Highway Code - General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders

Question 1

What 4 steps should you follow when giving a signal? (rule 103)

Answer 1

• Give signals in plenty of time, as long as they are not misleading.
• Use signals to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off.
• Cancel them after use
• Use your arm to signal if necessary.

Question 2

What two things should you keep in mind when other drivers signal? (rule 104)

Answer 2

• Watch out for signals given by other road users and proceed only when you are satisfied that it is safe.
• Be aware that an indicator on another vehicle may not have been cancelled.

Question 3

From whom MUST you obey signals given? (Rule 105)

Answer 3

From police officers, traffic wardens, traffic officers, and signs used by school crossing patrols.

Question 4

How will a police officer stop your vehicle? (Rule 106)

Answer 4

• Flashing blue lights, headlights or sounding their siren or horn, usually from behind
• Directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

Question 5

What should you do when an officer wants you to stop your vehicle? (Rule 106)

Answer 5

• Pull over and stop as soon as it is suitable/safe to do so.
• Switch off your engine.

Question 6

How will Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers, who have the power to stop vehicles, all you to stop your vehicle? (Rule 107)

Answer 6

Flashing their lights, either:
- From behind, directing you to pull over by indicating left or pointing.
- From the front, requesting you to follow them to a safe place.

Question 7

Where do traffic officers have the power to stop vehicles? (Rule 108)

Answer 7

On most motorways and some class ‘A’ roads in England and Wales.

Question 8

How will traffic officers signal for you to stop your vehicle on safety grounds (e.g. an insecure load)?

Answer 8

• Flashing amber lights, usually from behind
• Directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

Question 9

Traffic light signals and traffic signs (Rule 109)

Answer 9

You must obey all traffic light signals and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary ones.

Question 10

When should you flash your headlines? (Rule 110)

Answer 10

Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

Question 11

What should you never assume about flashing headlights? (Rule 111)

Answer 11

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.

Question 12

When should you use your horn? (Rule 112)

Answer 12

Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence.
Or, when another motorist is posing a danger.

Question 13

When should you not use your horn? (Rule 112)

Answer 13

• When stationary on the road.
• When driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

Question 14

What is the exception to the rules when not to use your horn? (Rule 112)

Answer 14

When another driver is posing a danger.

Question 15

What are the three lighting requirements you must follow? (Rule 113)

Answer 15

• Ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
• Use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.
• Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced.

Question 16

When is ‘night’ defined? (Rule 113)

Answer 16

The period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

Question 17

What should you do in stationary traffic with regards to vehicle lighting? (Rule 114)

Answer 17

• Drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights.
• This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

Question 18

What must you never do with regards to lighting on your vehicle? (Rule 114)

Answer 18

• Use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse rider.
• Use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users.

Question 19

What should drivers do on the road, regarding dipped headlights? (Rule 115)

Answer 19

• Use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen.
• Keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to main beam if necessary, unless this would dazzle oncoming road users.
• Slow down, or stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights.

Question 20

When can/should you use hazards? (Rule 116)

Answer 20

• These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic.

Question 21

When should you not use hazards? (Rule 116)

Answer 21

• Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking.
• You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.

Question 22

How should you break in normal circumstances? (Rule 117)

Answer 22

The safest way to break is to do so early and lightly. Break more firmly as you begin to stop. Ease the pressure off just before the vehicle rests so as to not jerk.

Question 23

How should you break in an emergency? (Rule 118)

Answer 23

Break immediately, but try to avoid braking harshly to avoid locked wheels - this can lead to a loss of control.

Question 24

What is skidding caused by? (Rule 119)

Answer 24

Skidding is usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly or driving too fast for the road conditions.

Question 25

What should you do when skidding occurs? (Rule 119)

Answer 25

• Remove the cause by releasing the brake pedal fully or easing off the accelerator.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. For example, if the rear of the vehicle skids to the right, steer immediately to the right to recover.

Question 26

What should you do in case of emergency if your vehicle is fitted with Anti Lock Brakes? (Rule 120)

Answer 26

• Apply the footbrake firmly; do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed to the desired speed.
  -The ABS should ensure that steering control will be retained, but do not assume that a vehicle with ABS will stop in a shorter distance.

Question 27

What should you do if your brakes have been affected by water? (Rule 121)

Answer 27

• Test them at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal to make sure that they work.
• If they are not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly. This will help to dry them out.

Question 28

What is coasting? (Rule 122)

Answer 28

A vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down.

Question 29

What five ways can coasting reduce driver control? (Rule 122)

Answer 29

• Engine braking is eliminated
• Vehicle speed downhill will increase quickly
• Increased use of the footbrake can reduce its effectiveness
• Steering response will be affected, particularly on bends and corners
• It may be more difficult to select the appropriate gear when needed.

Question 30

What is the rule regarding cars and the environment? (Rule 123)

Answer 30

• You must never leave them unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.
• Generally, if the vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce emissions and noise pollution.

Question 31

When is it permissible to leave a car running in these conditions? (Rule 123)

Answer 31

If the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults.

Question 32

What speed limit do most roads with street lights follow in England and Wales? (Rule 124)

Answer 32

A speed limit of 30 mph or 20mph Wales, generally applies to all roads with street lights (excluding motorways) unless signs show otherwise.

Question 33

In what four conditions should you always reduce your speed? (Rule 125)

Answer 33

• When the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
• Sharing the road with pedestrians, particularly children, older adults or disabled people, cyclists and horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and motorcyclists
• When weather conditions make it safer to do so
• Driving at night as it is more difficult to see other road users.

Question 34

What three things should you do to ensure you are able to stop within a safe distance of vehicles in front of you? (Rule 126)

Answer 34

• Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances diagram)
• Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and up to ten times greater on icy roads
• Remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front

Question 35

How much room should you leave in front if driving through a tunnel and you need to stop? (Rule 126)

Answer 35

At least 5 metres

Question 36

What is tailgating and why is it dangerous? (Rule 126)

Answer 36

• Tailgating is where the gap between you and the vehicle in front is too small for you to be able to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes.
• Tailgating is dangerous, intimidating and can cause collisions, especially when driving at speed. Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front gives you time to react and stop if necessary.

Question 37

What does a broken white line mark on the road? (Rule 127)

Answer 37

The centre of the road.

Question 38

What does it means when a broken white line marking the centre of the road lengthens and the gaps shorten? (Rule 127)

Answer 38

It means that there is a hazard ahead.
Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear and wish to overtake or turn off.

Question 39

What do double white lines where the line nearer to you is broken mean? (Rule 128)

Answer 39

you may cross the lines to overtake if it is safe, provided you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side.

Question 40

What do the white direction arrows mean AFTER a line nearer to you is broken? (Rule 128)

Answer 40

White direction arrows on the road indicate that you need to get back onto your side of the road.

Question 41

What do double white lines where the line nearer to you is solid mean? (Rule 128)

Answer 41

Double white lines where the line nearer to you is solid.

Question 42

What does a solid white line closest to you mean? (Rule 129)

Answer 42

You MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road.
You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

Question 43

What do areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road do? (Rule 130)

Answer 43

They separate traffic lanes or protect traffic turning right.

Question 44

When should you not enter areas of white diagonal stripes to chevrons painted on the road (Rule 130)

Answer 44

• If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
• If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.

Question 45

What do lane dividers look like and how should you use them? (Rule 131)

Answer 45

These are short, broken white lines which are used on wide carriageways to divide them into lanes.
You should keep between them.

Question 46

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines. What do WHITE studs mark? (Rule 132)

Answer 46

They mark lanes or the middle of the road.

Question 47

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines. What do RED studs mark? (Rule 132)

Answer 47

They mark the left edge of the road.

Question 48

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines. What do AMBER studs mark? (Rule 132)

Answer 48

The central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway.

Question 49

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines. What do GREEN studs mark? (Rule 132)

Answer 49

The edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads.

Question 50

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines. What do GREEN/YELLOW studs indicate? (Rule 132)

Answer 50

Temporary adjustments to lane layouts, e.g. where road works are taking place.

Question 51

What should you do when you need to change lanes? (Rule 133)

Answer 51

• First use your mirrors and if necessary take a quick sideways glance to make sure you will not force another road user to change course or speed.
• When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear, move over.