Road Procedure

When approaching a junction to turn right into a side road, where should you normally position your vehicle on a two-way road?

• AIn the centre of the lane you are leaving
• BStraddling the centre line to deter overtaking
• CJust left of the centre line of the road✓
• DAs close to the left-hand kerb as possible

Answer: To turn right you should position the vehicle just left of the centre line of the road, which signals your intention clearly and allows traffic behind to pass on your left. This is standard Highway Code procedure for a right turn.

You intend to turn left into a side road. What is the correct procedure regarding road position and approach?

• AKeep well to the left and do not swing out before the turn✓
• BSwing out to the right first so that the nearside wheels clear the kerb
• CMove to the centre of the road before turning
• DPosition close to the centre line to block overtakers

Answer: For a left turn you should keep well to the left and avoid swinging out either before or during the turn, as swinging out can mislead other road users and endanger cyclists. Maintaining a steady left position is the correct procedure.

What does the term 'lifesaver' refer to in driving procedure?

• AThe first mirror check made in the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine before a turn
• BThe handbrake being applied whenever the vehicle is held stationary on a hill
• CA final glance over the shoulder to check the blind spot before manoeuvring✓
• DAn emergency stop performed at speed

Answer: The 'lifesaver' is a final shoulder check into the blind spot immediately before changing direction or position, ensuring no cyclist or vehicle has moved into an area the mirrors cannot show. It is especially important before turning or moving off.

At a crossroads where you are turning right and an oncoming vehicle is also turning right, which method of passing is generally safer and recommended?

• ABoth vehicles stopping in the junction until one driver waves the other through
• BTurning nearside to nearside so that each vehicle passes in front of the other
• CTurning offside to offside so each driver keeps the other on their right✓
• DReversing into the side road to let the other pass

Answer: Passing offside to offside is generally safer because it gives each driver a clearer view of the road they are turning into and oncoming traffic. Nearside to nearside obscures the view and increases collision risk, so it is used only where road markings or layout require it.

What is the correct application of the system of car control (also known as the system of vehicle control)?

• ASelect the gear first, then adjust speed afterwards
• BTake each hazard in a set sequence: information, position, speed, gear, acceleration✓
• CAccelerate through hazards to clear them quickly
• DBrake and change gear simultaneously on every approach

Answer: The system of car control approaches every hazard in a disciplined sequence: take and use information, then position, speed, the correct gear, and finally acceleration. Applying it consistently gives the driver maximum control and safety at hazards.

When following another vehicle in good, dry conditions, what minimum following gap does the two-second rule require?

• AA two-second time gap between you and the vehicle ahead✓
• BA two-second gap only when travelling above 50 mph on a dual carriageway
• CA two-metre gap at any speed
• DA fixed gap of two car lengths

Answer: The two-second rule means leaving at least a two-second time gap to the vehicle in front in good, dry conditions, which scales correctly with speed. In wet conditions this gap should at least double to four seconds.

On a road with a national speed limit sign and no other restriction, what is the speed limit for a car or motorcycle on a single carriageway?

• A60 mph✓
• B40 mph
• C50 mph
• D70 mph

Answer: The national speed limit for cars and motorcycles on a single carriageway is 60 mph. On dual carriageways and motorways the national limit for these vehicles rises to 70 mph.

What does the MSM routine stand for in the approach to any hazard?

• AMirrors, signal, manoeuvre✓
• BMirrors, steering, momentum
• CManoeuvre, signal, mirrors
• DMirrors, speed, movement

Answer: MSM stands for mirrors, signal, manoeuvre, and the manoeuvre element is itself broken down into position, speed and look. Taking hazards in this order means information is gathered before any action changes the vehicle's course.

When following the PSL element of the MSM routine, in which order are the three stages applied?

• ALook, position, speed
• BPosition, look, speed
• CSpeed, position, look
• DPosition, speed, look✓

Answer: PSL is position, speed, look. The vehicle is placed correctly first, the speed is adjusted for the hazard second, and the final look is what confirms whether it is safe to proceed.

You are approaching a roundabout and intend to take an exit beyond the twelve o'clock position. Which lane and signal are normally correct?

• AApproach in whichever lane is emptier and signal only on exit
• BApproach in the left-hand lane with no signal until you leave
• CApproach in the right-hand lane signalling left throughout
• DRight-hand lane signalling right, then left after the previous exit✓

Answer: For an exit past twelve o'clock you approach in the right-hand lane with a right signal, keep that signal through the roundabout, then change to a left signal after passing the exit before the one you want. This tells following traffic what you are doing at each stage.

What should a driver do before joining a motorway from a slip road?

• AMatch the speed of traffic in the left-hand lane and join a gap✓
• BUse the hard shoulder to build speed before merging
• CJoin at whatever speed and expect traffic to move over
• DStop at the end of the slip road and wait for a gap

Answer: The slip road exists to let you build speed to match the traffic already on the motorway so you can merge into a gap without disrupting it. Stopping at the end removes your ability to merge safely and is itself a hazard.

On a three-lane motorway, what is the correct use of the middle and right-hand lanes?

• AThe middle lane may be used continuously to avoid merging traffic
• BThe right-hand lane is for vehicles travelling above the speed limit
• CLanes may be chosen freely provided the speed limit is observed
• DFor overtaking, returning left when the overtake is complete✓

Answer: The left-hand lane is the normal driving lane and the other lanes are for overtaking, after which you return to the left. Sitting in the middle lane obstructs traffic and is an offence in its own right.

What does a red X displayed above a lane on a smart motorway mean?

• AThe lane is open to traffic already in it but must not be entered
• BThe lane is reserved for emergency vehicles only
• CThe lane is closed and must not be used✓
• DThe lane is open but subject to a lower speed limit

Answer: A red X closes the lane completely. There may be a broken-down vehicle, a collision or workers ahead, and driving in a lane closed by a red X is an offence enforceable by camera.

You are on a road with a solid white line along the centre nearest to you. What does this permit?

• AYou may cross to pass a stationary vehicle, or a cyclist travelling at 10 mph or less✓
• BYou may never cross it under any circumstances
• CYou may cross it at any time provided the road ahead is clear
• DYou may cross it only between the hours of darkness

Answer: A solid white line nearest to you normally means do not cross or straddle it, but there are defined exceptions: passing a stationary vehicle, or overtaking a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle moving at 10 mph or less. You may also cross to enter premises or a side road.

What must a driver not do at a box junction marked with yellow criss-cross lines?

• AStop in the box for less than ten seconds
• BEnter unless the exit road is clear, except when turning right✓
• CCross the box when following another vehicle
• DEnter the box at any time when traffic lights are showing green

Answer: You must not enter a yellow box junction until your exit road is clear. The single exception is when you are turning right and are prevented from completing the turn only by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.

How should a driver behave at a level crossing when the amber light comes on and the alarm sounds?

• AContinue only if no train is visible in either direction
• BAccelerate to clear the crossing before the barriers descend
• CStop, unless you have already crossed the stop line✓
• DStop on the crossing itself and wait for instructions

Answer: The amber light and alarm mean a train is approaching and you must stop before the crossing. The only exception is if you have already crossed the stop line, in which case you continue and clear the crossing.

When is a driver permitted to overtake on the left on a UK road?

• AOn any dual carriageway during daylight hours
• BWhen the vehicle ahead is signalling and positioned to turn right✓
• COnly on a motorway and only below 50 mph
• DWhenever the right-hand lane is occupied by slower traffic

Answer: Overtaking on the left is permitted where the vehicle in front is signalling and positioned to turn right, in one-way streets, and in queuing traffic where the left-hand queue happens to be moving faster. Outside those situations, overtake on the right.

What is the national speed limit for a car on a dual carriageway?

• A80 mph
• B70 mph✓
• C60 mph
• D50 mph

Answer: Cars and motorcycles may travel at up to 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, and up to 60 mph on single carriageways. Towing a trailer reduces the dual carriageway and motorway limit to 60 mph.

A car towing a caravan is subject to which national speed limit on a motorway?

• A50 mph
• B70 mph
• CThe same limit as a car with no trailer
• D60 mph✓

Answer: Towing reduces the national limit to 60 mph on both motorways and dual carriageways, and to 50 mph on single carriageways. A vehicle towing a trailer is also barred from the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

What is the overall stopping distance for a car travelling at 70 mph in good, dry conditions?

• A73 metres, or about 240 feet
• B96 metres✓
• C53 metres, or about 175 feet
• D120 metres, or about 395 feet

Answer: At 70 mph the typical thinking distance is 21 metres and the braking distance 75 metres, giving an overall stopping distance of 96 metres. This is roughly the length of twenty-four car lengths.

When emerging from a junction, what does the phrase 'zone of vision' describe?

• AHow much of the joining road the driver can see✓
• BThe stopping distance available at the current speed
• CThe area behind the vehicle covered by the interior mirror
• DThe distance ahead illuminated by dipped headlights

Answer: The zone of vision is how much of the joining road the driver can actually see, and it improves as the car creeps forward towards the give-way line. At a closed junction the zone of vision is poor until the vehicle is well forward, which is why a creep-and-peep approach is taught.

How should a driver pass a horse and rider on a country road?

• APass quickly to minimise the time spent alongside the animal
• BSlow to no more than 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres✓
• CSound the horn on approach so the rider is aware of you
• DRev the engine to encourage the horse to move to the verge

Answer: The Highway Code asks drivers to pass horses at no more than 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of clearance. Horses are unpredictable, and noise or close passing is exactly what frightens them.

You intend to reverse into a side road on the left. What is the main observation priority?

• AThe nearside kerb only, to keep the car parallel
• BAll-round observation, especially over the right shoulder✓
• CThe offside door mirror only, to judge the kerb distance
• DThe interior mirror only, since the rear window gives the best view

Answer: Reversing requires effective all-round observation throughout, and the critical moment is when the front of the car swings out into the road as the turn begins. That swing is what puts the vehicle into the path of approaching traffic.

An emergency vehicle with flashing blue lights is approaching from behind while you are in moving traffic. What should you do?

• AMount the pavement to create space
• BLook ahead for a safe place to let it pass✓
• CEnter a bus lane or cross a red light to clear the way
• DBrake sharply and stop immediately wherever you are

Answer: You should assist an emergency vehicle where you safely can, but not by committing an offence or creating danger. Stopping abruptly, mounting the kerb or crossing a red light to make room causes more risk than it removes.

What does the Highway Code advise about using the horn?

• AUse it to express annoyance at another road user's error
• BUse it freely at night to alert pedestrians who may be crossing
• CUse it only to warn others of your presence✓
• DUse it whenever approaching any blind bend

Answer: The horn is a warning of presence, not a rebuke. It must not be used while the vehicle is stationary on a road, or in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another moving vehicle poses a danger.