Alertness

Question 0

What should you do before you move off?

Answer 0

Use your mirrors to check how your actions will affect traffic behind you.
Look around for a final check, including checking blind spots around your car.
Signal, if necessary.

Question 1

It’s important to be aware of what’s happening around you while driving, including what?

Answer 1

Other road users
Pedestrians
Signs and road markings
Weather conditions
The area you're driving

Question 3

What should you do if you can’t see behind you when reversing?

Answer 3

Ask someone to guide you to make sure you reverse safely.

Question 4

What should you do if your view is blocked by parked cars when coming out of a junction?

Answer 4

Move forward slowly and carefully until you have a clear view.

Question 5

Observation is particularly important when you’re overtaking another vehicle. You need to make sure you can see the road ahead clearly, looking out for what?

Answer 5

Vehicles coming towards you.
Whether you’re near a junction - vehicles could come out of the junction while you’re overtaking.
Whether the road gets narrower - there may not be enough space for you to overtake.
Bends or dips in the road, which will make it difficult for you to see traffic coming towards you.
Road signs that mean you MUST NOT overtake.

Question 6

What must you check before overtaking?

Answer 6

That it’s safe, legal and necessary.

You have enough time to complete the overtaking manoeuvre.

Question 7

When it gets dark should you switch your lights on even if the street lights aren’t on?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Where you can’t be seen, such as at a hump bridge what may you need to use?

Answer 8

Your horn

Question 9

Why must you stay well back when following a large vehicle?

Answer 9

It will help the driver to see you in their mirrors.
Staying back will also help you see the road ahead much more clearly. This is especially important if you’re planning to overtake the vehicle.

Question 10

What can anticipation help you to avoid? Give an example.

Answer 10

Anticipation can help you to avoid problems and incidents so that you can drive more safely.
For example, a ‘give way’ sign warns you that a junction is ahead, so you can slow down in good time.

Question 11

Road signs and markings give you information about hazards. You should…

Answer 11

Follow their advice

Slow down if necessary

Question 12

What do circular signs do?

Answer 12

Give orders

Question 13

What do triangular signs do?

Answer 13

Give warnings

Question 14

What do rectangular signs do?

Answer 14

Give information

Question 15

When turning right onto a dual carriageway what must you check and why?

Answer 15

That the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to spot in, especially if you’re towing a trailer.
Do this in case you have to wait before joining the traffic.

Question 16

When turning right onto a dual carriage way what must you do if there’s not enough space for your vehicle?

Answer 16

Only emerge when it’s clear both to the right and left.

Question 17

Define dual carriageway.

Answer 17

A road that has a central reservation to separate the carriageway.

Question 18

Define central reservation.

Answer 18

An area of land that separates opposing lanes of traffic.

Question 19

If you’re approaching traffic lights that have been green for some time, what must you do and why?

Answer 19

Prepare to stop because they may change.

Question 20

Road conditions will affect how easy it is to anticipate what might happen. When is it more difficult?

Answer 20

When the weather is very wet or windy.
When the light is poor.
When the traffic volume is heavy.
When the route you’re driving is new to you.

Question 21

Be aware of more vulnerable road users. What must you watch out for?

Answer 21

Pedestrians approaching a crossing, especially young, older of disabled people who may need more time to cross the road.
Cyclists - always pass slowly and leave plenty of room especially if the cyclist is young and may have little experience of dealing with traffic.
Motorcyclists, who may be difficult to see.
Horses, which may be startled by the noise of your vehicle - pass them slowly and leave plenty of room.

Question 22

Why must you always plan your journey?

Answer 22

So that you know which route you need to take.

So that you have regular rest stops.

Question 23

You won’t be able to concentrate properly if you’re tired. It’s particularly easy to feel sleeping when driving on a motorway, especially at night. What must you do?

Answer 23

Don’t drive continuously for more than two hours.
Keep fresh air circulating in the car.
If you start to feel drowsy, leave at the next exit. Find a safe and legal place to stop and take a break.

Question 24

What devices such as phones, music players and navigation systems do when driving a car?

Answer 24

Divide your concentration between the road ahead and what you’re hearing.

Question 25

How far does your vehicle travel in one second when driving at 60mph?

Answer 25

27 metres.

Question 26

In order to be safe, what should you do with your phone before driving?

Answer 26

Turn it off or put it on voicemail.

Question 27

You must wait until you’re parked legally in a safe place before you use your mobile phone to do what?

Answer 27

Retrieve any messages.
Make any calls.
Send or receive texts.
Go online.

Question 28

You could be distracted by something that has happened on the road, such as an incident on the other side of a motorway. What must you not do and what must you do instead?

Answer 28

Don’t slow down or try to see what’s happening; continue with your journey and keep your concentration on your driving.

Question 29

What does the National Driving Standard do?

Answer 29

Set out the skills, knowledge and understanding that DSA believes are required to be a safe and responsible driver.

Question 30

In order to be a safe and responsible driver you must be able to decide if you’re fit to drive. What must you not be in order to be fit to drive?

Answer 30

Too tired.
Too ill.
Too emotional.
Under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Question 31

In order to meet the standards for alertness, what must you be able to do?

Answer 31

Manage your passengers so that they don’t stop you driving safely.
Be aware of what’s around you (nearby or far) at all times.
Drive at such a speed that you can always stop in the clear space ahead of you.

Question 32

In order to meet the standards for alertness, what must you know and understand?

Answer 32

How a poor seating position and bad posture can make you tired.
How to deal with passengers if they make it hard for you to concentrate on the road.
That some cars have large pillars that block you view, and how to deal with this.
How to read the road ahead and be prepared for the unexpected.