Timed Theory Test #4

If the airbag activates near a baby seat, it could cause serious injury or even death to the child. It is illegal to fit a rear-facing baby seat into a passenger seat protected by an active frontal airbag. You MUST secure it in a different seat or deactivate the relevant airbag. Follow the manufacturers advice when fitting a baby seat.

Advance warning triangles fold flat and don't take up much room. Use it to warn other road users if your vehicle has broken down or there's been an incident. Don't use them on motorways.

If you can’t get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder, use your hazard warning lights to warn others. Leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway. Do not try to repair the vehicle or attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway.

If a school crossing patrol steps out into the road with a stop sign you must stop. Don’t wave anyone across the road and don’t get impatient or rev your engine.

The flashing amber lights are switched on to warn you that children may be crossing near a school. Slow down and take extra care as you may have to stop.

If you accumulate six or more penalty points within two years of gaining your first full licence it will be revoked. The six or more points include any gained due to offences you committed before passing your test. If this happens you may only drive as a learner until you pass both the theory and practical tests again.

When parking at night, park in the direction of the traffic. This will enable other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle. Use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30 mph.

You should plan your overtaking to take into account any hazards ahead. In this picture the marking indicates that you are approaching a junction. You will not have time to overtake and move back into the left safely.

A red cross above the hard shoulder shows that it's closed as a running lane and should only be used for emergencies or breakdowns. On a smart motorway, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane at busy times.

The exit from a motorway is indicated by countdown markers. These are positioned 90 metres (100 yards) apart, the first being 270 metres (300 yards) from the start of the slip road. Move into the left-hand lane well before you reach the start of the slip road.

Route for trams only. The sign may include the bus symbol, the pedal cycle symbol and/or the word ‘taxi’ where these vehicles may use the tram route.

The 'dual carriageway ends' sign appears in a red triangle. It shows two carriageways coming together to indicate two-way traffic will continue ahead on a single carriageway road. You'll soon notice the central reservation coming to an end and lanes beginning to merge.

Any car over three years old MUST have a valid MOT certificate before it can be used on the road. Exceptionally, you may drive to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage for repairs required for the test. However you should check this with your insurance company. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle may invalidate your insurance.

When driving on motorways, you can’t just pull up to answer your mobile phone. Do not stop on the hard shoulder or slip road. To avoid being distracted it’s safer to switch it off when driving. If you need to be contacted plan your journey to include breaks at service areas so you can pick up any messages when you stop.

Stopping distances are affected by a number of variable factors. These include the type, model and condition of your vehicle, road and weather conditions, and your reaction time. Look well ahead for hazards and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front. This should allow you to pull up safely if you have to, without braking sharply.

You mustn't park or stop on a road marked with double white lines (even where one of the lines is broken) except to pick up or set down passengers.

If your vehicle breaks down on a level crossing, your first priority is to get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing. Then use the railway telephone, if there is one, to tell the signal operator. If you have time before the train arrives, move the vehicle clear of the crossing, but only do this if alarm signals are not on.

Only use your fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced. Use dipped headlights in poor conditions.

One useful method of checking that you’ve allowed enough room between you and the vehicle in front is the two-second rule. To check for a two-second time gap, choose a stationary object ahead, such as a bridge or road sign. When the car in front passes the object say 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'. If you reach the object before you finish saying it you're too close.

Hazard warning lights are fitted to all modern cars and some motorcycles. They should be used to warn
• other road users when your vehicle is causing a temporary obstruction, for example after a collision or when it’s broken down
• following drivers on a motorway of a hazard or obstruction ahead.
They should not be used as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking.

Use the full beam headlights only when you can be sure that you won’t dazzle other road users.

This crucial road sign warns drivers about upcoming traffic flow in both directions.

On the approach to tunnels a sign will usually show a local radio channel. It should give a warning of any incidents or congestion in the tunnel ahead. Many radios can be set to automatically pick up traffic announcements and local frequencies. If you have to tune the radio manually don’t be distracted while doing so. Incidents in tunnels can lead to serious casualties. The greatest hazard is fire. Getting an advance warning of problems could save your life and others.

Turning the wheels towards the kerb will allow it to act as a chock, preventing any forward movement of the vehicle. It will also help to leave it in gear, or select 'Park' if you have an automatic.

When a car is three years old (four years old in Northern Ireland), it must pass an MOT test and have a valid MOT certificate before it can be used on the road. Exceptionally, you may
• drive to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage for repairs required for the test
• drive vehicles that are more than 40 years old without an MOT test, but they must be in a roadworthy condition before being used on the road. See GOV.UK for more details.

You MUST stop your vehicle when signalled to do so by a
• police or traffic officer
• traffic warden
• school crossing patrol
• red traffic light.
You must also stop if you're involved in an incident which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property.

When checking your tyres for cuts and bulges in the side walls, don’t forget the inner walls (ie. those facing each other under the vehicle).

This distance is the equivalent of 18 car lengths. Try pacing out 73 metres and then look back. It’s probably further than you think.

You will have additional hazards to deal with at night. Visibility may be very limited and the lights of oncoming vehicles can often dazzle you. When this happens don’t close your eyes, swerve or flash your headlights, as this will also distract other drivers. It may help to focus on the left kerb, verge or lane line.

On a motorway all traffic should use the left-hand lane unless overtaking. Use the centre or right-hand lanes if you need to overtake. If you’re overtaking a number of slower vehicles move back to the left-hand lane when you’re safely past. Check your mirrors frequently and don’t stay in the middle or right-hand lane if the left-hand lane is free.

Although cars are the least likely to be affected, crosswinds can take anyone by surprise. This is most likely to happen, after overtaking a large vehicle, when passing gaps between hedges or buildings, and on exposed sections of road.

The steady amber light will be followed by twin flashing red lights that mean you must stop. An alarm will also sound to alert you to the fact that a train is approaching.

Try not to react by applying the brakes harshly. This could lead to further loss of steering control. Indicate your intention to pull up at the side of the road and roll to a stop.

If you have planned your journey properly, to include rest stops, you should arrive at your destination in good time.

When learning to drive it is a good idea to practise filling your car with fuel. Ask your instructor if you can use a petrol station and fill the fuel tank yourself. You need to know where the filler cap is located on the car you are driving in order to park on the correct side of the pump. Take care not to overfill the tank or spill fuel. Make sure you secure the filler cap as soon as you have replaced the fuel nozzle.

These lines may be painted on the road on the approach to a roundabout, a village or a particular hazard. The lines are raised and painted yellow, and their purpose is to make you aware of your speed.

You MUST stop if there are red lights flashing above every lane on the motorway. However, if any of the other lanes do not show flashing red lights or red cross you may move into that lane and continue if it is safe to do so.

Don’t travel in icy or snowy weather unless your journey is necessary. Drive extremely carefully when roads are or may be icy. Stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.

It’s usually better to drive a burning vehicle out of a tunnel. If you can’t do this pull over and stop at an emergency point if possible. Switch off the engine, use hazard warning lights, and leave the vehicle immediately. Call for help from the nearest emergency point. If you have an extinguisher it may help to put out a small fire but don't try to tackle a large one.

Briefly using your hazard warning lights will warn the traffic travelling behind you that there's a hazard ahead. This can reduce the chance of vehicles crashing into the back of each other.