Topic
Alertness
Last reviewed against gov.uk on
Alertness covers everything that keeps a driver in tune with what is happening around the vehicle — using mirrors before signals and manoeuvres, judging hazards before they unfold, recognising fatigue, and resisting distractions like phones and in-car tech.
What’s tested
- Effective use of mirrors — what they show and when to check them
- The mirrors-signal-manoeuvre (MSM) routine
- The “lifesaver” shoulder check before changing direction
- Recognising and responding to fatigue on long or familiar routes
- Avoiding distractions: handheld phones, eating, conversations
Key Highway Code rules
Practise real DVSA revision questions
Work through 20 real DVSA car revision questions, each with the correct answer and a full explanation — then get the full bank for every topic in the app, free to get started.
Common mistakes
- Only checking mirrors when changing lanes — scanning should be constant
- Underestimating tiredness on motorways or familiar routes
- Using a handheld phone for navigation (illegal — and a points-and-fine offence)
- Skipping the final shoulder check before pulling out from the kerb
Keep going
All 14 topics
- Attitude Considerate driving: patience, following distance, behaviour at crossings and roundabouts.
- Safety and your vehicle Roadworthiness: brakes, tyres, lights, fluids, warning lights and securing the car.
- Safety margins Stopping distances, weather, road surface, and the space you need to react safely.
- Hazard awareness Anticipating risk: spotting clues, planning ahead, reading other road users’ behaviour.
- Vulnerable road users Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders, children, older and disabled people.
- Other types of vehicle Sharing the road with lorries, buses, motorcycles, trams and emergency vehicles.
- Vehicle handling Driving in rain, fog, snow, dark and strong wind — how conditions change the car.
- Motorway rules Joining, lane discipline, speed, breakdowns and smart-motorway running lanes.
- Rules of the road Speed limits, junctions, roundabouts, parking, level crossings and one-way streets.
- Road and traffic signs The visual language of UK roads — shape, colour and meaning of every sign and signal.
- Documents Licence, insurance, MOT, V5C log book and SORN — the paperwork to be legally on the road.
- Incidents, accidents and emergencies First aid, CPR, AED, RTC procedure, breakdowns and tunnel safety.
- Vehicle loading Carrying passengers, luggage, roof loads and towing — and how each changes the car.