Car theory test practice questions

You'll see this sign if the motorway is closed ahead. Pull into the left-hand lane as soon as it's safe to do so. Do not wait until the last moment before you move across, because the lane may be busy and you'll have to rely on another driver making room for you.

Look at the picture carefully and try to imagine you're there. The cyclist in this picture appears to be trying to cross the road. You must be able to deal with the unexpected, especially when you're approaching a hazardous junction. Look well ahead to give yourself time to deal with any hazards.

If you’re in a place where there are likely to be pedestrians (for example, outside a school, near a park, in a residential area or in a shopping area), you should be cautious and keep your speed down.

Many local authorities have taken steps to slow traffic down by creating traffic-calming measures such as road humps. They're there for a reason; slow down.

When following a cyclist, be aware that they have to deal with the hazards around them. They may wobble or swerve to avoid a pothole in the road or see a potential hazard and change direction suddenly. Do not follow them too closely or rev your engine impatiently.

Priority signs are normally shown where the road is narrow and there’s not enough room for two vehicles to pass. Examples are narrow bridges, roadworks and where there's a width restriction.

Make sure you know who has priority; do not force your way through. Show courtesy and consideration to other road users.

The usual two-second time gap increases to four seconds when the roads are wet. If you stay well back, you’ll

• be able to see past the vehicle

• be out of the spray thrown up by the lorry’s tyres

• give yourself more time to stop if the need arises

• increase your chances of being seen by the lorry driver.

Where emerging traffic has a very restricted view of the main road, you may find a 'stop' sign and a solid white stop line. You must stop at the line and then check carefully before you emerge.

This sign indicates that the road will bend sharply to the left. Slow down in plenty of time and select the correct gear before you start to turn. Braking hard and late, while also sharply changing direction, is likely to cause a skid.

Slow down as you approach the roundabout and check for traffic from the right. If you need to stop and give way, stay behind the broken line until it's safe to emerge onto the roundabout.

You may have to pull forward slowly until you can see up and down the road. Be aware that the traffic approaching the junction cannot see you either. If you do not know that it’s clear, do not go.

There might be an occasion where another driver uses an arm signal. This may be because the vehicle’s indicators are obscured by other traffic. In order for such signals to be effective, all drivers should know their meaning. Be aware that the ‘left turn’ signal might look similar to the ‘slowing down’ signal.

A bus or high-sided lorry will have to take a position in the centre of the road to clear the bridge. There's normally a sign to show this. Look well ahead, past the bridge and be ready to stop and give way to large oncoming vehicles.

Before you set out on your journey, use a road map to plan your route. When you see an advance warning of your junction, make sure you get into the correct lane in plenty of time. Last-minute harsh braking and cutting across lanes at speed is extremely hazardous.

Oncoming large vehicles may need to move to the middle of the road to pass safely under the bridge. There will not be enough room for you to continue, so you should be ready to stop and wait.

When traffic lights are out of order, treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be very careful and be prepared to stop; no-one has priority.

Buses which carry children to and from school may stop at places other than scheduled bus stops. Be aware that they might pull over at any time to allow children to get on or off. This will normally be when traffic is heavy during rush hour.

Areas of 'hatched markings' such as these separate traffic streams that could be a danger to each other. They're often seen on bends or where the road becomes narrow. If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you must not enter it except in an emergency.

On roads where there are many parked vehicles, you might not be able to see children between parked cars and they may run out into the road without looking.

At junctions controlled by traffic lights, you must stop behind the white line until the lights change to green. A red light, an amber light, and red and amber lights showing together all mean stop.

You may proceed when the light is green unless your exit road is blocked or pedestrians are crossing in front of you.

If you’re approaching traffic lights that are visible from a distance and the light has been green for some time, be ready to slow down and stop, because the lights are likely to change.

You should be slowing down and selecting the correct gear in case you have to stop at the level crossing. Look for the signals and be prepared to stop if necessary.