Hazard Awareness

What should you do when you see a yellow and black chevron sign?

• ASound your horn continuously to warn any traffic that may be around the bend
• BSpeed up so that you are past the sign and clear of the bend more quickly
• CStop immediately at the sign and wait until you can see the whole bend
• DIt warns you of a sharp bend—reduce speed and be prepared to steer✓

Answer: Chevron signs warn of sharp bends or severe direction changes requiring an immediate speed reduction and active steering. Ignoring them causes loss of control.

You notice the road surface ahead is wet and glistening in patches. What hazard does this indicate?

• ALoose gravel or oil on the road causing reduced grip✓
• BA perfectly normal surface
• CThe road is flooded
• DThe road has just been cleaned

Answer: Glistening patches indicate loose gravel, water, or oil that reduce tyre grip. You should reduce speed and be cautious as your vehicle may skid on these surfaces.

What hazard might you encounter on country roads at night?

• AUnlit farm vehicles, horses, or cyclists without lights✓
• BMotorway junctions, slip roads and overhead gantry signs
• CHeavy traffic
• DPedestrians in fluorescent clothing, who are easy to pick out in your headlights

Answer: Country roads at night may have slow-moving, unlit agricultural vehicles, horses, and cyclists. Your headlights may not illuminate them in time, so extra caution is needed.

You see a car in front with its hazard lights on. What should you assume?

• AThere's a breakdown, obstruction, or emergency ahead✓
• BThe driver is showing off
• CThe driver is a learner and is showing that they may be slower than usual
• DIgnore it, because hazard lights are only a courtesy signal

Answer: Hazard lights indicate a problem—breakdown, accident, or obstruction. You should slow down and be prepared to stop or change lanes safely.

What does a red X displayed on a motorway smart motorway sign mean?

• AThe lane is closed—do not drive in it✓
• BYou must leave the motorway at the next available exit
• CLane changing required
• DThe speed limit in that lane has been lowered to 50mph for roadworks

Answer: A red X means the lane is closed due to accident, obstruction, or breakdown. Driving in a red X lane is illegal and dangerous, and you will be heavily fined.

You're driving and you notice brake lights ahead are coming on and off. What does this suggest?

• AThe vehicle's brake light bulbs are faulty and flickering on their own
• BThe road has obstacles or the driver is uncertain✓
• CNothing at all, because brake lights come on whenever a driver lifts off the accelerator
• DThe driver is checking that their brakes still work before joining a faster road

Answer: Erratic braking indicates confusion, uncertainty, or hazards ahead. You should assume traffic may slow suddenly and maintain a larger safety margin.

What hazard do you need to be aware of when driving past parked cars?

• AThey will move forward
• BPedestrians or cyclists may emerge between them without looking✓
• CNothing, because a stationary vehicle cannot present any hazard to you
• DYou need to sound your horn

Answer: Parked cars can hide pedestrians and cyclists from view, and doors may open without warning. Reduce speed and be prepared to stop when passing parked vehicles.

You notice a car ahead braking with white smoke coming from its wheels. What does this indicate?

• AThe car is on fire
• BThe brakes are overheating and may fail✓
• CNormal braking
• DIt's raining inside the car

Answer: White smoke from wheels indicates brake failure or extreme overheating. The driver may not be able to stop, so you should slow down immediately and avoid being behind them.

What should you do when you see a school bus with flashing amber lights?

• AOvertake it quickly while the children are still getting on and off the bus
• BSound your horn to let the bus driver know you are carrying on past without stopping
• CMaintain normal speed
• DReduce speed and be prepared to stop—children may be boarding or alighting✓

Answer: Flashing amber lights on a school bus warn that children are boarding or alighting. You must slow down and be ready to stop for their safety.

You see a queue of traffic ahead. What should you do?

• AMaintain your speed and assume the queue will have cleared before you reach it
• BReduce speed and be prepared to stop completely✓
• CSound your horn to warn the drivers in the queue that you are approaching
• DSteer around the queue immediately using the lane to the right of it

Answer: Queues require you to slow down and be prepared to stop safely. Sudden stops in queues risk rear-end collisions if you don't maintain adequate following distance.

What hazard does a 'loose gravel' warning sign indicate?

• ASand on the beach nearby
• BGravel on the road surface reducing tyre grip✓
• CA construction site
• DPedestrians nearby

Answer: Loose gravel reduces your tyres' grip, causing skidding or loss of control. You should reduce speed and avoid harsh steering, braking, or acceleration on gravel-covered roads.

You're driving and see a cyclist wobbling or unsteady. What should you assume?

• AThey are drunk or inexperienced
• BThey are ignoring traffic rules
• CThey might fall into your path✓
• DYou should honk to wake them up

Answer: An unsteady cyclist may be young, inexperienced, or distracted. They could fall or swerve into your path unpredictably, so you should slow down and give extra space.

What should you do when you see an 'L' plate on a car ahead?

• AOvertake immediately
• BSound your horn to alert them
• CFlash your headlights to warn them
• DAnticipate they may be unpredictable and give them extra space✓

Answer: A learner ('L') plate means you should anticipate unpredictable driving, give them extra space, and be patient. They may make wider turns, hesitate at junctions, or react slowly. Never pressure them or flash headlights aggressively.

What hazards are present in a built-up residential area?

• AOnly pedestrians, who are the sole hazard in residential streets
• BFast-moving through traffic, which is the only real risk in these streets
• CNone at all, because residential areas have low limits and are always safe
• DParked cars, children, sudden stops, and reduced visibility✓

Answer: Residential areas have multiple hazards including parked cars blocking vision, children playing, pedestrians stepping out suddenly, and frequent junctions. Speed should be reduced and constant vigilance maintained.

When towing a caravan, what hazards should you be aware of?

• AOnly other drivers
• BOnly wind affects towing
• CNo additional hazards compared with driving without a caravan, as the towing limits already allow for it
• DStrong winds, longer stopping distances, reduced acceleration, and difficulty in tight corners✓

Answer: Towing creates hazards including strong winds pushing the caravan sideways, much longer stopping distances, slower acceleration, difficulty negotiating tight corners and hills, and reduced visibility in some directions.

What should you do if you see a horse and rider on the road?

• ASpeed past quickly
• BFlash your headlights
• CSlow down, pass wide and slowly to avoid startling the horse✓
• DSound your horn to alert them

Answer: Horses are easily frightened by noise and sudden movements. Slow down well in advance, pass at a very slow speed giving lots of space (at least 2 metres if possible), and be prepared to stop if the horse is anxious.

What hazards are associated with driving at night?

• AReduced visibility, glare from oncoming headlights, and tired drivers✓
• BNo change from daytime driving, since headlights light the road just as well
• CIncreased visibility, because street lighting shows up hazards more clearly
• DNo hazards at all, because there are far fewer cars on the road at night

Answer: Night driving presents hazards including reduced visibility, glare from oncoming headlights, tired drivers, pedestrians wearing dark clothing being hard to see, and increased difficulty judging distances and speeds.

What should you do if another driver is driving erratically or aggressively?

• AChase after them so that you can note the registration number and report them to the police
• BBlock their path
• CStay calm, give them space, don't retaliate, and call police if seriously dangerous✓
• DFlash your headlights aggressively

Answer: If another driver is erratic or aggressive, stay calm, give them extra space, do not retaliate or engage, and if their behaviour is dangerous, call the police with their registration number. Your safety is the priority.

What are the hazards of driving in heavy rain?

• AAquaplaning, reduced visibility, longer stopping distances, and spray from other vehicles✓
• BNo change at all to stopping distances, because modern tyres pump the water away completely
• CWorking wipers remove the hazard entirely
• DOnly wet roads

Answer: Heavy rain creates hazards including aquaplaning (loss of grip on water), severely reduced visibility, much longer stopping distances, and spray from other vehicles obscuring vision. Speed must be reduced significantly.

What should you do if a pedestrian is standing in the road looking at their mobile phone?

• ASound your horn loudly and carry on at the same speed as you pass them
• BExpect them to look up and see you in time, and hold your current speed
• CSlow down and be prepared to stop as they may step out unexpectedly✓
• DFlash your headlights

Answer: A pedestrian focused on their phone is a hazard. You should assume they may not see you, slow down, and be prepared to stop. Never rely on them noticing your vehicle.

What hazards are present at a zebra crossing?

• ACrossings are always safe
• BWorking traffic lights remove any hazard
• COnly fast-moving pedestrians
• DPedestrians may step out without looking, vehicles may not stop, and visibility may be obscured by parked cars✓

Answer: Zebra crossings present hazards including pedestrians stepping out without looking, vehicles not stopping, and visibility being blocked by parked cars. Always approach with caution and be prepared to stop.

What should you do if you see brake lights on vehicles ahead suddenly illuminate?

• AEase off the accelerator and be prepared to brake as a hazard lies ahead✓
• BBrake immediately and as hard as you can without checking your mirrors first
• CMaintain your speed
• DFlash your headlights

Answer: Brake lights ahead indicate a potential hazard. You should ease off the accelerator, check your mirrors, and be prepared to brake smoothly. This gives vehicles behind you more warning and prevents chain-reaction collisions.