Theory Test Vehicle Handling Category

To learn all about the Attitude category, watch the video or read the article below.

The theory test featuring questions from the alertness category is at the bottom of the page.

The questions deal with how external factors, such as the weather, can affect the handling of your vehicle and overall road safety. As always, safety is the prime concern – a fact that is reflected in the answers to the questions.

Overtaking at Night

Be careful because you can see less.
Be careful because you can see less.
Don’t dazzle other road users.
If you are overtaken at night and you have your headlights on full beam, you should switch to dipped beam as the overtaking car draws level with you.

Facts to Know

In heavy rain your overall stopping distance is likely to be doubled.
If heavy snow is falling you should not drive unless it is essential.
Areas reserved for trams may have white line markings, a different coloured surface, a different surface texture.
You active the engine brake when you change to a lower gear.
When driving up a steep hill lower gears will pull better, the engine will work harder, you will slow down sooner.
On icy roads the distance you should driver from the car in front is ten times the normal distance.
Coasting (rolling in neutral gear or holding the clutch pedal down) is dangerous because you will have less steering and braking control, and won’t be able to make use of the engine brake.<
When using your brakes a lot i.e. when driving downhill you may notice that they don’t work as well as normal. This is due to them overheating.
You must use dipped headlights during the day if visibility is poor.
When driving through a Ford (a small stream) remember, it could be more difficult in the winter, use a low gear and driver slowly, test your brakes afterwards, there may be a depth gauge, which will show how deep the water is.
Traffic calming measures are used to slow traffic down.
In windy weather, high-sided vehicles, cyclists, motorcyclists and cars towing caravans are likely to be most affected.
To correct a rear-wheel skid you should steer into it.
You must use dipped headlights during the day when visibility is poor.
A rumble device is designed to alert you to a hazard.
Areas reserved for trams may have a) white line markings b) a different coloured surface c) a different textured surface.

Box Junctions

You may wait in a box junction when oncoming traffic prevents you turning right.
Traffic calming measures, such as road humps, are designed to slow traffic down.
Rumble strips, raised markings or yellow painted strips across the road, are designed to alert you to a hazard ahead, make you aware of your speed and encourage you to slow down.

When Driving in Fog

Leave plenty of time for the journey.
Only drive when absolutely necessary.
Reduce your speed, as it is harder to see ahead.
Keep well back from vehicles in front, as they may stop suddenly.
Turn on rear fog lights when visibility drops below 100 metres (328 feet).
Front fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced.
When fog clears you must turn off fog lights, as they can dazzle other road users and cause brake lights to be less clear.
Driving with fog lights on when visibility is above 100 metres is breaking the law.
Before driving in fog check you lights are working and make sure your windows are clean.

Motorways

On a well-lit motorway at night always use dipped headlights
If you break down on the motorway, or have to stop on the hard shoulder you must turn your headlights off and turn on the sidelights.
The left-hand side of a motorway lane edge is marked by red reflective studs.
The reflective studs between lanes are white.
The right-hand edge of a motorway lane is marked by amber reflective studs.
The reflective studs between the carriageway and slip road are green.

7 votes, 5 avg

Theory Test: Vehicle Handling

1 / 25

After this hazard you should test your brakes. Why is this?

(mark ONE answer)

You will be on a slippery road

Your brakes will be soaking wet

You will be going downhill

You will have just crossed a long bridge

2 / 25

You see these markings on the road. Why are they there?

(mark ONE answer)

To show a safe distance between vehicles

To keep the area clear of traffic

To make you aware of your speed

To warn you to change direction

3 / 25

A rumble device is designed to

(mark ONE answer)

give directions

prevent cattle escaping

alert you to low type pressure

encourage you to reduce your speed

4 / 25

You are on a motorway in fog. The left-hand edge of the motorway can be identified by reflective studs. What colour are they?

(mark ONE answer)

Green

Amber

Red

White

5 / 25

When may you wait in a box-junction?

(mark ONE answer)

When you are stationary in a queue of traffic

When approaching a pelican crossing

When approaching a zebra crossing

When oncoming traffic prevents you turning right

6 / 25

In which THREE of these situations may you overtake another vehicle on the left?

(mark THREE answers)

When you are in a one-way street

When approaching a motorway slip road where you will be turning off

When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right

When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway

In slow-moving traffic queues when traffic in the right-hand lane is moving more slowly

7 / 25

Traffic calming measures are used to

(mark ONE answer)

stop road rage

help overtaking

slow traffic down

help parking

8 / 25

You are on a road which has speed humps. A driver in front is travelling slower than you. You should

(mark ONE answer)

sound your horn

overtake as soon as you can

flash your headlights

slow down and stay behind

9 / 25

You are overtaking a car at night. You must be sure that

(mark ONE answer)

you flash your headlights before overtaking

you select a higher gear

you have switched your lights to full beam before overtaking

you do not dazzle other road users

10 / 25

You have to make a journey in foggy conditions. You should

(mark ONE answer)

follow other vehicles' tail lights closely

avoid using dipped headlights

leave plenty of time for your journey

keep two seconds behind other vehicles

11 / 25

Areas reserved for trams may have

(mark THREE answers)

metal studs around them

white line markings

zigzag markings

a different coloured surface

a different surface texture

12 / 25

You see a vehicle coming towards you on a single-track road. You should

(mark ONE answer)

go back to the main road

do an emergency stop

stop at a passing place

put on your hazard warning lights

13 / 25

You are driving on a motorway in windy conditions. When passing high-sided vehicles you should

(mark ONE answer)

increase your speed

be wary of a sudden gust

drive alongside very closely

expect normal conditions

14 / 25

Whilst driving, the fog clears and you can see more clearly. You must remember to

(mark ONE answer)

switch off the fog lights

reduce your speed

switch off the demister

close any open windows

15 / 25

You are driving at night. You are dazzled by headlights coming towards you. You should

(mark ONE answer)

pull down your sun visor

slow down or stop

switch on your main beam headlights

put your hand over your eyes

16 / 25

Chains can be fitted to your wheels to help prevent

(mark ONE answer)

damage to the road surface

skidding in deep snow

wear to the tyres

the brakes locking

17 / 25

You are on the motorway at night. You must have your headlights switched on unless

(mark ONE answer)

there are vehicles close in front of you

you are travelling below 50 mph

the motorway is lit

your vehicle is broken down on the hard shoulder

18 / 25

You will feel the effects of engine braking when you

(mark ONE answer)

only use the handbrake

only use neutral

change to a lower gear

change to a higher gear

19 / 25

Daytime visibility is poor but not seriously reduced. You should switch on

(mark ONE answer)

headlights and fog lights

front fog lights

rear fog lights

dipped headlights

20 / 25

Why are vehicles fitted with rear fog lights?

(mark ONE answer)

To be seen when driving at high speed

To use if broken down in a dangerous position

To make them more visible in thick fog

To warn drivers following closely to drop back

21 / 25

When snow is falling heavily you should

(mark ONE answer)

only drive with your hazard lights on

not drive unless you have a mobile phone

only drive when your journey is short

not drive unless it is essential

22 / 25

Hills can affect the performance of your vehicle. Which TWO apply when driving up steep hills?

(mark TWO answers)

Higher gears will pull better

You will slow down sooner

Overtaking will be easier

The engine will work harder

The steering will feel heavier

23 / 25

You are on a motorway at night with other vehicles ahead of you. Which lights should you have on?

(mark ONE answer)

Front fog lights

Main beam headlights

Sidelights only

Dipped headlights

24 / 25

Which THREE of the following will affect your stopping distance?

(mark THREE answers)

How fast you are going

The tyres on your vehicle

The time of day

The weather

The street lighting

25 / 25

What are TWO main reasons why coasting downhill is wrong?

(mark TWO answers)

Fuel consumption will be higher

It puts more wear and tear on the tyres

You have less braking and steering control

It damages the engine

The vehicle will get faster

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