Theory test practice: Test 7

Alertness

1. You feel very sleepy while driving on the motorway. What should you do?

Answer: Leave at the next safe place, like a services, and rest

If you feel sleepy you should stop in a safe place. The Highway Code says not to stop on a hard shoulder or in an emergency area to rest.

Safety margins

2. According to the typical stopping distances in the Highway Code, what is the overall stopping distance for a car at 30 mph on a dry road?

Answer: 23 metres

The Highway Code shows a typical overall stopping distance of 23 metres at 30 mph. That is thinking distance plus braking distance.

Vulnerable road users

3. How should you pass a horse rider on the road?

Answer: Under 10 mph, leaving at least 2 metres of space

Pass horse riders at speeds under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space. Horses can be startled easily.

Road and traffic signs

4. On a direction sign you see a black symbol like a triangle, square or circle on a yellow background. What does it mean?

Answer: An emergency diversion route for motorway or main road traffic

These symbols show an emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic. Follow the same symbol.

Other types of vehicle

5. You're waiting at a red traffic light when an ambulance with blue lights comes up behind you. What should you do?

Answer: Keep obeying the red light, and let it pass when you can

Let emergency vehicles pass while complying with all traffic signs. Do not put yourself, other road users or pedestrians at risk, and avoid mounting the kerb.

Vehicle loading and eco

6. Your friend wants to tow a trailer heavier than his car's towing limit in the handbook. What should you tell him?

Answer: Don't; never exceed the vehicle's towing limit

Rule 98 says you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits and should not exceed the towing limit set by the manufacturer.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

7. Driving home on the motorway with friends, you pass a crash on the opposite carriageway. Everyone in the car turns to look. What should you, as the driver, do?

Answer: Keep your eyes on the road ahead

When passing an incident, don't be distracted or slow down unnecessarily. Concentrate on the road ahead.

Safety and your vehicle

8. Your car fails its MOT with a 'dangerous' defect. What does this mean for driving it?

Answer: Don't drive it on the road until it's repaired

A dangerous defect is an MOT fail. GOV.UK says driving a dangerous vehicle is illegal, so it must not be driven on the road until fixed, even if an old MOT certificate is still valid.

Vehicle loading and eco

9. If you're convicted of drug driving, how long will the conviction stay on your driving licence?

Answer: 11 years

GOV.UK says a drug driving conviction means a minimum 1-year ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, a criminal record, and the conviction shows on your licence for 11 years.

Alertness

10. You're taking your dog to the vet. How should it travel in the car?

Answer: Suitably restrained so it can't distract you

Rule 57 says that in a vehicle you should make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained so they can't distract you or injure you if you stop quickly.

Attitude

11. A driver pulls out of a side road into your path and makes you brake. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down, hold back and let them clear

If a road user pulls out into your path at a junction, slow down and hold back to allow them to get clear. Don't over-react by driving too close to intimidate them.

Road and traffic signs

12. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: Trams crossing ahead

This sign warns that trams are crossing ahead.

Other types of vehicle

13. An ambulance with blue flashing lights and a siren comes up behind you. What should you do?

Answer: Stay calm and let it pass when safe, without mounting the kerb

Don't panic. Let the emergency vehicle pass when you can do so safely, without putting yourself, other road users or pedestrians at risk.

Road and traffic signs

14. You see the words 'BUS LANE' and a thick white line along a lane. What should you do?

Answer: Stay out of it during its hours of operation unless signs allow

A bus lane is shown by road markings and signs. Don't drive or stop in it during its period of operation unless signs say other vehicles may use it.

Attitude

15. It is 11.45pm and you are outside a friend's house in a built-up area to pick them up. Can you beep your horn to tell them you've arrived?

Answer: No, not in a built-up area from 11.30pm to 7am

You must not sound your horn while stationary on the road, or in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am, except when another road user poses a danger.

Road and traffic signs

16. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Wild horses or ponies

A horse with no rider in a warning triangle means wild horses or ponies may be on the road. A sign with a rider means accompanied horses or ponies.

Vehicle handling

17. You see this sign before a long hill. What should you do?

Answer: Select a lower gear before you go down

This sign warns of a steep hill downwards. Rule 160 says select a lower gear before a long downhill slope to help control your speed.

Vulnerable road users

18. On a fast dual carriageway you see a small flashing amber light ahead in the left lane. It turns out to be a mobility scooter. About how fast can these vehicles go at most?

Answer: About 8 mph

Powered vehicles used by disabled people travel at a maximum of 8 mph. On a dual carriageway with a limit over 50 mph they must show a flashing amber beacon, but on other roads you may get no advance warning.

Hazard awareness

19. You are driving past a school just as it is finishing for the day. What should you do?

Answer: Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area

Children may cross or step out without looking near schools. Drive slowly and watch for young pedestrians and cyclists; where a flashing amber school sign is showing, drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.

Road and traffic signs

20. On a direction sign, what does a black diversion symbol on yellow show?

Answer: The way to follow on a diversion

Diversion route signs and emergency diversion symbols show the route to follow when a road is closed.

Rules of the road

21. What does the Highway Code say about a zebra crossing that has a traffic island in the middle?

Answer: It counts as two separate crossings

A zebra crossing with a central island is two separate crossings. A straight-across pelican crossing with an island is one crossing.

Vulnerable road users

22. 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

23. The driver in front gives this arm signal out of their window. What does it mean?

Answer: I intend to slow down or stop

This arm signal means 'I intend to slow down or stop'. Drivers may use arm signals if their lights aren't working, or to back up their indicators and brake lights.

Safety and your vehicle

24. A warning light comes on and stays on while you are driving. What should you do?

Answer: Stop when it is safe and find out what is wrong

Warning lights can show a dangerous fault developing. Don't ignore them; stop safely and investigate.

Motorway rules

25. Near a motorway junction, the signs and markings show that the left lane leads straight off onto the slip road. You want to stay on the motorway. What should you do?

Answer: Keep out of it unless you're taking that exit

At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction shown by the signs or road markings.

Documents

26. You've just bought a used car and the log book (V5C) is not yet in your name. What can you use to tax it?

Answer: The green 'new keeper' slip from the log book

To tax a vehicle you need a reference number from a DVLA reminder letter, a V5C in your name, or the green 'new keeper' slip if you've just bought it.

Safety margins

27. You're stuck behind a slow lorry on a single carriageway and want to overtake. Why should you drop back before you think about pulling out?

Answer: To get a clearer view of the road ahead

Rule 164 says getting too close to a large vehicle hides your view of the road ahead. Drop back to see further, and only overtake when you can see it's safe.

Hazard awareness

28. An older man in the car ahead is slow to move off at a junction. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: Their reactions may be slower; allow for it

Older drivers' reactions may be slower than other drivers'. Make allowance for this.

Road and traffic signs

29. This blue sign shows a person walking. It's next to tram tracks in a pedestrian area. What does it mean?

Answer: Crossing point for pedestrians over the tramway

This sign marks a pedestrian crossing point over a tramway.

Road and traffic signs

30. You see this sign with a camera on it. What does it tell you?

Answer: Cameras are used to enforce traffic rules in this area

This sign shows an area in which cameras are used to enforce traffic regulations.