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

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.

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

(mark ONE answer)

These lines may be painted on the road on the approach to a roundabout, village or a particular hazard. The lines are raised and painted yellow and their purpose is to make you aware of your speed. Reduce your speed in good time so that you avoid having to brake harshly over the last few metres before reaching the junction.

2 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

A rumble device consists of raised markings or strips across the road. It gives drivers an audible, visual and tactile warning. They are found along the hard shoulder on the motorway and approaching some hazards to alert drivers of the need to slow down.

3 / 25

A rumble device is designed to

(mark ONE answer)

Be especially careful if you’re on a motorway in fog. Reflective studs are used to help you in poor visibility. Different colours are used so that you’ll know which lane you are in. These are
• red on the left-hand side of the road
• white between lanes
• amber on the right-hand edge of the carriageway
• green between the carriageway and slip roads

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)

The purpose of a box junction is to keep the junction clear by preventing vehicles from stopping in the path of crossing traffic. You must not enter a box junction unless your exit is clear. But, you may enter the box and wait if you want to turn right and are only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic.

5 / 25

When may you wait in a box-junction?

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At certain times of the day, traffic might be heavy. If traffic is moving slowly in queues and vehicles in the right-hand lane are moving more slowly, you may overtake on the left.

6 / 25

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

(mark THREE answers)

7 / 25

Traffic calming measures are used to

(mark ONE answer)

Be patient and stay behind the car in front. Normally you should not overtake other vehicles in traffic-calmed areas. If you overtake here your speed may exceed that which is safe along that road, defeating the purpose of the traffic calming measures.

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)

To prevent your lights from dazzling the driver of the car in front, wait until you’ve overtaken before switching to full beam.

9 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

If you’re planning to make a journey when it’s foggy, listen to the weather reports on the radio or television. Don’t travel if visibility is very poor or your trip isn’t necessary. If you do travel, leave plenty of time for your journey. If someone is expecting you at the other end, let them know that you’ll be taking longer than normal to arrive.

10 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Trams can run on roads used by other vehicles and pedestrians. The part of the road used by the tram is known as the reserved area and this should be kept clear. It has a coloured surface and is usually edged with white road markings. It might also have a different surface texture.

11 / 25

Areas reserved for trams may have

(mark THREE answers)

You must take extra care when on single track roads. You may not be able to see around bends due to high hedges or fences. Proceed with caution and expect to meet oncoming vehicles around the next bend. If you do, pull into or opposite a passing place.

12 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

The draught caused by other vehicles could be strong enough to push you out of your lane. Keep both hands on the steering wheel to maintain full control.

13 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Bright rear fog lights might be mistaken for brake lights and could be misleading for the traffic behind.

14 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

You will have additional hazards to deal with at night. Visibility may be very limited and the lights of oncoming vehicles can often dazzle you. When this happens don’t close your eyes, swerve or flash your headlights, as this will also distract other drivers. It may help to focus on the left kerb, verge or lane line.

15 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

Snow chains can be fitted to your tyres during snowy conditions. They can help you to move off from rest or to keep moving in deep snow. You will still need to adjust your driving according to the road conditions at the time.

16 / 25

Chains can be fitted to your wheels to help prevent

(mark ONE answer)

Always use your headlights at night on a motorway unless you have stopped on the hard shoulder. If you break down and have to stop on the hard shoulder, switch off the headlights but leave the sidelights on so that other road users can see your vehicle.

17 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

When going downhill, prolonged use of the brakes can cause them to overheat and lose their effectiveness. Changing to a lower gear will assist your braking.

18 / 25

You will feel the effects of engine braking when you

(mark ONE answer)

Only use your fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced. Use dipped headlights in poor conditions.

19 / 25

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

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Rear fog lights make it easier to spot a vehicle ahead in foggy conditions. Avoid the temptation to use other vehicles’ lights as a guide, as they may give you a false sense of security.

20 / 25

Why are vehicles fitted with rear fog lights?

(mark ONE answer)

Consider if the increased risk is worth it. If the weather conditions are bad and your journey isn’t essential, then stay at home.

21 / 25

When snow is falling heavily you should

(mark ONE answer)

The engine will need more power to pull the vehicle up the hill. When approaching a steep hill you should select a lower gear to help maintain your speed. You should do this without hesitation, so that you don't lose too much speed before engaging the lower gear.

22 / 25

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

(mark TWO answers)

If you’re driving behind other traffic at night on the motorway, leave a two-second time gap and use dipped headlights. Full beam will dazzle the other drivers. Your headlights’ beam should fall short of the vehicle in front.

23 / 25

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

(mark ONE answer)

There are several factors that can affect the distance it takes to stop your vehicle. Adjust your driving to take account of how the weather conditions could affect your tyres' grip on the road.

24 / 25

Which THREE of the following will affect your stopping distance?

(mark THREE answers)

Coasting is when you allow the vehicle to freewheel in neutral or with the clutch pedal depressed. Doing this gives you less control over the vehicle. It's especially not to let your vehicle coast when approaching hazards such as junctions and bends and when travelling downhill.

25 / 25

What are TWO main reasons why coasting downhill is wrong?

(mark TWO answers)

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