Section 4: Rules of the road

Question 1

In which TWO places must you NOT park?

• *_{Mark two answers}
  a) Near a school entrance**

b) Near a police station

c) In a side road

d) At a bus stop

e) In a one-way street

Answer 1

• *a) Near a school entrance**
• *d) At a bus stop**

When you park on a road your vehicle restricts the width of road available to other traffic. It is also an obstruction which can hide pedestrians from the view of oncoming drivers. If you park near a bus stop you may add to the bus driver’s difficulty in manoeuvring a large vehicle. If you park near a school you may add to the children’s difficulties in crossing the road safely.

Question 2

In which THREE places must you NEVER park your vehicle?

• *_{Mark three answers}
  a) Near the brow of a hill**

b) At or near a bus stop

c) Where there is no pavement

d) Within 10 metres (33 feet) of a junction

e) On a 40mph road

Answer 2

• *a) Near the brow of a hill
  b) At or near a bus stop
  d) Within 10 metres (33 feet) of a junction**

Around 75% of all accidents occur on built-up roads. More than two-thirds of these occur at or near junctions. Turning out of a junction can be difficult and dangerous. Vehicles parked close to the junction can make it even more difficult and dangerous. The vehicles may seriously restrict the width of the road and the view available to road users. You must not park opposite double white hazard warning lines, even if one of them is a broken line.

Question 3

In which FOUR places must you NOT park or wait?

• *_{Mark four answers}
  a) On a dual carriageway**

b) At a bus stop

c) On the slope of a hill

d) Opposite a traffic island

e) In front of someone else’s drive

f) On the brow of a hill

Answer 3

• *b) At a bus stop**
• *d) Opposite a traffic island
  e) In front of someone else’s drive
  f) On the brow of a hill**

Always think carefully about where to stop, wait or park. Do not obstruct the passage of other road users, especially if they are put at risk trying to avoid your vehicle. Traffic islands are often safe places in the road for pedestrians waiting to use a crossing. Remember that it is an offence to park within the area marked by the zigzag lines of a crossing.

Question 4

At which of these places are you sometimes allowed to park your vehicle?

a) On the nearside lane of a motorway

b) On a clearway

c) Where there is a single broken yellow line

d) On the zigzag lines of a zebra crossing

Answer 4

c) Where there is a single broken yellow line

Always check the small print on the restriction plates and parking notices where yellow parking restrictions are in force. It is also sensible to find, if possible, the particular reason for any restrictions. Continuous single or double yellow lines warn you of severe restrictions on parking and waiting.

Question 5

What is the nearest you may park your vehicle to a junction?

a) 10 metres (33 feet)

b) 12 metres (40 feet)

c) 15 metres (50 feet)

d) 20 metres (65 feet)

Answer 5

a) 10 metres (33 feet)

Do not park closer to a junction than the legally required minimum distance unless you are occupying an authorised parking space. Parking any closer obscures the line of vision of other road users and makes it difficult for large trucks to turn into and out of the junction.

Question 6

You are leaving your vehicle parked on a road. When may you leave the engine running?

a) If you will be parked for less than five minutes

b) If the battery is flat

c) If there is a passenger in the vehicle

d) Not on any occasion

Answer 6

d) Not on any occasion

When you stop to park, always apply the handbrake, switch off the engine and switch off the headlights. On hills you should leave your vehicle in an appropriate gear. At night you may have to leave on your sidelights or parking lights. If your car is stolen when you leave it with the engine running, your insurance company may legally refuse to settle your claim against theft or related damages.

Question 7

Your vehicle is parked on the road at night. When must you use sidelights?

a) Where there are continuous white lines in the middle of the road

b) Where the speed limit exceeds 30mph

c) Where you are facing oncoming traffic

d) Where you are near a bus stop

Answer 7

b) Where the speed limit exceeds 30mph

When you park at night the headlights of oncoming traffic should cause your rear reflectors to give the drivers a red warning signal. Do not park alongside continuous white lines or near a bus stop.

Question 8

You park overnight on a road with a 40mph speed limit. You should

a) Park facing the traffic

b) Park with sidelights on

c) Park with dipped headlights on

d) Park near a street light

Answer 8

b) Park with sidelights on

At night you should always park facing in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Never leave dipped headlights on - it is an offence to dazzle other road users. A caravan or trailer must be parked with lights on even if the speed limit on the road is 30mph.

Question 9

You can park on the right-hand side of a road at night

a) In a one-way street

b) With your sidelights on

c) More than 10 metres (33 feet) from a junction

d) Under a lamp-post

Answer 9

a) In a one-way street

When you drive towards a vehicle properly parked at night your headlights turn its rear reflectors into red warning lights. If the vehicle is parked partly on the pavement the reflectors could make you misjudge your road position. If the vehicle is facing you and its headlights are dirty, it presents a danger you may not see until it is too late.

Question 10

You are parked in a busy high street. What is the safest way to turn your vehicle around to go the opposite way?

a) Find a quiet side road to turn round in

b) Drive into a side road and reverse into the main road

c) Get someone to stop the traffice

d) Do a U-turn

Answer 10

a) Find a quiet side road to turn round in

In a busy street a U-turn would be highly dangerous, only because it involves cutting across at least two streams of traffic with one flowing in the opposite direction to the other. Reversing from a side road into a main road is not permitted because it is extremely dangerous. Don’t expect a uniformed police officer or traffic warden to hold up traffic just for your sake. In a quiet side road or at the end of a cul-de-sac you can often find a safe and convenient turning circle.

Question 11

When may you reverse from a side road into a main road?

a) Only if both roads are clear of traffic

b) Not at any time

c) At any time

d) Only if the main road is clear of traffic

Answer 11

b) Not at any time

Parked vehicles may add to your difficulties by obscuring your view of the main road and traffic requiring priority. It is foolish and illegal to reverse out of a side road into a main road.

Question 12

You must not reverse

a) For longer than necessary

b) For more than a car’s length

c) Into a side road

d) In a built-up area

Answer 12

a) For longer than necessary

You may reverse for more than a car’s length in a built up area and even in a one-way street if it is part of your manoeuvre to park your vehicle parallel to the kerb. You may also reverse into a side road to the left or right and continue reversing until you are at least 10m (33ft) back from the junction.

Question 13

You are on a busy main road and find that you are travelling in the wrong direction. What should you do?

a) Turn into a side road on the right and reverse into the main road

b) Make a U-turn into the main road

c) Make a ‘three-point’ turn in the main road

d) Turn round in a side road

Answer 13

d) Turn round in a side road

Never do anything that could increase the risks of an accident or force other road users to alter their speed and/or direction. A driving examiner would regard such an action as a fault, it could cause you to fail your test.

Question 14

You are approaching a busy junction. There a several lanes with road markings. At the last moment you realise that you are in the wrong lane. You should

a) Continue in that lane

b) Force your way across

c) Stop until the area has cleared

d) Use clear arm signals to cut across

Answer 14

a) Continue in that lane

All actions should be preceded by the MSM routine and never left until the last moment. Never cause any inconvenience to other drivers alongside or behind.

Question 15

You are diving along a street with parked vehicles on the left-hand side. For which THREE reasons must you keep your speed down?

• *_{Mark three answers} **
• *a) So that the oncoming taffic can see you more clearly**

b) You may set off car alarms

c) Vehicles may be pulling out

d) Drivers’ doors may open

e) Children may run out from between the vehicles

Answer 15

• *c) Vehicles may be pulling out
  d) Drivers’ doors may open
  e) Children may run out from between the vehicles**

Always be alert for moving hazards: car doors opening suddenly, vehicles moving off without indicating, yound children running into the road, elderly people stepping off the pavement, etc.

Question 16

You meet an obstruction on your side of the road. You must

a) Drive on: it is your right of way

b) Give way to oncoming traffic

c) Wave oncoming traffic vehicles through

d) Accelerate to get past first

Answer 16

b) Give way to oncoming traffic

Unless a road sign indicates otherwise, you should give priority to oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the road. Try alwats to select and follow a smooth safety line that will take you past any obstruction on our side of the road. Hold back but stay on your safety line if you have to give priority to oncoming vehicles. Make eye contact with the drivers but do not flash your lights or wave them on. It is up to them to decide that you have held back and that it is safe for them to proceed.

Question 17

As a car driver which THREE lanes must you NOT use?

• *_{Mark three answers}
  a) Crawler lane**

b) Bus lane at the times shown

c) Overtaking lane

d) Acceleration lane

e) Cycle lane

f) Tram lane

Answer 17

• *b) Bus lane at the times shown
  e) Cycle lane
  f) Tram lane**

Take car not to obstruct buses and trams, whose drivers have a timetable to follow. And take care not to endanger cyclists by driving close to or into their lane.

Question 18

You are driving on a road that has a cycle lane. The lane is marked by a solid white lane. This means that

• *_{Mark two answers}
  a) You must not drive in the lane unless it is unavoidable**

b) The lane cannot be used for parking your vehicle

c) You can drive in the lane at any time

d) The lane must be used by motorcyclists in heavy traffic

Answer 18

• *a) The vehicle will pick up speed
  b) The lane cannot be used for parking your vehicle**

A cycle lane should be kept free of obstructions at all times. Moped riders and motorcyclists are not allowed to ride their machines in a cycle lane even in the rush hour.

Question 19

Where may you overtake on a one-way street?

a) Only on the left-hand side

b) Overtaking is not allowed

c) Only on the ride-hand side

d) Either on the right or the left

Answer 19

d) Either on the right or the left

If you plan to turn at the end of a one-way street, you are permitted to overtake on the left to turn left and to overtake on the right when planning to turn right. Signal and move into the appropriate lane in good time. Watch out for traffic changing lanes without warning at the last moment.

Question 20

When going straight ahead at a roundabout you should

a) Indicate left before leaving the roundabout

b) Not indicate at any time

c) Indicate right when approaching the roundabout

d) Indicate left when approaching the roundabout

Answer 20

a) Indicate left before leaving the roundabout

Roundabouts are circular one-way streets. You join on the left, usually at give-way lines, not stop lines. You have a clear all-round view of oncoming traffic. You give priority to traffic already on the roundabout to your right. You merge without causing other vehicles to change speed and/or direction. You leave by an exit on your left.

Question 21

You are going straight ahead at a roundabout. How should you signal?

a) Signal right on the approach and then left to leave the roundabout

b) Signal left as you leave the roundabout

c) Signal left on the approach to the roundabout

d) Signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you’ll take

Answer 21

d) Signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you’ll take

As you approach a roundabout, get into the most appropriate lane for your exit. This is usually the left lane for turning left or going straight ahead or the right lane for turning right. Slow down. Unless road markings indicate otherwise, give way to traffic already on the roundabout and coming from the right.

To turn left at a roundabout:

• 1) Signal left on approach*
• 2) Keep to the left on the roundabout*
• 3) Keep signalling until you have taken your exit off the roundabout*

To go straight ahead:

• 1) Do not signal on approach*
• 2) Keep in the lane you used to join the roundabout*
• 3) Signal left just as you pass the exit before the one you want*

To turn right:

• 1) Signal right on approach*
• 2) Keep to the right on the roundabout and keep signalling right*
• 3) Signal left just as you pass the exit before the one you want*

When leaving the roundabout, watch out for two-wheeled vehicles. When you have left the roundabout, cancel your signal, Apply the same rules to mini-roundabouts.

Question 22

At a crossroads there are no signs or road markings. Two vehicles approach. Which has priority?

a) Neither vehicle

b) The vehicle travelling the fastest

c) The vehicle on the widest road

d) Vehicles approaching from the right

Answer 22

a) Neither vehicle

Take great care at unmarked crossroads. Make eye contact with drivers of other vehicles waiting at or approaching the crossroads. Be prepared both to give them priority and to accept priority if appropriate and offered. Do not flash your lights, sound your horn or wave other road users on.

Question 23

At a crossroads with no road markings who has priority?

a) Traffic from the left

b) Traffic from the right

c) Nobody

d) Traffic from ahead

Answer 23

c) Nobody

Question 24

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?

a) The driver of the larger vehicle

b) No one

c) The driver who is going fastest

d) The driver on the wider road

Answer 24

b) No one

Who actually gives or takes priority at unmarked crossroads can depend on not only upon the skill and experience of the drivers but also upon the size and manoeuvrability of their vehicles. A small car might hold back or might go forward quickly to give a large vehicle room to turn.

Question 25

You are intending to turn right at a junction. An oncoming driver is also turning right. It will normally be safer to

a) Keep the other vehicle to your RIGHT and turn behind it (offside to offside)

b) Keep the other vehicle to your LEFT and turn in front of it (nearside to nearside)

c) Carry on and turn at the next junction instead

d) Hold back and wait for the other driver to turn first

Answer 25

a) Keep the other vehicle to your RIGHT and turn behind it (offside to offside)

When traffic or a junction layout makes you pass nearside-to-nearside, watch out for oncoming vehicles hidden from view. This is a hazard especially with buses and other large vehicles.

Question 26

You want to turn right at a box junction. You should

a) Wait in the box junction until your exit is clear

b) Wait before the junction until it is clear of all traffic

c) Drive on: you cannot turn right at box junctions

d) Drive slowly into the box junction when signalled by oncoming traffic

Answer 26

a) Wait in the box junction until your exit is clear

You should obey the signals of uniformed police officers and traffic wardens but not signals from other drivers, who are not authorised to control traffic.

Question 27

At a pelican crossing, what does flashing amber light mean?

a) You must not move off until the lights stop flashing

b) You must give way to pedestrians still on the crossing

c) You can move off, even if pedestrians are still on the crossing

d) You must stop because the lights are about to change to red

Answer 27

b) You must give way to pedestrians still on the crossing

Flashing amber lights warn of danger. You should be prepared to stop when you see them. You may also meet flashing amber lights on motorways and road maintenance vehicles as well as at railway and school crossings.

Question 28

On which THREE occasions MUST you stop your vehicle?

• *_{Mark three answers}
  a) When involved in an accident**

b) At a red traffic light

c) When signalled to do so by a police officer

d) At a junction with double broken white lines

e) At a pelican crossing when the amber light is flashing and no pedestrians are crossing

Answer 28

• *a) When involved in an accident
  b) At a red traffic light
  c) When signalled to do so by a police officer**

Double broken white lines across part of the road tell you to give way. An unbroken white line means stop. Double broken white lines across the whole road signify a give-way junction at the end of a one-way street.

Question 29

You MUST stop when signalled to do so by which THREE of these?

• *_{Mark three answers}
  a) A police officer**

b) A pedestrian

c) A school crossing patrol

d) A bus driver

e) A red traffic light

Answer 29

• *a) A police officer
  c) A school crossing patrol
  e) A red traffic light**

If an unauthorised person signals you to stop, you need not stop but you should take care. There may be a good reason for the signal. You must stop at the scene of an accident in which you have been involved in unless a uniformed police officer or traffic warden directs you otherwise.

Question 30

When are you allowed to exceed the maximum speed limit?

a) Between midnight and 6am

b) Never

c) When overtaking

d) When the road’s clear

Answer 30

b) Never

Speed limits are assigned for safety reasons. You will be committing an offence if you exceed a speed limit even if you think it is safe.

Question 31

You are entering an area of roadworks. There is a temporary speed limit displayed. You must

a) Not exceed the speed limit

b) Obey the limit only during rush hour

c) Accept the speed limit as advisable

d) Obey the limit except overnight

Answer 31

a) Not exceed the speed limit

When a speed limit is introduced it applies at all times of the day and night even if it is indicated by a temporary sign. A temporary speed limit for a section of road works should be obeyed throughout the section between the temporary sign indicating maximum speed and the sign indicating the end of the restrictions.

Question 32

While driving, you approach roadworks. You see a temporary maximum speed limit sign. You must

a) Comply with the sign during the working day

b) Comply with the sign at all times

c) Comply with the sign when the lanes are narrow

d) Comply with the sign during hours of darkness

Answer 32

b) Comply with the sign at all times

At roadworks you should expect delays and hazards such as uneven road surfaces, ramps, contraflows, unpredictable movement of machinery and workmen.

Question 33

You are driving along a road that has no traffic signs. There are street lights. What is the speed limit?

a) 20mph

b) 30mph

c) 40mph

d) 60mph

Answer 33

b) 30mph

A speed limit is determined by the national speed limit and by the class or type of the road and vehicle. The speed limit on a restricted road is 30mph unless otherwise indicated. A road is restricted when there are street lights not more than 200yds (185m) apart.

Question 34

Where you see street lights but no speed limit signs the limit is usually

a) 30mph

b) 40mph

c) 50mph

d) 60mph

Answer 34

a) 30mph

Remember that more and more 20mph zones are being established by local authorities to improve road safety in resedential areas.

Question 35

There are no speed limit signs on the road. How is a 30mph limit indicated?

a) By hazard warning lines

b) By street lighting

c) By pedestrian islands

d) By double or single yellow lines

Answer 35

b) By street lighting

You should see speed limit and repeater signs displayed if a road without street lighting is classed as restricted or one with street lighting is classed as national speed limit.