Theory test practice: Test 9

Vehicle handling

1. What does this sign mean?

Answer: Road humps for a distance ahead

This warning sign with a plate shows the distance over which road humps extend. Slow down and keep a reduced speed.

Road and traffic signs

2. What does this sign with a crossed-out motorway symbol mean?

Answer: End of motorway

This sign marks the end of the motorway. Motorway rules no longer apply after it.

Rules of the road

3. You park a manual car facing downhill next to the kerb. As well as applying the parking brake firmly, what should you do?

Answer: Select reverse and turn the wheels towards the kerb

When parking facing downhill, turn the steering wheel towards the kerb and select reverse gear. Facing uphill, turn away from the kerb and select a forward gear.

Motorway rules

4. A learner driver with a provisional car licence in England wants to drive on a motorway. When is this allowed?

Answer: Only with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls

Learners in England, Scotland and Wales may use motorways, but only with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car. Practising there with family or friends is illegal.

Other types of vehicle

5. Your friend has bought her own electric scooter and wants to ride it on the road to college. Is this legal?

Answer: No, a private one can't go on public roads

It is against the law to use a privately owned e-scooter on public land, such as roads, cycle lanes and pavements. She could get a fine and penalty points, and the scooter could be taken away.

Other types of vehicle

6. You are driving in a city with trams. Why must you take extra care around them?

Answer: They can be quiet and can't steer round you

Trams move quickly but quietly and cannot steer round anything in their way. Never stop on tram tracks, and give way to trams when it is safe to do so.

Hazard awareness

7. A bus has stopped at a bus stop on your side of the road. What hazard should you look out for as you pass?

Answer: People from the bus crossing in front of it

Look out for passengers who have just got off and may step out from in front of the bus.

Alertness

8. Why might you miss a motorcyclist when you're about to pull out of a junction?

Answer: Motorcyclists are smaller and can be hard to see

Rule 211 says it's often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when coming out of a junction, so look out for them carefully.

Road and traffic signs

9. What colour background do motorway direction signs have?

Answer: Blue

Motorway direction signs have a blue background with white writing.

Incidents, accidents and emergencies

10. A tanker with orange hazard plates has crashed and is leaking. What should you do?

Answer: Keep well away and tell 999 what the plates show

In an incident with dangerous goods, switch off engines, don't smoke, keep well away and give the emergency services as much detail as possible about the labels and markings. Don't use a mobile phone close to a vehicle carrying flammable loads.

Road and traffic signs

11. What does this blue rectangular sign show?

Answer: A cycle lane going the same way as traffic

This sign shows a with-flow pedal cycle lane next to the main traffic lane.

Safety and your vehicle

12. You're giving your 12-year-old cousin a lift. Who is legally responsible for making sure they wear a seat belt?

Answer: You, the driver

Rule 100 says the driver must make sure children under 14 wear a seat belt or use the correct child restraint.

Vehicle handling

13. It snowed overnight and you're late for college. Snow covers your back window, lights and number plates. What must you do before you set off?

Answer: Clear all windows, lights, mirrors and number plates

Before you set off you must be able to see, so clear snow and ice from all windows. Lights must be clean and number plates readable. Clear the mirrors too, and remove snow from the roof that could fall off onto others.

Hazard awareness

14. You're on a fast country road and coming into a village. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down as you enter the village

Slow down where country roads enter villages.

Vehicle loading and eco

15. Police pull you over after you drift across your lane, and they think you may have taken drugs. What can they ask you to do at the roadside?

Answer: Tests like walking in a straight line

GOV.UK says police can make you do a 'field impairment assessment' if they think you're on drugs. This is a series of tests, such as walking in a straight line. They can also use a roadside drug kit.

Attitude

16. Someone is driving very slowly in front of you on a 40mph road. What should you do?

Answer: Keep a safe gap and wait for a safe place to overtake

Rule 126 says leave enough space to stop safely, and Rule 147 says be patient and don't harass other drivers. Only overtake where it's safe.

Attitude

17. A car overtakes you and pulls back in close in front of you. What should you do?

Answer: Ease off to get back to at least a two-second gap

If someone pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to restore a safe two-second gap.

Alertness

18. Your friends want the music turned up really loud on the drive home. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Avoid distractions such as loud music while driving

Loud music is listed as a distraction. It can stop you hearing sirens, horns or other warnings and takes your focus away.

Vulnerable road users

19. On a country road with no pavement, you see someone walking in the road ahead. How should you pass?

Answer: Slowly, leaving at least 2 metres of space

When passing a pedestrian walking in the road, allow at least 2 metres and keep to a low speed.

Vulnerable road users

20. In a city with trams, a cyclist ahead is about to cross the tram rails. What should you do?

Answer: Give them more space to cross

Cyclists and motorcyclists need extra care crossing tram rails, especially at shallow angles or when wet. Allow them more space to cross the tracks safely.

Motorway rules

21. You've stopped on the hard shoulder of a motorway and are ready to rejoin. What should you do?

Answer: Build up speed on the hard shoulder and wait for a safe gap

To rejoin from a hard shoulder, build up speed on the hard shoulder, signal and watch for a safe gap in the traffic. Look out for other stopped vehicles or debris.

Road and traffic signs

22. A brown sign shows a tent and a caravan. What does it direct you to?

Answer: A camping and caravan site

This sign shows the direction to a camping and caravan site.

Safety and your vehicle

23. Your 17-year-old friend is sitting in the back of your car. Who is legally responsible for them wearing a seat belt?

Answer: Your friend, as anyone 14 or over is responsible

Passengers aged 14 and over are responsible for wearing their own seat belt. The driver is responsible for children under 14.

Road and traffic signs

24. What does this sign mean?

Answer: No entry for vehicles

A red circle with a white bar means no entry for vehicular traffic. You often see it at the exit end of a one-way street.

Safety margins

25. It's a frosty morning and you're approaching a zebra crossing. What should you allow for?

Answer: More time to stop than on a dry day

Rule 195 says at zebra crossings, allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads.

Safety margins

26. When MUST you use headlights because of poor visibility?

Answer: When you generally can't see for more than 100 metres

You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres.

Road and traffic signs

27. You see this sign as you leave a residential area. What does it mean?

Answer: The 20mph zone ends here

This sign marks the end of a 20mph zone. Look for the limit that applies on the next road.

Documents

28. You've sold your car. What should you do about DVLA?

Answer: Tell DVLA, and get back any full months of tax

When you sell a vehicle you tell DVLA about the new keeper. Your vehicle tax is then cancelled and you get a refund for any full months left.

Road and traffic signs

29. What does this warning sign mean?

Answer: School crossing patrol ahead

This sign warns of a school crossing patrol ahead. Some have amber lights that flash when the crossing is in use.

Road and traffic signs

30. The traffic light turns green. What does it mean?

Answer: You may go on if the way is clear

Green means you may go on if the way is clear. Take special care if turning, and give way to pedestrians who are crossing.