Theory test practice: Test 22

Road and traffic signs

1. A school crossing patrol on the pavement holds their sign out towards the road while children wait. What does this mean for you?

Answer: They're ready to cross children, so be prepared to stop

This signal means the patrol is ready to cross pedestrians, and vehicles must be prepared to stop.

Vulnerable road users

2. Why might a cyclist ride about a metre away from a line of parked cars?

Answer: To keep clear of doors that might open

Cyclists are advised to keep at least a door's width or 1 metre from parked cars for their own safety.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

3. You're queuing at a level crossing near your village. A train goes past, but the barriers stay down and the red lights keep flashing. Your passenger says, 'It's gone, just go round.' What should you do?

Answer: Stay where you are, as another train may be coming

You must wait if a train goes by and the red lights keep flashing. It means another train is coming.

Hazard awareness

4. You're on a dual carriageway. A slow works vehicle in your lane shows this sign on its back. What must you do?

Answer: Pass it on the left

Where a works vehicle shows a large 'Keep left' or 'Keep right' sign, you MUST pass on the side shown and not move back into the closed lane until it's safe.

Vehicle handling

5. Which of these is a place you should NOT overtake?

Answer: Between a kerb and a bus or tram when it's at a stop

Rule 167 lists places not to overtake, including stay behind if you'd have to pass between the kerb and a bus or tram at a stop.

Vehicle loading and eco

6. What is the national speed limit for a car towing a caravan on a dual carriageway?

Answer: 60mph

Cars towing caravans or trailers have lower limits: 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Rules of the road

7. You're behind a large lorry (over 7.5 tonnes) on a national speed limit single carriageway road in England. What is its speed limit?

Answer: 50mph

In England and Wales, goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes have a 50mph limit on single carriageways (40mph in Scotland). Cars have 60mph on the same road.

Road and traffic signs

8. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Crossroads ahead

Triangles warn. A black cross inside a red triangle warns of a crossroads ahead, so slow down and watch for traffic from the side roads.

Documents

9. A police officer asks to see your driving documents but you do not have them with you. What can happen?

Answer: You can be asked to take them to a police station within seven days

If you cannot show your licence, insurance certificate and MOT certificate (if needed), you may be asked to produce them at a police station within seven days.

Other types of vehicle

10. You see a car with flashing blue lights coming towards you on your side of the road to get round traffic. What should you do?

Answer: Stay calm and make room safely

Rule 219 says look and listen for emergency vehicles, consider their route and take appropriate action to let them pass, without endangering others.

Rules of the road

11. You're taking the first exit to the left at a roundabout. What should you normally do?

Answer: Signal left and approach in the left lane

Rule 186 says when taking the first exit, unless signs or markings say otherwise, signal left and approach in the left-hand lane, and keep to the left on the roundabout.

Documents

12. During the practical driving test, how many vehicle safety 'show me, tell me' questions are you asked?

Answer: Two: one before you drive and one while you're driving

GOV.UK says you'll be asked two vehicle safety questions: a 'tell me' question at the start and a 'show me' question while you're driving.

Vehicle handling

13. On your way to a friend's house, the road ahead is under flood water. What's the safest thing to do?

Answer: Turn round and find another way

The Environment Agency advises that if your way is blocked by floodwater, never take the risk: turn around and find another way.

Road and traffic signs

14. You want to park on a street with a single yellow line along the edge. What does it mean?

Answer: No waiting during the times shown on nearby signs

A single yellow line means no waiting during the times shown on the sign or zone entry sign.

Safety and your vehicle

15. After going over a speed hump, your car keeps bouncing up and down. What does this suggest?

Answer: Worn shock absorbers

Annex 6 says continuous bouncing after going over a bump suggests the shock absorbers are worn.

Other types of vehicle

16. On a bright sunny afternoon, a delivery rider on a scooter has their headlight switched on. What is the most likely reason?

Answer: So other road users notice them sooner

Motorcyclists are advised to make themselves visible, for example with dipped headlights, bright clothing or a light-coloured helmet, even in daylight.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

17. You break down on an ordinary road (not a motorway) and have a warning triangle. Where should you put it?

Answer: At least 45 metres behind your car, on the same side

Rule 276 says put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres behind your broken-down vehicle, on the same side. Never use one on a motorway.

Attitude

18. A driver lets you out of a side road. Should you flash your hazard lights to say thank you?

Answer: No, hazard lights aren't for that

Hazard warning lights are only for when you're stopped and temporarily blocking traffic, or briefly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn of a hazard ahead.

Road and traffic signs

19. You see this road works sign with a speed limit inside a red circle. What does it mean?

Answer: A mandatory speed limit is ahead

This sign warns of a mandatory speed limit ahead at road works. You must obey it.

Vehicle loading and eco

20. A bike rack on the back of your car covers the number plate. What do you need?

Answer: A number plate fitted to the rack

Your number plate must be clearly visible. If a rack hides it, you need to display a legal plate on the rack.

Hazard awareness

21. Water is spraying up from a bus on a wet road and blocking your view. What should you do?

Answer: Drop back until you can see better

Rule 227 says in wet weather keep well back from the vehicle in front to improve your view; spray from large vehicles can reduce visibility.

Road and traffic signs

22. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Uneven road

This sign warns of an uneven road surface.

Vulnerable road users

23. At night you see someone walking along the road in dark clothes. Why is this a hazard?

Answer: They can be very hard to see until you're close

Rule 3 and Rule 126 point out that pedestrians in dark clothing can be difficult to see at night. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see.

Road and traffic signs

24. This sign shows a low vehicle on a bump. Who is it mainly warning?

Answer: Low vehicles that could get stuck on the road surface

This sign warns of a risk of grounding, where low vehicles could get stuck, for example on a raised level crossing.

Safety margins

25. Overall stopping distance is made up of which two parts?

Answer: Thinking distance and braking distance

Stopping distance is split into thinking distance (before you brake) and braking distance (while braking).

Alertness

26. You want to move into the right lane of a dual carriageway. After checking your mirrors, what else should you do?

Answer: Glance sideways to check your blind spot

Before changing lanes, use your mirrors and, if necessary, take a quick sideways glance to check the blind spot area.

Motorway rules

27. You're in a traffic jam on the motorway. Every lane is crawling at about the same speed, but your lane (on the left) is creeping along slightly faster than the lane to your right. What may you do?

Answer: Keep up with your own lane, even if it passes them

Don't overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. But in congestion, when lanes are moving at similar speeds, you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right.

Motorway rules

28. You break down on a motorway and can't get to a safe place or out of the car safely. What should you do?

Answer: Stay in the car with your seat belt on, hazards on, and call 999

Rule 279 says if you cannot follow the usual advice, switch on your hazard lights, stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on, and call 999 or press your SOS button.

Road and traffic signs

29. You see this sign outside a train station. What may you do during the times shown?

Answer: Stop only as long as needed to pick up or set down passengers

This sign means no stopping during the times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers.

Road and traffic signs

30. You see this on a motorway signal. What does it mean?

Answer: Reduced visibility ahead

This motorway signal warns of reduced visibility ahead. Slow down and keep a bigger gap, as you may not see far in front.