Road & Traffic Signs

A lorry over 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass is travelling on a single carriageway road with the national speed limit. What is its maximum legal speed in England and Wales?

• A50 mph✓
• B40 mph
• C60 mph
• D70 mph

Answer: Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are limited to 50 mph on a single carriageway road in England and Wales. The same vehicle is limited to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

What is the maximum speed limit for a lorry over 7.5 tonnes on a motorway in England and Wales?

• A50 mph
• B56 mph
• C60 mph✓
• D70 mph

Answer: A goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes is limited to 60 mph on a motorway. Most such vehicles are also fitted with a speed limiter set to around 56 mph.

You see a road sign showing a lorry with a number such as '7.5t' inside a red circle. What does it mean?

• ANo vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass✓
• BA minimum weight of 7.5 tonnes is required to use this road
• CThe carriageway ahead has a width limit of 7.5 metres between the kerbs
• DRecommended speed of 7.5 mph

Answer: A red circle containing a lorry and a weight figure prohibits goods vehicles over that maximum authorised mass. Drivers must find an alternative route unless an exemption such as 'except for access' applies.

A triangular warning sign shows the shape of a bridge with a height figure such as '16'-6"'. What is the driver being warned about?

• AThe maximum width of the carriageway passing under the bridge
• BThe weight limit of the bridge
• CThe length of the bridge
• DThe maximum headroom available under the bridge✓

Answer: The figure on a low-bridge sign shows the maximum safe headroom under the structure. Drivers must know their vehicle's travelling height to avoid a bridge strike.

A goods vehicle of not more than 7.5 tonnes is towing a trailer. What is its speed limit on a motorway?

• A70 mph
• B50 mph
• C56 mph
• D60 mph✓

Answer: GOV.UK gives 70 mph on motorways for goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes, but 60 mph if the vehicle is articulated or towing a trailer.

What is the national speed limit for a goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes on a dual carriageway in England and Wales?

• A56 mph
• B50 mph
• C70 mph
• D60 mph✓

Answer: GOV.UK gives 60 mph for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on dual carriageways in England and Wales. Scotland has lower limits for these vehicles, and a change there has been proposed, so check GOV.UK and Transport Scotland before driving there.

What is the motorway speed limit for a goods vehicle of not more than 7.5 tonnes that is not articulated or towing?

• A70 mph✓
• B50 mph
• C56 mph
• D60 mph

Answer: Goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes may travel at up to 70 mph on motorways, reduced to 60 mph if articulated or towing a trailer. Heavier goods vehicles are limited to 60 mph.

You are driving a goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes on a motorway with three lanes. Which lane must you not use, except in prescribed circumstances?

• AThe left-hand lane
• BThe hard shoulder
• CThe middle lane
• DThe right-hand lane✓

Answer: Rule 265 says the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes must not be used by goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, among others, except in prescribed circumstances.

To what maximum speed do speed limiters restrict goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes?

• A90 km/h (about 56 mph)✓
• B112 km/h (about 70 mph)
• C80 km/h (about 50 mph)
• D100 km/h (about 62 mph)

Answer: Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must have speed limiters restricting them to 90 km/h, about 56 mph. Buses and coaches are limited to 100 km/h.

What do blue circular road signs generally tell you?

• AThey tell you something that is not allowed
• BThey give directions to towns and services
• CThey give a positive instruction you must follow✓
• DThey warn of a hazard or a bend on the road ahead

Answer: The Highway Code explains that blue circles generally give a mandatory (positive) instruction, such as 'turn left' or 'keep left'. Red circles mostly tell you what you must not do, and triangles warn.

A circular sign with a red border shows a width figure between two arrows pointing towards each other. What does it mean?

• ANo vehicle wider than the width shown may pass✓
• BLorries should keep this distance from each other
• CThe lane ahead is reserved for vehicles this wide
• DThe road ahead widens to the width shown

Answer: This is a width restriction sign. Vehicles wider than the width shown are prohibited, so you must know the width of your vehicle, including mirrors and any overhanging load.

A red cross is shown on the overhead signal above your motorway lane. What must you do?

• AUse the lane just to overtake a slower vehicle
• BStop in the lane and wait for the signal to clear
• CContinue in the lane, but reduce speed to 50 mph
• DMove out of that lane safely, as it is closed✓

Answer: A red X means the lane is closed and you must not drive in it. Move to an open lane when it is safe to do so.

When may you enter a yellow box junction?

• AWhen you are driving a large goods vehicle and are running late
• BWhenever the traffic light shows green, even if your exit road is still blocked
• CNot unless a police officer or traffic officer waves you through
• DWhen your exit is clear, or to turn right if held only by oncoming traffic✓

Answer: Rule 174 says you must not enter a box junction unless your exit road or lane is clear, except when turning right and waiting only because of oncoming traffic. A long vehicle needs extra space to clear it.

You are driving a large or slow vehicle and approach a level crossing that has a railway telephone. What should you do?

• AStop on the crossing and phone once you are over the rails
• BPhone the signal operator and get permission before you cross✓
• CCross quickly, as the barriers will wait for slow vehicles
• DSound your horn so any approaching train driver slows down

Answer: The Highway Code advises that drivers of large or slow-moving vehicles should use the railway telephone to get permission from the signal operator before crossing, and phone again once clear.