Theory test practice: Test 4

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

1. Your car breaks down at night on a country road. You have got everyone out. Where should you wait?

Answer: Off the road, not between the car and traffic

If you break down, wear high-visibility clothing and don't stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic. At night or in poor visibility, don't block your rear lights.

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2. Your grandad is 72. How often must he renew his driving licence?

Answer: Every 3 years

GOV.UK says once you reach 70 you must renew every 3 years. It's free to renew online.

Hazard awareness

3. Your doctor prescribes a medicine that's on the drug-driving list. When can you generally drive after taking it?

Answer: If prescribed, you follow advice and you're not impaired

You can generally drive after taking a listed medicine if it was prescribed, you followed your doctor's or pharmacist's advice, and it isn't making you unfit to drive.

Attitude

4. Under the hierarchy of road users, who has the greatest responsibility to take care?

Answer: Those driving vehicles that can cause the most harm

The hierarchy puts those most at risk at the top. Those driving vehicles that could cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility.

Vehicle loading and eco

5. You're towing a trailer for the first time. What should you check the trailer has before you go?

Answer: Working lights and a legal number plate matching the car

A trailer must have working lights and a number plate showing the registration of the towing vehicle. Rule 98 says make sure it's safe and roadworthy.

Safety margins

6. On a high-speed road in good, dry conditions, what is the minimum time gap you should leave behind the vehicle in front?

Answer: At least two seconds

Leave at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads. This gives you time to react and stop if the car in front brakes.

Vehicle loading and eco

7. Your older cousin was convicted of drink driving 4 years ago. If he's convicted of it again now, what is the minimum ban?

Answer: 3 years

GOV.UK says the minimum ban for driving over the limit is 1 year, rising to 3 years if you're convicted twice in 10 years. You could also get up to 6 months in prison and an unlimited fine.

Other types of vehicle

8. Traffic is queuing into town. On your left is an empty cycle lane marked with a solid white line, and it's within its hours of operation. What does the law say?

Answer: You must not drive or park in it

You must not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Don't drive or park in one marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable.

Alertness

9. You're giving your 16-year-old cousin a lift in England. You want to smoke with all the windows down. What is the law?

Answer: It's illegal with an under-18 in the car

It's against the law to smoke in a private vehicle carrying anyone under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland, even with the windows or sunroof open. In England and Wales the driver can be fined for allowing it, too.

Road and traffic signs

10. A bay at the kerb has white markings with the word 'DOCTOR'. Can you park there?

Answer: No, it's reserved for the vehicle named

This marking shows a parking space reserved for vehicles named on it.

Road and traffic signs

11. A brown sign shows a symbol for an ancient monument. What does it point you to?

Answer: An ancient monument cared for by English Heritage

This brown sign shows an ancient monument in the care of English Heritage.

Road and traffic signs

12. What does this road works sign mean?

Answer: Loose chippings

This sign warns of loose chippings: small stones on the road after resurfacing.

Safety margins

13. It's a cold night on a country road. Which pair of clues could mean you're driving on ice?

Answer: Steering feels light and the tyres go quiet

Rule 231 says if the steering feels unresponsive, it may mean ice, and your tyres make virtually no noise when travelling on ice.

Attitude

14. You want to park quickly outside a shop. The kerb is lowered there for wheelchair users. What should you do?

Answer: Park somewhere else

Do not stop or park where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles.

Road and traffic signs

15. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Traffic signals ahead

This sign warns of traffic signals ahead.

Rules of the road

16. You're about to turn right from a two-way road into a side road. There's no special lane marked for turning. Where should you position your car?

Answer: Just left of the middle of the road

Well before you turn right, check your mirrors, signal right and take up a position just left of the middle of the road (or in the space marked for right-turning traffic), leaving room for others to pass on your left if possible.

Safety and your vehicle

17. You stop for fuel on the way to a festival. What must you never do on the petrol station forecourt?

Answer: Smoke or use a mobile phone

Annex 6 says never smoke or use a mobile phone on the forecourt of a petrol station. Fuel vapour can catch fire.

Safety and your vehicle

18. You've offered to drop your 11-year-old neighbour at their swimming lesson. Their mum waves you off from the doorstep. If the child isn't using a seat belt or the right child seat, who is breaking the law?

Answer: You, because you're the driver of the car

The driver is legally responsible for making sure children under 14 wear a seat belt or use the correct child restraint.

Road and traffic signs

19. You see this sign after a stretch of road with a minimum speed. What does it mean?

Answer: The minimum speed limit now ends

A blue circle with a speed crossed by a red diagonal line means end of minimum speed.

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20. You stop insuring your car while it sits on your drive for a few months. What must you do to avoid a penalty?

Answer: Tell DVLA it's off the road (SORN)

You must keep a vehicle insured unless you declare it off the road with a SORN. The registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle can be fined £100, and the car can be clamped, impounded or destroyed.

Safety margins

21. On a snowy road you come up behind a snowplough. When may you overtake it?

Answer: Only if the lane you'll use has been cleared

Rule 230 says don't overtake snowploughs unless the lane you intend to use has been cleared.

Safety and your vehicle

22. You smell burning rubber while driving. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: Investigate straight away, without taking a risk of fire

Annex 6 says unusual smells such as burning rubber, petrol or electrical faults should be investigated immediately, without risking a fire.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

23. After a crash, two of the passengers aren't hurt. What should you do with them?

Answer: Move them to a place of relative safety, away from traffic

Rule 283 says move uninjured people away from the vehicles to a place of relative safety, and stay at the scene until the emergency services arrive.

Vehicle handling

24. Snow and ice are forecast for tomorrow and you've planned a trip to see family. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Only go if it's essential, with extra time and a kit

Rule 228 says avoid travelling in icy or snowy weather unless your journey is essential. If you must go, allow extra time and take an emergency kit.

Road and traffic signs

25. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead

A steam train in a warning triangle means a level crossing without a barrier or gate. A crossing with a barrier or gate shows a fence instead.

Motorway rules

26. Your friend has a full licence and rides a 49cc moped. Can she use the motorway to get to work faster?

Answer: No, motorcycles under 50cc must not use motorways

Motorways must not be used by motorcycles under 50cc, as well as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, learner motorcyclists and some slow vehicles.

Road and traffic signs

27. You want to turn left. What do these traffic lights mean?

Answer: You may go left if the way is clear

A green filter arrow lets you go in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear, whatever other lights are showing.

Vulnerable road users

28. You're dropping your little brother at school. Which side of the car should he get out?

Answer: The kerb side

Make sure passengers, especially children, get out of the car on the side next to the kerb.

Alertness

29. You are planning a long drive to a festival. How often does the Highway Code recommend taking a break?

Answer: At least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving

Tiredness greatly increases the risk of a crash. A break of at least 15 minutes every two hours is recommended.

Road and traffic signs

30. This blue sign shows an arrow pointing up and a smaller red arrow pointing down. What does it mean?

Answer: Traffic has priority over oncoming vehicles

This sign means you have priority over oncoming vehicles at a narrow section.