Theory Test Rules of the Road

To learn all about the Rules of the Road category. Watch the video or read the article below.

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

Topics Include

Speed Limits – Knowing the different speed limits and when to use these speed limits.
Lighting – using car lighting effectively and safely to see and be seen when driving.
Lane Discipline – know and understanding lane rule regulations.
Parking – where to safely park and knowing the different parking restrictions and regulations.

Again, safety is a theme that dominates many questions.

Many questions present every day road situations where the correct answer is always the safest options, for example:

You are on a busy main road and find that you are travelling in the wrong direction. What should you do?

1. Turn into a side road on the right and reverse into the main road

2. Make a U-turn in the main road

3. Make a ‘three-point’ turn in the main road

4. Turn round in a side road

The correct answer, the safest, is 4.

No question will require an answer such as ‘speed up’, ‘sound your horn’ or ‘flash your lights’

Facts to Know

The national speed limit for cars and motorcycles on single carriageway roads is 60 mph.
The national speed limit for cars and motorcycles on motorways and dual carriageways is 70 mph.
The speed limit for cars towing a trailer on single carriageway roads is 50 mph.
The speed limit for cars towing a small caravan on motorways and dual carriageways is 60 mph.
On a road with street lights, but no speed limit signs, the speed limit is usually 30 mph.
At an unmarked crossroads no one has priority.
The nearest you can park to a junction is 10 metres (32 feet).
You may drive over a footpath to get to a property.
You must not drive in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its period of operation.
A cycle lane marked by a broken white line means you should not drive in, or park in the lane unless it is unavoidable.
You must not drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation. The hours of operation will be marked on the bus lane road sign.
You must not stop where an urban clearway is in force.
When waiting at a level crossing if the red lights continue to flash after a train has passed you must continue to wait.
Never park in an disabled only parking space unless permitted i.e. you are a blue badge holder.
If a car overtakes you at night and you have your headlights on full beam you should switch them to dipped as soon as the vehicle passes you.
Zebra Crossing – if someone is waiting to cross you should stop and let them cross.
Toucan Crossings – can be use by cyclists and pedestrians.
Pelican Crossings – a flashing amber light means you must give way to pedestrians still crossing. If the light changes to red and people are still crossing then you must continue to wait and let them cross
You can only drive in a bus lane outside its hours of operation.
Never reverse for longer than you have to, or from a side road into a main road.

Box Junctions

You may only wait in a box junction when you’re turning right and your exit lane is clear but you can’t complete the turn because of oncoming traffic. For further information see our box Junctions Video Tutorial.

Parking at Night

If you park at night on a road where the speed limit is above 30 mph you must leave your parking lights (sidelights) on.
Always park facing the flow of traffic

Where Not to Park

On the pavement
At a bus stop
In front of someone’s drive
Opposite a traffic island
Near a school entrance
On a pedestrian crossing (or inside the zigzag lines either side of it)
Near a junction
On a clearway
On a motorway

Roundabouts

Going left – signal left as you approach the roundabout. Keep signalling until you have left the roundabout.
Going straight ahead – signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you will take.
Going right – signal right as you approach the roundabout. Signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you will take. Roundabouts Video Tutorial.
Cyclists and horse riders may stay in the left-hand lane even if they are turning right.
Long vehicles may take up a different position to stop the rear of the vehicle hitting the kerb.

Reversing

You must not reverse for longer than is necessary.
Never reverse from a side road onto a main road
When reversing into a side road, the main hazard to oncoming traffic, is when the front of your vehicle swings out.

Key Signs

Park in a bay and pay during the times shown

Markers that indicate a concealed level crossing

End of minimum speed limit

National speed limit applies.

No waiting at any time

23 votes, 4.8 avg

Theory Test: Rules of the Road

1 / 25

You are driving along a road that has a cycle lane. The lane is marked by a solid white line. This means that during its period of operation

(mark ONE answer)

the lane may be used for parking your car

you may drive in that lane at any time

the lane may be used when necessary

you must not drive in that lane

2 / 25

You are at a level crossing. The red warning lights continue to flash after a train has passed by. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Get out and investigate

Telephone the signal operator

Continue to wait

Drive across carefully

3 / 25

What must you have to park in a disabled space?

(mark ONE answer)

A Blue Badge

A wheelchair

An advanced driver certificate

An adapted vehicle

4 / 25

You are in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway. You see signs showing that the right-hand lane is closed 800 yards ahead. You should

(mark ONE answer)

keep in that lane until you reach the queue

move to the left immediately

wait and see which lane is moving faster

move to the left in good time

5 / 25

When may you drive a motor car in the bus lane?

(mark ONE answer)

Outside the hours of operation

To get to the front of a traffic queue

You may not use it at any time

To overtake slow-moving traffic

6 / 25

You are towing a small caravan on a dual carriageway. You must not exceed

(mark ONE answer)

50 mph

40 mph

60 mph

70 mph

7 / 25

When can you park on the left opposite these road markings?

(mark ONE answer)

If the line nearest to you is broken

When there are no yellow lines

To pick up or set down passengers

During daylight hours only

8 / 25

What is the meaning of this sign?

(mark ONE answer)

No entry

Waiting restrictions

National speed limit

School crossing patrol

9 / 25

What does this sign mean?

(mark ONE answer)

Minimum speed 30 mph

End of minimum speed

End of maximum speed

Maximum speed 30 mph

10 / 25

What is the meaning of this sign?

(mark ONE answer)

Local speed limit applies

No waiting on the carriageway

National speed limit applies

No entry to road ahead

11 / 25

There is a tractor ahead of you. You wish to overtake but you are not sure if it is safe to do so. You should

(mark ONE answer)

follow another overtaking vehicle through

sound your horn to the slow vehicle to pull over

speed through but flash your lights to oncoming traffic

not overtake if you are in doubt

12 / 25

Which THREE of the following are most likely to take an unusual course at roundabouts?

(mark THREE answers)

Horse riders

Milk floats

Delivery vans

Long vehicles

Estate cars

Cyclists

13 / 25

On a clearway you must not stop

(mark ONE answer)

at any time

when it is busy

in the rush hour

during daylight hours

14 / 25

You can park on the right-hand side of a road at night

(mark ONE answer)

in a one-way street

with your sidelights on

more than 10 metres (32 feet) from a junction

under a lamp-post

15 / 25

You are approaching a busy junction. There are several lanes with road markings. At the last moment you realise that you are in the wrong lane. You should

(mark ONE answer)

continue it that lane

force your way across

stop until the area has cleared

use clear arm signals to cut across

16 / 25

Where may you overtake on a one-way street?

(mark ONE answer)

Only on the left-hand side

Overtaking is not allowed

Only on the right-hand side

Either on the right or the left

17 / 25

When going straight ahead at a roundabout you should

(mark ONE answer)

indicate left before leaving the roundabout

not indicate at any time

indicate right when approaching the roundabout

indicate left when approaching the roundabout

18 / 25

Which vehicle might have to use a different course to normal at roundabouts?

(mark ONE answer)

Sports car

Van

Estate car

Long vehicle

19 / 25

You must stop when signalled to do so by which THREE of these?

(mark THREE answers)

A police officer

A pedestrian

A school crossing patrol

A bus driver

A red traffic light

20 / 25

You are intending to turn right at a crossroads. An oncoming driver is also turning right. It will normally be safer to

(mark ONE answer)

keep the other vehicle to your RIGHT and turn behind it (offside to offside)

keep the other vehicle to your LEFT and turn in front of it (nearside to nearside)

carry on and turn at the next junction instead

hold back and wait for the other driver to turn first

21 / 25

You meet an obstruction on your side of the road. You should

(mark ONE answer)

carry on, you have priority

give way to oncoming traffic

wave oncoming vehicles through

accelerate to get past first

22 / 25

Which THREE places must you not park?

(mark THREE answers)

Near the brow of a hill

At or near a bus stop

Where there is no pavement

Within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction

On a 40 mph road

23 / 25

You are travelling on a well-lit road at night in a built-up area. By using dipped headlights you will be able to

(mark ONE answer)

see further along the road

go at a much faster speed

switch to main beam quickly

be easily seen by others

24 / 25

When you are not sure that it is safe to reverse your vehicle you should

(mark ONE answer)

use your horn

rev your engine

get out and check

reverse slowly

25 / 25

When may you reverse from a side road into a main road?

(mark ONE answer)

Only if both roads are clear of traffic

Not at any time

At any time

Only if the main road is clear of traffic

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