Vulnerable road users practice questions

1. How much space should you leave when overtaking a cyclist at speeds up to 30 mph?

Answer: At least 1.5 metres

Leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds.

2. 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.

3. You are turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is waiting to cross that side road. What should you do?

Answer: Give way to the pedestrian

At a junction, you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or out of.

4. 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.

5. You want to overtake a cyclist, but there is oncoming traffic so you can't leave 1.5 metres. What should you do?

Answer: Wait behind until you can pass with enough space

If you can't overtake at a safe speed and distance, wait behind and pass only when it is safe.

6. You're waiting to turn into the train station car park. A woman at the kerb is holding a white cane with a red band round it. What should this tell you?

Answer: She may not be able to see or hear you

A white cane with a red band can mean the person is deafblind. They may not see your car or hear your engine, so give them plenty of time and space.

7. An older person is crossing the road slowly in front of you at a junction. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient and let them cross in their own time

Older pedestrians may need more time. Be patient, and don't hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward.

8. You're waiting at a T-junction on your way to work and see what looks like a gap in the traffic from the right. Why should you take an extra careful look before you go?

Answer: A motorbike could be hidden and coming faster than you think

Motorcyclists and cyclists can be hard to see. Look carefully before you emerge, because they may be closer and faster than you expect.

9. The car in front has a 'P' (new driver) plate and is hesitating at a roundabout. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient, as new drivers may be slower to react

Be particularly patient with learner and young drivers. They may not be as skilled at anticipating and responding to events.

10. According to the Highway Code, what is the difference for a pedestrian hit at 20 mph compared to 40 mph?

Answer: At 20 mph about 1 in 20 are killed; at 40 mph most are

Speed makes a huge difference. At 40 mph a car will probably kill a pedestrian it hits, but at 20 mph the chance is about 1 in 20.

11. You have parked on a busy street and are about to open the driver's door. What does the Highway Code recommend?

Answer: Use the hand furthest from the door, so you look behind

Where you can, open the door with the hand on the opposite side. This makes you turn your head to check for cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as using your mirrors.

12. You're approaching a parallel crossing. A cyclist has started riding across it. What must you do?

Answer: Give way to the cyclist

You MUST give way to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

13. You're turning right into a side road across a queue of stopped traffic. A driver leaves a gap for you. What should you watch out for?

Answer: A cyclist or motorbike passing the queue

When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing, and give way to them.

14. At a roundabout a cyclist is in the left lane but signalling right. What does this probably mean?

Answer: They're going round, so don't cut across them

Cyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left lane when going round a roundabout and signal right to show they aren't leaving. Don't cut across them.

15. Two cyclists are riding side by side on a quiet narrow lane. What should you do?

Answer: Let them, and pass when it's safe

Cyclists may ride two abreast, and may ride in the centre of the lane on narrow or quiet roads. Allow them to do so, and pass only when it's safe.

16. A cyclist ahead looks over their right shoulder. What might this mean?

Answer: They may pull out or turn right

When riders look over their shoulder, they may soon try to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space.

17. Why might a cyclist ride about a metre away from a line of parked cars?

Answer: To keep clear of doors that might open

Cyclists are advised to keep at least a door's width or 1 metre from parked cars for their own safety.

18. It's wet, and a motorcyclist ahead is approaching drain covers and oily patches. What should you expect?

Answer: They may suddenly change direction

Cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders may swerve to avoid drain covers or wet, oily or icy patches. Give them plenty of room and expect sudden moves.

19. Under the Highway Code, who may use the pavement?

Answer: Pedestrians, including wheelchair users

Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Pedestrians include wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

20. A farmer is moving cows along the road and they're blocking your way. What should you do?

Answer: Stop and switch off your engine

If a herd of animals is approaching or blocking the road, stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road.

21. You've just passed some sheep being herded on a country lane. What should you avoid?

Answer: Accelerating sharply as you move off

When passing animals, don't sound your horn, rev your engine or accelerate rapidly once you have passed them.

22. In the New Forest you see ponies grazing beside the road. How should you treat them?

Answer: Like horses: slow down and pass wide

Feral or semi-feral ponies, such as in the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor, need the same care as other horses: slow down and pass wide.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. There's a solid white line on your side of the centre line. A cyclist ahead is riding at 8 mph. Can you cross the line to overtake?

Answer: Yes, if safe, as they're at 10 mph or less

You may cross a solid white line nearest to you, if it is safe, to overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle going at 10 mph or less.

26. 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.

27. There's a cycle lane on the road, but a cyclist is riding in the main traffic lane. What does the Highway Code say?

Answer: Cyclists don't have to use cycle lanes

Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes or cycle tracks. Drivers should give way to cyclists in cycle lanes and give room to those on the road.

28. 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.

29. You turn into a street with a 'Home Zone' sign. What should you expect?

Answer: People using the whole road, even children

In Home Zones, people could be using the whole street for a range of activities, including play. Drive slowly and be ready to stop.

30. The pavement is closed for repairs and people are walking in the road past the works. What should you do?

Answer: Slow down and give them plenty of room

Drive carefully and slowly where the pavement is closed for repairs and pedestrians are directed into the road.

31. At a junction, a cyclist is waiting in the box in front of you at the traffic lights. What is this area called?

Answer: An advanced stop line area for cyclists

Rules 178 and 192 say advanced stop lines give cyclists a space in front of other traffic. Wait behind the first white line when the lights are red.

32. The lights turn amber just as you reach the first white line at an advanced stop line. A cyclist box is ahead. What may you do?

Answer: Stop in the box area, but not beyond the second line

Rule 178 says if you have crossed the first white line when the signal changes to red, you must stop at the second white line, even if you're in the marked area.

33. A cyclist is coming up on your left as you prepare to turn left. What should you do?

Answer: Wait and let them go ahead before you turn

Rules H3 and 183 say do not cut across cyclists going ahead when you're turning. Give way and wait for a safe gap.

34. You're overtaking someone riding a horse-drawn vehicle. How much space should you leave?

Answer: At least 2 metres

Rule 215 and Rule 163 say leave at least 2 metres of space when passing horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles, at speeds under 10mph.

35. You're overtaking a pedestrian walking in the road where there's no pavement. What does the Highway Code advise?

Answer: Leave at least 2 metres and pass at low speed

Rule 163 says when overtaking pedestrians walking in the road, leave at least 2 metres and pass at low speed.

36. A cyclist is using a cycle track that crosses a side road you're about to turn into. What should you do?

Answer: Give way to the cyclist on the track

Rules H3 and 183 say give way to cyclists on cycle tracks and lanes you are crossing when turning.

37. You see an older pedestrian taking a long time to cross. What should you do?

Answer: Wait patiently

Rule 207 says older pedestrians may need more time to cross. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time.

38. Why should you take extra care near people on electric scooters and bikes in town?

Answer: They can be quiet and move quickly and unpredictably

Rule 211 and the hierarchy of road users ask drivers to look out for cyclists and others who can be fast, quiet and hard to see.

39. You're passing a parked ice cream van in your street. What should you be most careful about?

Answer: Children running out from behind it

Rule 206 says watch out for children, especially near ice cream vans, where they may dash out without looking.

40. A pedestrian with a guide dog is waiting to cross at a junction. What should you do?

Answer: Be patient and give them time

Rule 207 says watch for blind or partially sighted pedestrians, who may have a guide dog. Allow them plenty of time.

41. At night you see someone walking along the road in dark clothes. Why is this a hazard?

Answer: They can be very hard to see until you're close

Rule 3 and Rule 126 point out that pedestrians in dark clothing can be difficult to see at night. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see.

42. A motorcyclist ahead looks over their shoulder. What might they be about to do?

Answer: Change lanes or turn right

Rule 212 says watch for motorcyclists and cyclists looking over their shoulder: it often means they're about to pull out or turn right.