Theory Test Vulnerable Road Users

To learn all about the Vulnerable Road Users 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

  • Animals – understanding that animals can be unpredictable and may move slowly.
  • Motorcyclists – be aware of their presence on the road.
  • Elderly Drivers – be aware that they may be slower to make decisions
  • Children – be aware that they are particularly unpredictable on and around roads.
  • Pedestrians – be aware of their actions as they cross the road.
  • New Drivers – understanding that they may be more hesitant, allow for this and be patient.
  • Cyclists – be aware that they may swerve to avoid obstructions and are often affected by weather conditions.

Again safety is the main concern and this should inform your choice of answers.

Vulnerable Road Users are

  • Pedestrians
  • Children
  • Older drivers
  • Disabled drivers
  • Cyclists
  • Motorcyclists
  • Animals
  • New drivers

No question is going to have ‘speed up’ as an answer. Questions dealing with how you should interact with vulnerable road users usually require a stay behind, give plenty of room, slow down, be prepared to stop and give way type of answer. No answer will be: sound your horn, flash your headlights or wave them across.

Motorcycles and Cyclists

  • Are small and hard to see. Always look out for them at junctions.
  • At roundabouts, if a cyclists is turning right, give them plenty of room.
  • Never overtake a motorcyclist and cyclists just before turning left.
  • If you see a cyclist approach a roundabout in the left-hand lane don’t just expect them to be turning left, they may go in any direction.
  • When turning right check for motorcyclists as one may be overtaking you.
  • When overtaking a cyclist allow as much room as you would give to a car.
  • Motorcyclists wear bright clothing and often use a dipped headlight during the day, as this makes them easier to see.
  • When following a slow-moving motorcyclist if you are unsure what the rider is going to do you should stay behind.
  • Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable at junctions.
  • On an uneven road give motorcyclists extra room as they may swerve into the road to avoid potholes.
  • In slow moving traffic, if you intend to change lane you should look for motorcyclists filtering through the traffic.
  • A motorcyclist may look over their shoulder when turning right because they need to check for traffic in their blind area.
  • Cyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable to strong winds which can blow them off course. On windy days always allow extra room when overtaking them.
  • Cycle lanes marked with a solid white line – you must not drive or park in the cycle lane during the hours it is in use.
  • Cycle lanes marked with a broken white line – you should drive or park in it only if there is no alternative, but not at times when there are waiting restrictions.

Pedestrians

  • Always give way to pedestrians who have already started to cross a road. If you turn into a road and people are crossing it you must stop, wait and let them cross.
  • Toucan Crossings – cyclists can use these as well as pedestrians. So, ‘2 can’ cross.
  • A pedestrian with a white stick and a red band is deaf and blind.
  • Be patient with elderly pedestrians. Allow them time to cross the road. Be careful, they may misjudge your speed.
  • On country roads pedestrians should walk towards you on your side of the road.
  • At night a pedestrian who is wearing reflective clothing and carrying a bright red light is leading an organized walk.
  • Children are especially hard to see. Take extra care when reversing and when traveling along roads where there are many parked cars.

Horses and Animals

  • At a roundabout, if horses are ahead of you you should give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop. If they are approaching the roundabout in the left hand-lane but are signaling right, you should stay well back.
  • When passing horses you should slow down and allow plenty of room.
  • When passing sheep you should allow plenty of room, go very slowly, be ready to stop. If you do stop, turn off your engine and wait until they have left the road.

Inexperienced and Elderly Drivers

  • Always be patient with elderly and inexperienced drivers. Expect them to react more slowly.

Others Facts to Know

  • Whenever turning right always check your mirrors to make no one is about to overtake you.
  • Powered vehicles used by disabled people have a flashing amber beacon, which indicates a slow moving vehicle.
  • A pedestrian walking with a dog that has a yellow or burgundy coat is likely to be deaf.
  • A person carrying a white stick is likely to be blind. If the stick has a red band, this means the person is also deaf.
  • When approaching any pedestrian crossing be prepared to slow down and stop.
  • At night, if dazzled by vehicles behind, you should set your mirror to anti-dazzle.
  • Give way to buses when they signal to pull out.
  • Always give way to trams as they cannot steer to avoid you.
  • When elderly people are crossing the road be patient and allow them to cross in their own time.

Signs to Know

Road markings school keep clear

Road marking outside a school. You should not wait or park here, as you may obstruct children’s view of the crossing area.

Cycle route ahead

Theory Road sign elderly people

Elderly people crossing

Pedestrians my be walking in the road as there is no pavement

A route for pedestrians and cyclists.

A route for pedestrians and cyclists

Sign found on School Bus

Sign found on school bus

With flow pedal lane

With-flow pedal cycle lane.

6 votes, 5 avg

Theory Test: Vulnerable Road Users

If you see a bus ahead watch out for pedestrians. They may not be able to see you if they’re crossing from behind the bus.

1 / 29

You are driving in town. There is a bus at the bus stop on the other side of the road. Why should you be careful?

(mark ONE answer)

Toucan crossings are shared by pedestrians and cyclists and they are shown the green light together. Cyclists are permitted to cycle across. The signals are push-button operated and there is no flashing amber phase.

2 / 29

A toucan crossing is different from other crossings because

(mark ONE answer)

Check that it’s clear before you turn into a junction. If there are pedestrians crossing they have priority, so let them cross in their own time.

3 / 29

You are turning left into a side road. Pedestrians are crossing the road near the junction.

You must (mark ONE answer)

Wait until the pedestrian has passed, then look around again before you start to reverse. Don’t forget that you may not be able to see a small child directly behind your vehicle. Be aware of the possibility of hidden dangers.

4 / 29

You are reversing around a corner when you notice a pedestrian walking behind you. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

On a quiet country road always be aware that there may be a hazard just around the next bend, such as a slow-moving vehicle or pedestrians. Pedestrians are advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road if there is no pavement, so they may be walking towards you on your side of the road.

5 / 29

You are on a country road. What should you expect to see coming towards you on YOUR side of the road?

(mark ONE answer)

Horse riders often keep to the outside of a roundabout even if they are turning right. Give them plenty of room and remember that they may have to cross lanes of traffic.

6 / 29

You are approaching a roundabout. There are horses just ahead of you. You should

(mark TWO answers)

If a motorcyclist is travelling slowly it may be that they are looking for a turning or entrance. Be patient and stay behind them in case they need to make a sudden change of direction.

7 / 29

There is a slow-moving motorcyclist ahead of you. You are unsure what the rider is going to do. You should

(mark ONE answer)

If you’re waiting to emerge from a side road watch out for motorcycles: they’re small and can be difficult to see. Be especially careful if there are parked vehicles restricting your view, there might be a motorcycle approaching. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, DON’T GO.

8 / 29

You are waiting to come out of a side road. Why should you watch carefully for motorcycles?

(mark ONE answer)

If you’re following a cyclist who’s signalling to turn right at a roundabout leave plenty of room. Give them space and time to get into the correct lane.

9 / 29

You are coming to a roundabout. A cyclist is signalling to turn right. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

Older people may have impaired hearing, vision, concentration and judgement. They may also walk slowly and so could take a long time to cross the road.

10 / 29

You see two elderly pedestrians about to cross the road ahead. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Take extra care as the pedestrian may not be aware of vehicles approaching.

11 / 29

You see a pedestrian with a dog. The dog has a yellow or burgundy coat. This especially warns you that the pedestrian is

(mark ONE answer)

If you want to turn left and there’s a cyclist in front of you, hold back. Wait until the cyclist has passed the junction and then turn left behind them.

12 / 29

You should never attempt to overtake a cyclist

(mark ONE answer)

The flashing amber lights are switched on to warn you that children may be crossing near a school. Slow down and take extra care as you may have to stop.

13 / 29

There are flashing amber lights under a school warning sign. What action should you take?

(mark ONE answer)

You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of older drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don’t lose patience or show your annoyance.

14 / 29

You are following a car driven by an elderly driver. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Cyclists approaching a roundabout in the left-hand lane may be turning right but may not have been able to get into the correct lane due to the heavy traffic. They may also feel safer keeping to the left all the way round the roundabout. Be aware of them and give them plenty of room.

15 / 29

You are following two cyclists. They approach a roundabout in the left-hand lane. In which direction should you expect the cyclists to go?

(mark ONE answer)

Cyclists and motorcyclists are smaller than other vehicles and so are more difficult to see. They can easily become hidden from your view by cars parked near a junction.

16 / 29

Why should you look particularly for motorcyclists and cyclists at junctions?

(mark ONE answer)

Always check the road signs. Triangular signs are warningsigns and they will keep you informed of hazards ahead to help you anticipate problems.

17 / 29

Which sign means that there may be people walking along the road?

(mark ONE answer)

Theory Road sign question

Always check the road into which you are turning. Approaching at the correct speed will allow you enough time to observe and react. Give way to any pedestrians already crossing the road.

18 / 29

You are turning left from a main road into a side road. People are already crossing the road into which you are turning. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Vehicles that are used to carry children to and from school will be travelling at busy times of the day. If you’re following a vehicle with this sign be prepared for it to make frequent stops. It might pick up or set down passengers in places other than normal bus stops.

19 / 29

Where would you see this sign?

(mark ONE answer)

Sign found on School Bus

If you’re following a cyclist who’s signalling to turn right at a roundabout leave plenty of room. Give them space and time to get into the correct lane.

20 / 29

You are coming up to a roundabout. A cyclist is signalling to turn right. What should you do?

(mark ONE answer)

A motorcycle can be lost from sight behind another vehicle. The use of the headlight helps to make it more conspicuous and therefore more easily seen.

21 / 29

In daylight, an approaching motorcyclist is using a dipped headlight. Why?

(mark ONE answer)

If a motorcyclist is travelling slowly it may be that they are looking for a turning or entrance. Be patient and stay behind them in case they need to make a sudden change of direction.

22 / 29

There is a slow-moving motorcyclist ahead of you. You are unsure what the rider is going to do. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Pedestrians and riders on two wheels can be harder to see than other road users. Make sure you keep a look-out for them, especially at junctions. Good effective observation, coupled with appropiate action, can save lives.

23 / 29

At road junctions which of the following are most vulnerable?

(mark THREE answers)

Even if the lights turn to green, wait for them to clear the crossing. Allow them to cross the road in their own time, and don’t try to hurry them by revving your engine.

24 / 29

As you approach a pelican crossing the lights change to green. Elderly people are halfway across. You should

(mark ONE answer)

Powered vehicles used by disabled people are small, low, hard to see and travel very slowly. On a dual carriageway a flashing amber light will warn other road users.

25 / 29

Powered vehicles used by disabled people are small and hard to see. How do they give early warning when on a dual carriageway?

(mark ONE answer)

The picture of a cycle will also usually be painted on the road, sometimes with a different coloured surface. Leave these clear for cyclists and don’t pass too closely when you overtake.

26 / 29

What does this sign mean?

(mark ONE answer)

With people's concern today for the environment, cycle routes are being created in our towns and cities. These are usually defined by road markings and signs.

27 / 29

What does this sign mean?

(mark ONE answer)

Slow down and be ready to stop if you see animals in the road ahead. Animals are easily frightened by noise and vehicles passing too close to them. Stop if signalled to do so by the person in charge.

28 / 29

Which THREE should you do when passing sheep on the road?

(mark THREE answers)

As you look through the rear of your vehicle you may not be able to see a small child. Be aware of this before you reverse. If there are children about, get out and check if it is clear before reversing.

29 / 29

Who is especially in danger of not being seen as you reverse your car?

(mark ONE answer)

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The average score is 89%

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