10 Questions to Test Your Road Skills

So you think you’re a good driver?

Take some time to have a look at our theory quiz and find out just how good you really are.

Some questions have more than one correct answer, so choose carefully and select as many as you like for each. The answers follow the questions, but try not to cheat!

1. If you are driving along a road in icy conditions and you find your car going into a skid, should you:

• a. Slam on the brakes and keep the pedal pushed down
• b. Lightly apply the brakes
• c. Turn the steering wheel into the skid
• d. Turn the steering wheel against the skid

(b) and (c) are the correct answers to this question. If you go into a skid on an icy road you should try to regain steering control of the car by steering gently into the skid and when you have managed this, lower your gear and apply the brakes lightly, pumping them, rather than slamming them on.

2. If visibility is poor due to bad weather, whatever the time of day, should you have your headlamps:

• a. On - side lights only
• b. On Main beam or ‘dipped’ (normal night-time setting)
• c. On full beam
• d. Off

In poor visibility, you should have your ‘main lights’ on. So b) is the correct answer. Full beam will dazzle oncoming drivers and sidelights are often not bright enough in bad weather to help other drivers to see you.

3. When should you use your hazard lights?

• a. To park on double yellow lines
• b. To warn others of hazards
• c. To thanks someone
• d. When you aren’t sure which direction to turn in

You should use your hazard lights to warn other drivers of nearby hazards, so (b) is the right answer. Thanking someone and parking are common use of the hazard lights but they are not the intended use.

4. If you think you are driving along a 30mph road but aren’t quite sure, you should:

• a. Ring the council from your mobile phone
• b. Look at the distance between lampposts
• c. Check the speed limit signs on side or neighbouring roads
• d. Ask a pedestrian

(b) and (c) are both correct. If the lamp-posts are 200 yards or less apart then the speed limit is 30mph. Another way to check is to look at side or neighbouring roads as you pass them. If they have no signs, then you are driving on a 30mph road.

5. Fog lights should be used:

• a. In severe fog
• b. In mild fog
• c. In broad daylight
• d. Never

The answer is (a). Fog lights should only be used when visibility is severely reduced, and switched off as soon as visibility improves. Fog lights can blind other drivers and if you are stopped by police for driving with fog lights when they are not necessary, then you can be fined.

6. At a mini-roundabout, who has right of way?

• a. Traffic approaching from the left
• b. Traffic approaching from the right
• c. Whoever got there first
• d. The person driving the biggest vehicle

Mini-roundabouts have exactly the same priorities as normal roundabouts. So traffic approaching from the right (b) is the right answer.

7. Having the wrong tyre pressure can lead to:

• a. Accidents
• b. Impaired Steering
• c. Wasted money on fuel
• d. Excessive wear and tear to your tyres

(a), (b), (c) and (d) are all correct. Incorrect tyre pressure leads to less effective handling and excess wear and tear on tyres., both of which can lead to accidents. Worn tyres also reduces fuel economy, costing you money so it’s a good idea to check them every week.

8. If you have a toddler travelling in your car who weighs just over 11kgs, what restraint does she need to wear?

• a. Forward Facing Car Seat
• b. Rear Facing Baby Seat
• c. Booster Cushion
• d. Seatbelt

For weights of up to 13kgs a rear facing baby seat is acceptable. For children between 9 kgs to 18 kgs a forward-facing child seat would be required. In this case the infant weighs 11kgs which means that she falls into both categories so either (a) or (b) is correct.

9. When you see an amber light on a set of traffic lights you are approaching should you:

• a. Speed up, or
• b. Slow down

In most cases, the answer is (b), you should slow down. Unfortunately, lots of motorists speed up when the light changes to amber so that they can get through the lights and don't have to wait. As the highway code states, you should only continue if you are so close to the stop line when the light changes to amber, that it would be dangerous for you to stop - possibly causing an accident, or if the amber light appears once you have gone over the stop line. The best course of action is to slow down a little as you approach the lights, so that if they do change to amber you are able to stop safely.

10. If you are driving a car, what is the national speed limit on a motorway?

• a. 60mph
• b. 80mph
• c. 70mph
• d. 100mph

If you are driving a car on a UK motorway, the speed limit is 70mph, but you should take into account the road conditions and surrounding traffic. Never drive at the speed limit if it is not safe to do so.

So how did you do? Better or worse than you thought you would?

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