Theory test paper

Test your theory knowledge and have a go at this theory test paper. Good luck!!!


1. Driving past a row of parked vehicles, what should you look out for?

Drivers moving off without looking
Car doors opening
Pedestrians walking out from between them
All the above
2. How old must you be to supervise a learner driver?

18 years old
19 years old
20 years old
21 years old
3. What type of emergency vehicle is fitted with a green flashing beacon?

Fire engine
Road gritter
Ambulance
Doctor's car
4. A long heavy-laden lorry is taking a long time to overtake you. What should you do?

Speed up
Slow down
Hold your speed
Change direction
5. You notice horse riders in front. What should you do?

Pull out to the middle of the road
Be prepared to slow down
Accelerate around them
Signal right
6. You are turning right on to a dual carriageway. What should you do before emerging:

Stop, apply the handbrake and then select a low gear
Position your vehicle well to the left of the side road
Check that the central reservation is deep enough for your vehicle
Make sure that you leave enough room for a following vehicle
7. Where would you expect to see these markers?



On a motorway sign
At the entrance to a narrow bridge
On a large goods vehicle
On a builders skip placed on the road
8. Coasting the vehicle:

Improves the driver's control
Makes steering easier
Reduces the driver's control
Uses more fuel
9. What should you use the hard shoulder of a motorway for?

Stopping in an emergency
Leaving the motorway
Stopping when you are tired
Joining the motorway
10. When driving on a three-lane motorway you may:

Always overtake on the left if you are within one mile of your exit
Not overtake on the left at any time
Overtake on the left, if traffic on the right of you is in slow moving traffic
Overtake stationary traffic by driving along the hard-shoulder
11. There are flashing amber lights under a school warning sign. What action should you take?

Reduce speed until you are clear of the area
Keep up your speed and sound the horn
Increase your speed to clear the area quickly
Wait at the lights until they change to green
12. You are driving in slow-moving queues of traffic. Just before changing lane you should?

Sound the horn
Change down to first gear
Give an arm signal
Look for motorcyclists filtering through
13. You are driving in town. There is a bus at a bus stop on the other side of the road. Why should you be careful?

The bus may have broken down
Pedestrians may come from behind the bus
The bus may move off suddenly
The bus may remain stationary
14. A cover note is a document issued before you receive your:

Driving licence
Insurance certificate
Registration document
MOT certificate
15. You are approaching a red traffic light. The signal will change from red to:

Red and amber, then green
Green, then amber
Amber, then green
Green and amber, then green
16. Why is coasting wrong?

It will cause the car to skid
It will make the engine stall
The engine will run faster
There is no engine braking
17. What is the safest way to use a mobile phone in your vehicle?

Use hands free equipment
Find a suitable place to stop
Drive slowly on a quiet road
Direct your call through the operator
18. When following a large vehicle you should keep well back because:

It allows you to corner more quickly
It helps the large vehicle to stop more easily
It allows the driver to see you in the mirrors
It helps you to keep out of the wind
19. The MAIN benefit of having four-wheel drive is to improve?

Road holding
Fuel consumption
Stopping distance
Passenger comfort
20. You are on a road which has speed humps. A driver in front is travelling slower than you. You should?

Sound your horn
Overtake as soon as you can
Flash your headlights
Slow down and stay behind
21. You need to top up your battery. What level should you fill to?

The top of the battery
Half-way up the battery
Just above the cell plates
Just below the cell plates
22. You are waiting to emerge from a junction. A vehicle is approaching quickly from your right with its left indicator flashing. What should you do?

Apply the handbrake, select neutral and wait
Make sure the vehicle is turning left before proceeding
Assume the vehicle is turning left and proceed
Edge forward to improve your view, be prepared to stop
23. When going through a contra-flow system on a motorway you should?

Ensure that you do not exceed 30mph
Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead
Switch lanes to keep the traffic flowing
Stay close to the vehicle ahead to reduce queues
24. How long is an MOT valid for?

1 year after the date of issue
3 years after the date of issue
50,000 miles
100,000 miles
25. Your vehicle pulls to one side when you brake. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

Incorrect tyre pressure
Your handbrake is still on
Low brake fluid level
Poorly adjusted brakes
26. 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
27. Using a hands free phone is likely to?

Improve your safety
Increase your concentration
Reduce your view
Divert your attention
28. Your vehicle has broken down on a motorway. You are not able to stop on the hard shoulder. What should you do?

Switch on your hazard warning lights
Stop following traffic and ask for help
Attempt to repair your vehicle quickly
Stand behind your vehicle to warn others
29. When should you use your hazard lights?

When you park near to a junction
When you need to park on the pavement
When you have broken down
When you wish to stop on double yellow lines
30. Motor cars must have an MOT test certificate when they are:

One year old
Three years old
Five years old
Seven years old
31. Why are mirrors slightly curved (convex)?

They give a wider field of vision
They totally cover blindspots
They make it easier to judge the speed of following vehicles
They make following traffic look bigger
32. You are leaving your vehicle parked on a road. When may you leave the engine running?

If you will be parking for less than five minutes
If the battery is flat
When in a 20mph zone
Never on any occasion
33. What is the national speed limit on motorways for cars and motorcycles?

30 mph
50 mph
60 mph
70 mph
34. In which situation should you expect other vehicles to overtake you on either side:

On a one-way street
On a dual carriageway
Where there is a single broken yellow line
On a zig-zag line on a zebra crossing
35. The cost of your insurance may be reduced if?

Your car is large and powerful
You are using the car for work purposes
You have penalty points on your licence
You are over 25 years old
36. Red routes in major cities have been introduced to?

Raise speed limits
Help the traffic flow
Provide better parking
Allow lorries to load more freely
37. Your overall stopping distance will be much longer when driving:

In the rain
In fog
At night
In strong winds
38. What does this sign mean?



New speed limit 20mph
No vehicles over 30 tonnes
Minimum speed light is 30mph
End of 20mph zone
39. If you position early and maintain a steady course when passing parked vehicles, a signal is normally:

Only necessary if there is following traffic
Not necessary
Must always be given
Only necessary if there is opposing traffic
40. You have just been overtaken by a motorcyclist who has cut in sharply . You should:

Sound your horn
Brake firmly
Keep a safe gap
Flash your lights
41. Which of the following should you do before stopping?

Sound the horn
Use the mirrors
Select a higher gear
Flash your headlights
42. What MUST you have to park in a disabled space?

An orange or blue badge
A wheelchair
An advanced driver certificate
A modified vehicle
43. Before starting a turn in the road, you should:

Look round for one final check
Signal to the right
Use an arm signal
Warn pedestrians if necessary with a slight tap of your horn
44. Why should you make sure that your indicators are cancelled after turning?

To avoid flattening the battery
To avoid misleading other road users
To avoid dazzling other road users
To avoid damage to the indicator delay
45. You are following other vehicles in fog with your lights on. How else can you reduce the chances of being involved in an accident?

Keep close to the vehicle in front
Use your main beam instead of your dipped headlights
Keep together with the faster vehicles
Reduce your speed and increase the gap
46. When you first pass your driving test how long is the probation period, where you go back to learner status, if you obtain six or more penalty points?

6 months
1 year
2 years
3 years
47. If you are feeling tired it is best to stop as soon as you can. Until then you should:

Increase your speed to find a stopping place quickly
Ensure a supply of fresh air
Gently tap the steering wheel
Keep changing speed to improve concentration
48. Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?

The larger vehicle
No one has priority
The faster vehicle
The smaller vehicle
49. You are driving on a motorway. The traffic ahead is braking sharply because of an accident. How could you warn following traffic?

Briefly use the hazard warning lights
Switch on your hazard warning lights continuously
Briefly use the rear fog lights
Switch on the headlamps continuously
50. Why could keeping the clutch down or selecting neutral for long periods of time be dangerous?

Fuel spillage will occur
Engine damage may be caused
You will have less steering and braking control
It will wear tyres out more quickly