Theory Test #5

Have your eyesight tested before you start your practical training. Then, throughout your driving life, have checks periodically to ensure that your eyes haven’t deteriorated.

The safest way to carry items on the roof is in a specially designed roof box. This will help to keep your luggage secure and dry, and also has less wind resistance than loads carried on a roof rack.

Harsh use of the accelerator, brakes or steering are likely to lead to skidding, especially on slippery surfaces. Avoid steering and braking at the same time. In icy conditions it’s very important that you constantly assess what’s ahead, so that you can take appropriate action in plenty of time.

If your vehicle is fitted with drum brakes they can get hot and lose efficiency. This happens when they’re used continually, such as on a long, steep, downhill stretch of road. Using a lower gear will assist the braking and help prevent the vehicle gaining momentum.

When surface spray reduces visibility switch on your dipped headlights. This will help other road users to see you.

It is your legal responsibility to keep the details of your Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) up to date. You should tell the licensing authority of any changes. These include your name, address, or vehicle details. If you don’t do this you may have problems when you sell your vehicle.

The first priority with a casualty is to make sure their airway is clear and they’re breathing. Any wounds should be checked for objects and bleeding stemmed using clean material. Ensure the emergency services are called as they’re the experts. If you’re not first aid trained consider getting training. It might save a life.

Vehicle navigation systems can be useful when driving on unfamiliar routes. However they can also distract you and cause you to lose control if you look at or adjust them while driving. Pull up in a convenient and safe place before adjusting them.

On full beam your lights could dazzle the driver in front. Make sure that your light beam falls short of the vehicle in front.

Traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads. You need to be looking further ahead to give yourself more time to react to any hazard that may develop.

Always check the road signs. Triangular signs are warningsigns and they will keep you informed of hazards ahead to help you anticipate problems.

You don’t have to carry the documents for your vehicle around with you. If a police officer asks to see them and you don’t have them with you, you may be asked to produce them at a police station within seven days.

At a level crossing flashing red lights mean you must stop. If the train passes but the lights keep flashing, wait. There may be another train com

The studs between the carriageway and the hard shoulder are normally red. These change to green where there is a slip road. They will help you identify slip roads when visibility is poor or when it is dark.

As you approach the vehicle, assess the situation. Due to its slow progress you will need to judge whether it is safe to overtake.

Helping someone to drive is a responsible task. Before learning to drive you’re advised to find a qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to teach you. This will ensure that you’re taught the correct procedures from the start.

Never overtake if you’re not sure whether it’s safe. Can you see far enough down the road to ensure that you can complete the manoeuvre safely? If the answer is no, DON’T GO.

Some crossings have gates but no attendant or signals. You should stop, look both ways, listen and make sure that no train is approaching. If there's a telephone, contact the signal operator to make sure it's safe to cross.

If you see a bus ahead watch out for pedestrians. They may not be able to see you if they’re crossing from behind the bus.

These signs only apply to trams. They are directed at tram drivers but you should know their meaning so that you’re aware of the priorities and are able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

In windy conditions, care must be taken on exposed roads. A strong gust of wind can blow you off course. Watch out for other road users who are particularly likely to be affected, such as cyclists, motorcyclists, high-sided lorries and vehicles towing trailers.

The controller will ask you
• the make and colour of your vehicle
• whether you are a member of an emergency breakdown service
• the number shown on the emergency telephone casing
• whether you are travelling alone.

Check the vehicle handbook. This should give you guidance on the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle and when you may need to adjust them. If you are carrying a heavy load you may need to adjust the headlights as well. Most cars have a switch on the dashboard to do this.

It is important to make sure that emergency services arrive on the scene as soon as possible. When a person is unconscious, they could have serious injuries that are not immediately obvious.

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.

It’s a good idea to plan an alternative route in case your original route is blocked for any reason. You’re less likely to feel worried and stressed if you’ve got an alternative in mind. This will enable you to concentrate fully on your driving or riding. Always carry a map that covers the area you will travel in.

Pedestrians and riders on two wheels can be harder to see than other road users. Make sure you look for them, especially at junctions. Good effective observation, coupled with appropriate action, can save lives.

The ‘stop’ sign has been put here because there is a poor view into the main road. You must stop because it will not be possible to assess the situation on the move, however slowly you are travelling.

When a diversion route has been put in place, drivers are advised to follow a symbol, which may be a black triangle, square, circle or diamond shape on a yellow background. Category: Road and traffic signs.

Motorcyclists and cyclists are often more difficult to see on the road. This is especially the case at junctions. You may not be able to see a motorcyclist approaching a junction if your view is blocked by other traffic. A motorcycle may be travelling as fast as a car, sometimes faster. Make sure that you judge speeds correctly before you emerge.

Having an excess on your policy will help to keep down the premium, but if you make a claim you will have to pay the excess yourself.

Strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles can cause a trailer or caravan to snake or swerve. If this happens, ease off the accelerator. Don’t brake harshly, steer sharply or increase your speed.

The speed limit is reduced for vehicles towing caravans and trailers, to lessen the risk of the outfit becoming unstable. Due to the increased weight and size of the vehicle and caravan combination, you should plan well ahead. Be extra-careful in windy weather, as strong winds could cause a caravan or large trailer to snake from side to side.

A green arrow indicates that the lane is available to traffic facing the signal. A white diagonal arrow means that the lane is closed ahead and traffic should move to the next lane on the left. A red cross means that the lane is closed to traffic facing the signal.

Always check road and traffic conditions in all directions before reversing into a side road. Keep a good look-out throughout the manoeuvre. Act on what you see and wait if necessary.

Before emerging right onto a dual carriageway make sure that the central reserve is deep enough to protect your vehicle. If it’s not, you should treat it as one road and check that it’s clear in both directions before pulling out. Neglecting to do this could place part or all of your vehicle in the path of approaching traffic and cause a collision.

With people's concern today for the environment, cycle routes are being created in our towns and cities. These are usually defined by road markings and signs.

When it’s foggy use dipped headlights. This will help you see and be seen by other road users. If visibility is seriously reduced consider using front and rear fog lights if you have them. Keep a sensible speed and don’t follow the vehicle in front too closely. If the road is wet and slippery you’ll need to allow twice the normal stopping distance.

If you have to leave valuables in your car, always lock them out of sight. If you can see them, so can a thief.

Where you see this road marking you should give way to traffic on the main road. It might not be used at junctions where there is relatively little traffic. However, if there is a double broken line across the junction the 'give way' rules still apply.

This is a 'level crossing without barrier or gate ahead' sign. Trains may be passing here but there will be no gates or barriers at the level crossing.

At roadworks, and especially where a contraflow system is operating, a speed restriction is likely to be in place. Keep to the lower speed limit and don't

• switch lanes
• get too close to the vehicle in front of you.

Be aware that there will be no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic.