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Hazard Awareness: all 42 questions and answers

Question 1

You see a pedestrian with a white stick and red band. This means the person is

  1. Physically disabled
  2. Deaf only
  3. Blind only
  4. Deaf and blind

A white stick with a red band indicates that the person is both deaf and blind. Be very cautious as they cannot see or hear traffic.

Question 2

You see this sign on the back of a slow-moving lorry. What does it mean?

  1. The lorry is carrying hazardous chemicals
  2. The lorry is a long vehicle
  3. The lorry has a maximum speed of 30 mph
  4. The lorry is carrying wide loads

A 'Long Vehicle' sign on the back of a lorry warns you that the vehicle is longer than normal, so allow extra room when overtaking.

Question 3

What hazard should you be aware of when driving near a school at 3:30 pm?

  1. Increased traffic from delivery vans
  2. Road repairs happening nearby
  3. Children coming out of school
  4. Traffic wardens directing traffic

Around 3:30 pm is a typical school finishing time. Children may be excited and less careful about road safety. Drive slowly and be prepared to stop.

Question 4

You are driving on a country road. You see a warning sign for a bend ahead. You should

  1. Maintain your speed and steer sharply
  2. Slow down before the bend
  3. Brake hard while going around the bend
  4. Accelerate through the bend

You should always slow down before reaching a bend, not while going around it. Braking or accelerating while cornering can cause a loss of control.

Question 5

You are driving behind a tanker displaying a hazard warning plate. The tanker is involved in a collision. What should you do?

  1. Approach the tanker to check for damage
  2. Phone the emergency services and report the tanker's hazard plate details
  3. Try to move the tanker off the road
  4. Pour water on any spilled substances

If a tanker with a hazard plate is involved in a collision, keep well away. Phone the emergency services and give them the details on the hazard plate, which tells them what the tanker is carrying.

Question 6

When driving at night, you should only use your full beam headlights when

  1. There is a car ahead travelling in the same direction
  2. You are on a well-lit motorway
  3. There are no other road users ahead who could be dazzled
  4. Meeting oncoming traffic on a dual carriageway

Full beam headlights should only be used when there is no risk of dazzling other road users. Dip your lights when facing oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle.

Question 7

What should you do if you see a red warning triangle on the road?

  1. Stop immediately
  2. Speed up to pass the hazard quickly
  3. Slow down as there may be a hazard ahead
  4. Ignore it and continue driving

A red warning triangle is placed on the road to warn traffic of a hazard ahead such as a broken-down vehicle. Slow down and be prepared to stop or take action.

Question 8

How does alcohol affect your driving?

  1. It improves your concentration
  2. It speeds up your reactions
  3. It reduces your coordination and judgement
  4. It improves your vision at night

Alcohol significantly reduces coordination, judgement, and reaction times. Even small amounts of alcohol affect your ability to drive safely. The only safe option is not to drink at all if you are driving.

Question 9

You take a prescribed medicine. You should only drive if

  1. You have taken less than the recommended dose
  2. It was prescribed by your GP
  3. You have checked that it will not make you drowsy
  4. You only drive for short distances

Some prescription medicines can cause drowsiness or impair your driving. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist whether a medicine could affect your ability to drive safely.

Question 10

You are driving along a narrow country road. What should you do if you see a horse and rider ahead?

  1. Sound your horn to let them know you are there
  2. Rev your engine so they move out of the way
  3. Slow down and be prepared to stop
  4. Flash your headlights to alert the rider

Horses can be easily frightened by vehicles. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Pass wide and slow, and avoid sounding your horn or revving your engine.

Question 11

What should you do if dazzled by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle?

  1. Flash your headlights in retaliation
  2. Put on your full beam to match them
  3. Slow down or stop until your eyes recover
  4. Close your eyes briefly

If you are dazzled by oncoming headlights, slow down and if necessary stop. Do not look directly at the lights. It takes a few seconds for your eyes to recover.

Question 12

What does a flashing amber beacon on a vehicle indicate?

  1. The vehicle is a police car
  2. The vehicle is slow-moving or a hazard
  3. The vehicle is broken down
  4. The vehicle is carrying dangerous goods

A flashing amber beacon warns you that the vehicle is slow-moving (such as a gritter or tractor) or a potential hazard. Be prepared to slow down and overtake carefully.

Question 13

You're planning a long overnight journey and start to feel sleepy on the motorway. What should you do?

  1. Stop on the hard shoulder and rest
  2. Open the window and continue driving
  3. Leave at the next exit and stop somewhere safe to rest
  4. Speed up to finish the journey sooner

Tiredness greatly increases collision risk. If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place — but never on a motorway hard shoulder, which is for emergencies only (Highway Code Rule 91).

Question 14

How often should you take a break on a long drive to reduce the risk of tiredness?

  1. At least a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving
  2. A 5-minute break every four hours
  3. Only when you begin to fall asleep
  4. One break halfway through the journey, however long it is

To stay alert on long journeys you should plan a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving (Highway Code Rule 91).

Question 15

During which hours is the risk of falling asleep at the wheel generally highest?

  1. Between 8 am and 10 am
  2. Between midnight and 6 am
  3. Between midday and 2 pm
  4. Between 4 pm and 6 pm

You should avoid driving between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum and the risk of sleep-related collisions is highest (Highway Code Rule 91).

Question 16

In good daylight, from what distance must you be able to read a vehicle number plate?

  1. 10 metres
  2. 15 metres
  3. 20 metres
  4. 30 metres

You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres, wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need them (Highway Code Rule 92).

Question 17

You need glasses to read a number plate at the required distance. When must you wear them while driving?

  1. Only at night
  2. Only on motorways
  3. Only when it's raining
  4. At all times while driving

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight standard, you must wear them at all times while driving (Highway Code Rule 92).

Question 18

You're driving towards a low winter sun and are dazzled by the bright light. What should you do?

  1. Slow down or, if necessary, stop
  2. Close your eyes briefly until it passes
  3. Flash your headlights at oncoming traffic
  4. Speed up to get out of the glare quickly

If you're dazzled by bright sunlight you should slow down and, if necessary, stop until you can see clearly again (Highway Code Rule 93).

Question 19

Why should you avoid wearing tinted glasses when driving at night?

  1. They can dazzle other drivers
  2. They restrict your vision in low light
  3. They make headlights appear brighter
  4. They are illegal in all vehicles

Tinted glasses, lenses or visors should be avoided at night or in poor visibility because they restrict your vision when light levels are already low (Highway Code Rule 94).

Question 20

What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in England and Wales, measured in breath?

  1. 22 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath
  2. 50 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath
  3. 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath
  4. 80 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath

In England and Wales the limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath (or 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood). Scotland's limits are lower (Highway Code Rule 95).

Question 21

How does the drink-drive limit in Scotland compare with the limit in England and Wales?

  1. It is the same
  2. It is higher
  3. There is no limit in Scotland
  4. It is lower

Scotland has lower drink-drive limits (22 microgrammes per 100 ml of breath or 50 milligrammes per 100 ml of blood) than England and Wales (Highway Code Rule 95).

Question 22

You've been prescribed a new medicine and aren't sure whether it will affect your driving. What should you do before driving?

  1. Check with your doctor or pharmacist
  2. Take a shorter route than usual
  3. Drive only during daylight hours
  4. Take half the prescribed dose

You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or medicine. If you're unsure about a medication's effects, check with your doctor or pharmacist first (Highway Code Rule 96).

Question 23

You develop a health condition that could affect your ability to drive safely. Who must you report it to?

  1. Your car insurance company only
  2. The DVLA
  3. Your local police station
  4. The nearest driving test centre

You must make sure you're fit to drive and report to the DVLA any health condition that could affect your driving ability (Highway Code Rule 90).

Question 24

The road ahead is clear and the speed limit is 60 mph. How should you treat this limit?

  1. As a target speed to maintain
  2. As a minimum speed
  3. As a maximum, driving slower where conditions require
  4. As advisory only

You shouldn't treat speed limits as targets. Be prepared for unexpected situations, junctions and road users, and adapt your speed to the conditions (Highway Code Rule 146).

Question 25

You're driving along a residential street lined with parked cars. Which hazard should you particularly anticipate?

  1. Overhead power cables
  2. Loose road chippings
  3. Slow-moving farm vehicles
  4. Car doors opening and children stepping out

On residential streets, drive slowly and carefully, watching for opening car doors, pedestrians, children, cyclists, motorcyclists and vehicles emerging or moving off (Highway Code Rule 152).

Question 26

A ball bounces out from between parked cars ahead of you. What should you expect and do?

  1. A child may follow it, so slow down and be ready to stop
  2. Sound your horn and maintain your speed
  3. Swerve around the ball without slowing
  4. Stop and pick up the ball

In residential areas you should anticipate children near parked vehicles. Drive slowly and carefully, ready to stop if someone steps out (Highway Code Rule 152).

Question 27

Roughly what chance does an elderly pedestrian have of being killed if hit by a car at 20 mph?

  1. About 1 in 2
  2. About 1 in 20
  3. Almost certain death
  4. About 1 in 5

At 20 mph there is roughly a 1-in-20 chance an elderly pedestrian will be killed, whereas at 40 mph they will most likely be killed — a key reason to slow down near vulnerable pedestrians (Highway Code Rule 207).

Question 28

A bus displaying a school bus sign has stopped ahead on the other side of the road. What should you do?

  1. Flash your lights to warn the driver
  2. Continue at your normal speed as it's on the other side
  3. Slow down significantly as children may cross
  4. Stop and wait until the bus leaves

You should slow down significantly when passing a stationary school bus, as children may cross the road in front of or behind it (Highway Code Rule 209).

Question 29

A school crossing patrol steps into the road showing a 'Stop for children' sign. What must you do?

  1. Slow down and drive around them carefully
  2. Sound your horn to warn the children
  3. Continue if no children are visible
  4. Stop and wait until the sign is withdrawn

You MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a 'Stop for children' sign (Highway Code Rule 210).

Question 30

Why should you check your mirrors and blind spots especially carefully before turning at a junction?

  1. Motorcyclists and cyclists are difficult to spot
  2. Your indicators may not be working
  3. Large vehicles always have priority
  4. Pedestrians are not allowed near junctions

Motorcyclists and cyclists are difficult to see, so check mirrors and blind spots carefully before turning (Highway Code Rule 211).

Question 31

How much room should you give a cyclist when overtaking in windy weather?

  1. The same as in normal conditions
  2. Slightly less, as they will be riding slowly
  3. Extra room, as they may be blown off course
  4. None extra, provided you sound your horn first

Give cyclists as much room as you would a car when overtaking, and allow extra room in bad weather and at night (Highway Code Rule 212).

Question 32

A cyclist ahead is riding in the centre of a narrow lane. Why might they be doing this?

  1. They are being deliberately obstructive
  2. For their own safety on the narrow road
  3. They must be preparing to stop
  4. Cyclists are required to ride centrally at all times

Cyclists may ride in the centre of a narrow lane for their own safety, and may also change direction suddenly to avoid road hazards — be patient and allow for this (Highway Code Rule 213).

Question 33

A cyclist ahead swerves suddenly towards the middle of the road. What is the most likely reason?

  1. They are avoiding a hazard such as a pothole or drain
  2. They want you to overtake immediately
  3. They are signalling a left turn
  4. They are racing another cyclist

You should accommodate cyclists' sudden changes of direction, as they may need to avoid road surface hazards (Highway Code Rule 213).

Question 34

What is the maximum speed you should pass a horse and rider, and how much space should you leave?

  1. 20 mph with 1 metre of space
  2. 15 mph with 1.5 metres of space
  3. 10 mph with at least 2 metres of space
  4. 5 mph with at least 3 metres of space

When passing horse riders, reduce your speed to a maximum of 10 mph and leave at least 2 metres of space (Highway Code Rule 215).

Question 35

You're passing sheep being herded along a country road. What should you avoid doing?

  1. Driving slowly past them
  2. Leaving plenty of clearance
  3. Watching the herder for signals
  4. Sounding your horn or revving your engine

Pass animals slowly with plenty of room, and don't sound your horn or rev your engine near them as this can frighten them (Highway Code Rule 214).

Question 36

An elderly driver ahead is slow to pull away at a junction. How should you respond?

  1. Sound your horn to prompt them
  2. Be patient and allow for slower reaction times
  3. Overtake immediately through the junction
  4. Drive close behind to encourage them to hurry

Older drivers may have slower reaction times, and you should allow for this by being patient (Highway Code Rule 216).

Question 37

The car in front displays L plates and stalls twice at a roundabout. What should you do?

  1. Flash your headlights until they move
  2. Overtake them on the roundabout
  3. Stay well back and be patient
  4. Sound your horn briefly each time they stall

Be patient with learner drivers as they may make mistakes while developing their skills; pressuring them can make things worse (Highway Code Rule 217).

Question 38

You enter a street signed as a Home Zone. What should you expect?

  1. People using the whole of the road space, so drive slowly
  2. A minimum speed limit in force
  3. No pedestrians will be present
  4. Priority over all other road users

In Home Zones and Quiet Lanes you should drive slowly and carefully, as people may be using the whole of the road (Highway Code Rule 218).

Question 39

In which of these places should you drive slowly and carefully because of pedestrians?

  1. On a dual carriageway with a central barrier
  2. On a motorway slip road
  3. In a tunnel with no footways
  4. In shopping areas and near bus stops

You should drive slowly and carefully in shopping areas, residential zones, near bus and tram stops, when passing parked vehicles, at junctions and near crossings (Highway Code Rule 206).

Question 40

Why does the Highway Code say 'there are three brains at work' when you pass a horse?

  1. Horses always travel in groups of three
  2. The rider's, the driver's and the horse's reactions all matter
  3. It refers to the three mirror checks required
  4. It refers to the horse, its owner and the police

The rider's, the driver's and the horse's reactions are all involved — the horse can act unpredictably regardless of what the rider does, so pass slowly and wide (Highway Code Rule 215).

Question 41

You're approaching a pedestrian crossing in a busy town centre. What does good hazard anticipation involve?

  1. Maintaining your speed unless someone is already on the crossing
  2. Watching only the traffic lights
  3. Slowing down and expecting pedestrians to step onto the crossing
  4. Sounding your horn as you approach

Drive slowly and carefully when approaching pedestrian crossings and in busy areas, anticipating that pedestrians may cross (Highway Code Rule 206).

Question 42

You're driving through a residential area where children are playing near the road. How should you choose your speed?

  1. Drive at a speed suitable for the conditions, keeping children's safety in mind
  2. Drive at the posted limit, as it accounts for children
  3. Match the speed of other traffic
  4. Coast in neutral to reduce engine noise

Drive at a speed suitable for the conditions, keeping the safety of children in mind — they may run into the road without looking (Highway Code Rule 205).

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