Theory Test #9

Emergency vehicles use blue flashing lights. If you see or hear one, move out of its way as soon as it's safe and legal to do so.

The names of towns and cities may be painted on the road at busy junctions and complex road systems. Their purpose is to let you move into the correct lane in good time, allowing traffic to flow more freely.

If your tyre pressures are low this will increase the drag on the road surface and make the steering feel heavy. Your vehicle will also use more fuel. Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the braking, cornering and handling of your vehicle to a dangerous level.

You should take extra care when you first encounter trams. You will have to get used to dealing with a different traffic system. Be aware that they can accelerate and travel very quickly and that they cannot change direction to avoid obstructions.

This broken white line is a reminder to give way to traffic from the right at roundabouts. You can expect to find these at larger roundabouts.

When an Active Traffic Management (ATM) scheme is operating on a motorway you MUST follow the mandatory instructions shown on the gantries above each lane. This includes the hard shoulder.

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.

In some areas motorway telephones are now linked to a Highways Agency control centre, instead of the police. Highways Agency Traffic Officers work in partnership with the police and assist at motorway emergencies and incidents. They are recognised by a high-visibility orange and yellow jacket and high-visibility vehicle with yellow and black chequered markings.

Large, long vehicles need extra room when making turns at junctions. They may move out to the right in order to make a left turn. Keep well back and don’t attempt to pass on the left.

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.

It’s your responsibility to ensure that all children in your car are secure. Suitable restraints include a child seat, baby seat, booster seat or booster cushion. It’s essential that any restraint used should be suitable for the child’s size and weight, and fitted to the manufacturers instructions.

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.

You may have to pull forward slowly until you can see up and down the road. Be aware that the traffic approaching the junction can’t see you either. If you don’t know that it’s clear, don’t go.

Drive extremely carefully when the roads are icy. When travelling on ice, tyres make virtually no noise and the steering feels light and unresponsive. In icy conditions be very gentle when braking, accelerating and steering.

You'll generally see this sign at the approach to a pedestrian-only zone.

If you see a triangular sign with a row of cars on it, it's warning you that you're approaching a congested area, so be prepared to stop. The queues ahead might be hidden, so make sure you're aware of vehicles behind you that could be following too closely.

Newly qualified, and particularly young drivers, are more vulnerable in the first year after passing the test. Inexperience plays a part in this but it’s essential to have the correct attitude. Be responsible and always show courtesy and consideration to other road users.

When approaching a tunnel, switch on your dipped headlights. Be aware that your eyes might need to adjust to the sudden darkness. You may need to reduce your speed.

Deep water can affect your brakes, so you should check that they’re working properly before you build up speed again. Before you do this, remember to check your mirrors and consider what’s behind you.

If you attempt to move off in a low gear, such as first, the engine will rev at a higher speed. This could cause the wheels to spin and dig further into the snow.

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.

If you want to keep a vehicle off the public road you must declare SORN. It is an offence not to do so. You then won’t have to pay road tax. If you don’t renew the SORN declaration or re-license the vehicle, you will incur a penalty.

A ford is a crossing over a stream that’s shallow enough to go through. After you’ve gone through a ford or deep puddle the water will affect your brakes. To dry them out apply a light brake pressure while moving slowly. Don’t travel at normal speeds until you are sure your brakes are working properly again.

Staying back will increase your view of the road ahead. This will help you to see any hazards that might occur and allow you more time to react.

Learners might not have confidence when they first start to drive. Allow them plenty of room and don’t react adversely to their hesitation. We all learn from experience, but new drivers will have had less practice in dealing with all the situations that might occur.

Windscreen pillars can completely block your view of pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. You should particularly watch out for these road users; don’t just rely on a quick glance. Where possible make eye contact with them so you can be sure they have seen you too.

In good, dry conditions an alert driver who’s driving a vehicle with tyres and brakes in good condition, needs to keep a distance of at least two seconds from the car in front.

If people are waiting to use a pedestrian crossing, slow down and be prepared to stop. Don’t wave them across the road since another driver may, not have seen them, not have seen your signal and may not be able to stop safely.

Slow-moving, large vehicles might slow down the progress of other traffic. On a steep gradient this extra lane is provided for these slow-moving vehicles to allow the faster-moving traffic to flow more easily.

Be extra-cautious, especially when your view is restricted by hedges, bushes, walls and large vehicles etc. In the summer months these junctions can become more difficult to deal with when growing foliage may obscure your view.

Don’t drive or park in a bus lane when it’s in operation. This can cause disruption to traffic and delays to public transport.

At junctions your view is often restricted by buildings, trees or parked cars. You need to be able to see in order to judge a safe gap. Edge forward slowly and keep looking all the time. Don’t cause other road users to change speed or direction as you emerge.

If you feel tired stop at the nearest service area. If it’s too far away leave the motorway at the next exit and find a safe place to stop. You must not stop on the carriageway or hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency, in a traffic queue, when signalled to do so by a police or enforcement officer, or by traffic signals. Plan your journey so that you have regular rest stops.

If your vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for some time, switch off the engine. We should all try to reduce global warming and pollution.

These signs apply only to 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 the event of a towbar failure the cable activates the trailer brakes, then snaps. This allows the towing vehicle to get free of the trailer and out of danger.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce a large percentage of toxic emissions. They work more efficiently when the engine has reached its normal working temperature.

Driving at a slow speed in a high gear will reduce the likelihood of wheel-spin and help your vehicle maintain the best possible grip.

The restraint should be adjusted so that it gives maximum protection to the head and neck. This will help in the event of a rear- end collision.

A vehicle towing trailer must not

• use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway unless directed to do so, for example, at roadworks or due to lane closure
• exceed 60 mph

Under the regulations, you must not enter a yellow box junction unless your exit is clear. However, you can enter the box and wait if you want to turn right and are only blocked by oncoming traffic or other vehicles also waiting to turn right.