Road & Traffic Signs

You see a triangular road sign with a red border. What type of information does it give?

• AAn order that you must stop at the next junction
• BInformation about a nearby tourist attraction
• CA warning about a hazard on the road ahead✓
• DA route number for the road you are travelling on

Answer: Triangular signs with a red border are warning signs, alerting you to a hazard ahead such as a bend, junction or crossing. Orders are usually circular, and information and route signs are rectangular.

A circular sign with a red border and a picture inside it generally means what?

• ASomething that is recommended but optional
• BA warning of a hazard some distance ahead
• CSomething that is prohibited or not allowed✓
• DA direction to a service area or facility

Answer: Circular signs give orders, and a red-bordered circular sign usually tells you that something is prohibited, such as no entry or a weight or height limit. Warnings are triangular and information signs are rectangular.

You approach a bus lane with a sign showing its hours of operation. What does this mean?

• AThe lane may be used by other vehicles as well, provided they keep to a low speed
• BThe lane is closed to traffic, including buses, during those times
• CThe lane is reserved for buses and other permitted users during those times✓
• DThe times shown are advisory guidance rather than a legal restriction

Answer: A bus lane sign states when the lane is reserved for buses and any other users named on it, such as cycles or taxis; outside those hours other traffic may use it. The times are a legal restriction, not advice.

A sign shows a height limit for a structure ahead. Why must you take particular notice as a coach driver?

• AThe limit tells you the maximum speed you may use under the structure
• BYour vehicle may be too tall to pass safely, risking a bridge strike✓
• CThe limit only applies to double-deck buses, not to single-deck coaches
• DThe limit tells you how many axles are allowed to cross at one time

Answer: A height-limit sign warns that taller vehicles cannot pass safely, so you must know your vehicle's height and find another route if it exceeds the limit, avoiding a bridge strike. The figure is a height, not a speed or axle limit, and applies to any vehicle over that height.

You see road markings for a stop line at a junction with a solid white line across your lane. What must you do?

• AStop at the line and give way as directed before proceeding✓
• BSlow down but continue if no other traffic is in sight at all
• CTreat the line as the edge of a bus lane you should keep out of
• DCross the line and stop only if a police officer is present

Answer: A solid stop line requires you to stop and give way as directed by the associated sign or signal before moving on. It is not a bus-lane edge, and stopping does not depend on a police officer being present.

What is the motorway speed limit for a bus or coach not more than 12 metres long?

• A60 mph
• B50 mph
• C62 mph
• D70 mph✓

Answer: GOV.UK gives 70 mph on motorways for buses, coaches and minibuses not exceeding 12 metres, although speed limiters restrict most to about 62 mph.

What is the motorway speed limit for a bus or coach more than 12 metres long?

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

Answer: Buses and coaches over 12 metres long are limited to 60 mph on motorways. The limit is 70 mph for those not exceeding 12 metres.

What is the national speed limit for a bus or coach on a single carriageway road?

• A50 mph✓
• B40 mph
• C30 mph
• D60 mph

Answer: GOV.UK sets 50 mph for buses, coaches and minibuses on single carriageways, and 60 mph on dual carriageways.

What is the national speed limit for a bus or coach on a dual carriageway?

• A60 mph✓
• B50 mph
• C56 mph
• D70 mph

Answer: Buses, coaches and minibuses are limited to 60 mph on dual carriageways.

What is the maximum speed that a bus or coach speed limiter is set to?

• A90 km/h (about 56 mph)
• B100 km/h (about 62 mph)✓
• C80 km/h (about 50 mph)
• D112 km/h (about 70 mph)

Answer: Buses and coaches with more than 8 passenger seats must have a speed limiter set to no more than 100 km/h, about 62 mph. Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 90 km/h.

On a motorway with three lanes, which lane may a coach over 7.5 tonnes with more than eight passenger seats not use, except in prescribed circumstances?

• AThe left-hand lane
• BThe right-hand lane✓
• CAny lane at night
• DThe middle lane

Answer: Rule 265 says the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes must not be used, except in prescribed circumstances, by passenger vehicles over 7.5 tonnes built to carry more than eight seated passengers.

A bus stop has a yellow 'bus stop' marking with an upright sign showing times. What does this mean for other vehicles?

• AThey may park in it if they leave a driver in the car
• BThey may stop in it if the next bus is not due for another hour
• CThey may use it for loading, but not for picking up
• DThey must not stop or park in it during the times shown✓

Answer: A bus stop clearway means no vehicle other than a local bus may stop in the marked area during the times shown, so buses can pull in close to the kerb.

You see a 'school bus' sign in the rear window of a bus ahead. What should you expect?

• AThe bus to overtake you shortly at a higher speed
• BThe bus to be empty, returning to the depot after school
• CA school crossing patrol to stop the bus at the next junction
• DChildren getting on or off, and possibly crossing the road✓

Answer: The Highway Code's school bus sign warns that the bus may stop frequently and children may be getting on or off. Be ready for children crossing near the bus.

You are driving a long vehicle towards a level crossing that has a sign telling long vehicles to phone before crossing. What must you do?

• APhone for permission, then phone again once clear✓
• BSound the horn twice, then cross if no train can be seen
• CPhone the signal operator once you have got across the crossing
• DCross quickly, as the sign applies to lorries and not to buses

Answer: The Highway Code says drivers of long, low, heavy or slow vehicles must obey signs to stop and phone for permission to cross, and must phone the signal operator again once clear.

On a motorway, what colour are the direction signs?

• ABrown with white lettering
• BWhite with black lettering
• CBlue with white lettering✓
• DGreen with yellow lettering

Answer: Motorway direction signs are blue with white lettering. Primary route signs are green, local signs white, and tourist signs brown.