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Vehicle Handling: all 41 questions and answers

Question 1

You are driving on a road that has a series of speed bumps. What should you do?

  1. Brake sharply on each bump
  2. Drive at a reduced speed throughout
  3. Accelerate between each bump
  4. Drive on the pavement to avoid them

Speed bumps are designed to slow traffic. You should maintain a reduced speed throughout the stretch of road rather than braking and accelerating between bumps.

Question 2

When driving on a flooded road, what should you do after passing through the water?

  1. Switch off the engine and restart it
  2. Test your brakes
  3. Increase speed to clear the water from the tyres
  4. Change to a lower gear

After driving through a flood, test your brakes by pressing them gently. Water can reduce their effectiveness. If they do not feel normal, drive slowly while pressing the brake pedal lightly to dry them out.

Question 3

You are driving in a built-up area. You approach a speed hump. What should you do?

  1. Move to the right to avoid it
  2. Wait for the oncoming traffic
  3. Slow down before you reach it
  4. Stop and check both ways

Slow down before you reach the speed hump. Braking on the hump itself can cause loss of control. Adjust your speed in advance for a smooth, safe crossing.

Question 4

When should you use your vehicle's rear fog lights?

  1. In heavy rain
  2. When visibility is seriously reduced, below 100 metres
  3. At night on well-lit roads
  4. When driving in a built-up area

Rear fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced to below 100 metres. Using them at other times can dazzle drivers behind you and mask your brake lights.

Question 5

You are driving on a very narrow country lane. What should you do if you meet an oncoming vehicle?

  1. Stand your ground and expect the other driver to reverse
  2. Sound your horn and flash your headlights
  3. Pull into a suitable passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right
  4. Reverse back to the main road

On narrow roads, pull into a passing place on your left to let oncoming traffic pass. If the passing place is on your right, wait opposite it so the other vehicle can pull in.

Question 6

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

  1. Brake hard to stop the skid
  2. Steer into the skid and ease off the accelerator
  3. Accelerate to regain control
  4. Apply the handbrake sharply

If your vehicle starts to skid, steer gently into the direction of the skid and ease off the accelerator. Do not brake suddenly as this can make the skid worse.

Question 7

You are driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to see. You should

  1. Use your full beam headlights
  2. Use your dipped headlights to see and be seen
  3. Use your sidelights only
  4. Switch off all lights

In spray and heavy traffic, use dipped headlights so you can see and be seen by other drivers. Full beam will reflect off the spray and reduce visibility further.

Question 8

You are driving down a steep hill. Why should you use a lower gear?

  1. To increase your speed
  2. To help control your speed using engine braking
  3. To improve fuel economy
  4. To make the engine quieter

Using a lower gear on a steep downhill slope helps control your speed through engine braking. This reduces the need for constant braking, which can cause brake fade.

Question 9

What is 'coasting' and why is it dangerous?

  1. Driving with the clutch pedal pressed down or in neutral; it reduces your control of the vehicle
  2. Driving very slowly; it holds up traffic
  3. Driving downhill with the engine off; it reduces fuel consumption
  4. Driving with one hand on the wheel; it is harder to steer

Coasting means driving with the clutch pedal depressed or the gear lever in neutral. This takes away engine braking and reduces overall control of the vehicle, especially downhill.

Question 10

You are about to drive through a ford (a shallow water crossing). What should you do?

  1. Drive through at speed to avoid stalling
  2. Drive through slowly in a low gear
  3. Stop in the middle and check the depth
  4. Only cross if another vehicle goes first

Drive through a ford slowly in a low gear, keeping the engine revs up to avoid water entering the exhaust. Test your brakes afterwards.

Question 11

When should you use hazard warning lights while driving?

  1. When double parked outside a shop
  2. When driving slowly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn traffic behind of a hazard ahead
  3. When stopped illegally on a yellow line
  4. To thank another driver for letting you out

Hazard warning lights may be used while driving on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn traffic behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead.

Question 12

In normal driving conditions, how should you use the brakes to stop smoothly?

  1. Brake early and lightly, then more firmly, easing off just before stopping
  2. Brake firmly at first, then gradually harder until stopped
  3. Wait until close to the stopping point, then brake hard
  4. Pump the brake pedal repeatedly throughout the stop

Brake early and lightly, brake more firmly as you begin to stop, and ease the pressure off just before the vehicle comes to rest (Highway Code Rule 117).

Question 13

You have to brake in an emergency. What should you try to avoid?

  1. Keeping both hands on the steering wheel
  2. Braking immediately
  3. Braking so harshly that you lock your wheels
  4. Looking at the road ahead

In an emergency, brake immediately but try to avoid braking so harshly that you lock your wheels, as locked wheels can lead to a loss of control (Highway Code Rule 118).

Question 14

Your car begins to skid and the rear slides to the right. Which way should you steer?

  1. To the left, away from the skid
  2. To the right, in the direction of the skid
  3. Keep the wheel perfectly straight
  4. Rapidly from side to side

To recover from a skid, remove the cause and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid — if the rear slides right, steer right (Highway Code Rule 119).

Question 15

What is the most common cause of a skid?

  1. A fault with the vehicle's suspension
  2. Driving with underinflated tyres
  3. A sudden change in the weather
  4. The driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly

Skids are usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or driving too fast for the conditions (Highway Code Rule 119).

Question 16

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

  1. Pump the pedal rapidly to prevent locking
  2. Apply it firmly and keep the pressure on until the vehicle has slowed
  3. Apply it gently and release it every few seconds
  4. Use the handbrake at the same time

With ABS, apply the footbrake firmly in an emergency and do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed (Highway Code Rule 120).

Question 17

After driving through deep water your brakes feel less effective. How can you dry them out?

  1. Stop and wait for ten minutes with the engine off
  2. Drive at high speed to blow the water off
  3. Gently apply light pressure to the brakes while driving slowly
  4. Use the handbrake instead of the footbrake for a while

If your brakes are not fully effective after deep water, gently apply light pressure to them while driving slowly to dry them out (Highway Code Rule 121).

Question 18

Why should you avoid driving with the clutch pedal held down for longer than necessary?

  1. It wears out the brake pads quickly
  2. It uses much more fuel
  3. It makes the engine overheat
  4. It removes engine braking and reduces your control

Holding the clutch down (coasting) eliminates engine braking, lets speed build quickly downhill and affects steering response, reducing driver control (Highway Code Rule 122).

Question 19

You are on a road in England with street lights but no speed limit signs. What is the speed limit likely to be?

  1. 40 mph
  2. 50 mph
  3. 30 mph
  4. 60 mph

A 30 mph limit generally applies to all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise (in Wales it is 20 mph) (Highway Code Rule 124).

Question 20

You are following another vehicle on a high-speed road in dry conditions. What time gap should you leave as a minimum?

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

Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads, doubled on wet roads (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 21

Compared with dry conditions, how much greater can your stopping distance be on an icy road?

  1. Twice as far
  2. Four times as far
  3. Six times as far
  4. Up to ten times as far

On icy roads stopping distances can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads (Highway Code Rule 126).

Question 22

You are approaching a chicane used as a traffic-calming measure. What should you do?

  1. Overtake slower vehicles within the chicane
  2. Sound your horn to claim priority
  3. Reduce your speed and give way to oncoming road users if directed
  4. Maintain your speed to keep traffic flowing

At traffic-calming measures such as chicanes you should reduce speed, give way to oncoming road users if directed by signs, and not overtake within these areas (Highway Code Rule 153).

Question 23

You are driving on a country road and approaching a village. What should you do?

  1. Switch on your rear fog lights
  2. Reduce your speed
  3. Move to the centre of the road
  4. Use your horn at every bend

On country roads you should take extra care and reduce your speed at bends, junctions and when entering villages (Highway Code Rule 154).

Question 24

On a single-track road, a passing place is on your right and a vehicle is approaching. What should you do?

  1. Drive into the passing place on the right
  2. Force the other vehicle to reverse
  3. Wait opposite the passing place
  4. Flash your headlights and continue

On single-track roads, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite one that is on your right (Highway Code Rule 155).

Question 25

You meet a vehicle coming uphill towards you on a steep single-track road. Who should give way?

  1. You should give way to the vehicle coming uphill
  2. The uphill vehicle should always reverse
  3. Whoever arrived at the narrow section last
  4. The larger of the two vehicles

On single-track roads you should give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can, reversing to a passing place if necessary (Highway Code Rule 155).

Question 26

You want to stop briefly on a single-track road to check a map. Where must you NOT stop?

  1. On a straight section with good visibility
  2. In a passing place
  3. In a lay-by
  4. At the entrance to the road

You should not park in passing places, as they must be kept clear to let traffic pass on single-track roads (Highway Code Rule 156).

Question 27

In fog, at what visibility distance must you use your headlights?

  1. When you cannot see for more than 200 metres
  2. When you cannot see for more than 150 metres
  3. When you cannot see for more than 50 metres
  4. When you cannot see for more than 100 metres

You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet) (Highway Code Rule 226).

Question 28

You are driving in rain and the steering suddenly feels light and unresponsive. What should you do?

  1. Brake firmly to regain grip
  2. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually
  3. Steer sharply from side to side
  4. Change into a lower gear immediately

In wet weather, if the steering becomes unresponsive it means water is preventing the tyres gripping; ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually (Highway Code Rule 227).

Question 29

In wet weather, what road hazard should you particularly watch out for that can make the surface very slippery?

  1. Diesel spillage
  2. Fresh road paint
  3. Loose gravel
  4. Fallen leaves

In wet weather you should be aware of the dangers of spilt diesel, which makes the surface very slippery (Highway Code Rule 227).

Question 30

Snow has fallen overnight and you must make an essential journey. Before setting off, what must you do?

  1. Warm the engine for at least 15 minutes
  2. Deflate your tyres slightly for extra grip
  3. Fit your rear fog lights permanently on
  4. Clear all snow and ice from your windows and make sure lights and number plates are visible

Before driving in snow you must be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows and ensure lights and number plates are clean and visible (Highway Code Rules 228-229).

Question 31

How should you drive when the road is covered in ice?

  1. Slowly, in a low gear, braking on the bends
  2. At normal speed but with fog lights on
  3. Slowly, in as high a gear as possible, braking gently on the straight before a bend
  4. Quickly, to cross the ice before losing grip

On ice or snow, drive slowly in as high a gear as possible and brake gently on the straight before you reach a bend (Highway Code Rules 230-231).

Question 32

On a very windy day, a motorcyclist ahead is overtaking a high-sided lorry. What should you do?

  1. Overtake both vehicles at the same time
  2. Drive close behind to shelter the motorcyclist
  3. Sound your horn to warn the motorcyclist
  4. Keep well back, as they may be blown off course

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

Question 33

You see a bank of fog ahead on the road. What should you do before entering it?

  1. Slow down
  2. Switch on your hazard warning lights
  3. Move closer to the vehicle in front so you can see its lights
  4. Speed up to get through the fog quickly

Before entering fog you should slow down, and use your lights as appropriate for the reduced visibility (Highway Code Rules 234-235).

Question 34

The fog you were driving in has cleared. What must you do with your fog lights?

  1. Leave them on until you reach your destination
  2. Leave the rear ones on but switch off the front ones
  3. Switch them off
  4. Switch them to sidelights only after dark

You must not use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced, and you must switch them off when visibility improves (Highway Code Rules 114 and 226).

Question 35

In hot weather, why can the road surface be more hazardous?

  1. The tarmac becomes more reflective at night
  2. It may become soft, or slippery when rain follows a dry spell
  3. White lines fade in strong sunlight
  4. Tyres grip too strongly on hot roads

In hot weather the road surface may become soft, or slippery when rainfall follows a dry period (Highway Code Rule 237).

Question 36

You are overtaking another vehicle at night. When should you return your headlights to dipped beam?

  1. Keep them dipped until you are level with the other vehicle
  2. As soon as you start to pull out
  3. Only once you are 100 metres past the vehicle
  4. You should use main beam throughout the overtake

At night, keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle so you do not dazzle its driver (Highway Code Rule 115).

Question 37

You need to park your car at night on a road with a 40 mph speed limit. What must you do?

  1. Park with your hazard lights flashing
  2. Park anywhere, as long as the engine is off
  3. Park on the pavement to keep the road clear
  4. Display parking lights

Parking lights are required when parking at night on roads with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (Highway Code Rule 249).

Question 38

You park your car at night on a 30 mph road without leaving lights on. How far from a junction must it be?

  1. At least 5 metres
  2. At least 20 metres
  3. At least 10 metres
  4. At least 15 metres

A car may be parked without lights on a 30 mph road if it is at least 10 metres from any junction and facing the direction of traffic flow (Highway Code Rule 250).

Question 39

You have no choice but to park your car during thick fog. What should you do?

  1. Leave your rear fog lights switched on
  2. Leave your parking lights on
  3. Leave your hazard warning lights on all night
  4. Park with no lights so you do not dazzle anyone

You should avoid parking in fog, but if it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights on (Highway Code Rule 251).

Question 40

You have parked and are about to open your door on the traffic side. What is the safest technique?

  1. Push the door open quickly to minimise the time it is open
  2. Open the door slightly and wave traffic past
  3. Sound your horn before opening the door
  4. Open the door with the hand on the opposite side of your body, making you turn and look behind

Use the opposite-hand technique, known as the Dutch Reach, which makes you turn your body and check behind for cyclists and traffic before opening the door (Highway Code Rule 239).

Question 41

Icy weather is forecast and your journey is not essential. What is the best course of action?

  1. Set off earlier than planned to allow extra time
  2. Not travel unless the journey is essential
  3. Travel only on motorways where roads are gritted
  4. Fit snow chains and travel as normal

In icy or snowy weather you should check the forecast and only travel if your journey is essential (Highway Code Rule 228).

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