Vehicle handling practice questions

1. It's very windy and you're driving over an exposed bridge on the way to see friends. Which road users can be blown off course?

Answer: High-sided vehicles most, but also cars and bikes

High-sided vehicles are most affected by strong winds, but gusts can also blow cars, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders off course, especially on open roads, bridges and gaps in hedges.

2. 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.

3. In heavy rain your steering suddenly feels light and does not respond. What is most likely happening and what should you do?

Answer: Water is lifting the tyres; ease off and slow down gradually

Light, unresponsive steering in rain usually means water is lifting the tyres off the road. Easing off the accelerator lets them grip again. Harsh braking or steering could make you skid.

4. On a rainy evening you drive through deep water that has flooded a country lane. What should you do once you're through?

Answer: Gently test your brakes as soon as it's safe

Water can make your brakes less effective. Test them gently at the first safe opportunity. If they aren't working fully, drive slowly while pressing the brake lightly to help dry them.

5. You're driving your mates to the cinema when a deer leaps into the road ahead. Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake?

Answer: Brake firmly and keep pressing until you've slowed

In an emergency with ABS, apply the footbrake firmly and don't release the pressure until you've slowed down. ABS helps you keep steering, but it doesn't always stop you sooner.

6. On a very windy day, a motorcyclist ahead of you starts to overtake a high-sided lorry. What should you do?

Answer: Keep well back, as they may be blown about

In very windy weather, large vehicles create turbulence. Motorcyclists are particularly affected, so keep well back when they overtake a high-sided vehicle.

7. Why should you not coast down a steep hill in neutral or with the clutch pressed down?

Answer: You lose engine braking and your speed can build up quickly

Coasting takes away engine braking. Going downhill, the car can speed up fast and you have less control.

8. What are speed humps and road narrowings (traffic calming) mainly for?

Answer: To make drivers slow down

Traffic-calming features are there to slow you down. Drive over or through them slowly and give cyclists and motorcyclists room.

9. After weeks of hot, dry weather it starts to rain on your drive home. Why should you take extra care?

Answer: The road can become slippery, affecting steering and braking

In hot weather the road surface can go soft, and when it rains after a dry spell it may become slippery. This can affect your steering and braking.

10. You're stuck behind a slow tractor on a hilly country road. The road looks empty, but you're coming up to the top of a hill. Should you overtake?

Answer: No, you can't see if anything is coming over it

Don't overtake where you can't see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe, such as approaching the brow of a hill, a bend or a hump bridge.

11. You're driving home on an unlit road at night. An oncoming car's headlights dazzle you so you can hardly see. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down, and stop if you need to

If you are dazzled by oncoming headlights, slow down and, if necessary, stop. Don't retaliate with your own lights.

12. Your car starts to skid because you braked. What should you do first?

Answer: Release the brake and steer in the direction of the skid

If braking caused the skid, release the brake. Steer in the direction of the skid to help the car straighten up.

13. You see this sign on a country lane. What is ahead?

Answer: Water may cross the road

This worded warning sign shows there is a ford ahead, where a stream crosses the road. Check the depth and drive through slowly.

14. According to the Environment Agency, how deep does flood water need to be to float a family car?

Answer: Just 30 cm

The Environment Agency says just 30cm of water can float a family car, and smaller cars take even less.

15. 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.

16. The car ahead is signalling right, but you think they've forgotten to cancel it. Should you overtake?

Answer: No, don't overtake while they're signalling right

Rule 167 says do not overtake when a road user is indicating right, even if you believe the signal should have been cancelled.

17. What does this sign warn you about?

Answer: Side winds

This triangular warning sign with a windsock symbol warns of side winds, often on exposed roads and bridges.

18. Your new car has electronic stability control (ESC or ESP). What is it designed to help with?

Answer: Stopping the car losing grip and skidding

The car syllabus describes systems such as ESP that help prevent loss of traction. They help, but you still need to drive to the conditions.

19. It's a hot summer afternoon and you're on a long drive. Why does the Highway Code tell you to keep the car well ventilated?

Answer: To stop you getting drowsy

Rule 237 says in hot weather keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness.

20. You're driving your friends along a twisty country road. When is it OK to have only one hand on the wheel?

Answer: Only briefly, such as to change gear

Rule 160 says drive with both hands on the wheel where possible, to help you stay in full control. Take a hand off only when you need to, such as to change gear or use other controls.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. You're approaching a right-hand bend on a country road. Where should you position your car?

Answer: Keep well to the left

Rule 160 says on right-hand bends keep well to the left. This improves your view and reduces the risk of hitting oncoming traffic.

24. 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.

25. You're driving through a 20 mph zone with speed humps and road narrowings. What does the Highway Code say about overtaking here?

Answer: Don't overtake in these areas

Rule 153 says in traffic-calmed areas, keep a reduced speed, allow room for cyclists and motorcyclists, and do not overtake other moving road users.

26. 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.

27. At night on an unlit road you pull out to overtake a slow car. What should you do with your headlights?

Answer: Keep them dipped until you're level with it

Rule 115 says keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle, then change to main beam if needed.

28. Why does the Highway Code say to take extra care when overtaking at night?

Answer: It's harder to judge speed and distance

Rule 163 says take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance.

29. A car in front of you pulls out to overtake a tractor. You also want to get past. What should you do?

Answer: Don't assume there is room to follow

Rule 163 says do not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle.

30. You're in a hire car on a narrow single-track lane on Skye. A delivery van appears ahead. The nearest passing place is just ahead, on the right-hand side of the lane. What should you do?

Answer: Stop opposite it so the van can pull in

Rule 155 says if the passing place is on your left, pull into it; if it is on the right, wait opposite it.

31. Before you overtake, which of these must you be sure of?

Answer: The road is clear far enough ahead to pass and get back in

Rule 162 says before overtaking you should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead and that you can get back in without cutting in.

32. You've just overtaken a car. When should you move back to the left?

Answer: As soon as you can do so safely, without cutting in

Rule 163 says after overtaking, move back to the left as soon as you can, but do not cut in.

33. When MUST you not overtake?

Answer: If you'd cross double white lines with the solid line nearest you

Rule 165 says you MUST NOT overtake if you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to you.

34. You're being overtaken by another car. What should you do?

Answer: Keep a steady course and speed, slowing if needed to let it pass

Rule 168 says if a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let them pass. Never obstruct them.

35. Where should you do most of your braking for a sharp bend?

Answer: Before the bend, while travelling straight

The car syllabus says adjust your speed before a bend. Braking hard in a bend can unsettle the car and cause a skid.

36. You're going downhill and want to control your speed. What helps most?

Answer: Using a lower gear

Using a lower gear on a long downhill lets engine braking help control your speed (Rule 160 and Rule 122).

37. Why shouldn't you park in a passing place on a single-track road?

Answer: Other drivers need them to pass each other

Rule 155 says do not park in passing places.

38. You're on a road with a central reservation and want to turn right across it. The gap is too small for your car. What should you do?

Answer: Wait in the main road until you can cross both carriageways in one go

Rule 173 says if the central reservation is too narrow for the length of your vehicle, wait until you can cross both carriageways in one go.

39. 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.

40. You need to stop quickly in an emergency in a car without ABS. What should you try to avoid?

Answer: Locking the wheels

Rule 118 says in an emergency brake immediately, but try to avoid braking so harshly that you lock your wheels. Locked wheels can lead to loss of control.

41. You're on a narrow road and a large lorry is approaching. There isn't room for both of you. What should you do?

Answer: Be ready to stop or pull into a safe place

Rule 155 and Rule 221 ask you to be ready to give way and stop on narrow roads, especially with large vehicles that can't easily move over.

42. You're on a three-lane single carriageway. Which lane must you not use for overtaking?

Answer: The right-hand lane

Rule 135 says on three-lane single carriageways, use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right; don't use the right-hand lane.