Rules of the road: car theory test questions

1. 30 mph
2. 50 mph
3. 60 mph ✓
4. 70 mph

Answer: 60 mph. The national speed limit for cars on a single carriageway is 60 mph. On dual carriageways and motorways it's 70 mph.

Highway Code rule 124

1. 20 mph
2. 30 mph ✓
3. 40 mph
4. 50 mph

Answer: 30 mph. In England and Scotland a 30 mph limit generally applies on roads with street lights (other than motorways) unless signs show otherwise. Some areas have local 20 mph limits.

Highway Code rule 124

1. 20 mph ✓
2. 30 mph
3. 40 mph
4. 60 mph

Answer: 20 mph. In Wales the default limit on roads with street lights is generally 20 mph unless signs show otherwise. Some roads in Wales keep a 30 mph limit, which will be signed.

Highway Code rule 124

1. Whenever the traffic lights for your direction are green
2. When the traffic in your exit road is queuing back into the box
3. Never – you must always wait behind the box until it's clear
4. When turning right, if only oncoming or right-turning traffic stops you ✓

Answer: When turning right, if only oncoming or right-turning traffic stops you. You must not enter a box junction until your exit road or lane is clear. The exception is when you're turning right and are stopped only by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.

Highway Code rule 174

1. Whenever the road ahead of the junction looks clear
2. If you speed up enough to get through before it turns red
3. Only if you're turning left and no pedestrians are crossing
4. Only if you've crossed the line or are too close to stop safely ✓

Answer: Only if you've crossed the line or are too close to stop safely. Amber means stop at the stop line. You may carry on only if you've already crossed the line or are so close to it that pulling up might cause a collision.

Highway Code rule 175

1. Stop – don't go until the green light shows ✓
2. Go, as long as the way ahead is clear
3. Go, but only if you're turning left
4. Get ready to stop because red is about to show

Answer: Stop – don't go until the green light shows. Red and amber together still mean 'Stop'. Don't pass through or start until green shows.

Highway Code: Light signals controlling traffic

1. Go in any direction you like
2. Go in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear ✓
3. Turn in the opposite direction to the arrow
4. Nothing – you must wait for the full green light

Answer: Go in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear. A green arrow means you may go in the direction it shows, if the way is clear, whatever the other lights are showing. Only use the filter lane if you want to go that way.

Highway Code rule 177

1. Assume you have priority because you're on the bigger road
2. Sound your horn and drive straight through
3. Wait until the lights are repaired
4. Treat it as an unmarked junction and go ahead with great care ✓

Answer: Treat it as an unmarked junction and go ahead with great care. If traffic lights aren't working, treat the junction as an unmarked junction where nobody has priority, and proceed with great care.

Highway Code rule 176

1. At the first white line ✓
2. At the second white line, next to the cyclists
3. Anywhere inside the cyclists' box
4. Past both lines, so you're ready to go

Answer: At the first white line. At advanced stop lines you must stop at the first white line when the lights are amber or red, leaving the area in front for cyclists. If you've already crossed the first line when the light turns red, you must stop at the second.

Highway Code rule 178

1. Turn left side to left side, passing in front of each other
2. Turn right side to right side, keeping the other car on your right ✓
3. Wait until the other car has completely gone, even if there's room for both
4. Whoever arrived first should flash their lights to signal the other

Answer: Turn right side to right side, keeping the other car on your right. Turning right side to right side, passing behind the other vehicle, is generally safer because you get a clear view of approaching traffic. Road layout or markings may sometimes mean you turn left side to left side.

Highway Code rule 181

1. Traffic approaching from your left
2. Traffic waiting to join behind you
3. Traffic approaching from your right ✓
4. Nobody – the first to arrive has priority

Answer: Traffic approaching from your right. At roundabouts give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise.

Highway Code rule 185

1. As you join the roundabout, before the first exit
2. On the approach, just before you reach the roundabout
3. You don't need to signal left when leaving
4. After you've passed the exit before the one you want ✓

Answer: After you've passed the exit before the one you want. For an exit to the right, signal right and approach in the right-hand lane, keep right on the roundabout, then signal left after you've passed the exit before the one you want.

Highway Code rule 186

1. All vehicles must go round it, unless they're too large to ✓
2. Cars may drive straight over it if it saves them time
3. Only cyclists and motorcyclists must avoid riding over it
4. It may be driven over when you're making a U-turn

Answer: All vehicles must go round it, unless they're too large to. All vehicles must pass round the central markings of a mini-roundabout, except large vehicles that are physically unable to. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts.

Highway Code rule 188

1. Yes – it shows them clearly that it's safe to cross
2. No – waving could put them in danger from other traffic ✓
3. Yes, but only if you also flash your headlights
4. Only if they're elderly or have young children

Answer: No – waving could put them in danger from other traffic. Don't wave, flash your lights or sound your horn to invite pedestrians across. Another vehicle could be approaching that hasn't seen them.

Highway Code rule 195

1. Wait until the light turns green
2. Stop and switch off your engine
3. Go on with caution ✓
4. Sound your horn to warn pedestrians, then go

Answer: Go on with caution. A flashing amber at a pelican crossing means you must give way to anyone on the crossing. If it's clear, you may proceed with caution.

Highway Code rule 196

1. The normal traffic light sequence, with no flashing amber ✓
2. Red, followed by a flashing amber light
3. A flashing green light just before red
4. Only red and green lights, with no amber at all

Answer: The normal traffic light sequence, with no flashing amber. Toucan, puffin and equestrian crossings have no flashing amber phase. The lights for traffic follow the same sequence as normal traffic lights.

Highway Code rule 199

1. To overtake any vehicle going slower than the speed limit
2. Whenever you can see that the road ahead is clear
3. Never – a solid line can't be crossed for any reason
4. To pass a stationary vehicle, if the road is clear ✓

Answer: To pass a stationary vehicle, if the road is clear. You mustn't cross or straddle a solid line on your side unless it's safe and you need to – for example to enter a side road or premises, pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle going at 10 mph or less.

Highway Code rule 129

1. 2 metres
2. 5 metres
3. 10 metres ✓
4. 20 metres

Answer: 10 metres. Don't park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised space. Parked cars there block the view for everyone using the junction.

Highway Code rule 243

1. Against the direction of the traffic flow, nearest the kerb
2. In the same direction as the traffic flow on that side ✓
3. Either way, as long as your sidelights are on
4. Either way, if the road has street lights

Answer: In the same direction as the traffic flow on that side. You must not park on a road at night facing against the traffic flow unless you're in a recognised parking space. Facing the right way means your rear reflectors face approaching traffic.

Highway Code rule 248

1. Leave your hazard warning lights on
2. Leave your dipped headlights on
3. Leave your parking lights on ✓
4. Nothing, if you park close to the kerb

Answer: Leave your parking lights on. All vehicles must show parking lights when parked on a road or lay-by where the speed limit is more than 30 mph.

Highway Code rule 249

1. No waiting during the times shown on a nearby plate
2. Parking for permit holders only
3. No loading at any time, but waiting is allowed
4. No waiting at any time, even if there are no upright signs ✓

Answer: No waiting at any time, even if there are no upright signs. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, even without upright signs, unless signs show seasonal restrictions. You may usually stop briefly to let passengers get in or out.

Highway Code rule 238

1. You MUST NOT drive or park in it during those hours ✓
2. You may drive in it if no cyclists are using it
3. You may park in it for up to 20 minutes
4. You may use it to overtake on the left

Answer: You MUST NOT drive or park in it during those hours. You must not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Give way to cyclists using it, including those coming up behind you.

Highway Code rule 140

1. To let a friend know that you've arrived outside
2. Only when another road user poses a danger ✓
3. Whenever you're stopped in traffic
4. Never, not even if someone is in danger

Answer: Only when another road user poses a danger. You must not use your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am, except when another road user poses a danger. You must not use it while stationary either.

Highway Code rule 112

1. Near the brow of a hill ✓
2. In a marked bay in a car park
3. Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair and mobility scooter users ✓
4. In a lay-by on a quiet road

Answer: Near the brow of a hill; Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Don't park near the brow of a hill, where other drivers can't see you, or where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Use marked bays and off-street parking where you can.

Highway Code rule 243

1. On a clear, straight dual carriageway with an empty right lane
2. When a slow tractor ahead pulls into a lay-by to let you pass
3. When you're approaching a road junction ✓
4. When the driver in front is signalling to turn right ✓

Answer: When you're approaching a road junction; When the driver in front is signalling to turn right. Don't overtake where you might come into conflict with others – for example when approaching a junction, or when the road user ahead is signalling right, even if you think the signal was left on by mistake.

Highway Code rule 167