Mock theory test (optional hints)

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When are you allowed to use hazard warning lights?*

When stopped and temporarily obstructing traffic

When travelling during darkness without headlights

When parked for shopping on double yellow lines

When travelling slowly because you are lost

Show hint

You must not use hazard warning lights when moving, except when slowing suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn the traffic behind. Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking.

You're travelling behind a bus that pulls up at a bus stop. What should you do?*

Accelerate past the bus

Watch carefully for pedestrians

Sound your horn

Pull in closely behind the bus

Show hint

There might be pedestrians crossing from in front of the bus. Look out for them if you intend to pass. Consider how many people are waiting to get on the bus - check the queue if you can. The bus might move off straight away if no one is waiting to get on. If a bus is signalling to pull out, give it priority if it’s safe to do so.

Why is it bad technique to coast when driving downhill?*

The fuel consumption will increase

The engine will overheat

The tyres will wear more quickly

The vehicle will gain speed

Show hint

Coasting is when you allow the vehicle to freewheel in neutral or with the clutch pedal depressed. Speed will increase as you lose the benefits of engine braking and have less control. You shouldn't coast when approaching hazards such as junctions or bends and when travelling downhill.

You're on a two-lane dual carriageway. Why would you use the right-hand lane?*

To overtake slower traffic

For normal progress

When staying at the minimum allowed speed

To keep driving at a constant high speed

Show hint

Normally you should travel in the left-hand lane and only use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. Move back into the left lane as soon as it’s safe but don’t cut in across the path of the vehicle you’ve just passed.

You have third party insurance. What does this cover?*

Damage to your vehicle

Fire damage to your vehicle

Flood damage to your vehicle

Damage to other vehicles

Show hint

Third party insurance doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle or injury to yourself. If you have a crash and your vehicle is damaged you might have to carry out the repairs at your own expense.

You're involved in a collision. Afterwards, which document may the police ask you to produce?*

Vehicle registration document

Driving licence

Theory test certificate

Vehicle service record

Show hint

You MUST stop if you've been involved in a collision which results in injury or damage. The police may ask to see your driving licence and insurance details at the time or later at a police station.

Which of these is needed before you can drive legally?*

A vehicle handbook

Proper insurance cover

A vehicle service record

Breakdown cover

Show hint

Make sure that you have a valid driving licence and proper insurance cover before driving any vehicle. It is also a legal requirement that the appropriate vehicle excise duty (car tax) has been paid.

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

Flashing amber

Red

Steady amber

Green

Show hint

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.

It is essential that tyre pressures are checked regularly. When should this be done?*

After any lengthy journey

After travelling at high speed

When tyres are hot

When tyres are cold

Show hint

When you check the tyre pressures do so when the tyres are cold. This will give you a more accurate reading. The heat generated from a long journey will raise the pressure inside the tyre.

When approaching a right-hand bend you should keep well to the left. Why is this?*

To improve your view of the road

To overcome the effect of the road’s slope

To let faster traffic from behind overtake

To be positioned safely if you skid

Show hint

Doing this will give you an earlier view around the bend and enable you to see any hazards sooner. It also reduces the risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle that may have drifted over the centre line while taking the bend.

You may use front fog lights with headlights ONLY when visibility is reduced to less than*

100 metres (328 feet)

200 metres (656 feet)

300 metres (984 feet)

400 metres (1312 feet)

Show hint

It is an offence to use fog lights if the visibility is better than 100 metres (328 feet). Switch front fog lights off if the fog clears to avoid dazzling other road users, but be aware that the fog may be patchy.

You are following a long lorry. The driver signals to turn left into a narrow road. What should you do?*

Overtake on the left before the lorry reaches the junction

Overtake on the right as soon as the lorry slows down

Do not overtake unless you can see there is no oncoming traffic

Do not overtake, stay well back and be prepared to stop.

Show hint

When turning into narrow roads articulated and long vehicles will need more room. Initially they will need to swing out in the opposite direction to which they intend to turn. They could mask another vehicle turning out of the same junction. DON’T be tempted to overtake them or pass on the inside.

It is very windy. You are behind a motorcyclist who is overtaking a high-sided vehicle. What should you do?*

Overtake the motorcyclist immediately

Keep well back

Stay level with the motorcyclist

Keep close to the motorcyclist

Show hint

Motorcyclists are affected more by windy weather than other vehicles. In windy conditions, high-sided vehicles cause air turbulence. You should keep well back as the motorcyclist could be blown off course.

You are turning left from a main road into a side road. People are already crossing the road into which you are turning. You should*

continue, as it is your right of way

signal to them to continue crossing

wait and allow them to cross

sound your horn to warn them of your presence

Show hint

Always check the road into which you are turning. Approaching at the correct speed will allow you enough time to observe and react. Give way to any pedestrians already crossing the road.

Motorcyclists will often look round over their right shoulder just before turning right. This is because*

they need to listen for following traffic

motorcycles do not have mirrors

looking around helps them balance as they turn

they need to check for traffic in their blind area

Show hint

If you see a motorcyclist take a quick glance over their shoulder, this could mean they are about to change direction. Recognising a clue like this helps you to be prepared and take appropriate action, making you safer on the road.

You see this sign ahead. You should expect the road to*

go steeply uphill

go steeply downhill

bend sharply to the left

bend sharply to the right

Show hint

Adjust your speed in good time and select the correct gear for your speed. Going too fast into the bend could cause you to lose control. Braking late and harshly while changing direction reduces your vehicle’s grip on the road, and is likely to cause a skid.

You are following a slower-moving vehicle on a narrow country road. There is a junction just ahead on the right. What should you do?*

Overtake after checking your mirrors and signalling

Stay behind until you are past the junction

Accelerate quickly to pass before the junction

Slow down and prepare to overtake on the left

Show hint

You should never overtake as you approach a junction. If a vehicle emerged from the junction while you were overtaking, a dangerous situation could develop very quickly.

Braking distances on ice can be*

twice the normal distance

five times the normal distance

seven times the normal distance

ten times the normal distance

Show hint

In icy and snowy weather, your stopping distance will increase by up to ten times compared to good, dry conditions. Take extra care when braking, accelerating and steering, to cut down the risk of skidding.

Overall stopping distance is made up of thinking and braking distance. You are on a good, dry road surface with good brakes and tyres. What is the typical BRAKING distance from 50 mph?*

14 metres (46 feet)

24 metres (80 feet)

38 metres (125 feet)

55 metres (180 feet)

Show hint

Be aware this is just the braking distance. You need to add the thinking distance to this to give the OVERALL STOPPING DISTANCE. At 50 mph the typical thinking distance will be 15 metres (50 feet), plus a braking distance of 38 metres (125 feet), giving an overall stopping distance of 53 metres (175 feet). The distance could be greater than this depending on your attention and response to any hazards. These figures are a general guide.

What’s badly affected if the tyres are under-inflated?*

Braking

Indicating

Changing gear

Parking

Show hint

Your tyres are your only contact with the road. To prevent problems with braking and steering keep your tyres free from defects; they must have sufficient tread depth and be correctly inflated. Correct tyre pressures help reduce the risk of skidding and provide a safer and more comfortable drive or ride.

The legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres over three quarters of the breadth is*

1 mm

1.6 mm

2.5 mm

4 mm

Show hint

Tyres must have sufficient depth of tread to give them a good grip on the road surface. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm. This depth should be across the central three quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

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

Show hint

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 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

Show hint

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.

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

Show hint

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.

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

Show hint

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.

When may you drive a motor car in this bus lane?*

Outside its hours of operation

To get to the front of a traffic queue

You may not use it at any time

To overtake slow-moving traffic

Show hint

Some bus lanes only operate during peak hours and other vehicles may use them outside these hours. Make sure you check the sign for the hours of operation before driving in a bus lane.

When are you allowed to use hazard warning lights?*

When stopped and temporarily obstructing traffic

When travelling during darkness without headlights

When parked for shopping on double yellow lines

When travelling slowly because you are lost

Show hint

Before driving anyone else’s motor vehicle you should make sure that*

the vehicle owner has third party insurance cover

your own vehicle has insurance cover

the vehicle is insured for your use

the owner has left the insurance documents in the vehicle

Show hint

Driving a vehicle without insurance cover is illegal. If you cause injury to anyone or damage to property, it could be very expensive and you could also be subject to a criminal prosecution. You can arrange insurance cover with, an insurance company, a broker and some motor manufacturers or dealers.

You are at a junction controlled by traffic lights. When should you NOT proceed at green?*

When pedestrians are waiting to cross

When your exit from the junction is blocked

When you think the lights may be about to change

When you intend to turn right

Show hint

As you approach the lights look into the road you wish to take. Only proceed if your exit road is clear. If the road is blocked hold back, even if you have to wait for the next green signal.

You are travelling on a motorway. Unless signs show a lower speed limit you must NOT exceed*

50 mph

60 mph

70 mph

80 mph

Show hint

The national speed limit for a car or motorcycle on the motorway is 70 mph. Lower speed limits may be in force, for example at roadworks, so look out for the signs. Variable speed limits operate in some areas to control very busy stretches of motorway. The speed limit may change depending on the volume of traffic.

Why are place names painted on the road surface?*

To restrict the flow of traffic

To warn you of oncoming traffic

To enable you to change lanes early

To prevent you changing lanes

Show hint

The names of towns and cities may be painted on the road at busy junctions and complex road systems. Their purpose is to let you move into the correct lane in good time, allowing traffic to flow more freely.

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