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Safety Margins: all 41 questions and answers

Question 1

In good, dry conditions, what is the typical overall stopping distance at 70 mph?

  1. 53 metres (175 feet)
  2. 73 metres (240 feet)
  3. 96 metres (315 feet)
  4. 120 metres (394 feet)

At 70 mph the overall stopping distance is about 96 metres (315 feet) or 24 car lengths. This includes thinking distance (21m) and braking distance (75m).

Question 2

In wet weather, stopping distances will be

  1. No different
  2. At least double
  3. At least triple
  4. Halved

In wet conditions, your stopping distances will be at least double those in dry conditions. You should leave a much greater gap between you and the vehicle ahead.

Question 3

How should you drive in fog?

  1. Keep close to the car in front so you can see their rear lights
  2. Use dipped headlights and reduce speed
  3. Use full beam headlights
  4. Use sidelights only

In fog, use dipped headlights and slow down. Full beam reflects off the fog and reduces visibility further. Keep well back from the vehicle in front.

Question 4

On an icy road, braking distances can be

  1. Twice the normal distance
  2. Five times the normal distance
  3. Ten times the normal distance
  4. The same as normal

On icy roads, braking distances can be up to ten times greater than on a dry road. You should drive extremely carefully, at a slow speed, with gentle use of the controls.

Question 5

What is 'aquaplaning'?

  1. Turning the steering wheel too sharply
  2. Tyres losing contact with the road surface due to water
  3. Driving too close to the kerb
  4. Skidding on a dry road surface

Aquaplaning occurs when a film of water builds up between the tyres and the road surface, causing loss of grip. If this happens, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.

Question 6

You are driving in heavy rain. Your steering suddenly feels very light. What should you do?

  1. Steer towards the side of the road
  2. Apply the handbrake
  3. Ease off the accelerator
  4. Brake firmly to regain grip

If steering feels light in heavy rain, you are aquaplaning. Do not brake or steer sharply. Ease off the accelerator and allow the tyres to regain contact with the road.

Question 7

You are following a vehicle on a wet road. You should leave a time gap of at least

  1. One second
  2. Two seconds
  3. Four seconds
  4. Ten seconds

In wet conditions, you should leave at least a four-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. This is double the two-second gap recommended for dry conditions.

Question 8

What is the typical thinking distance at 30 mph?

  1. 6 metres (20 feet)
  2. 9 metres (30 feet)
  3. 14 metres (45 feet)
  4. 23 metres (75 feet)

At 30 mph, the average thinking distance is 9 metres (30 feet). This is the distance your car travels during the time it takes you to react before applying the brakes.

Question 9

What should you do when driving in windy conditions?

  1. Drive faster to get through the wind quickly
  2. Open windows to equalise pressure
  3. Take extra care when passing high-sided vehicles
  4. Drive in the middle of the road

High-sided vehicles are particularly affected by wind. When driving in windy conditions, be prepared for sudden gusts, especially on exposed roads, bridges, and when passing high-sided vehicles.

Question 10

You are driving on an icy road. How should you use the brakes?

  1. Apply them sharply
  2. Apply them firmly
  3. Apply them gently
  4. Apply them once and hold

On icy roads, brake very gently to avoid locking the wheels and causing a skid. Use the highest gear possible and avoid sudden steering movements.

Question 11

What is the overall stopping distance at 40 mph in good, dry conditions?

  1. 23 metres (75 feet)
  2. 36 metres (120 feet)
  3. 53 metres (175 feet)
  4. 73 metres (240 feet)

At 40 mph, the overall stopping distance in good, dry conditions is approximately 36 metres (120 feet). This comprises 12 metres thinking distance and 24 metres braking distance.

Question 12

In good, dry conditions, what is the typical overall stopping distance at 50 mph?

  1. 36 metres
  2. 53 metres
  3. 73 metres
  4. 96 metres

At 50 mph the typical overall stopping distance is 53 metres, made up of 15 metres thinking distance and 38 metres braking distance (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 13

What is the typical overall stopping distance at 60 mph in good, dry conditions?

  1. 53 metres
  2. 96 metres
  3. 73 metres
  4. 36 metres

At 60 mph the typical overall stopping distance is 73 metres in good, dry conditions (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 14

You are driving on a dry, high-speed road. What is the minimum time gap you should leave behind the vehicle in front?

  1. Two seconds
  2. One second
  3. Four seconds
  4. Ten seconds

On high-speed roads in good, dry conditions you should allow at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 15

Why is tailgating dangerous?

  1. It uses more fuel than normal driving
  2. It only affects large vehicles
  3. It makes your headlights less effective
  4. It leaves no room to stop and intimidates the driver ahead

Tailgating is dangerous and intimidating: if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly you will not have room to stop, which can cause a collision (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 16

You are driving on the motorway and another vehicle pulls into the gap you have left ahead. What should you do?

  1. Sound your horn to warn them
  2. Flash your headlights
  3. Drop back to restore a two-second gap
  4. Overtake them immediately

If someone pulls in ahead of you, ease back until you have restored a safe two-second separation gap (Highway Code Rule 168).

Question 17

Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

  1. Pump the brake pedal rapidly
  2. Apply the footbrake firmly and keep the pressure on
  3. Use the parking brake as well
  4. Brake gently and change down through the gears

With ABS you should apply the footbrake firmly in an emergency and not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed. Do not assume ABS gives a shorter stopping distance (Highway Code Rule 120).

Question 18

You have just driven through a ford and your brakes feel less effective. What should you do?

  1. Drive slowly while applying light brake pressure to dry them
  2. Stop and wait for them to dry naturally
  3. Pull the parking brake on and off repeatedly
  4. Drive faster so the airflow dries them

After driving through deep water, test your brakes at the first safe opportunity. If they are not fully effective, apply light pressure gently while driving slowly to dry them out (Highway Code Rule 121).

Question 19

Why is coasting downhill in neutral dangerous?

  1. It damages the gearbox
  2. It wears out the clutch quickly
  3. It is illegal on all roads
  4. Engine braking is lost, so speed builds and control is reduced

Coasting removes engine braking, so downhill speed increases quickly, heavier footbrake use can reduce its effectiveness, and steering response is affected (Highway Code Rule 122).

Question 20

How should you brake when driving on snow?

  1. Firmly and late
  2. Gently on a straight section before reaching a bend
  3. Only with the parking brake
  4. While turning the steering wheel

In snow and ice, drive slowly in a higher gear and brake gently on straight stretches before you reach a bend (Highway Code Rules 228-231).

Question 21

Which gear technique helps you keep control when moving off and driving on snow?

  1. Using as high a gear as possible
  2. Staying in first gear at all times
  3. Keeping the clutch pressed down
  4. Selecting neutral on downhill sections

On snow and ice you should drive slowly in as high a gear as possible, which reduces wheelspin and helps you keep control (Highway Code Rules 228-231).

Question 22

Before setting out in icy or snowy weather, what must you do?

  1. Clear only a small patch of the windscreen
  2. Reduce your tyre pressures
  3. Clear all snow and ice from your windows
  4. Disconnect the ABS

Before driving in icy or snowy weather you must be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows and make sure lights and number plates are visible (Highway Code Rules 228-231).

Question 23

In very windy weather, a motorcyclist is overtaking a high-sided lorry ahead of you. What should you do?

  1. Overtake both of them quickly
  2. Keep well back
  3. Drive alongside the motorcyclist to shield them
  4. Sound your horn as a warning

Motorcyclists are particularly affected by windy weather; keep well back when they are overtaking high-sided vehicles as they may be blown off course (Highway Code Rules 232-233).

Question 24

Which vehicles are most vulnerable to strong crosswinds?

  1. Low sports cars
  2. Small city cars
  3. Taxis
  4. High-sided vehicles

High-sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable in windy weather, so allow them extra room (Highway Code Rules 232-233).

Question 25

When may you use your front or rear fog lights?

  1. Whenever it is raining
  2. At night on unlit roads
  3. Only when visibility is seriously reduced
  4. Whenever you are on a motorway

You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (Highway Code Rules 226 and 234-236).

Question 26

The fog you were driving through has lifted and visibility is good again. What must you do with your fog lights?

  1. Switch them off
  2. Leave them on until you park
  3. Keep only the rear ones on
  4. Keep only the front ones on

Fog lights must be switched off once visibility improves, as they can dazzle other drivers and obscure your brake lights (Highway Code Rule 226).

Question 27

You are approaching a bank of fog on a dual carriageway. When should you slow down?

  1. Only if other traffic slows
  2. Before you enter the fog
  3. Once you are inside the fog
  4. Only if you cannot see the vehicle ahead

Slow down before entering fog, because you cannot know what conditions or stationary traffic may be hidden inside it (Highway Code Rules 234-236).

Question 28

After a long dry spell, rain begins to fall in hot weather. Why should you take extra care?

  1. Your tyres will overheat
  2. Your brakes will lock more easily
  3. Fog is likely to form immediately
  4. The road surface may become unusually slippery

In hot weather the road surface can become soft, and it may be unusually slippery when rain falls after a long dry period (Highway Code Rule 237).

Question 29

Why should you keep the car well ventilated when driving in hot weather?

  1. To stop the engine overheating
  2. To prevent you becoming drowsy
  3. To keep the windscreen from cracking
  4. To improve fuel economy

In hot weather you should keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness at the wheel (Highway Code Rule 237).

Question 30

You are following a large goods vehicle. Why should you increase your separation distance?

  1. Large vehicles brake more quickly than cars
  2. It blocks your view ahead and needs extra room
  3. They are always fitted with spray guards
  4. You are not allowed within 20 metres of a lorry

Increase your distance behind large vehicles: they block your view of the road ahead and need extra space, and they are subject to lower speed limits (Highway Code Rule 222).

Question 31

You are driving through a contraflow system at road works. What should you do?

  1. Switch lanes to pass queuing traffic
  2. Drive close to the vehicle ahead to keep traffic flowing
  3. Keep a safe separation distance and observe the temporary limit
  4. Use your hazard warning lights throughout

At road works and contraflows you should not exceed temporary speed limits, must not switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic, and should keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front (Highway Code Rule 288).

Question 32

On a wet road, what should your minimum separation gap be compared with dry conditions?

  1. The same
  2. Half as much
  3. Ten times as much
  4. At least double

In wet weather stopping distances will be at least double those needed on dry roads, so at least double your separation gap (Highway Code Rules 126 and 227).

Question 33

In wet weather, what road hazard makes the surface especially slippery for motorcyclists and can affect your grip too?

  1. Diesel spillage
  2. Fresh tarmac
  3. Painted kerbstones
  4. Gravel verges

In wet weather watch out for spilt diesel, which makes the road surface very slippery, and take extra care around vulnerable road users (Highway Code Rule 227).

Question 34

Freezing conditions are forecast overnight. What is the safest advice before a morning journey?

  1. Fit chains to your tyres for any journey
  2. Only travel if your journey is essential
  3. Set off earlier and drive faster to beat the ice
  4. Follow other vehicles closely for guidance

In icy or snowy weather, check the forecasts and do not travel unless your journey is essential (Highway Code Rules 228-231).

Question 35

Compared with a dry road, how much larger should your following distance be on an icy road?

  1. Twice as large
  2. Four times as large
  3. Up to ten times as large
  4. Twenty times as large

On icy or snow-covered roads your following distance should be up to ten times greater than on a dry road (Highway Code Rules 126 and 228-231).

Question 36

What basic rule should always govern your speed on any road?

  1. Drive so you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear
  2. Drive at the posted speed limit
  3. Match the speed of the traffic around you
  4. Keep 10 mph below the limit at all times

You should always drive at a speed that allows you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 37

You are towing a caravan and it starts to snake from side to side. What should you do?

  1. Brake hard immediately
  2. Steer sharply to correct the movement
  3. Accelerate to pull it straight
  4. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently

If a trailer or caravan starts to snake, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control. Remember stopping distances are longer when towing (Highway Code Rule 98).

Question 38

How does towing a loaded trailer affect your stopping distance?

  1. It has no effect
  2. It increases it
  3. It reduces it because of extra weight on the tyres
  4. It only matters above 60 mph

When towing, the extra weight means you should reduce speed and allow for longer stopping distances (Highway Code Rule 98).

Question 39

The speed limit on a road is 60 mph but heavy rain is falling. How should you treat the limit?

  1. As a target speed to maintain
  2. As a minimum speed
  3. As an absolute maximum, reducing speed for the conditions
  4. As advisory only

The speed limit is the absolute maximum, not a target; you should reduce your speed in bad weather and for other hazards (Highway Code Rule 125).

Question 40

At 30 mph in good, dry conditions, roughly what proportion of the 23-metre overall stopping distance is thinking distance?

  1. Almost half (9 metres)
  2. About a tenth (2 metres)
  3. Almost all of it (20 metres)
  4. None - thinking distance only applies above 50 mph

At 30 mph the overall stopping distance of 23 metres comprises 9 metres thinking distance and 14 metres braking distance, so thinking distance is almost half (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 41

Why does using the two-second rule work at any speed on a dry road?

  1. Because all cars brake at the same rate regardless of speed
  2. Because reaction time never changes
  3. Because two seconds is a legal requirement
  4. Because the gap it creates automatically grows as your speed increases

A time-based gap scales with speed: at higher speeds two seconds covers more road, keeping the separation distance proportionate. Rule 126 requires at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads (Highway Code Rule 126).

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