Driving Test Questions
Name some car parts that the law requires to be in good working order
Steering, Brakes, Wipers, Lamps, Mirrors, Speedometer, Horn, Silencer, Tyres.
When is a tyre unsafe?
When it has less than 1.6mm thread all around.
What causes a vehicle to skid?
Bald, worn or badly inflated tyres; Wet, greasy roads; Leaves; Mud; Ice; Snow.
Name three times when you may overtake on the left.
When the driver ahead is turning right and you intend going straight ahead.
When you intend turning left.
When the traffic in the right hand lane is moving slower than the traffic in your lane.
Name some of the places you are not advised to overtake.
A continuous white line, approaching traffic lights, roundabouts, road junctions, pedestrian crossings, level crossings, corners, humpback bridges, brows of hills.
What is the normal driving position on the open road?
Keep well to the left …. Except when overtaking, passing pedestrians (where there is no footpath) or turning right.
Can you cross a continuous white line?
NO
Can you cross a broken white line?
YES, providing it is safe to do so.
Where one line is continuous and the other is broken, which must you obey?
You must obey the one nearest you.
What do double broken white lines tell you?
They tell you that continuous white lines lie ahead.
What must you do where traffic lanes are provided?
Stay in your own lane.
What road users are not allowed to use the motorway?
Pedestrians, learner drivers, cyclists, small motorcycles, slow moving vehicles, agricultural vehicles and some invalid carriages are also prohibited
How do you exit a motorway?
By means of a slip road to the left.
What is the difference between a dual carriageway and a motorway?
On a dual carriageway, you can drive across, get roundabouts and all types of traffic. You don’t get any of these on a motorway.
What is the outer lane of a two-lane dual carriageway used for?
Overtaking, faster moving traffic or turning right.
What is the outer lane of a three-lane dual carriageway used for?
Overtaking only, and turning right.
How would you cross a dual carriageway?
Treat both sides of the dual carriageway as separate roads.
How would you turn right on a dual carriageway?
Mirror, signal, mirror, move to right hand lane, then central reserve, wait until traffic clears or safe gap, make turn.
What is a box junction?
Criss cross yellow lines found at a road junction.
How would you use a box junction?
You can’t enter a box junction unless your exit is clear, but you can stop on it when turning right if your exit is clear,
but you are stopped from turning right by approaching traffic.
Who has right of way at roundabouts?
Traffic already on the roundabout, or traffic from the right.
In which lane do you approach a roundabout to turn left?
Left hand lane, left signal on, staying left on roundabout
In which lane do you approach a roundabout to go straight ahead?
Left lane, no signal, staying left on roundabout, when passing exit before the one you want, signal left to leave the roundabout.
In which lane do you approach a roundabout to turn right?
Right lane, right signal on holding tight to the roundabout, signal left as you pass the exit before the one you want to leave the roundabout.
In which lane do you approach a roundabout to turn right?
Right lane, right signal on holding tight to the roundabout, signal left as you pass the exit before the one you want to leave the roundabout.
What must you do at a red sign?
A red sign is law, you must obey it
What must you do at a stop sign?
You must STOP your vehicle
What must you do at a yield sign?
You must slow down and stop if necessary.
What does a yellow sign mean?
A Yellow sign is a warning only.
You are approaching a major junction, who has right of way?
Traffic approaching from either direction.
Where roads forming a junction are of equal importance who has right of way?
Traffic approaching from the right.
Name other occasions when you must yield?
To pedestrians when they step on a zebra crossing, to pedestrians on a pelican crossing when amber light is flashing, to pedestrians and traffic when starting from a stationary position, to traffic in another lane when you wish to change lanes, to public on a private road when you come out of a private entrance, car park or garage, to ambulance, fire brigade and garda vehicles displaying blue flashing lights.
If the rear of your vehicle skidded, what should you do?
Steer into the skid, e.g. If it skids left, steer left.
What distance are you advised to leave between the vehicle in front and your own vehicle?
Use the two-second rule.
What is meant by overall stopping distance?
Thinking and braking distance.
What must you do when meeting another vehicle at night?
Dip your headlights.
What would you do if dazzled by another vehicles lights at night?
Slow down and stop if necessary
When must you dip your headlights?
Meeting other traffic, following closely behind other traffic, built up areas, continually lit roads, beginning and end of lighting up time, fog, and falling snow.
What should you be very careful of before reversing?
Make sure there are no children and the way behind is clear.
Who do you give way to before reversing?
Give way to other traffic and pedestrians.
Where must you never reverse?
From a side road into a major road.
What must you ensure before making a turnabout?
Give way to other traffic, the road is not one way, don’t cross continuous centre white line.
What is the procedure when slowing down or stopping?
Mirrors, signal, mirror, change down into second gear, slow down, stop safely.
What is the procedure for parking?
Park close to the kerb or edge of roadway, apply handbrake, switch off ignition and before leaving lock all doors.
What should you always do before moving away from the side of the road?Mirrors, signal, mirror, look over your shoulder.
Mirrors, signal, mirror, look over your shoulder.
What should you not do when being overtaken?
Do not accelerate, or move out to the right.
What should you not do after overtaking a moving vehicle?
Do not pull in sharply, or slow down excessively.
How should you approach a pedestrian crossing?
With caution, be prepared to stop.
How do you know when a pedestrian has right of way on a zebra crossing?
When they place their foot on the crossing.
Describe a Zebra crossing
Black and white stripes across the road with yellow flashing beacons.
How do you know a zebra crossing at night?
By the yellow flashing beacons.
What is the reason for zigzag lines on approach to crossings?
You are not allowed to park or leave your vehicle on these lines. This is to allow oncoming vehicles a 15 metre clear view of the crossing. No overtaking.
What is a clearway?
During clearway hours it is a road that you can’t stop or park on (Times and days may be shown on plate). Buses and taxis are the only exception.
What does a single yellow line mean?
No parking during certain hours.
What does a double yellow line mean?
No parking at any time.
What does a broken yellow line mean along the road?
It shows the edge of the road or hard shoulder.
When must you not use your horn?
Between 11-30pm and 7.00am in built up areas, except in a traffic emergency.
What position should you take up before turning right?
Just left of the centre white line or crown of the road.
What position should you be in before turning right in a one-way system?
In the extreme right hand lane.
What position should you take up when turning left?
Keep close to the left edge of the roadway and when turning do not swing wide.
In what order do traffic lights work starting from red?
Red – Green – Amber – Red. (Ireland)
Red – Red and Amber – Green – Amber – Red. (N.Ireland)
What does an amber light mean?
STOP, unless you are so close to the line that you can’t stop safely behind it.
What two lights can be shown at the same time?
Red and Amber (N.Ireland only); Red and Green filter light.
In what order do Pedestrian lights work starting from red?
Red – Flashing Amber – Green – Amber – Red.
What does two flashing amber lights mean?
Caution for school children.
What does two flashing Red lights mean?
STOP – at the level crossing – train approaching
Name some of the occasions when you must stop.
When involved in an accident, stop sign, red light, to pedestrians on a crossing.
Name three persons who can stop you
Garda, School warden, Persons in charge of animals.
What is your immediate duty when involved in an accident?
STOP
What details must you give if involved in an accident?
Your name and address, name and address of owner of vehicle, vehicle registration number and evidence of insurance to Garda, anyone affected or an independent witness.
What must you always do before signalling?
Check your mirrors.
What should you always remember after using your signal?
Cancel it
Before opening your door what precautions should you take?
Check mirrors, look over shoulder.
What age has a child to be before they can occupy the front passenger seat?
12 years of age
Name places you can’t park at any time
Motorway, double yellow lines, no waiting signs, hazard lines approaching traffic lights, pedestrian and level crossings, roundabouts, road junctions corners, humpback bridges, brows of hills
What is the hard shoulder of a motorway used for?
Breakdown or emergencies only.
What is the national speed limit?
80 km/h on Regional Roads, 100 km/h on National roads and 120 km/h on Motorways
What must you check before starting your engine?
Doors closed properly, handbrake on, Seat adjusted, Mirrors set, Seatbelt on, Gears cleared.