and drive through slowly.

Road and traffic signs

29. A police officer looks at you and waves their arm towards themselves. What does it mean?

Answer: Come on, drive forward

This is a police signal to beckon traffic on.

Documents

30. What is the pass mark for the hazard perception part of the car theory test?

Answer: 44 out of 75

GOV.UK says the hazard perception pass mark is 44 out of 75.