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

Metre Zone
Park in a bay and pay during the times shown
Markers that indicate a concealed level crossing
End of minimum speed limit

End of minimum speed limit

National speed limit applies.

National speed limit applies.

No waiting at any time

No waiting at any time

26 votes, 4.8 avg

Theory Test: Rules of the Road

Leave the lane free for cyclists. At other times, when the lane is not in operation, you should still be aware that there may be cyclists about. Give them room and don’t pass too closely.

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)

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

2 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

3 / 25

What must you have to park in a disabled space?

(mark ONE answer)

Keep a look-out for traffic signs. If you’re directed to change lanes, do so in good time. Don’t<br/>
• push your way into traffic in another lane<br/>
• leave changing lanes until the last moment.

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)

Some bus lanes only operate during peak hours and other vehicles may use them outside these hours. Make sure you check the sign for the hours of operation before driving in a bus lane.

5 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

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.

6 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

You MUST NOT park or stop on a road marked with double white lines (even where one of the lines is broken) except to pick up or set down passengers.

7 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

This sign indicates that there are waiting restrictions. It is normally accompanied by details of when restrictions are in force.
Details of most signs which are in common use are shown in The Highway Code and a more comprehensive selection is available in Know Your Traffic Signs.

8 / 25

What is the meaning of this sign?

(mark ONE answer)

A red slash through this sign indicates that the restriction has ended. In this case the restriction was a minimum speed limit of 30 mph.

9 / 25

What does this sign mean?

(mark ONE answer)

End of minimum speed limit

This sign indicates that there are waiting restrictions. It is normally accompanied by details of when restrictions are in force. Details of most signs which are in common use are shown in The Highway Code and a more comprehensive selection is available in Know Your Traffic Signs.

10 / 25

What is the meaning of this sign?

(mark ONE answer)

National speed limit applies.

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.

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)

Long vehicles might have to take a slightly different position when approaching the roundabout or going around it. This is to stop the rear of the vehicle cutting in and mounting the kerb. Horse riders and cyclists might stay in the left-hand lane although they are turning right. Be aware of this and allow them room.

12 / 25

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

(mark THREE answers)

Clearways are in place so that traffic can flow without the obstruction of parked vehicles. Just one parked vehicle will cause an obstruction for all other traffic. You MUST NOT stop where a clearway is in force, not even to pick up or set down passengers.

13 / 25

On a clearway you must not stop

(mark ONE answer)

Red rear reflectors show up when headlights shine on them. These are useful when you are parked at night but will only reflect if you park in the same direction as the traffic flow. Normally you should park on the left, but if you’re in a one-way street you may also park on the right-hand side.

14 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

There are times where road markings can be obscured by queuing traffic, or you might be unsure which lane you need to be in. If you realise that you’re in the wrong lane, don’t cut across lanes or bully other drivers to let you in. Follow the lane you’re in and find somewhere safe to turn around if you need to.

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)

You can overtake other traffic on either side when travelling in a one-way street. Make full use of your mirrors and ensure that it’s clear all around before you attempt to overtake. Look for signs and road markings and use the most suitable lane for your destination.

16 / 25

Where may you overtake on a one-way street?

(mark ONE answer)

When you want to go straight on at a roundabout, don’t signal as you approach it, but indicate left just after you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

17 / 25

When going straight ahead at a roundabout you should

(mark ONE answer)

A long vehicle may have to straddle lanes either on or approaching a roundabout so that the rear wheels don’t cut in over the kerb.
If you’re following a long vehicle, stay well back and give it plenty of room.

18 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Looking well ahead and 'reading' the road will help you to anticipate hazards. This will enable you to stop safely at traffic lights or if ordered to do so by an authorised person.

19 / 25

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

(mark THREE answers)

At some junctions the layout may make it difficult to turn offside to offside. If this is the case, be prepared to pass nearside to nearside, but take extra care as your view ahead will be obscured by the vehicle turning in front of you.

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)

Take care if you have to pass a parked vehicle on your side of the road. Give way to oncoming traffic if there isn’t enough room for you both to continue safely.

21 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Other traffic will have to pull out to pass you. They may have to use the other side of the road, and if you park near the brow of a hill, they may not be able to see oncoming traffic. It's important not to park at or near a bus stop as this could inconvenience passengers, and may put them at risk as they get on or off the bus. Parking near a junction could restrict the view for emerging vehicles.

22 / 25

Which THREE places must you not park?

(mark THREE answers)

You may be difficult to see when you’re travelling at night, even on a well lit road. If you use dipped headlights rather than sidelights other road users will see you more easily.

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)

If you can’t see all around your vehicle get out and have a look. You could also ask someone reliable outside the vehicle to guide you. A small child could easily be hidden directly behind you. Don’t take risks.

24 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Don’t reverse into a main road from a side road. The main road is likely to be busy and the traffic on it moving quickly. Cut down the risks by reversing into a quiet side road.

25 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

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