Other types of vehicle test (with hints)

Why is it more difficult to overtake a large vehicle than a car?*

It takes longer to pass one

They may suddenly pull up

Their brakes are not as good

They climb hills more slowly

Depending on relevant speed, it will usually take you longer to pass a lorry than other vehicles. Some hazards to watch for include oncoming traffic, junctions ahead, bends or dips which could restrict your view, and signs or road markings that prohibit overtaking. Make sure you can see that it’s safe to complete the manoeuvre before you start to overtake.

When you approach a bus signalling to move off from a bus stop you should*

get past before it moves

allow it to pull away, if it is safe to do so

flash your headlights as you approach

signal left and wave the bus on

Try to give way to buses if you can do so safely, especially when they signal to pull away from bus stops. Look out for people who’ve stepped off the bus or are running to catch it, and may try to cross the road without looking. Don’t try to accelerate past before it moves away or flash your lights as other road users may be misled by this signal.

You're driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to be seen. You should use your*

full beam headlights

sidelights only

rear fog lights if visibility is more than 100 metres (328 feet)

dipped headlights

You must ensure that you can be seen by others on the road, but you don't want to dazzle them. Use your dipped headlights during the day if the visibility is bad. If appropriate, use your rear fog lights but don’t forget to turn them off when the visibility improves.

In front of you is a class 3 powered vehicle (powered wheelchair) driven by a disabled person. These vehicles have a maximum speed of*

8 mph (12 km/h)

18 mph (29 km/h)

28 mph (45 km/h)

38 mph (61 km/h)

These vehicles are battery powered and very vulnerable due to their slow speed, small size and low height. Some are designed for pavement and road use and have a maximum speed of 8 mph (12 km/h). Others are for pavement use only and are restricted to 4 mph (6 km/h). Take extra care and be patient if you are following one. Allow plenty of room when overtaking and do not go past unless you can do so safely.

You are following a large articulated vehicle. It is going to turn left into a narrow road. What action should you take?*

Move out and overtake on the right

Pass on the left as the vehicle moves out

Be prepared to stop behind

Overtake quickly before the lorry moves out

Lorries are larger and longer than other vehicles and this can affect their position when approaching junctions. When turning left they may move out to the right so that they don’t cut in and mount the kerb with the rear wheels.

Which of these is LEAST likely to be affected by crosswinds?*

Cyclists

Motorcyclists

High-sided vehicles

Cars

Although cars are the least likely to be affected, crosswinds can take anyone by surprise. This is most likely to happen, after overtaking a large vehicle, when passing gaps between hedges or buildings, and on exposed sections of road.

Powered vehicles, such as wheelchairs or scooters, used by disabled people have a maximum speed of*

8 mph

12 mph

16 mph

20 mph

These are small battery powered vehicles and include wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Some are designed for use on the pavement only and have an upper speed limit of 4 mph (6 km/h). Others can go on the road as well and have a speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h). They are now very common and are generally used by the elderly, disabled or infirm. Take great care as they are extremely vulnerable because of their low speed and small size.

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.

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.

Before overtaking a large vehicle you should keep well back. Why is this?*

To give acceleration space to overtake quickly on blind bends

To get the best view of the road ahead

To leave a gap in case the vehicle stops and rolls back

To offer other drivers a safe gap if they want to overtake you

When following a large vehicle keep well back. If you’re too close you won’t be able to see the road ahead and the driver of the long vehicle might not be able to see you in their mirrors.

You are driving along this road. What should you be prepared to do?*

Sound your horn and continue

Slow down and give way

Report the driver to the police

Squeeze through the gap

Sometimes large vehicles may need more space than other road users. If a vehicle needs more time and space to turn be prepared to stop and wait.

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

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 wish to overtake a long, slow-moving vehicle on a busy road. You should*

follow it closely and keep moving out to see the road ahead

flash your headlights for the oncoming traffic to give way

stay behind until the driver waves you past

keep well back until you can see that it is clear

If you want to overtake a long vehicle, stay well back so that you can get a better view of the road ahead. The closer you get the less you will be able to see of the road ahead. Be patient, overtaking calls for sound judgement. DON’T take a gamble, only overtake when you are certain that you can complete the manoeuvre safely.

You keep well back while waiting to overtake a large vehicle. A car fills the gap. You should*

sound your horn

drop back further

flash your headlights

start to overtake

It’s very frustrating when your separation distance is shortened by another vehicle. React positively, stay calm and drop further back.

You are following a large lorry on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to see. You should*

drop back until you can see better

put your headlights on full beam

keep close to the lorry, away from the spray

speed up and overtake quickly

Large vehicles may throw up a lot of spray when the roads are wet. This will make it difficult for you to see ahead. Dropping back further will move you out of the spray and allow you to see further, and increase your separation distance. It takes longer to stop when the roads are wet and you need to allow more room. Don’t follow the vehicle in front too closely, or overtake unless you can see and are sure that the way ahead is clear.

You are following a long vehicle approaching a crossroads. The driver signals right but moves close to the left-hand kerb. What should you do?*

Warn the driver of the wrong signal

Wait behind the long vehicle

Report the driver to the police

Overtake on the right-hand side

When a long vehicle is going to turn right it may need to keep close to the left-hand kerb. This is to prevent the rear end of the trailer cutting the corner. You need to be aware of how long vehicles behave in such situations. Don’t overtake the lorry because it could turn as you’re alongside. Stay behind and wait for it to turn.

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

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.

You are approaching a mini-roundabout. The long vehicle in front is signalling left but positioned over to the right. You should*

sound your horn

overtake on the left

follow the same course as the lorry

keep well back

At mini-roundabouts there isn’t much room for a long vehicle to manoeuvre. It will have to swing out wide so that it can complete the turn safely. Keep well back and don’t try to move up alongside it.

As a driver why should you be more careful where trams operate?*

Because they do not have a horn

Because they do not stop for cars

Because they do not have lights

Because they cannot steer to avoid you

You should take extra care when you first encounter trams. You will have to get used to dealing with a different traffic system. Be aware that they can accelerate and travel very quickly and that they cannot change direction to avoid obstructions.

You are following a long vehicle. It approaches a crossroads and signals left, but moves out to the right. You should*

get closer in order to pass it quickly

stay well back and give it room

assume the signal is wrong and it is really turning right

overtake as it starts to slow down

A lorry may swing out to the right as it approaches a left turn. This is to allow the rear wheels to clear the kerb as it turns. Don’t try to filter through if you see a gap on the nearside.

You're driving in town. Ahead of you a bus is at a bus stop. Which of the following should you do?*

Flash your lights to warn the driver of your presence

Continue at the same speed but sound your horn as a warning

Watch carefully for the sudden appearance of pedestrians

Pass the bus as quickly as you possibly can

As you approach, look out for any signal the driver might make. If you pass the vehicle watch out for pedestrians attempting to cross the road from behind the bus. They will be hidden from view until the last moment.

You are towing a caravan. Which is the safest type of rear-view mirror to use?*

Interior wide-angle mirror

Extended-arm side mirrors

Ordinary door mirrors

Ordinary interior mirror

Towing a large trailer or caravan can greatly reduce your view of the road behind. You need to use the correct equipment to make sure you can see clearly behind and down both sides of the caravan or trailer.

You are following a large vehicle approaching crossroads. The driver signals to turn left. What should you do?*

Overtake if you can leave plenty of room

Overtake only if there are no oncoming vehicles

Do not overtake until the vehicle begins to turn.

Do not overtake when at or approaching a junction.

Hold back and wait until the vehicle has turned before proceeding. Do not overtake because the vehicle turning left could hide a vehicle emerging from the same junction.

What should you do as you approach this lorry?*

Slow down and be prepared to wait

Make the lorry wait for you

Flash your lights at the lorry

Move to the right-hand side of the road

When turning, long vehicles need much more room on the road than other vehicles. At junctions they may take up the whole of the road space, so be patient and allow them the room they need.

You are waiting to emerge left from a minor road. A large vehicle is approaching from the right. You have time to turn, but you should wait. Why?*

The large vehicle can easily hide an overtaking vehicle

The large vehicle can turn suddenly

The large vehicle is difficult to steer in a straight line

The large vehicle can easily hide vehicles from the left

Large vehicles can hide other vehicles that are overtaking, especially motorcycles which may be filtering past queuing traffic. You need to be aware of the possibility of hidden vehicles and not assume that it is safe to emerge.

It is a very windy day and you are about to overtake a cyclist. What should you do?*

Overtake very closely

Keep close as you pass

Sound your horn repeatedly

Allow extra room

Cyclists, and motorcyclists, are very vulnerable in crosswinds. They can easily be blown well off course and veer into your path. Always allow plenty of room when overtaking them. Passing too close could cause a draught and unbalance the rider.

It is very windy. You are about to overtake a motorcyclist. You should*

overtake slowly

allow extra room

sound your horn

keep close as you pass

Crosswinds can blow a motorcyclist or cyclist across the lane. Passing too close could also cause a draught, unbalancing the rider.

You are about to overtake a slow-moving motorcyclist. Which one of these signs would make you take special care?*

In windy weather, watch out for motorcyclists and also cyclists as they can be blown sideways into your path. When you pass them, leave plenty of room and check their position in your mirror before pulling back in.

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