Attitude study test (with hints)

A long, heavily-laden lorry is taking a long time to overtake you. What should you do?*

Speed up

Slow down

Hold your speed

Change direction

A long lorry with a heavy load will need more time to pass you than a car, especially on an uphill stretch of road. Slow down and allow the lorry to pass.

You are driving at night on an unlit road behind another vehicle. You should*

flash your headlights

use dipped beam headlights

switch off your headlights

use full beam headlights

If you follow another vehicle with your headlights on full beam they could dazzle the driver. Leave a safe distance and ensure that the light from your dipped beam falls short of the vehicle in front.

‘Tailgating’ means*

using the rear door of a hatchback car

reversing into a parking space

following another vehicle too closely

driving with rear fog lights on

‘Tailgating’ is used to describe this dangerous practice, often seen in fast-moving traffic and on motorways. Following the vehicle in front too closely is dangerous because it: restricts your view of the road ahead, and leaves you no safety margin if the vehicle in front slows down or stops suddenly.

A bus has stopped at a bus stop ahead of you. Its right-hand indicator is flashing. You should*

flash your headlights and slow down

slow down and give way if it is safe to do so

sound your horn and keep going

slow down and then sound your horn

Give way to buses whenever you can do so safely, especially when they signal to pull away from bus stops. Look out for people leaving the bus and crossing the road.

What should you use your horn for?*

To alert others to your presence

To allow you right of way

To greet other road users

To signal your annoyance

Your horn must not be used between 11.30 pm and 7 am in a built-up area or when you are stationary, unless a moving vehicle poses a danger. Its function is to alert other road users to your presence.

What style of driving causes increased risk to everyone?*

Considerate

Defensive

Competitive

Responsible

Competitive driving increases the risks to everyone and is the opposite of responsible, considerate and defensive driving. Defensive driving is about questioning the actions of other road users and being prepared for the unexpected. Don’t be taken by surprise.

You are driving on a clear night. There is a steady stream of oncoming traffic. The national speed limit applies. Which lights should you use?*

Full beam headlights

Sidelights

Dipped headlights

Fog lights

Use the full beam headlights only when you can be sure that you won’t dazzle other road users.

A bus lane on your left shows no times of operation. This means it is*

not in operation at all

only in operation at peak times

in operation 24 hours a day

only in operation in daylight hours

Don’t drive or park in a bus lane when it’s in operation. This can cause disruption to traffic and delays to public transport.

Young, inexperienced and newly qualified drivers can often be involved in crashes. This is due to*

being too cautious at junctions

driving in the middle of their lane

showing off and being competitive

staying within the speed limit

Newly qualified, and particularly young drivers, are more vulnerable in the first year after passing the test. Inexperience plays a part in this but it’s essential to have the correct attitude. Be responsible and always show courtesy and consideration to other road users.

Which instrument panel warning light would show that headlights are on full beam?*

You should be aware of where all the warning lights and visual aids are on the vehicle you are driving. If you are driving a vehicle for the first time you should take time to check all the controls.

What type of emergency vehicle is fitted with a green flashing beacon?*

Fire engine

Road gritter

Ambulance

Doctor’s car

A green flashing beacon on a vehicle means the driver or passenger is a doctor on an emergency call. Give way to them if it’s safe to do so. Be aware that the vehicle may be travelling quickly or may stop in a hurry.

You are following this lorry. You should keep well back from it to*

give you a good view of the road ahead

stop following traffic from rushing through the junction

prevent traffic behind you from overtaking

allow you to hurry through the traffic lights if they change

By keeping well back you will increase your width of vision around the rear of the lorry. This will allow you to see further down the road and be prepared for any hazards.

A person herding sheep asks you to stop. You should*

ignore them as they have no authority

stop and switch off your engine

continue on but drive slowly

try and get past quickly

Allow the sheep to clear the road before you proceed. Animals are unpredictable and startle easily; they could turn and run into your path or into the path of another moving vehicle.

You stop for pedestrians waiting to cross at a zebra crossing. They do not start to cross. What should you do?*

Be patient and wait

Sound your horn

Carry on

Wave them to cross

If you stop for pedestrians and they don’t start to cross don’t wave them across or sound your horn. This could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching which hasn’t seen or heard your signal.

When overtaking a horse and rider you should*

sound your horn as a warning

go past as quickly as possible

flash your headlights as a warning

go past slowly and carefully

Horses can become startled by the sound of a car engine or the rush of air caused by passing too closely. Keep well back and only pass when it is safe; leave them plenty of room. You may have to use the other side of the road to go past: if you do, first make sure there is no oncoming traffic.

You are driving along this road. The red van cuts in close in front of you. What should you do?*

Accelerate to get closer to the red van

Give a long blast on the horn

Drop back to leave the correct separation distance

Flash your headlights several times

There are times when other drivers make incorrect or ill-judged decisions. Be tolerant and try not to retaliate or react aggressively. Always consider the safety of other road users, your passengers and yourself.

You are approaching a zebra crossing. Pedestrians are waiting to cross. You should*

give way to the elderly and infirm only

slow down and prepare to stop

use your headlights to indicate they can cross

wave at them to cross the road

Look out on the approach especially for children and older pedestrians. They may walk across without looking. Zebra crossings have flashing amber beacons on both sides of the road, black and white stripes on the crossing and white zigzag markings on both sides of the crossing. Where you can see pedestrians waiting to cross, slow down and prepare to stop.

You wish to turn right ahead. Why should you take up the correct position in good time?*

To allow other drivers to pull out in front of you

To give a better view into the road that you’re joining

To help other road users know what you intend to do

To allow drivers to pass you on the right

If you wish to turn right into a side road take up your position in good time. Move to the centre of the road when it’s safe to do so. This will allow vehicles to pass you on the left. Early planning will show other traffic what you intend to do.

You are driving in traffic at the speed limit for the road. The driver behind is trying to overtake. You should*

move closer to the car ahead, so the driver behind has no room to overtake

wave the driver behind to overtake when it is safe

keep a steady course and allow the driver behind to overtake

accelerate to get away from the driver behind

Keep a steady course to give the driver behind an opportunity to overtake safely. If necessary, slow down. Reacting incorrectly to another driver’s impatience can lead to danger.

You are in a line of traffic. The driver behind you is following very closely. What action should you take?*

Ignore the following driver and continue to travel within the speed limit

Slow down, gradually increasing the gap between you and the vehicle in front

Signal left and wave the following driver past

Move over to a position just left of the centre line of the road

If the driver behind is following too closely there’s a danger they will collide with back of your car if you stop suddenly. You can reduce this risk by slowing down and increasing your safety margin ahead. This reduces the chance that you will have to stop suddenly and you can spread you braking out over a greater distance. This is an example of defensive driving.

To avoid spillage after refuelling, you should make sure that*

your tank is only three quarters full

you have used a locking filler cap

you check your fuel gauge is working

your filler cap is securely fastened

When learning to drive it is a good idea to practise filling your car with fuel. Ask your instructor if you can use a petrol station and fill the fuel tank yourself. You need to know where the filler cap is located on the car you are driving in order to park on the correct side of the pump. Take care not to overfill the tank or spill fuel. Make sure you secure the filler cap as soon as you have replaced the fuel nozzle.

At which type of crossing are cyclists allowed to ride across with pedestrians?*

Toucan

Puffin

Pelican

Zebra

A toucan crossing is designed to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time. Look out for cyclists approaching the crossing at speed.

Following this vehicle too closely is unwise because*

your brakes will overheat

your view ahead is increased

your engine will overheat

your view ahead is reduced

Staying back will increase your view of the road ahead. This will help you to see any hazards that might occur and allow you more time to react.

At a pelican crossing the flashing amber light means you MUST*

stop and wait for the green light

stop and wait for the red light

give way to pedestrians waiting to cross

give way to pedestrians already on the crossing

Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push- button controls change the signals. Pelican crossings have no red-and-amber stage before green. Instead, they have a flashing amber light, which means you MUST give way to pedestrians already on the crossing, but if it is clear, you may continue.

You are driving behind a large goods vehicle. It signals left but steers to the right. You should*

slow down and let the vehicle turn

drive on, keeping to the left

overtake on the right of it

hold your speed and sound your horn

Large, long vehicles need extra room when making turns at junctions. They may move out to the right in order to make a left turn. Keep well back and don’t attempt to pass on the left.

A loose filler cap on your diesel fuel tank will*

make the engine difficult to start

make roads slippery for other road users

improve your vehicle’s fuel consumption

increase the level of exhaust emissions

Diesel fuel is especially slippery if spilled on a wet road. At the end of a dry spell of weather you should be aware that the road surfaces may have a high level of diesel spillage that hasn’t been washed away by rain.

The conditions are good and dry. You could use the ‘two-second rule’*

before restarting the engine after it has stalled

to keep a safe gap from the vehicle in front

before using the ‘Mirror-Signal- Manoeuvre’ routine

when emerging on wet roads

To measure this, choose a fixed reference point such as a bridge, sign or tree. When the vehicle ahead passes the object, say to yourself ‘Only a fool breaks the two- second rule.’ If you reach the object before you finish saying this, you’re TOO CLOSE.

You are driving a slow-moving vehicle on a narrow winding road. You should*

keep well out to stop vehicles overtaking dangerously

wave following vehicles past you if you think they can overtake quickly

pull in safely when you can, to let following vehicles overtake

give a left signal when it is safe for vehicles to overtake you

Try not to hold up a queue of traffic. Other road users may become impatient and this could lead to reckless actions. If you’re driving a slow-moving vehicle and the road is narrow, look for a safe place to pull in. DON’T wave other traffic past since this could be dangerous if you or they haven’t seen an oncoming vehicle.

You should leave at least a two-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front when conditions are*

wet

good

damp

foggy

In good, dry conditions an alert driver who’s driving a vehicle with tyres and brakes in good condition, needs to keep a distance of at least two seconds from the car in front.

A flashing green beacon on a vehicle means*

police on non-urgent duties

doctor on an emergency call

road safety patrol operating

gritting in progress

If you see a vehicle with a flashing green beacon approaching, allow it to pass when you can do so safely. Be aware that someone’s life could depend on the driver making good progress through traffic.

You are approaching a red light at a puffin crossing. Pedestrians are on the crossing. The red light will stay on until*

you start to edge forward on to the crossing

the pedestrians have reached a safe position

the pedestrians are clear of the front of your vehicle

a driver from the opposite direction reaches the crossing

The electronic device will automatically detect that the pedestrians have reached a safe position. Don’t proceed until the green light shows it is safe for vehicles to do so.

Diamond-shaped signs give instructions to*

tram drivers

bus drivers

lorry drivers

taxi drivers

These signs only apply to trams. They are directed at tram drivers but you should know their meaning so that you’re aware of the priorities and are able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

A vehicle has a flashing green beacon. What does this mean?*

A doctor is answering an emergency call

The vehicle is slow-moving

It is a motorway police patrol vehicle

The vehicle is carrying hazardous chemicals

A doctor attending an emergency may show a green flashing beacon on their vehicle. Give way to them when you can do so safely as they will need to reach their destination quickly. Be aware that they might pull over suddenly.

Which vehicle will use a blue flashing beacon?*

Motorway maintenance

Bomb disposal

Snow plough

Breakdown recovery

Emergency vehicles use blue flashing lights. If you see or hear one, move out of its way as soon as it's safe and legal to do so.

You are approaching unmarked crossroads. How should you deal with this type of junction?*

Accelerate and keep to the middle

Slow down and keep to the right

Accelerate looking to the left

Slow down and look both ways

Be extra-cautious, especially when your view is restricted by hedges, bushes, walls and large vehicles etc. In the summer months these junctions can become more difficult to deal with when growing foliage may obscure your view.

You are in a one-way street and want to turn right. You should position yourself*

in the right-hand lane

in the left-hand lane

in either lane, depending on the traffic

just left of the centre line

If you’re travelling in a one-way street and wish to turn right you should take up a position in the right-hand lane. This will enable other road users not wishing to turn to proceed on the left. Indicate your intention and take up your position in good time.

You are following a vehicle on a wet road. You should leave a time gap of at least*

one second

two seconds

three seconds

four seconds

Wet roads will reduce your tyres’ grip on the road. The safe separation gap of at least two seconds in dry conditions should be doubled in wet weather.

You are waiting in a traffic queue at night. To avoid dazzling following drivers you should*

apply the handbrake only

apply the footbrake only

switch off your headlights

use both the handbrake and footbrake

You should consider drivers behind as brake lights can dazzle. However, if you are driving in fog it’s safer to keep your foot on the footbrake. In this case it will give the vehicle behind extra warning of your presence.

You should never wave people across at pedestrian crossings because*

there may be another vehicle coming

they may not be looking

it is safer for you to carry on

they may not be ready to cross

If people are waiting to use a pedestrian crossing, slow down and be prepared to stop. Don’t wave them across the road since another driver may, not have seen them, not have seen your signal and may not be able to stop safely.

You're driving along a country road. A horse and rider are approaching. What should you do?*

Increase your speed

Sound your horn

Flash your headlights

Drive slowly past

It’s important that you reduce your speed. Passing too closely at speed could startle the horse and unseat the rider.

At puffin crossings, which light will not show to a driver?*

Flashing amber

Red

steady amber

A flashing amber light is shown at pelican crossings, but puffin crossings are different. They are controlled electronically and automatically detect when pedestrians are on the crossing. The phase is shortened or lengthened according to the position of the pedestrians.

You are travelling at the legal speed limit. A vehicle comes up quickly behind, flashing its headlights. You should*

accelerate to make a gap behind you

touch the brakes sharply to show your brake lights

maintain your speed to prevent the vehicle from overtaking

allow the vehicle to overtake

Don’t enforce the speed limit by blocking another vehicle’s progress. This will only lead to the other driver becoming more frustrated. Allow the other vehicle to pass when you can do so safely.

Which of these services can display a blue flashing beacon?*

Coastguard

Doctor's car

Gritting lorry

Animal ambulance

Emergency vehicles often travel at high speed. You should help their progress by pulling over and allowing them to pass. Do so safely and legally. Don’t stop suddenly or in a dangerous position.

If your vehicle uses diesel fuel, take extra care when refuelling. Diesel fuel when spilt is*

sticky

odourless

clear

slippery

If you are using diesel, or are at a pump which has a diesel facility, be aware that there may be spilt fuel on the ground. Fuel contamination on the soles of your shoes may cause them to slip when using the foot pedals.

When being followed by an ambulance showing a flashing blue beacon you should*

pull over as soon as safely possible to let it pass

accelerate hard to get away from it

maintain your speed and course

brake harshly and immediately stop in the road

Pull over in a place where the ambulance can pass safely. Check that there are no bollards or obstructions in the road that will prevent it from doing so.

A vehicle pulls out in front of you at a junction. What should you do?*

Swerve past it and sound your horn

Flash your headlights and drive up close behind

Slow down and be ready to stop

Accelerate past it immediately

Try to be ready for the unexpected. Plan ahead and learn to anticipate hazards. You’ll then give yourself more time to react to any problems that might occur. Be tolerant of the behaviour of other road users who don’t behave correctly.

At a puffin crossing, which colour follows the green signal?*

Steady red

Flashing amber

Steady amber

Flashing green

Puffin crossings have infra-red sensors which detect when pedestrians are crossing and hold the red traffic signal until the crossing is clear. The use of a sensor means there is no flashing amber phase as there is with a pelican crossing.

On a road where trams operate, which of these vehicles will be most at risk from the tram rails?*

Cars

Cycles

Buses

Lorries

The narrow wheels of a bicycle can become stuck in the tram rails, causing the cyclist to stop suddenly, wobble or even lose balance altogether. The tram lines are also slippery which could cause a cyclist to slide or fall off.

You should ONLY flash your headlights to other road users*

to show that you are giving way

to show that you are about to turn

to tell them that you have right of way

to let them know that you are there

You should only flash your headlights to warn others of your presence. Don’t use them to, greet others, show impatience or give priority to other road users. They could misunderstand your signal.

You are approaching a pelican crossing. The amber light is flashing. You must*

give way to pedestrians who are crossing

encourage pedestrians to cross

not move until the green light appears

stop even if the crossing is clear

While the pedestrians are crossing don’t encourage them to cross by waving or flashing your headlights: other road users may misunderstand your signal. Don’t harass them by creeping forward or revving your engine.

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