When emerging from junctions, which is most likely to obstruct your view?*

Windscreen pillars

Steering wheel

Interior mirror

Windscreen wipers

Windscreen pillars can block your view, particularly at junctions. Those road users most at risk of not being seen are cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Never rely on just a quick glance.

Why are these yellow lines painted across the road?*

To help you choose the correct lane

To help you keep the correct separation distance

To make you aware of your speed

To tell you the distance to the roundabout

These lines are often found on the approach to a roundabout or a dangerous junction. They give you extra warning to adjust your speed. Look well ahead and do this in good time.

What should you do before making a U-turn?*

Give an arm signal as well as using your indicators

Check road markings to see that U-turns are permitted

Look over your shoulder for a final check

Select a higher gear than normal

If you have to make a U-turn, slow down and ensure that the road is clear in both directions. Make sure that the road is wide enough for you to carry out the manoeuvre safely.

On a long motorway journey boredom can cause you to feel sleepy. You should*

play some loud music

stop on the hard shoulder for a rest

drive faster to complete your journey sooner

ensure a supply of fresh air into your vehicle

Plan your journey to include suitable rest stops. You should take all possible precautions against feeling sleepy while driving. Any lapse of concentration could have serious consequences.

Which of the following may cause loss of concentration on a long journey?*

Keeping fresh air circulating

Arguing with a passenger

Stopping regularly to rest

Pulling up to tune the radio

You should not allow yourself to be distracted when driving. You need to concentrate fully in order to be safe on the road. Loud music could mask other sounds, such as the audible warning of an emergency vehicle. Any distraction which causes you to take your hands off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road could be dangerous.

Which of the following should you do before stopping?*

Sound the horn

Use the mirrors

Select a higher gear

Flash your headlights

Before pulling up check the mirrors to see what is happening behind you. Also assess what is ahead and make sure you give the correct signal if it helps other road users.

You are waiting to emerge from a junction. The windscreen pillar is restricting your view. What should you be particularly aware of?*

Lorries

Buses

Motorcyclists

Coaches

Windscreen pillars can completely block your view of pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. You should particularly watch out for these road users; don’t just rely on a quick glance. Where possible make eye contact with them so you can be sure they have seen you too.

In which of these situations should you avoid overtaking?*

Just after a bend

In a one-way street

On a 30 mph road

Approaching a dip in the road

As you begin to think about overtaking, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. If you can’t see well ahead stay back and wait for a safer place to pull out.

Using a hands-free phone is likely to*

improve your safety

increase your concentration

reduce your view

divert your attention

Unlike someone in the car with you, the person on the other end of the line is unable to see the traffic situations you are dealing with. They will not stop speaking to you even if you are approaching a hazardous situation. You need to be concentrating on your driving all of the time, but especially so when dealing with a hazard.

You are waiting to turn right at the end of a road. Your view is obstructed by parked vehicles. What should you do?*

Stop and then move forward slowly and carefully for a proper view

Move quickly to where you can see so you only block traffic from one direction

Wait for a pedestrian to let you know when it is safe for you to emerge

Turn your vehicle around immediately and find another junction to use

At junctions your view is often restricted by buildings, trees or parked cars. You need to be able to see in order to judge a safe gap. Edge forward slowly and keep looking all the time. Don’t cause other road users to change speed or direction as you emerge.

You're most likely to lose concentration when driving if you*

use a mobile phone

check road signs

switch on the heated rear window

look at the door mirrors

Using a mobile phone distracts your attention away from driving. Distractions caused by mobile phones are known to be potentially dangerous. Avoid being distracted by your phone by turning it off before you start driving.

You cannot see clearly behind when reversing. What should you do?*

Open your window to look behind

Open the door and look behind

Look in the nearside mirror

Ask someone to guide you

If you want to turn your car around try to find a place where you have good all-round vision. If this isn’t possible and you’re unable to see clearly, then get someone to guide you.

You must not use a hand-held phone while driving. Using a hands-free system*

is acceptable in a vehicle with power steering

will significantly reduce your field of vision

will affect your vehicle's electronic systems

is still likely to distract your attention from the road

While driving your concentration is required all the time. Even using a hands-free kit can still distract your attention from the road. Any distraction, however brief, is potentially dangerous and could cause you to lose control. Except in a genuine emergency, it is an offence to use a hand-held phone while driving.

When you see a hazard ahead you should use the mirrors. Why is this?*

Because you will need to accelerate out of danger

To assess how your actions will affect following traffic

Because you will need to brake sharply to a stop

To check what is happening on the road ahead

You should be constantly scanning the road for clues about what is going to happen next. Check your mirrors regularly, particularly as soon as you spot a hazard. What is happening behind may affect your response to hazards ahead.

What is the safest way to use a mobile phone in your vehicle?*

Use hands-free equipment

Find a suitable place to stop

Drive slowly on a quiet road

Direct your call through the operator

It’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, except in genuine emergencies. Even using hands-free kit is very likely to take your mind off your driving. If the use of a mobile causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner, you could be prosecuted for those offences. The penalties include an unlimited fine, disqualification and up to two years’ imprisonment.

You should ONLY use a mobile phone when*

receiving a call

suitably parked

driving at less than 30 mph

driving an automatic vehicle

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, except in a genuine emergency. Even using hands-free kit can distract your attention. Park in a safe and convenient place before receiving or making a call or using text messaging. Then you will also be free to take notes or refer to papers.

What’s most likely to distract you while you’re driving?*

Using a mobile phone

Using the windscreen wipers

Using the demisters

Checking the mirrors

It’s easy to be distracted. Planning your journey before you set off is important. A few sensible precautions are to tune your radio to stations in your area of travel, take planned breaks, and plan your route. Except for emergencies, it’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Even using a hands-free kit can severely distract your attention.

You lose your way on a busy road. What is the best action to take?*

Stop at traffic lights and ask pedestrians

Shout to other drivers to ask them the way

Turn into a side road, stop and check a map

Check a map, and keep going with the traffic flow

It’s easy to lose your way in an unfamiliar area. If you need to check a map or ask for directions, first find a safe place to stop.

As you approach this bridge you should*

move to the right

slow down

change gear

keep to 30 mph

You should slow down and be cautious. The bridge is narrow and there may not be enough room for you to pass an oncoming vehicle at this point. There is also no footpath, so there may be pedestrians in the road.

What does the term ‘blind spot’ mean for a driver?*

An area covered by your right-hand mirror

An area not covered by your headlights

An area covered by your left-hand mirror

An area not covered by your mirrors

Modern vehicles provide the driver with well-positioned mirrors which are essential to safe driving. However, they cannot see every angle of the scene behind and to the sides of the vehicle. This is why it is essential that you check over your shoulder, so that you are aware of any hazards not reflected in your mirrors.

When following a large vehicle you should keep well back because this*

allows you to corner more quickly

helps the large vehicle to stop more easily

allows the driver to see you in the mirrors

helps you to keep out of the wind

If you’re following a large vehicle but are so close to it that you can’t see the exterior mirrors, the driver can’t see you. Keeping well back will also allow you to see the road ahead by looking past either side of the large vehicle.

To answer a call on your mobile phone while travelling you should*

reduce your speed wherever you are

stop in a proper and convenient place

keep the call time to a minimum

slow down and allow others to overtake

No phone call is important enough to risk endangering lives. It’s better to switch your phone off completely when driving. If you must be contactable plan your route to include breaks so you can catch up on messages in safety. Always choose a safe and convenient place to take a break, such as a lay-by or service area.

This road marking warns*

drivers to use the hard shoulder

overtaking drivers there is a bend to the left

overtaking drivers to move back to the left

drivers that it is safe to overtake

You should plan your overtaking to take into account any hazards ahead. In this picture the marking indicates that you are approaching a junction. You will not have time to overtake and move back into the left safely.

You are driving on a wet road. You have to stop your vehicle in an emergency. You should*

apply the handbrake and footbrake together

keep both hands on the wheel

select reverse gear

give an arm signal

As you drive, look well ahead and all around so that you’re ready for any hazards that might occur. There may be occasions when you have to stop in an emergency. React as soon as you can whilst keeping control of the vehicle.

Windscreen pillars can obstruct your view. You should take particular care when*

driving on a motorway

driving on a dual carriageway

approaching a one-way street

approaching bends and junctions

Windscreen pillars can obstruct your view, particularly at bends and junctions. Look out for other road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians, as they can be hard to see.

You are travelling along this narrow country road. When passing the cyclist you should go*

slowly, sounding the horn as you pass

quickly, leaving plenty of room

slowly, leaving plenty of room

quickly, sounding the horn as you pass

Look well ahead and only pull out if it is safe. You will need to use all of the road to pass the cyclist, so be extra-cautious. Look out for entrances to fields where tractors or other farm machinery could be waiting to pull out.

When you're moving off from behind a parked car you should*

give a signal after moving off

check both interior and exterior mirrors

look round after moving off

use the exterior mirrors only

Before moving off you should use both the interior and exterior mirrors to check if the road is clear. Look around to check the blind spots and give a signal if it’s necessary to warn other road users of your intentions.

You are turning right onto a dual carriageway. What should you do before emerging?*

Stop, apply the handbrake and then select a low gear

Position your vehicle well to the left of the side road

Check that the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle

Make sure that you leave enough room for a vehicle behind

Before emerging right onto a dual carriageway make sure that the central reserve is deep enough to protect your vehicle. If it’s not, you should treat it as one road and check that it’s clear in both directions before pulling out. Neglecting to do this could place part or all of your vehicle in the path of approaching traffic and cause a collision.

Your vehicle is fitted with a hands-free phone system. Using this equipment whilst driving*

is quite safe as long as you slow down

could distract your attention from the road

is recommended by The Highway Code

could be very good for road safety

Using a hands-free system doesn’t mean that you can safely drive and use a mobile phone. This type of mobile phone can still distract your attention from the road. As a driver, it is your responsibility to keep yourself and other road users safe at all times.

Your vehicle is fitted with a navigation system. How should you avoid letting this distract you while driving?*

Keep going and input your destination into the system

Keep going as the system will adjust to your route

Stop immediately to view and use the system

Stop in a safe place before using the system

Vehicle navigation systems can be useful when driving on unfamiliar routes. However they can also distract you and cause you to lose control if you look at or adjust them while driving. Pull up in a convenient and safe place before adjusting them.

You are approaching traffic lights that have been on green for some time. You should*

accelerate hard

maintain your speed

be ready to stop

brake hard

The longer traffic lights have been on green, the greater the chance of them changing. Always allow for this on approach and be prepared to stop.

Your mobile phone rings while you are travelling. You should*

stop immediately

answer it immediately

pull up in a suitable place

pull up at the nearest kerb

The safest option is to switch off your mobile phone before you set off, and use a message service. Even hands-free systems are likely to distract your attention. Don’t endanger other road users. If you need to make a call, pull up in a safe place when you can, you may need to go some distance before you can find one. It’s illegal to use a hend-held moble or similar device when driving or riding, except in a genuine emergency.

Your vehicle is fitted with a hand-held telephone. To use the telephone you should*

reduce your speed

find a safe place to stop

steer the vehicle with one hand

be particularly careful at junctions

Your attention should be on your driving at all times. Except in a genuine emergency never attempt to use a hand-held phone while on the move. It’s illegal and very dangerous. Your eyes could wander from the road and at 60 mph your vehicle will travel about 27 metres (89 feet) every second.

You are driving on a motorway and want to use your mobile phone. What should you do?*

Try to find a safe place on the hard shoulder

Leave the motorway and stop in a safe place

Use the next exit and pull up on the slip road

Move to the left lane and reduce your speed

Except in a genuine emergency you MUST NOT use your mobile phone when driving. If you need to use it leave the motorway and find a safe place to stop. Even a hands-free phone can distract your attention. Use your voicemail to receive calls. Driving requires all of your attention, all of the time.

Objects hanging from your interior mirror may*

restrict your view

improve your driving

keep you focused

help your concentration

Ensure that you can see clearly through the windscreen of your vehicle. Stickers or hanging objects could affect your field of vision or draw your eyes away from the road.

Your mobile phone rings while you are on the motorway. Before answering you should*

reduce your speed to 30 mph

pull up on the hard shoulder

move into the left-hand lane

stop in a safe place

When driving on motorways, you can’t just pull up to answer your mobile phone. Do not stop on the hard shoulder or slip road. To avoid being distracted it’s safer to switch it off when driving. If you need to be contacted plan your journey to include breaks at service areas so you can pick up any messages when you stop.

Would you like free study reminders?

Yes please

No thanks

We'll email you a different test every day for two weeks to help you ace your theory test!

First name

Email

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Test page form is on

Alertness study test (with hints)

Difficulty level