Theory test practice: Test 21

Rules of the road

1. Where should you NOT overtake?

Answer: When approaching a junction

The Highway Code lists places not to overtake, including approaching or at a junction, where the road narrows, and near crossings.

Other types of vehicle

2. A large lorry is reversing into a delivery yard across your road. What should you do?

Answer: Stop and wait until it has finished

Rules 221 and 222 say large vehicles need space to manoeuvre and drivers may find it hard to see you. Be patient and wait.

Hazard awareness

3. You see a car with its reversing lights on in a car park. What should you do?

Answer: Expect it to back out and be ready to stop

White reversing lights show a vehicle is about to reverse. The driver may not see you.

Hazard awareness

4. Driving to the airport, signs send you across into a motorway contraflow. Only cones separate you from oncoming traffic. What should you do as you go in?

Answer: Slow down and drop back from the car ahead

In a contraflow you may be in a narrower lane than normal with no permanent barrier. At the start and finish, slow down and increase the distance to the vehicle in front, as changes in the camber of the road may affect stability.

Road and traffic signs

5. Who can lawfully signal you to stop on the road, as well as the police?

Answer: DVSA officers and traffic officers

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officers and traffic officers have powers to stop vehicles. You must obey their signals.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

6. You hit a parked car and cannot find the owner to give your details. What must you do?

Answer: Report it to the police as soon as possible, within 24 hours

If you do not give your details at the scene, you must report the collision to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours at most.

Vulnerable road users

7. A cyclist ahead looks over their right shoulder. What might this mean?

Answer: They may pull out or turn right

When riders look over their shoulder, they may soon try to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space.

Road and traffic signs

8. A slow road works vehicle has a sign on the back with a blue arrow pointing down to the right. What should you do?

Answer: Pass on the side the arrow shows, if safe

A slow-moving or stationary works vehicle blocking a lane shows an arrow. Pass in the direction shown by the arrow.

Safety and your vehicle

9. When you brake, your car keeps pulling to one side. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: A fault with the brakes or tyres

Annex 6 says if the vehicle pulls to one side when braking, it's most likely a brake fault or incorrectly inflated tyres.

Other types of vehicle

10. You're in a slow-moving queue on a dual carriageway and want to change lanes. What should you look out for especially?

Answer: Motorcyclists filtering between the lanes

In slow traffic motorcyclists may filter between lanes. Check your mirrors and blind spot carefully before changing lanes.

Documents

11. Your car is exempt from vehicle tax, so it costs nothing to tax. Do you still need to tax it before driving it?

Answer: Yes, you must still tax it even if it costs nothing

GOV.UK says you must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything. If it is kept off the road, you register it as off the road (SORN) instead.

Road and traffic signs

12. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Loose chippings

This sign warns of loose chippings. Small stones can be thrown up by tyres, so slow down and keep back from the vehicle in front.

Motorway rules

13. You've broken down on the hard shoulder. Your friend wants to change the flat tyre. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: Don't attempt repairs; wait behind the barrier

Rule 277 says do not attempt even simple repairs on a motorway; wait away from your vehicle, behind a barrier if there is one.

Rules of the road

14. You have to leave your car on the road in fog. What should you do?

Answer: Leave parking lights or sidelights on

Rule 251 says it's especially dangerous to park on the road in fog. If you must, leave your parking lights or sidelights on.

Alertness

15. You see an amazing sunset as you drive. Can you take a photo with your hand-held phone?

Answer: No, taking photos while driving is illegal

You must not hold and use a phone to text, call, take photos or videos, or browse while driving.

Vehicle loading and eco

16. You've filled the boot with heavy kit and have four friends on board for a night drive to a festival. What might you need to adjust?

Answer: Your headlights, so they don't dazzle others

Carrying a heavy load can tilt the car so the headlights point higher and dazzle oncoming drivers, so you may need to adjust them. Also check the tyre pressures are right for the load.

Road and traffic signs

17. What do short broken white lines between lanes on a wide road show?

Answer: They divide the road into lanes

Short broken white lane lines divide the carriageway into lanes. Keep between them unless changing lanes.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

18. At a crash, an injured person is sitting in their car. There's no fire or other immediate danger. What should you do?

Answer: Leave them where they are and get help

Rule 283 says do not move injured people from their vehicles unless they are in immediate danger from fire or explosion.

Attitude

19. You're waiting at a zebra crossing while a group of people cross slowly. What should you NOT do?

Answer: Rev your engine or creep forward

Do not harass pedestrians by revving your engine or edging forward while they cross.

Vehicle handling

20. According to the Environment Agency, how deep does flood water need to be to float a family car?

Answer: Just 30 cm

The Environment Agency says just 30cm of water can float a family car, and smaller cars take even less.

Motorway rules

21. You're joining a motorway. The signs and markings show the slip road doesn't end but carries on as an extra lane. What should you do?

Answer: Stay in that lane instead of squeezing into the next one

If the slip road continues as an extra lane on the main carriageway, stay in it. You don't need to force your way into the lane next to you.

Documents

22. How long is your theory test pass certificate valid for?

Answer: 2 years

GOV.UK says your theory test pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time or take the theory test again.

Vulnerable road users

23. A pedestrian with a guide dog is waiting to cross at a junction. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient and give them time

Rule 207 says watch for blind or partially sighted pedestrians, who may have a guide dog. Allow them plenty of time.

Road and traffic signs

24. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Hump bridge

This sign warns of a hump bridge.

Road and traffic signs

25. What does the zigzag line area at a pedestrian crossing mean for drivers?

Answer: Don't park there or overtake the nearest moving vehicle there

You must not park on a crossing or in the zigzag area. You also must not overtake the nearest moving vehicle or one that has stopped for pedestrians.

Safety margins

26. It's raining hard on your way to work. Which part of your stopping distance does the wet road make longer?

Answer: Your braking distance

Road and weather conditions affect braking distance. Your own condition affects thinking distance.

Safety margins

27. You're driving behind a cyclist on a windy day. Why should you leave extra room when passing?

Answer: A gust could blow them sideways

Rule 232 says cyclists and motorcyclists can be blown off course by sudden gusts; allow them more room.

Road and traffic signs

28. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Bend to the right

This sign warns of a bend to the right (or left if the symbol is reversed).

Road and traffic signs

29. This sign is at a bus stop. What does it mean for you as a car driver?

Answer: Only buses may stop here during the times shown

This sign means no stopping during the period indicated except for buses (a bus stop clearway).

Vehicle handling

30. You're on a road with a central reservation and want to turn right across it. The gap is too small for your car. What should you do?

Answer: Wait in the main road until you can cross both carriageways in one go

Rule 173 says if the central reservation is too narrow for the length of your vehicle, wait until you can cross both carriageways in one go.