Theory test practice: Test 5

Rules of the road

1. On a single carriageway with three lanes, the middle lane is shared by both directions. What should you use it for?

Answer: Only for overtaking or turning right

On a three-lane road with one carriageway, use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right. Remember that oncoming traffic may want to use it too.

Safety margins

2. It is raining heavily. How should you change your following gap compared with dry roads?

Answer: Make it at least double

In wet weather stopping distances are at least double those on dry roads, so your gap should be at least doubled.

Vehicle loading and eco

3. When packing the car, where should heavy shopping bags go?

Answer: In the boot, low down

Rule 98 says secure your load. Heavy items should be stowed securely and low, not loose in the passenger area where they could fly forward.

Alertness

4. You are stuck in a traffic jam and the cars have not moved for a minute. Can you pick up your phone to check a message?

Answer: No, the ban still applies when you're stopped in traffic

You must not pick up and use a hand-held phone while stationary in traffic. Wait until you are safely parked.

Other types of vehicle

5. On a straight road, the lorry you're following suddenly moves out towards the middle of the road. What is the most likely reason?

Answer: It's avoiding a hazard you can't see yet

Large vehicles may need extra road space to turn or to deal with a hazard that you are not able to see. Hold back and be ready to stop.

Documents

6. You sell your car and tell DVLA. What happens to the vehicle tax you've already paid?

Answer: You get a refund for any full months left

GOV.UK says when you tell DVLA you've sold the vehicle, the tax is cancelled and you get a refund for any full months of tax remaining.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

7. You've broken down on the hard shoulder and walk to an emergency telephone. Which way should you face while you're on the phone?

Answer: Facing the oncoming traffic

Use the emergency telephone if you can, and face the traffic when you speak on it, so you can see danger coming.

Safety margins

8. What usually causes a car to skid?

Answer: Harsh braking, steering or speeding up, or going too fast

Rule 119 says skidding is usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly or driving too fast for the road conditions.

Vehicle handling

9. You're driving downhill on a narrow single-track road. A car is coming up the hill towards you. What should you normally do?

Answer: Give way to the car coming uphill

Rule 155 says on single-track roads give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can.

Road and traffic signs

10. You see these lights flashing outside a fire station. What do they mean?

Answer: You must stop

Alternately flashing red lights mean you must stop. You see them at level crossings, lifting bridges, airfields and fire stations.

Safety and your vehicle

11. You are popping into a shop for two minutes. What should you do with your car?

Answer: Lock it and take the key, even for a few minutes

Remove the key and lock the car, even if you only leave it for a few minutes. You must also not leave a parked car unattended with the engine running.

Road and traffic signs

12. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Older or disabled people likely to cross ahead

This sign warns that frail, blind or disabled pedestrians are likely to cross the road ahead. They may need more time, so slow down and be patient.

Motorway rules

13. This signal is shown above every lane of the motorway ahead. What must you do?

Answer: Don't pass it unless police or traffic officers direct you

If all lanes are shown closed, the road is closed. You must not go past the sign or use the hard shoulder unless directed by the police or a traffic officer.

Attitude

14. You're visiting a friend in Glasgow. Can you park with two wheels up on the pavement?

Answer: No, it's banned in Scotland, with few exceptions

In London and Scotland you must not park partly or wholly on the pavement, apart from limited exceptions. Elsewhere, only do it where signs allow.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

15. You're the first to arrive at a crash on a fast road. Which of these should you do?

Answer: Stop somewhere relatively safe, use your hazard lights and call 999

Rule 283 says stop in a place of relative safety if possible, use hazard warning lights, and call 999 giving full details of the location and casualties.

Road and traffic signs

16. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Buses and cycles only

A blue circle showing a bus and a bicycle means buses and cycles only.

Safety and your vehicle

17. You're parking on a quiet street overnight. Besides removing the key and locking up, what else does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Engage the steering lock and close the windows

Annex 6 says when leaving your vehicle, engage the steering lock, lock the car, close the windows completely and never leave vehicle documents inside.

Road and traffic signs

18. A motorway signal shows a speed number without a red ring, plus an information message such as 'QUEUE'. What does it tell you?

Answer: A temporary advised maximum speed and a warning

This signal gives a temporary maximum speed advised and an information message.

Hazard awareness

19. An ice cream van is parked ahead with its chimes playing. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down and look out for children running out

Children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road. Slow down and be ready to stop.

Vehicle loading and eco

20. If you're convicted of driving over the drink-drive limit, what is the minimum driving ban?

Answer: At least 1 year

GOV.UK says driving over the limit can bring up to 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban of at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years).

Hazard awareness

21. Police stop you and use a roadside drug kit. Which drugs can it screen for?

Answer: Cannabis and cocaine

Police can use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine. They can also do a field impairment assessment.

Safety margins

22. 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.

Alertness

23. In thick fog you stop at a junction where you can hardly see. What does the Highway Code suggest?

Answer: Listen for traffic before you pull out

At a junction with limited visibility in fog, stop in the correct position, listen for traffic, and only emerge when you're sure it's safe.

Road and traffic signs

24. The words 'KEEP CLEAR' are painted on the road outside a fire station. What should you do in a queue?

Answer: Don't stop on that part of the road

This marking means do not block that part of the carriageway indicated.

Road and traffic signs

25. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Steep hill upwards

This sign warns of a steep hill upwards. The percentage shows how steep it is.

Attitude

26. Another driver cuts you up and you start to feel really angry. What does the Highway Code suggest?

Answer: Pull over when safe, calm down, then carry on

Don't get involved in road rage. If you feel angry, stop somewhere safe and calm down before you continue.

Vulnerable road users

27. You're driving out of your driveway across the pavement onto the road. Who has priority?

Answer: People walking on the pavement

When crossing a pavement, for example to get to a driveway, give way to pedestrians on the pavement.

Road and traffic signs

28. You see a sign with a white 'P' on blue at the side of a road. What does it show?

Answer: A car park

A white P on a blue background shows parking or a direction to a car park.

Road and traffic signs

29. This blue sign shows a white 'H' and a red cross. What does it tell you?

Answer: Hospital ahead with A&E

This sign shows a hospital ahead with Accident and Emergency facilities.

Documents

30. Your car's MOT ran out yesterday. When may you drive it on the road?

Answer: To a pre-arranged MOT test or for repairs

You must not drive a vehicle without a valid MOT when it needs one. The exceptions are driving to a pre-arranged MOT test, or to or from somewhere to be repaired.