Vehicle handling: car theory test questions

1. 23 metres (75 feet)
2. 36 metres (118 feet) ✓
3. 53 metres (175 feet)
4. 73 metres (240 feet)

Answer: 36 metres (118 feet). The typical overall stopping distance at 40 mph is 36 metres: about 12 metres of thinking distance plus 24 metres of braking distance. It will be longer in the wet, on ice or if you're tired.

Highway Code rule 126 (Typical stopping distances)

1. 36 metres (118 feet)
2. 53 metres (175 feet)
3. 73 metres (240 feet) ✓
4. 96 metres (315 feet)

Answer: 73 metres (240 feet). At 60 mph the typical overall stopping distance is 73 metres, made up of 18 metres thinking distance and 55 metres braking distance. That's roughly the length of 18 cars.

Highway Code rule 126 (Typical stopping distances)

1. They will be at least double those on dry roads ✓
2. They're about the same if your tyres are new
3. They increase by roughly a quarter
4. They're shorter because the brakes stay cool

Answer: They will be at least double those on dry roads. In wet weather your stopping distance will be at least double what it is on a dry road, because the tyres have less grip. Keep well back from the vehicle in front.

Highway Code rule 227

1. About the same if you drive slowly
2. Around one and a half times
3. Exactly twice as big
4. Up to ten times greater ✓

Answer: Up to ten times greater. On icy roads stopping distances can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads. Leave a much bigger gap and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Highway Code rules 126 and 230

1. To the left, the same way as the skid ✓
2. To the right, away from the skid
3. Hold the wheel straight and brake hard
4. Pull the handbrake up to straighten the car

Answer: To the left, the same way as the skid. Steer in the same direction as the skid – if the rear slides left, steer left – and remove the cause by easing off the brake or accelerator. Harsh braking would make the skid worse.

Highway Code rule 119

1. Having tyres inflated to the pressure shown in the handbook
2. Driving in a high gear on a dry, straight and level road
3. Using engine braking gently on a long downhill stretch
4. Harsh braking, steering or acceleration, or too much speed ✓

Answer: Harsh braking, steering or acceleration, or too much speed. Skids are usually caused by the driver – harsh braking, accelerating or steering, or a speed that's too high for the road conditions. Smooth, early inputs help prevent them.

Highway Code rule 119

1. Pump the brake pedal on and off as quickly as you possibly can
2. Use only the parking brake so that the wheels can't lock up
3. Brake firmly and keep the pressure on until you've slowed down ✓
4. Brake gently, then release the pedal as soon as it vibrates

Answer: Brake firmly and keep the pressure on until you've slowed down. With ABS, apply the footbrake firmly and don't release the pressure until the car has slowed to the speed you need. The ABS will do the work of stopping the wheels locking.

Highway Code rule 120

1. The car will always stop in a shorter distance
2. You should keep the ability to steer while braking ✓
3. You can safely drive closer to the vehicle in front
4. You no longer need to slow down for wet roads

Answer: You should keep the ability to steer while braking. ABS helps you keep steering control under heavy braking. Don't assume a car with ABS will stop in a shorter distance – leave the same safe gap.

Highway Code rule 120

1. Drive faster for a while so the engine heats up
2. Pull the parking brake on and off a few times while moving
3. Carry on as normal – brakes aren't affected by water
4. Test your brakes gently as soon as it's safe ✓

Answer: Test your brakes gently as soon as it's safe. After deep water your brakes may not work as well, so test them at the first safe opportunity by pressing the pedal gently. If they're weak, drive slowly while applying light pressure to dry them.

Highway Code rule 121

1. There's no engine braking, so speed builds up quickly ✓
2. The engine will stall and the steering will lock
3. It uses more fuel than driving in gear
4. It makes the brake lights switch off

Answer: There's no engine braking, so speed builds up quickly. Coasting removes engine braking, so your speed increases quickly and you rely more on the footbrake. It also affects steering and makes it harder to choose the right gear.

Highway Code rule 122

1. Change into the highest gear to save fuel
2. Press the clutch down and let the car roll
3. Select a lower gear to help control your speed ✓
4. Switch on your hazard warning lights

Answer: Select a lower gear to help control your speed. Choose a lower gear before you reach a long downhill slope. Engine braking then helps hold your speed, so you don't overuse the footbrake.

Highway Code rule 160

1. Whenever the sky is cloudy or overcast
2. When visibility is below about 100 metres ✓
3. Only when you're driving on a motorway
4. Only when street lights are switched on

Answer: When visibility is below about 100 metres. You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced – generally when you can't see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). Being seen is as important as seeing.

Highway Code rule 226

1. They drain the car's battery very quickly when left on
2. They're only legal to use on motorways and dual carriageways
3. They can dazzle drivers behind and hide your brake lights ✓
4. They make your indicators flash too quickly to be seen

Answer: They can dazzle drivers behind and hide your brake lights. Fog lights must only be used when visibility is seriously reduced. Once it improves, switch them off, because they dazzle other road users and can hide your brake lights.

Highway Code rule 236

1. You may get too close to stop safely if they brake ✓
2. It's against the law to follow any other vehicle in fog
3. Their rear fog lights could permanently damage your eyesight
4. Your engine may overheat in the slow traffic

Answer: You may get too close to stop safely if they brake. Rear lights can give a false sense of security. Keep a safe distance and make sure you can stop well within the distance you can see clearly.

Highway Code rule 235

1. Brake hard to get your speed down quickly
2. Steer sharply to find a drier part of the road
3. Speed up so the tyres cut through the water
4. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually ✓

Answer: Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually. Light, unresponsive steering in the wet probably means water is stopping the tyres gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually – harsh braking or steering could cause a skid.

Highway Code rule 227

1. The engine suddenly becomes much louder than usual
2. The steering feels light and the tyres go almost silent ✓
3. The steering wheel feels heavier than usual
4. Your dashboard shows the battery charging warning light

Answer: The steering feels light and the tyres go almost silent. If the steering feels unresponsive, the tyres may be losing grip on ice. When you're travelling on ice, tyres make virtually no noise.

Highway Code rule 231

1. Use a high gear and accelerate and brake very gently ✓
2. Use a low gear and keep the engine revs high for more power
3. Drive in neutral as much as possible to avoid wheelspin
4. Brake firmly and often to keep checking the grip

Answer: Use a high gear and accelerate and brake very gently. On ice, drive slowly in as high a gear as possible and use the accelerator and brakes very gently. Sudden actions can cause a loss of control.

Highway Code rule 231

1. In the middle of the bend, where it's tightest
2. As you leave the bend
3. You shouldn't slow down – keeping momentum stops you getting stuck
4. On the straight before the bend, braking gently ✓

Answer: On the straight before the bend, braking gently. Brake progressively on the straight before you reach the bend. Then steer smoothly round it, avoiding sudden actions that could make the car slide.

Highway Code rule 231

1. Flash your headlights at the other driver
2. Switch to main beam so you can see better
3. Slow down and, if necessary, stop ✓
4. Speed up to get past the vehicle quickly

Answer: Slow down and, if necessary, stop. If oncoming headlights dazzle you, slow down and stop if you need to. Flashing your lights or using main beam would dazzle the other driver too.

Highway Code rule 115

1. As soon as you start to pull out to overtake
2. Once you're level with it, if it won't dazzle anyone ✓
3. Only after you've pulled back in front of it
4. Never – main beam must not be used when overtaking

Answer: Once you're level with it, if it won't dazzle anyone. Keep your headlights dipped until you're level with the vehicle you're overtaking, then change to main beam if you need to – but not if it would dazzle oncoming traffic.

Highway Code rule 115

1. Keep to a reduced speed along the whole stretch ✓
2. Slow down for each hump, then speed up between them
3. Drive in the gutter to avoid the humps
4. Overtake slower vehicles between the humps

Answer: Keep to a reduced speed along the whole stretch. Traffic-calming features are there to keep speeds low, so maintain a reduced speed along the whole stretch. Allow cyclists and motorcyclists room and don't overtake moving road users in these areas.

Highway Code rule 153

1. In a busy town centre street
2. On an open stretch of road or passing a gap in a hedge ✓
3. In a long line of slow-moving traffic
4. On a narrow road between tall buildings and trees

Answer: On an open stretch of road or passing a gap in a hedge. Strong gusts can blow a car off course on open stretches of road exposed to crosswinds, and when passing bridges or gaps in hedges. Grip the wheel firmly and slow down.

Highway Code rule 232

1. Speed up to get away from a car that's too close behind
2. Switch off your headlights and use sidelights only to reduce glare
3. Use your windscreen wipers and demisters ✓
4. Check your mirrors before slowing, then brake so your brake lights warn others ✓

Answer: Use your windscreen wipers and demisters; Check your mirrors before slowing, then brake so your brake lights warn others. In fog, keep your wipers and demisters working and check your mirrors before you slow down, using the brakes so your brake lights warn drivers behind. Don't speed up to get away from a tailgater.

Highway Code rule 235

1. Turn your front wheels away from the kerb
2. Turn your steering wheel so the front wheels point towards the kerb ✓
3. Apply the handbrake firmly and select reverse gear ✓
4. Leave the gearbox in neutral

Answer: Turn your steering wheel so the front wheels point towards the kerb; Apply the handbrake firmly and select reverse gear. Facing downhill, apply the handbrake firmly, select reverse gear and turn the wheels towards the kerb. If the car moves, the kerb will stop it rolling into the road.

Highway Code rule 252

1. Your tyres will grip better than usual
2. Your brakes will overheat in the rain
3. Rain makes the road surface softer and stickier
4. The road surface can become slippery ✓

Answer: The road surface can become slippery. If it rains after a dry spell the road surface may become slippery, which can affect your steering and braking. Slow down and leave a bigger gap.

Highway Code rule 237