Alertness

Question 1

In which of these situations would you avoid overtaking?

Answer 1

Before overtaking you need to ask yourself whether you really need to overtake, whether the situation is safe, and whether it is legal. Only overtake where you have a clear view of the road both ahead and to the sides. If in doubt don’t overtake.

Question 2

If you cannot see clearly behind your vehicle before or during a reversing manoeuvre what action should you take?

Answer 2

Ask someone to help you.

You will often have to reverse; this might be because you want to turn your car around, you could be entering or leaving a car parking space, backing into a garage or any number of other situations. When reversing it’s essential to know what’s behind, if you can’t see clearly you run the risk of reversing into a ditch, hitting a low wall or concrete post or worse than any of these, hitting a pedestrian or a cyclist. Children can be particularly difficult to see behind the car.

Question 3

Why is it important to use your mirror when you see a hazard ahead?

Answer 3

To assess how your actions will affect following traffic

Question 4

Which things are likely to distract a driver?

Answer 4

Mobile phone, even hands free
Getting lost
Using the demisters 
Operating the radio or CD player 
Listening to loud music or headphones
Using iPods or mp3s
Eating- Smoking- Drinking
Operating the air condition
Passengers
Looking at maps or satnavs

Question 5

Which things should you do when moving off from behind a parked car?

Answer 5

Check the road
Check mirrors
Check blind spot
Give a signal if necessary

Question 6

When turning right onto a dual-carriageway from a side road at a T-junction, you must check to make sure that

Answer 6

The central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to wait in

Question 7

Before stopping, at the side of the road or in a traffic queue, your first action should always be

Answer 7

To check your mirrors

Question 8

If your mobile phone rings when you are driving, you should

Answer 8

Pull up in a suitable place to answer the call

Question 9

When turning right onto a dual-carriageway from a side road at a T-junction, you must check to make sure that

Answer 9

The central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to wait in

Question 10

How can you avoid being distracted from the road when using a satellite navigation system?

Answer 10

Only input your destination and other information when parked safely

Question 11

You are driving on a late winter afternoon and it is approaching dusk - you should…why?

Answer 11

Switch your lights on when the daylight fades even if the street-lights are not So other drives can see you. And Whenever necessary to help other drivers to see you

Question 12

If you feel sleepy during a long motorway journey you should

Answer 12

Leave the motorway as soon as possible and find a safe place to park

Question 13

When approaching a set of traffic lights that have been green for some time, you should

Answer 13

Be prepared to stop

Question 14

As a driver what do you understand the term ‘blind-spot’ to mean?

Answer 14

Area not covered by the mirrors

Question 15

If you have to stop in an emergency on a wet road you should

Answer 15

Keep both of your hands on the steering wheel

Question 16

Why is it important to use your mirror when you see a hazard ahead?

Answer 16

To assess how your actions will affect following traffic

Question 17

The pillars at the side of your windscreen can obstruct your view, you need to be aware of this at all times but you should take particular care

Answer 17

At junctions

Question 18

Before making a U-turn you should

Answer 18

Look over your shoulder for a final safety check

Question 19

When following a large vehicle, for example a bus or a lorry, it’s good driving practice to keep well back. One reason for doing this is

Answer 19

It helps the driver of the large vehicle to see you more easily

Question 20

If you get lost while driving the best thing to do is

Answer 20

Stop your car and switch on your sat-nav or look at a map

Question 21

Windscreen pillars can restrict your view - when you are waiting to emerge from a junction this can make it particularly difficult to see

Answer 21

Cyclists

Question 22

When waiting behind the give way lines to turn right at a T-junction your view is blocked by parked vehicles. Should you

Answer 22

Move forwards very slowly and carefully to improve your view

Question 23

Information regarding the off-the-shelf medication should be checked in order to find out

Answer 23

Whether the medication causes drowsiness

Question 24

using his dipped headlights so that

Answer 24

It’s easier for others to see you

Question 25

A boring journey affects in the following way

Answer 25

It makes you drowsy

Question 26

What should you do to relieve drowsiness?

Answer 26

Stop in a motorway service area, drink a caffeinated drink and rest

Question 27

What could you do to help stay alert in the short term?

Answer 27

Open a window

Question 28

What are the good qualities of a good driver?

Answer 28

Responsibility, concentration, anticipation, patience and confidence.

Question 29

As a driver you are responsible for

Answer 29

Yourself, your passengers, other road users such as cyclists, motorbikes, people in charge of animals, children, elderly and disabled people.

Question 30

Poor concentration - Avoid driving when you are

Answer 30

Feeling unwell, upset, annoyed, angry, stressed or absent minded.

Question 31

Concentration is helped by having

Answer 31

Good vision, hearing, good health and self discipline.

Question 32

What’s the rules about mobile phones

Answer 32

You must not use a hand held mobile phone or other similar devices when driving.

Even hands free phone will divert your attention so try not to use them either.

Find a safe place to stop before making a call and make regular stops to retrieve voice messages.

Question 33

What can obstruct the view in a car?

Answer 33

Non essential stickers on the windows
Hanging objects like dice, dolls etc
The pillars at the side of your windscreen

Question 34

What anticipation while driving means?

Answer 34

Planning well ahead 
Acting promptly to the changes around
Avoid being taken by surprise
Prevent hazards developing
Take early actions to hazards

Question 35

Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk you should…

Answer 35

make sure you are fit to drive.

Do not begin a journey if you are tired.

Get a good night’s sleep before embarking on a long journey

avoid long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum

plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended

if you feel at all sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway

the most effective ways to counter sleepiness are to drink, for example, two cups of caffeinated coffee and to take a short nap (at least 15 minutes)

Question 36

What to do if there are any changes with your health likely to affect your driving?

Answer 36

You MUST report to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) any health condition likely to affect your driving. You MUST be fit to drive.

Question 37

What to do when dazzled by sunlight?

Answer 37

Slow down, and if necessary stop.

Question 38

What should you do when following a large vehicle?

Answer 38

Stay well back so the driver can see you in their mirror and help see the road ahead more clearly especially if overtaking. If you can’t see a large vehicles mirrors, they can’t see you.