Alertness: car theory test questions

1. Leave at the next exit or services and rest ✓
2. Open a window and carry on, as fresh air will help
3. Turn the radio up loud to keep yourself awake
4. Pull onto the hard shoulder and have a short nap

Answer: Leave at the next exit or services and rest. Tiredness greatly increases your risk of a collision. Leave the motorway and rest somewhere safe; the hard shoulder and emergency areas are only for emergencies.

Highway Code rules 91 and 262

1. At least 5 minutes after every hour of driving
2. At least 30 minutes after every four hours of driving
3. At least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving ✓
4. Only once you start to feel tired

Answer: At least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Planning regular breaks keeps you alert. A break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is the recommended minimum.

Highway Code rule 91

1. 10 am and midday
2. Midnight and 6 am ✓
3. 6 am and 9 am
4. 6 pm and 10 pm

Answer: Midnight and 6 am. Your body is least alert between midnight and 6 am, so The Highway Code advises avoiding long journeys during those hours.

Highway Code rule 91

1. Answer it quickly while keeping one hand on the wheel
2. Answer it only if you're moving slowly in traffic
3. Pick it up and switch it to speaker on your lap
4. Let it ring and check your messages once you've parked safely ✓

Answer: Let it ring and check your messages once you've parked safely. You must not use a hand-held phone for any purpose while driving. Ignore the call and deal with it when you've stopped somewhere safe.

Highway Code rule 149

1. You can use it as long as the parking brake is on
2. You must not pick it up and use it, even though you've stopped ✓
3. You can make calls but must not send messages
4. You can send a text if the traffic has been still for a minute

Answer: You must not pick it up and use it, even though you've stopped. The ban on hand-held phones still applies when you're stopped in traffic, because you're still driving. The queue could move off at any moment.

Highway Code rule 149

1. To answer an urgent call from your employer
2. To check a map app when you're lost on an unfamiliar road
3. To call 999 or 112 in an emergency when it's unsafe to stop ✓
4. To tell someone at home that you're running late

Answer: To call 999 or 112 in an emergency when it's unsafe to stop. The only driving exception is a genuine emergency call to 999 or 112 when it's unsafe or impractical to stop (plus contactless payment while stationary).

Highway Code rule 149

1. The conversation can take your attention away from the road ✓
2. It is illegal to use one on any type of road
3. It drains the car's battery faster than normal driving
4. It interferes with the car's warning lights

Answer: The conversation can take your attention away from the road. Even without holding the phone, a conversation can distract you. The safest choice is not to use any phone while driving.

Highway Code rule 149

1. Type it in while driving slowly in a queue
2. Steer with one hand and use the screen with the other
3. Type it in while you wait at a red traffic light
4. Find a safe place to stop before you change it ✓

Answer: Find a safe place to stop before you change it. In-vehicle systems can be a serious distraction. If you need to adjust them, stop somewhere safe first.

Highway Code rule 150

1. Only in fog, when you can't see the lane markings
2. As an aid, while staying fully alert and in control ✓
3. As a way to keep a safe gap so you needn't check it
4. As a reason to relax and check messages on long trips

Answer: As an aid, while staying fully alert and in control. Driver assistance systems are there to help, not to take over. You are still responsible for the vehicle and must keep your concentration.

Highway Code rule 150

1. Flash your headlights to show you're about to leave
2. Rely on your door mirror, as it shows the area behind
3. Sound the horn to warn anyone nearby
4. Look round over your shoulder to check the blind spot ✓

Answer: Look round over your shoulder to check the blind spot. Mirrors don't show everything. Before moving off, use all mirrors, check the blind spot and take a final look round.

Highway Code rule 159

1. A gap between two parked vehicles
2. A bend where you can't see the road beyond it
3. An area around your car that your mirrors don't show ✓
4. A stretch of road that has no street lighting

Answer: An area around your car that your mirrors don't show. Blind spots are the areas your mirrors don't cover. You need to look round to check them before moving off or changing lanes.

Highway Code rule 159

1. Often, and well before you signal or change speed or direction ✓
2. Only when you're about to reverse or park the car
3. Only after you've signalled and just before you turn
4. Only when another driver flashes their headlights at you

Answer: Often, and well before you signal or change speed or direction. Frequent mirror checks mean you always know what is behind and beside you. Remember the routine: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre.

Highway Code rule 161

1. Close up behind the car in front to follow its lights
2. Speed up so you're in the glare for less time
3. Switch on your hazard warning lights and carry on
4. Slow down and, if necessary, stop ✓

Answer: Slow down and, if necessary, stop. If you can't see properly you can't react to hazards. Slow down, and stop if you need to, until you can see clearly.

Highway Code rule 93

1. Switch to main beam so you can see better
2. Flash your headlights at the other driver
3. Slow down, and stop if necessary ✓
4. Look directly at the oncoming lights

Answer: Slow down, and stop if necessary. Being dazzled can leave you briefly unable to see. Slow down or stop rather than driving on blind, and never try to dazzle the other driver back.

Highway Code rule 115

1. No, not if they restrict your vision ✓
2. Yes, as long as the road has street lighting
3. Only when you're driving on a motorway
4. Yes, they cut glare from oncoming headlights

Answer: No, not if they restrict your vision. Tinted glasses, lenses or visors reduce the light reaching your eyes. At night or in poor visibility, don't use them if they restrict your vision.

Highway Code rule 94

1. Keeping both hands on the wheel
2. Eating and drinking ✓
3. Starting or adjusting music or the radio ✓
4. Scanning the road far ahead
5. Checking your mirrors

Answer: Eating and drinking; Starting or adjusting music or the radio. Anything that takes your eyes, hands or attention away from driving is a distraction. Checking mirrors and scanning ahead are part of driving safely.

Highway Code rule 148

1. It can cause the car's electrical system to overheat
2. It may stop you hearing sirens, horns and other warnings ✓
3. It's illegal to play music at any volume
4. It makes the engine use noticeably more fuel

Answer: It may stop you hearing sirens, horns and other warnings. Loud music can mask important sounds around you, such as emergency vehicle sirens.

Highway Code rule 148

1. Speed up a little so that everyone stays happy
2. Turn round so you can talk to them face to face
3. Argue with them until they agree to stop distracting you
4. Tell them you need to concentrate and keep to a safe speed ✓

Answer: Tell them you need to concentrate and keep to a safe speed. You are responsible for your passengers' safety. Don't let them distract you or push you into taking risks.

Highway Code: Annex 8 (Safety code for new drivers)

1. Wait until you're sure it's actually turning before you pull out ✓
2. Sound your horn and then move off
3. Pull out straight away, because it's going to turn
4. Flash your headlights so the driver knows you're about to go

Answer: Wait until you're sure it's actually turning before you pull out. Indicators are sometimes left on by mistake. Don't assume a vehicle will turn just because it is signalling; wait until you're sure.

Highway Code rules 104 and 170

1. Go at once, because they're showing you have priority
2. Flash your headlights back and wait for them to move
3. Use your own judgement and only go when you're sure it's safe ✓
4. Sound your horn to confirm, then pull out

Answer: Use your own judgement and only go when you're sure it's safe. Flashing headlights only means 'I am here'. Never treat it as a signal to go; check for yourself that it's safe.

Highway Code rule 111

1. Passengers under 18 years old
2. Someone supervising a learner driver ✓
3. Rear-seat passengers on motorways
4. Any passenger in the front seat

Answer: Someone supervising a learner driver. The hand-held phone ban applies to the person driving and to anyone supervising a learner, because they need to watch the road too.

Highway Code rule 149

1. The driving can be monotonous, with little change around you ✓
2. The road surface is rougher than on most other roads
3. The speed limits are lower than on other roads
4. There are too many junctions and signs to look out for

Answer: The driving can be monotonous, with little change around you. The monotony of motorway driving can make you drowsy. Plan breaks and use services if you start to feel tired.

Highway Code rule 262

1. Drive overnight when the roads are quieter
2. Get enough sleep the night before ✓
3. Keep the heater turned up high
4. Plan regular breaks into your route ✓
5. Skip breaks so you arrive sooner

Answer: Get enough sleep the night before; Plan regular breaks into your route. Don't start a journey if you're tired. Get sufficient sleep beforehand and plan your route so you can take regular breaks.

Highway Code rule 91

1. Sound your horn to warn the other drivers
2. Brake gently to make space behind you
3. Check your mirrors and the blind spot if needed ✓
4. Signal and move across straight away

Answer: Check your mirrors and the blind spot if needed. Before changing lanes, use your mirrors and check the blind spot so you don't force anyone to change speed or course.

Highway Code rule 133

1. Leave it until you can stop somewhere safe to read it ✓
2. Slow down to 30 mph and then read it
3. Reply using the voice and touch controls
4. Read it quickly on the next straight stretch

Answer: Leave it until you can stop somewhere safe to read it. Screen-based information can take your eyes off the road for a dangerous length of time. Wait until you have stopped safely.

Highway Code rule 150