Road and traffic signs: car theory test questions

1. No through road
2. Road closed ahead – diversion
3. No stopping or parking
4. No entry for vehicles ✓

Answer: No entry for vehicles. A red circle with a white horizontal bar means no entry for vehicular traffic. You'll often see it at the exit end of a one-way street.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Signs giving orders)

1. Follow the one-way street
2. Go ahead only ✓
3. Use the right-hand lane
4. Overtaking is allowed

Answer: Go ahead only. A blue circle gives a positive instruction – this one means ahead only. Don't confuse it with the rectangular 'one-way traffic' sign, which also shows a white arrow.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Signs giving orders)

1. The national speed limit applies ✓
2. End of all restrictions – no speed limit
3. No overtaking for the next mile
4. The 30 mph limit continues

Answer: The national speed limit applies. This sign means the national speed limit applies – for a car that's 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. It doesn't mean there's no limit.

Highway Code rule 124; Traffic signs

1. Hospital ahead
2. Priority over oncoming traffic
3. Crossroads ahead ✓
4. Road works ahead

Answer: Crossroads ahead. A red triangle warns of a hazard; the black cross shows crossroads ahead. Slow down and look out for traffic emerging from either side.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Warning signs)

1. Stop at the line, even if the road is clear ✓
2. Slow down and only stop if traffic is coming
3. Stop only if you're turning right into the main road
4. Give way to traffic from the right at a roundabout

Answer: Stop at the line, even if the road is clear. At a 'Stop' sign you must stop behind the solid white line, even if the road is clear. Then wait for a safe gap before you move off.

Highway Code rule 171

1. Stop at the line in all circumstances
2. Give way to traffic on the major road ✓
3. Traffic on the main road must give way to you
4. No entry for vehicles from this road

Answer: Give way to traffic on the major road. This upside-down triangle means give way to traffic on the major road. You must give way when emerging at broken white lines, but you don't have to stop if the way is clear.

Highway Code rule 172

1. Maximum speed 30 mph
2. Recommended speed 30 mph on bends
3. Lorries limited to 30 mph
4. Minimum speed 30 mph ✓

Answer: Minimum speed 30 mph. Speed numbers in a blue circle show a minimum speed. A maximum speed limit is always shown in a red circle.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Signs giving orders)

1. No entry for vehicles
2. No waiting, but loading is allowed
3. No stopping (clearway) ✓
4. Crossroads with no priority

Answer: No stopping (clearway). A blue disc with a red border and red cross means no stopping – a clearway. You must not stop on the main carriageway while the restriction applies.

Highway Code rule 240; Traffic signs

1. Information about local services
2. What you must not do ✓
3. Warnings about hazards ahead
4. Directions to motorways

Answer: What you must not do. Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive – they tell you what you must not do. Plates beneath the sign can add details such as times.

Highway Code: Traffic signs

1. To warn you of a hazard ahead ✓
2. To give you an order you must obey
3. To show you the route to a motorway
4. To tell you about a tourist attraction

Answer: To warn you of a hazard ahead. Warning signs are mostly triangular. They tell you about hazards ahead, such as bends, junctions or slippery roads, so you can adjust your speed.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Warning signs)

1. Warn you of a hazard on the road ahead
2. Tell you what you must not do on that road
3. Show you directions to local places and services
4. Give a positive instruction you must follow ✓

Answer: Give a positive instruction you must follow. Signs with blue circles and no red border mostly give positive instructions, such as 'turn left' or 'keep left'.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Signs giving orders)

1. Primary routes
2. Local roads
3. Motorways ✓
4. Roads to tourist attractions

Answer: Motorways. Direction signs with blue backgrounds are used on motorways. Green backgrounds are used on primary routes and white with black borders on local roads.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Direction signs)

1. A motorway
2. A local or minor road
3. A tourist route
4. A primary route ✓

Answer: A primary route. Green-backed direction signs are used on primary routes. Motorways use blue and local routes use white signs with a black border.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Direction signs)

1. The route to a tourist attraction ✓
2. A diversion route for lorries
3. The way to a hospital
4. A route for cyclists only

Answer: The route to a tourist attraction. Brown signs, and brown panels on other direction signs, show the route to tourist attractions.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Direction signs)

1. You may now overtake freely
2. There's a hazard ahead ✓
3. The speed limit is about to rise
4. You're entering a one-way street

Answer: There's a hazard ahead. When the centre line's dashes get longer and the gaps shorter, it becomes a hazard warning line. Don't cross it unless you can see the road is clear and you need to.

Highway Code rule 127

1. It's a waiting area reserved for buses and taxis only
2. Pedestrians have priority across the whole area
3. A box junction – don't enter unless your exit is clear ✓
4. It's a loading area that can be used with no time limit

Answer: A box junction – don't enter unless your exit is clear. Criss-cross yellow lines mark a box junction. You must not enter it until your exit road or lane is clear, except when you're waiting to turn right and only oncoming traffic stops you.

Highway Code rule 174

1. Check the times on the nearby plates or zone entry signs ✓
2. You can't wait there at any time of day or night
3. It only applies on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm
4. It only applies to goods vehicles and buses

Answer: Check the times on the nearby plates or zone entry signs. Single yellow lines restrict waiting at the times shown on nearby plates or zone entry signs. If no days are shown, the restrictions apply every day, including Sundays and bank holidays.

Highway Code rule 238; Road markings

1. Parking is allowed for Blue Badge holders only
2. There's a bus stop just ahead
3. You must not stop to let passengers out
4. Loading and unloading is restricted at the times shown ✓

Answer: Loading and unloading is restricted at the times shown. Yellow marks on the kerb or the edge of the road show that loading or unloading is prohibited at the times on the nearby plates. You may still stop while passengers get in or out.

Highway Code: Road markings (Loading restrictions)

1. Slow down and cross with care
2. You MUST stop ✓
3. The crossing is out of order – drive over carefully
4. Get ready to go

Answer: You MUST stop. Alternately flashing red lights mean you must stop. You'll see them at level crossings, lifting bridges, airfields and fire stations.

Highway Code: Light signals controlling traffic; rule 293

1. The lane to your left is now closed to traffic
2. Leave the motorway at the next exit
3. Change lanes in the direction of the arrow ✓
4. You may overtake vehicles on the left

Answer: Change lanes in the direction of the arrow. A white diagonal arrow on a lane control signal means change lanes in the direction shown. A red X means the lane is closed.

Highway Code: Light signals controlling traffic (Lane control signals)

1. A 'Give Way' line just ahead ✓
2. A speed hump ahead
3. A pedestrian crossing ahead
4. A lane for buses only

Answer: A 'Give Way' line just ahead. A white triangle painted on the road warns that there's a 'Give Way' junction just ahead. Be ready to slow down and give way.

Highway Code rule 172; Road markings

1. The edge of the central reservation on a motorway
2. The edge of the carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads ✓
3. The left-hand edge of the main carriageway
4. Temporary lane layouts through road works

Answer: The edge of the carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads. Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway where there are lay-bys and slip roads. Red marks the left edge, amber the central reservation and green/yellow temporary lane changes.

Highway Code rule 132

1. All drivers on the tramway
2. Cyclists crossing the tram tracks
3. Pedestrians waiting at tram stops
4. Tram drivers only ✓

Answer: Tram drivers only. Diamond-shaped signs and white light signals give instructions to tram drivers only. Other drivers follow the normal signs and signals.

Highway Code rule 300

1. No entry
2. Ahead only
3. Slippery road ✓
4. Steep hill downwards ✓

Answer: Slippery road; Steep hill downwards. Warning signs, such as slippery road and steep hill, are mostly triangular. 'No entry' is a red circular order sign and 'ahead only' is a blue circular sign.

Highway Code: Traffic signs (Warning signs)

1. Double yellow lines ✓
2. Double red lines on a Red Route ✓
3. A single broken white line along the edge
4. A white bay marking with 'Parking' written in it

Answer: Double yellow lines; Double red lines on a Red Route. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, and double red lines on a Red Route always mean no stopping at any time. White bays show where parking is allowed.

Highway Code rule 238; Road markings