Theory Test: Other Vehicles

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.

Topics Include

  • Motorcycles – knowing the problems facing motorcyclists
  • Lorries – understanding the potential hazards larger vehicles can cause
  • Buses & Trams – understanding the potential hazards larger vehicles can cause

Once again safety is the main concern. Many of the questions have you, a car driver, following a large vehicle that is about to turn at a junction such as a roundabout or crossroads. Generally the answers to such questions are:

  • Stay well back from the vehicle
  • Give it room
  • Be prepared to stop
  • Give way to it

I.E. the safest option. No question requires an answer such as: overtake the vehicle or warn the driver by flashing your headlights.

Facts to Know

  • On windy days, when overtaking motorcyclists or cyclists, allow them extra room.
  • Motorcyclists and cyclists will sometimes need to swerve to avoid hazards such as drain covers, so always give them plenty of room when passing them.
  • It can be difficult to see motorcycles when you are waiting at a junction. Always look out for them.
  • Never overtake a lorry that is signaling to turn left or right.
  • A long vehicle may move towards the centre of the road before turning left.
  • A long vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane at a roundabout when turning right.
  • Take care when overtaking a long or high-sided vehicle, always make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead. Such vehicles can make it difficult for you to see the road ahead, so keep well back, as this will improve your view ahead.
  • Prior to overtaking a large vehicle always keep well back from the vehicle, as this will give you a better view ahead.
  • When behind a bus at a bus stop always look out for pedestrians and be ready to give way to the bus as it pulls out.
  • Always give way to a bus that is signalling to pull out.
  • Car drivers need to be careful of trams because trams cannot steer to avoid you. Always give way to them.
  • Never try and overtake a tram.
  • Trams make little noise. You are unlikely to hear them approaching. Neither can they steer to avoid you.
  • Powered vehicles such as wheelchairs have a maximum speed of 8 mph ( 12km/h).
  • Crosswinds are most likely to affect cyclists, motorcyclists, high-sided vehicles and drivers towing caravans or trailers.
  • When towing a caravan you should use extended-arm side mirrors.
  • When driving on a wet road, where heavy spray reduces visibility, you should use dipped headlights and rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 metres.
  • Slow moving vehicles are not allowed on motorways because they can’t keep up with fast moving traffic. Vehicles not allowed on a motorway: motorcycles under 50CC, cycles, tractors and other farm vehicles, powered invalid carriages.
13 votes, 4.8 avg

Theory Test: Other Types of Vehicle

If you want to overtake a long vehicle, stay well back so that you can get a better view of the road ahead. The closer you get the less you will be able to see of the road ahead. Be patient, overtaking calls for sound judgement. DON’T take a gamble, only overtake when you are certain that you can complete the manoeuvre safely.

1 / 16

You wish to overtake a long, slow-moving vehicle on a busy road. You should

(mark ONE answer)

You must ensure that you can be seen by others on the road, but you don't want to dazzle them. Use your dipped headlights during the day if the visibility is bad. If appropriate, use your rear fog lights but don’t forget to turn them off when the visibility improves.

2 / 16

You are driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to be seen. You should use your

(mark TWO answers)

Towing a large trailer or caravan can greatly reduce your view of the road behind. You need to use the correct equipment to make sure you can see clearly behind and down both sides of the caravan or trailer.

3 / 16

You are towing a caravan. Which is the safest type of rear-view mirror to use?

(mark ONE answer)

Cyclists, and motorcyclists, are very vulnerable in crosswinds. They can easily be blown well off course and veer into your path. Always allow plenty of room when overtaking them. Passing too close could cause a draught and unbalance the rider.

4 / 16

It is a very windy day and you are about to overtake a cyclist. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

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.

5 / 16

As a driver why should you be more careful where trams operate?

(mark ONE answer)

Lorries are larger and longer than other vehicles and this can affect their position when approaching junctions. When turning left they may move out to the right so that they don’t cut in and mount the kerb with the rear wheels.

6 / 16

You are following a large articulated vehicle. It is going to turn left into a narrow road. What action should you take?

(mark ONE answer)

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.

7 / 16

Which of these is least likely to be affected by crosswinds?

(mark ONE answer)

There might be pedestrians crossing from in front of the bus. Look out for them if you intend to pass. Consider how many people are waiting to get on the bus - check the queue if you can. The bus might move off straight away if no one is waiting to get on. If a bus is signalling to pull out, give it priority if it’s safe to do so.

8 / 16

You are travelling behind a bus that pulls up at a bus stop. What should you do?

(mark TWO answers)

Large vehicles can hide other vehicles that are overtaking, especially motorcycles which may be filtering past queuing traffic. You need to be aware of the possibility of hidden vehicles and not assume that it is safe to emerge.

9 / 16

You are waiting to emerge left from a minor road. A large vehicle is approaching from the right. You have time to turn, but you should wait. Why?

(mark ONE answer)

In windy weather, watch out for motorcyclists and also cyclists as they can be blown sideways into your path. When you pass them, leave plenty of room and check their position in your mirror before pulling back in.

10 / 16

You are about to overtake a slow-moving motorcyclist. Which one of these signs would make you take special care?

(mark ONE answer)

When a long vehicle is going to turn right it may need to keep close to the left-hand kerb. This is to prevent the rear end of the trailer cutting the corner. You need to be aware of how long vehicles behave in such situations. Don’t overtake the lorry because it could turn as you’re alongside. Stay behind and wait for it to turn.

11 / 16

You are follwing a long vehicle approaching a crossroads. The driver signals right but moves close to the left-hand kerb. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

When following a large vehicle keep well back. If you’re too close you won’t be able to see the road ahead and the driver of the long vehicle might not be able to see you in their mirrors.

12 / 16

Before overtaking a large vehicle you should keep well back. Why is this?

(mark ONE answer)

These are small battery powered vehicles and include wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Some are designed for use on the pavement only and have an upper speed limit of 4 mph (6 km/h). Others can go on the road as well and have a speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h). They are now very common and are generally used by the elderly, disabled or infirm. Take great care as they are extremely vulnerable because of their low speed and small size.

13 / 16

Powered vehicles, such as wheelchairs or scooters, used by disabled people have a maximum speed of

(mark ONE answer)

Large vehicles may throw up a lot of spray when the roads are wet. This will make it difficult for you to see ahead. Dropping back further will move you out of the spray and allow you to see further, and increase your separation distance. It takes longer to stop when the roads are wet and you need to allow more room. Don’t follow the vehicle in front too closely, or overtake unless you can see and are sure that the way ahead is clear.

14 / 16

You are following a large lorry on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to see. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Depending on relevant speed, it will usually take you longer to pass a lorry than other vehicles. Some hazards to watch for include oncoming traffic, junctions ahead, bends or dips which could restrict your view, and signs or road markings that prohibit overtaking. Make sure you can see that it’s safe to complete the manoeuvre before you start to overtake.

15 / 16

Why is it more difficult to overtake a large vehicle than a car?

(mark ONE answer)

Motorcyclists are affected more by windy weather than other vehicles. In windy conditions, high-sided vehicles cause air turbulence. You should keep well back as the motorcyclist could be blown off course.

16 / 16

It is very windy. You are behind a motorcyclist who is overtaking a high-sided vehicle. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

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The average score is 83%

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