Highway code - Rules for drivers and motorcyclists

Question 1

Who bears (what kind of vehicle) the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others? (Rule H1)

Answer 1

• But those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision.
• Usually, drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles.

Question 2

When MUST you give way to pedestrians crossing? (Rule H2)

Answer 2

• You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
• Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at light controlled crossings when they have a green signal.
• You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross at these places.

Question 3

When should you give priority to a pedestrian at a junction? (Rule H2)

Answer 3

When they are crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

Question 4

Rule about cutting across cyclists/horses? (Rule H3)

Answer 4

• You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane (just as you would not turn across the path of another motor vehicle).
• Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.

Question 5

What is the vehicle condition rule? (Rule 89)

Answer 5

• You MUST ensure your vehicle and trailer comply with the full requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations and Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations.

Question 6

What four steps can you follow to minimise the risk of tiredness related accidents (Rule 91)

Answer 6

• Do not begin a journey if you are tired. Get sufficient sleep before embarking on a long journey.
• Avoid undertaking 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 sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop in an emergency area or on a hard shoulder of a motorway.

Question 7

What is the vision requirement? (rule 92)

Answer 7

• You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres where the old style number plate is used).
• If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you MUST wear them at all times while driving.

Question 8

What is the rule on bright sunlight and if it obscures your vision? (Rule 93)

Answer 8

Slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by bright sunlight.

Question 9

What shouldn’t you wear at night/ in low visibility? (Rule 94)

Answer 9

At night or in poor visibility, do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict your vision.

Question 10

What is the legal limit of breath alcohol (UK, Rule 95)

Answer 10

35 microgrammes/100 millilitres of breath

Question 11

What is the legal limit of blood alcohol? (UK, Rule 95)

Answer 11

80 milligrammes/100 millilitres of blood.

Question 12

What are the four reasons given on the highway code to not drink and drive? (Rule 95)

Answer 12

-Give a false sense of confidence
- Reduce co-ordination and slow down reactions
affect judgement of speed, distance and risk
- Reduce your driving ability, even if you’re below the legal limit
- Take time to leave your body; you may be unfit to drive in the evening after drinking at lunchtime, or in the morning after drinking the previous evening.

Question 13

What are the rules on drugs and medicine and driving? (Rule 96)

Answer 13

• You must not drive under the influence of drugs.
• Check with your doctor/ pharmacist with medicines, and do not drive with it in your system if it can impair driving.
• Illegal drugs have been specified at very low levels so even small amounts of use could be above the specified limits.

Question 14

When can you appeal the presence of medicine in your system when driving? (Rule 96)

Answer 14

If you are found to have a concentration of a drug above its specified limit in your blood because you have been prescribed or legitimately supplied a particularly high dose of medicine, then you can raise a statutory medical defence, provided your driving was not impaired by the medicine you are taking.

Question 15

What two steps MUST you ensure before setting off to drive? (Rule 97)

Answer 15

• You have a valid licence and insurance to drive the vehicle you intend to use.
• Your vehicle is legal and roadworthy.

Question 16

What six steps SHOULD you ensure before setting off to drive? (Rule 97)

Answer 16

• Planned your route, allowed sufficient time for breaks and possible delays.
• You have sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving
• You know where all the controls are and how to use them
• Clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner
• Your mirrors and seat are adjusted correctly to ensure comfort, full control and maximum vision.
• Head restraints are properly adjusted to reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries in the event of a collision.

Question 17

What is recommended to have in case of emergency while driving? (Rule 97)

Answer 17

• A mobile device
• High visibility clothing.

Question 18

What 8 things MUST you ensure before towing? (Rule 98)

Answer 18

• You MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits.
• You MUST ensure that both your vehicle and your trailer are in a roadworthy condition. This includes checking that all tyres are legal, the trailer braking system is in full working order and all trailer lights are working correctly.
• You MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer.
• You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
• You should distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer evenly with heavy items over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. The manufacturer’s recommended weight and tow ball load should not be exceeded. This should minimise the possibility of swerving or snaking and loss of control.
• You MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously. Make sure any heavy or sharp objects and any animals are secured safely. If there is a collision, they might hit someone inside the vehicle and cause serious injury.
• If your vehicle is narrower than your trailer or load, or your trailer or load obstructs your rearward view, then towing mirrors MUST be used
• Your trailer MUST be fitted with a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain
• Carrying a load or pulling a trailer may require you to adjust your headlights.

Question 19

What four things should you be aware of and implement while towing and driving? (Rule 98)

Answer 19

• You should be aware that reduced speed limits apply (see Rule 124)
• You should be aware that your stopping distance may increase significantly when towing (see Rule 126)
• You MUST NOT drive in the right-hand lane on motorways with three or more lanes (see Rule 265)
• If the trailer starts to swerve or snake, or you lose control, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control. Do not brake harshly.

Question 20

At what age is a child responsible for wearing their seatbelt? (Rule 99)

Answer 20

Aged 14 and over. Under this age, the driver is responsible.

Question 21

What height and under must a child use a child seat in a vehicle (Rule 100)?

Answer 21

Under 1.35m

Question 22

In what type of seat should you NEVER fit a rear-facing baby seat? (Rule 101)

Answer 22

A seat protected by an active frontal airbag, as in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.

Question 23

What five things SHOULD a driver ensure when carrying children in their vehicle? (Rule 102)

Answer 23

• Children should get in the vehicle through the door closest to the curb.
• Child restraints are properly fitted.
• Children do not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback, unless a special child seat has been fitted.
• The child safety door locks, where fitted, are used when children are in the vehicle.
• Children are kept under control.