Most Difficult Questions Flashcards
You are turning right onto a dual carriageway. What should you do before emerging?*
1 Stop and apply the handbrake and then select a low gear.
2 Position your vehicle well to the left of the side road.
3 Check that the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle.
4 Make sure you leave enough room for a vehicle behind.
- Check that the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle.
When turning right onto a dual carriageway, it’s essential to ensure that the central reservation can safely accommodate your vehicle if you need to stop there before joining the traffic. This precaution is crucial to avoid being stranded in a position where part of your vehicle could obstruct oncoming traffic on either side of the carriageway.
The other options don’t directly address the safety requirements specific to joining a dual carriageway:
Option 1: Stopping and selecting a low gear is useful when preparing to move, but it’s not the main consideration in this scenario.
Option 2: Positioning to the left wouldn’t help when turning right.
Option 4: Ensuring space for a vehicle behind is generally good practice but not the most critical factor when joining a dual carriageway.
In which of these situations should you avoid overtaking?*
1 Just after a bend
2 In a one-way street
3 On a 30 mph road
4 Approaching a dip in the road
Approaching a dip in the road.
Overtaking when approaching a dip in the road is dangerous because it limits your view of oncoming traffic. Vehicles may be hidden from sight within the dip, making it difficult to judge whether it’s safe to overtake.
Here’s why the other options are less critical:
Just after a bend: It’s generally safe if visibility is clear, although caution is always advised.
In a one-way street: Overtaking is often permissible, as all traffic moves in the same direction.
On a 30 mph road: Overtaking is allowed if done safely and without exceeding the speed limit.
Key takeaway: Avoid overtaking in situations where visibility of oncoming traffic is reduced, such as dips, bends, and crests.
At a puffin crossing, which colour follows the green signal?*
1 Steady red
2 Flashing amber
3 Steady amber
4 Flashing green
Steady amber.
At a puffin crossing (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent crossing), the sequence after the green light is steady amber, followed by red. Unlike pelican crossings, puffin crossings do not have a flashing amber phase because sensors are used to detect when pedestrians have crossed, allowing the lights to change accordingly.
Here’s a breakdown of the sequence at a puffin crossing:
Green — for vehicles to proceed.
Steady amber — as a warning to prepare to stop.
Red — vehicles must stop, allowing pedestrians to cross.
You are waiting in a traffic queue at night. To avoid dazzling following drivers you should*
1 apply the handbrake only
2 apply the footbrake only
3 switch off your headlights
4 use both the handbrake and footbrake
- Apply the handbrake only.
When waiting in a traffic queue at night, using only the handbrake avoids dazzling drivers behind you with the bright brake lights. Keeping your foot on the brake pedal keeps the brake lights on, which can cause discomfort or distraction to drivers waiting behind.
Here’s why the other options are less suitable:
Applying the footbrake only: Keeps the brake lights on, causing glare for drivers behind.
Switching off your headlights: This reduces your visibility to other road users, especially oncoming traffic.
Using both the handbrake and footbrake: Again, this would keep the brake lights on, creating unnecessary glare.
Using the handbrake alone is the safest and most considerate choice in this situation.
Unbalanced wheels on a car may cause*
1 the steering to pull to one side
2 the steering to vibrate
3 the brakes to fail
4 the tyres to deflate
The steering to vibrate.
Unbalanced wheels can cause vibrations in the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds. This happens because the weight distribution is uneven, leading to a wobbling effect that is felt through the steering.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
The steering pulling to one side: This is more often caused by alignment issues, not wheel balance.
The brakes failing: Unbalanced wheels don’t directly affect the braking system.
The tyres deflating: Wheel imbalance doesn’t cause tyre deflation; this is typically due to punctures or leaks.
Key takeaway: If you notice vibrations in the steering, it’s a good idea to have your wheels balanced to ensure smooth handling and prevent additional wear on your tyres and suspension.
You are travelling at 50 mph on a good, dry road. What is your typical overall stopping distance?*
36 metres (118 feet)
53 metres (175 feet)
75 metres (245 feet)
96 metres (315 feet
2.
Stopping distances are affected by weather conditions and road surfaces. Here’s a general formula to estimate stopping distances in various conditions:
Basic Formula for Stopping Distance
The overall stopping distance is the sum of:
Thinking Distance: This is roughly 1 foot per mph of speed.
Braking Distance: This is speed-dependent and varies significantly with road conditions.
For a dry, good road:
StoppingDistance
=
ThinkingDistance
+
BrakingDistance
StoppingDistance=ThinkingDistance+BrakingDistance
Adjustments for Different Weather Conditions
1. Dry Conditions (Ideal)
Thinking Distance: 1 foot per mph
Braking Distance: Use standard values or multiply speed squared divided by 20
BrakingDistance(ft)= Speed(mph)/20
- Wet Conditions
Increase Braking Distance by ~2x: Wet roads require around twice the braking distance as dry roads due to reduced friction. - Snow or Ice
Increase Braking Distance by ~10x: Snow or ice reduces friction significantly, leading to a much longer stopping distance.
You are driving towards this level crossing. What would be the first warning of an approaching train?*
Both half barriers down
A steady amber light
One half barrier down
Twin flashing red lights
A steady amber light.
At a level crossing, the first warning of an approaching train is typically a steady amber light. This light signals drivers to prepare to stop as it’s immediately followed by twin flashing red lights, which indicate that it’s unsafe to cross. The barriers will then lower to prevent vehicles from crossing.
Here’s the sequence at most level crossings:
Steady amber light — first warning of an approaching train.
Twin flashing red lights — you must stop.
Barriers down — the crossing is fully closed to vehicles.
This sequence is designed to ensure drivers have enough time to stop safely.
You see a pedestrian with a dog. The dog has a yellow or burgundy coat. This especially warns you that the pedestrian is*
elderly
dog training
colour blind
deaf
Deaf.
A pedestrian with a dog wearing a yellow or burgundy coat is typically indicating that the pedestrian is deaf or hearing impaired. These colored coats on assistance dogs help to alert drivers and other road users that the person may not hear approaching vehicles or warnings, so extra caution is needed.
Here’s why the other options are less relevant:
Elderly: This is not signified by specific dog coats.
Dog training: Dog training coats are often labeled differently and not typically yellow or burgundy.
Colour blind: Color blindness does not require assistance dogs or specific colored coats.
This alert is designed to improve safety for those with hearing impairments by making others aware of their potential limitations in detecting auditory cues.
You are waiting to emerge left from a minor road. A large vehicle is approaching from the right. You have time to turn, but you should wait. Why?*
The large vehicle can easily hide an overtaking vehicle
The large vehicle can turn suddenly
The large vehicle is difficult to steer in a straight line
The large vehicle can easily hide vehicles from the left
The large vehicle can easily hide an overtaking vehicle.
When a large vehicle approaches, it can block your view of any smaller vehicles that may be overtaking it from behind. Even if it appears that you have enough time to turn, an overtaking vehicle may suddenly appear from behind the larger vehicle, creating a hazardous situation.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
The large vehicle can turn suddenly: This is unlikely unless it’s signaling a turn.
The large vehicle is difficult to steer in a straight line: Large vehicles are generally stable and can maintain a straight path.
The large vehicle can easily hide vehicles from the left: The risk is specifically from vehicles overtaking from the right, not from the left.
Key takeaway: Large vehicles can obscure smaller, faster vehicles overtaking them, so it’s safer to wait until the road is completely clear.
When may you overtake another vehicle on the left?*
When you’re in a one-way street
When approaching a motorway slip road where you’ll be turning off
When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn left
When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway
When you’re in a one-way street.
In the UK, you may overtake on the left (also known as “undertaking”) in specific situations, and a one-way street is one of the few scenarios where this is allowed, as there’s no oncoming traffic to consider, and the lanes may not be bound by typical overtaking rules.
Here’s why the other options are generally incorrect:
Approaching a motorway slip road where you’ll be turning off: This isn’t a permitted reason to overtake on the left.
When the vehicle in front is signaling to turn left: While you should slow down and be cautious, this does not mean you should overtake on the left.
When a slower vehicle is in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway: It’s generally unsafe to overtake on the left in this situation, and it’s discouraged unless in slow-moving traffic where lanes are moving at different speeds.
Key takeaway: Overtaking on the left is generally restricted in the UK, but a one-way street allows it because the traffic flow is more controlled.
You are on a motorway. There are red flashing lights above every lane. You must*
pull onto the hard shoulder
slow down and watch for further signals
leave at the next exit
stop and wait
Stop and wait.
On a motorway, red flashing lights above every lane mean that the road ahead is closed to all traffic, and you must stop and wait. This signal is used to indicate a serious hazard or obstruction on the motorway, such as an accident, and all lanes are closed until further notice.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
Pull onto the hard shoulder: This is not appropriate, as the entire motorway is closed, including the hard shoulder.
Slow down and watch for further signals: Slowing down isn’t sufficient, as red flashing lights mean you must stop.
Leave at the next exit: This isn’t an option if all lanes are closed; the instruction is to stop immediately.
Key takeaway: Red flashing lights above all lanes on a motorway indicate an immediate stop is required for safety reasons.
You are driving at night with full beam headlights on. A vehicle is overtaking you. You should dip your lights*
some time after the vehicle has passed you
before the vehicle starts to pass you
only if the other driver dips their headlights
as soon as the vehicle passes you
as soon as the vehicle passes you
For how long is a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) valid?*
Until the vehicle is taxed, sold or scrapped.
Until the vehicle is insured and MOT’d.
Until the vehicle is repaired or modified.
Until the vehicle is used on the road
Until the vehicle is taxed, sold, or scrapped.
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) remains valid until the vehicle is taxed, sold, or scrapped. SORN is a declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is not being used on public roads, and it removes the requirement to pay road tax or insurance for that vehicle until it is put back into use, sold, or permanently taken out of service.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
Until the vehicle is insured and MOT’d: SORN does not depend on the vehicle’s insurance or MOT status.
Until the vehicle is repaired or modified: SORN is unaffected by repairs or modifications.
Until the vehicle is used on the road: A SORN only ends when the vehicle is taxed again (for road use), sold, or scrapped.
Key takeaway: SORN remains in place indefinitely until specific actions (taxing, selling, or scrapping) are taken.
Your vehicle needs a current MOT certificate. Until you have one you will NOT be able to*
Renew your driving licence
Change your insurance company
Renew your vehicle excise licence
Notify a change of address
Renew your vehicle excise licence.
A current MOT certificate is required to renew your vehicle excise licence (also known as road tax). Without a valid MOT, you cannot legally tax the vehicle, as it verifies that the vehicle meets minimum safety and environmental standards for road use.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
Renew your driving licence: The MOT status of your vehicle does not affect your personal driving licence.
Change your insurance company: You can switch insurance providers regardless of the vehicle’s MOT status.
Notify a change of address: Changing your address with the DVLA is unrelated to your vehicle’s MOT status.
Key takeaway: A valid MOT certificate is essential for renewing your vehicle tax but is not required for other administrative tasks related to your driving licence or insurance.
You arrive at an incident. There has been an engine fire and someone’s hands and arms have been burnt. You should NOT*
douse the burn thoroughly with clean cool non-toxic liquid
lay the casualty down on the ground
remove anything sticking to the burn
reassure them confidently and repeatedly
Remove anything sticking to the burn.
You should NOT attempt to remove anything sticking to the burn, as this can cause further injury and damage to the burnt skin. Clothing, jewelry, or other objects stuck to the burn should be left in place and only handled by medical professionals.
Here’s why the other actions are appropriate:
Dousing the burn with cool, non-toxic liquid: This helps cool the burn and reduces further damage.
Laying the casualty down on the ground: This can help keep the casualty stable, especially if they’re in shock.
Reassuring them confidently and repeatedly: Offering calm reassurance can help keep the casualty calm and manage shock.
Key takeaway: In burn situations, never try to remove anything stuck to the burn, as it can cause more harm. Focus on cooling the burn and providing reassurance until professional help arrives.
