What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway road?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 60 mph
Why? Rule 124 speed limits table: cars and motorcycles are limited to 60 mph on single carriageways.Source
Theory test practice test 1
Practice test 1: 50 questions from all topics, as many as in the real multiple-choice part, where you need 43 correct answers out of 50.
About these questions
These are FreeExamPath's own questions, written from The Highway Code (Open Government Licence v3.0). They are not DVSA revision or test questions, road signs are described in words, and FreeExamPath is not affiliated with DVSA. GOV.UK: the theory test
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Who is NOT allowed to use a motorway?
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Correct answer: A — Holders of a provisional motorcycle licence
Why? Rule 253: motorways must not be used by pedestrians, provisional motorcycle licence holders, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, cyclists and horse riders, among others.Source
What do circular signs with a red border mostly do?
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Correct answer: B — Give orders that prohibit something
Why? Traffic signs: signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive. Plates below signs qualify their message.Source
As a guide, how much space should you leave when overtaking a cyclist at speeds up to 30 mph?
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Correct answer: A — At least 1.5 metres
Why? Rule 163: leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds.Source
What is the minimum level of motor insurance required by law?
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Correct answer: C — Third-party
Why? Annex 3: third-party insurance is the minimum cover required by law. It covers injury or damage to others.Source
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 30 mph in good conditions?
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Correct answer: C — 23 metres (75 feet)
Why? The Highway Code typical stopping distances (Rule 126): at 30 mph, 9 m thinking plus 14 m braking gives 23 metres.Source
What is the safest way to brake in normal conditions?
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Correct answer: B — Early and lightly, then more firmly
Why? Rule 117: brake early and lightly, more firmly as you begin to stop, and ease off just before stopping to avoid a jerky stop.Source
You are planning a long drive. According to The Highway Code, how often should you take a break?
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Correct answer: C — At least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving
Why? Rule 91 recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Waiting until you feel tired leaves it too late.Source
What is the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres?
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Correct answer: B — 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters
Why? Annex 6: cars, light vans and light trailers must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the breadth, all the way round.Source
You are driving past parked cars and see an ice cream van ahead. What should you do?
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Correct answer: B — Slow down, as children may run into the road
Why? Rule 206: drive carefully and slowly when passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children may run out unexpectedly.Source
Your car breaks down on an ordinary road. How far behind it should you place a warning triangle?
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Correct answer: C — At least 45 metres
Why? Rule 276: put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle, on the same side. Never use them on motorways.Source
Someone overtakes you and pulls into the gap in front. What should you do?
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Correct answer: B — Drop back to keep a two-second gap
Why? Rule 168: if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to maintain a two-second gap.Source
Why should you drop back when following a large vehicle you want to overtake?
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Correct answer: C — To see further ahead and be seen
Why? Rule 164: drop back. This increases your ability to see ahead and should allow the driver of the large vehicle to see you.Source
Who is responsible for making sure a load carried on or in a car is secure?
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Correct answer: C — The driver
Why? Rule 98: as a driver you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously.Source
What is the national speed limit for a car on a dual carriageway?
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Correct answer: A — 70 mph
Why? Rule 124 speed limits table: cars and motorcycles are limited to 70 mph on dual carriageways.Source
When may a learner car driver drive on a motorway?
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Correct answer: C — With an ADI in a dual-control car with L plates
Why? Rule 253: provisional car licence holders must not drive on the motorway unless accompanied by an ADI in a car with dual controls displaying L (or D) plates.Source
What do blue circular signs with no red border mostly do?
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Correct answer: A — Give a positive instruction
Why? Traffic signs: signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction, such as 'ahead only' or 'turn left'.Source
How much space should you allow when passing a pedestrian walking in the road where there is no pavement?
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Correct answer: C — At least 2 metres, at a low speed
Why? Rule 163: allow at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian walking in the road.Source
What does third-party insurance cover?
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Correct answer: D — Injury to others and damage to their property
Why? Annex 3: third-party insurance covers anyone you might injure or whose property you might damage. It does not cover your own vehicle or yourself.Source
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 70 mph in good conditions?
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Correct answer: A — 96 metres (315 feet)
Why? The typical stopping distances diagram (Rule 126) shows 21 m thinking plus 75 m braking: 96 metres at 70 mph.Source
In an emergency, how should you brake in a car without ABS?
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Correct answer: A — Immediately, but avoid locking the wheels
Why? Rule 118: brake immediately but try to avoid braking so harshly that you lock your wheels, which can lead to loss of control.Source
Between which hours does The Highway Code advise you to avoid long journeys because natural alertness is at its lowest?
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Correct answer: A — Midnight and 6 am
Why? Rule 91 advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum.Source
When should you check your tyre pressures?
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Correct answer: D — Weekly, when the tyres are cold
Why? Annex 6: check tyre pressures weekly, before a journey, when tyres are cold. Warm tyres may give a misleading reading.Source
On a residential street lined with parked cars, which hazard should you look out for?
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Correct answer: B — Car doors opening and children running out
Why? Rule 152: on residential streets watch for vehicles emerging, car doors opening, pedestrians and children running out from between parked cars.Source
Your car breaks down at night on a country road. Where should you and your passengers stand?
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Correct answer: D — Not between the car and oncoming traffic
Why? Rule 276: do not stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic, and at night do not stand where you would prevent others seeing your lights.Source
A driver is trying to overtake you. What should you do?
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Correct answer: A — Keep a steady course and speed, slowing if necessary
Why? Rule 168: maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass.Source
You are following a bus or articulated lorry. What should you remember about the driver?
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Correct answer: B — They may not be able to see you in their mirrors
Why? Rule 221: if you are following a large vehicle, be aware that the driver may not be able to see you in the mirrors.Source
What is the national speed limit for a car towing a caravan on a single carriageway?
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Correct answer: B — 50 mph
Why? Rule 124 speed limits table: cars towing caravans or trailers are limited to 50 mph on single carriageways.Source
When joining a motorway from a slip road, what should you do?
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Correct answer: D — Give way to motorway traffic and match its speed
Why? Rule 259: give priority to traffic already on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane.Source
What shape are most warning signs?
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Correct answer: C — Triangular
Why? Traffic signs: warning signs are mostly triangular.Source
You are turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is waiting to cross it. What should you do?
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Correct answer: A — Give way to the pedestrian
Why? Rule H2 and Rule 170: at a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road into which or from which you are turning.Source
When does a new car normally first need an MOT certificate?
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Correct answer: D — Three years after first registration
Why? Annex 3: cars and motorcycles must normally pass an MOT test three years from the date of first registration and every year after that.Source
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 50 mph?
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Correct answer: D — 53 metres (175 feet)
Why? The typical stopping distances diagram: at 50 mph, 15 m thinking plus 38 m braking gives 53 metres.Source
In an emergency in a car with ABS, how should you use the footbrake?
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Correct answer: D — Apply it firmly and keep the pressure on
Why? Rule 120: in an emergency apply the footbrake firmly and do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed to the desired speed.Source
Why should heavy or sharp objects in a car be secured?
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Correct answer: C — In a collision they could hit and seriously injure someone inside
Why? Rule 98: make sure heavy or sharp objects and any animals are secured; in a collision they might hit someone inside and cause serious injury.Source
You feel sleepy while driving on a motorway. What should you do?
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Correct answer: B — Leave at the next exit or stop at a service area to rest
Why? If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place such as a service area. Rule 91 says not to stop on a hard shoulder or in an emergency area for a rest.Source
Your car pulls to one side when you brake. What is the most likely cause?
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Correct answer: B — A brake fault or incorrectly inflated tyres
Why? Annex 6: if a vehicle pulls to one side when braking, it is most likely a brake fault or incorrectly inflated tyres. Consult a garage immediately.Source
What does a broken white centre line with long marks and short gaps tell you?
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Correct answer: C — There is a hazard ahead
Why? Rule 127: when the centre line lengthens and the gaps shorten, there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless the road is clear.Source
You stop to help at a collision. What should you ask drivers at the scene to do?
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Correct answer: A — Switch off their engines and stop smoking
Why? Rule 283: ask drivers to switch off their engines and ask drivers and passengers to stop smoking.Source
What is the speed limit for a car towing a trailer on a motorway?
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Correct answer: D — 60 mph
Why? Rule 124 speed limits table: cars towing caravans or trailers are limited to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.Source
Another driver pulls out of a junction into your path. How should you react?
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Correct answer: D — Slow down and hold back to let them get clear
Why? Rule 147: slow down and hold back if a road user pulls out into your path. Do not over-react by driving too close to intimidate them.Source
Many large vehicles are fitted with speed limiters. To what speed might they be restricted, even on a motorway?
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Correct answer: C — 56 mph
Why? Rule 222: many large vehicles may be fitted with speed limiting devices restricting speed to 56 mph (90 km/h) even on a motorway.Source
You have just joined a motorway from a slip road. What should you do before you consider overtaking?
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Correct answer: C — Stay in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the traffic speed
Why? Rule 259: remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.Source
What shape are most direction signs?
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Correct answer: D — Rectangular
Why? Traffic signs: direction signs are mostly rectangular.Source
A pedestrian has started to cross the road you are turning into. Who has priority?
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Correct answer: D — The pedestrian
Why? Rule 170: if pedestrians have started to cross they have priority, so give way.Source
Your car's MOT certificate has run out. When may you drive it on the road?
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Correct answer: C — To a booked MOT test or to repairs for it
Why? Annex 3: you must not drive without an MOT certificate when one is needed, except to a pre-arranged test or to a garage for repairs required for the test.Source
What is the typical thinking distance at 40 mph?
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Correct answer: D — 12 metres
Why? The typical stopping distances diagram shows a thinking distance of 12 m at 40 mph, followed by 24 m of braking (36 m in total).Source
How should you hold the steering wheel while driving?
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Correct answer: B — With both hands where possible
Why? Rule 160: drive with both hands on the wheel where possible, to remain in full control of the vehicle.Source
In England, unless signs show otherwise, what speed limit generally applies on roads with street lights?
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Correct answer: C — 30 mph
Why? Rule 124: a 30 mph limit generally applies to roads with street lights (excluding motorways) in England and Scotland, unless signs show otherwise.Source
Before you change lanes on a multi-lane road, what should you do first?
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Correct answer: D — Use your mirrors and, if necessary, take a quick sideways glance
Why? Rule 133: first use your mirrors and if necessary glance sideways so you will not force anyone to change course or speed, then signal and move when clear.Source
Official sources (2)
- The Highway Code — GOV.UK (Department for Transport), checked 19 October 2026
- Car theory test — GOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), checked 19 October 2026