Practice test
Practice Test 1
50 questions, just like the real test. Attempt them, then check the answer key below — or take the timed, auto-scored version in Car Theory Test.
Take this test timed and scored, with your predicted pass result — free to start in the app.
Download on theApp Store1. You're about to move off from the side of the road. What should you do?
- A. Signal only if other drivers are near
- B. Check your mirrors and blind spots, then signal if needed
- C. Move off quickly before checking
- D. Sound your horn first
2. Why should you take regular breaks on a long journey?
- A. To save fuel
- B. Tiredness affects your concentration and reactions
- C. To keep the engine cool
- D. Because the law requires a break every 30 minutes
3. You feel drowsy while driving on a motorway. What's the safest action?
- A. Open a window and carry on
- B. Turn the radio up loud
- C. Leave at the next services or exit and rest
- D. Speed up to finish sooner
4. When are you allowed to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving?
- A. When stopped at traffic lights
- B. When using the loudspeaker
- C. Never, except a genuine 999 emergency when it's unsafe to stop
- D. On quiet roads only
5. What should you do before changing lanes on a dual carriageway?
- A. Signal and move immediately
- B. Use mirrors, check the blind spot, then signal
- C. Sound the horn
- D. Flash your headlights
6. A vehicle is following too closely behind you. What should you do?
- A. Brake sharply to warn them
- B. Speed up to get away
- C. Ease off the accelerator to increase the gap in front of you
- D. Ignore it completely
7. You want to turn right at a junction but your view is blocked by parked cars. What should you do?
- A. Edge forward slowly until you can see clearly
- B. Turn quickly before anything comes
- C. Sound your horn and go
- D. Reverse and find another route
8. Using a hands-free phone while driving is allowed, but why is it still risky?
- A. It drains the battery
- B. It distracts you from the road and slows your reactions
- C. It's illegal in towns
- D. It interferes with the radio
9. What does 'tailgating' mean?
- A. Driving with your boot open
- B. Following the vehicle in front too closely
- C. Overtaking on the left
- D. Driving in the wrong gear
10. You're driving and a passenger keeps distracting you. What should you do?
- A. Carry on and hope it's fine
- B. Ask them to stop, and pull over if needed
- C. Cover their mouth
- D. Drive faster to end the journey
11. When should you use your horn?
- A. To greet a friend
- B. To warn other road users of your presence when needed
- C. To rebuke another driver
- D. To make pedestrians hurry
12. You must not sound your horn when stationary unless...
- A. You are annoyed with another driver
- B. A moving vehicle poses a danger
- C. You want someone to come out
- D. You are leaving a parking space
13. What's the main danger of driving when you're angry or upset?
- A. It uses more fuel
- B. Your judgement and concentration are impaired
- C. The car handles differently
- D. Your lights stop working
14. How can you tell you're driving too close to the vehicle in front?
- A. You can read its number plate
- B. You can't keep a two-second gap in dry conditions
- C. Its brake lights are off
- D. It is the same colour as your car
15. Before reversing, what should you do?
- A. Rely on your mirrors only
- B. Check all around, including blind spots, for pedestrians and obstacles
- C. Reverse quickly to get it over with
- D. Sound the horn continuously
16. You want to listen to music while driving. What's the safest approach?
- A. Use headphones in both ears
- B. Keep the volume low enough to hear what's happening outside
- C. Turn it up to stay awake
- D. Watch the screen for song titles
17. What should you do if you realise you're lost while driving?
- A. Read the map as you drive
- B. Stop in a safe, legal place to check directions
- C. Slow right down in traffic to think
- D. Make sudden turns when you spot a sign
18. Why is it dangerous to drive after taking some prescription medicines?
- A. They make the car heavier
- B. Some cause drowsiness or slow reactions
- C. They affect the brakes
- D. They are always illegal to take
19. An ambulance with flashing blue lights is approaching from behind. What should you do?
- A. Speed up and clear the road
- B. Stay calm, watch its course and pull over safely when you can
- C. Stop immediately wherever you are
- D. Drive onto the pavement
20. You're approaching a zebra crossing where someone is waiting. What should you do?
- A. Carry on if you'll just clear it
- B. Slow down and be ready to stop to let them cross
- C. Wave them across past other lanes
- D. Sound your horn
21. What's the safest way to deal with a satnav while driving?
- A. Programme it before you set off
- B. Hold it and tap as you go
- C. Glance at it for long periods
- D. Follow it even against road signs
22. Bright sunlight is dazzling you as you drive. What should you do?
- A. Close your eyes briefly
- B. Slow down and use your sun visor
- C. Speed up to get past it
- D. Flash your headlights
23. When is it acceptable to use the hard shoulder of a motorway to make a phone call?
- A. Whenever you like
- B. Only in an emergency or breakdown
- C. To check directions
- D. To answer a work call
24. You're tired but nearly home. What's the safest choice?
- A. Push on because it's close
- B. Stop somewhere safe and rest before continuing
- C. Drink a strong coffee and keep going without stopping
- D. Drive faster to arrive sooner
25. What is the minimum legal tread depth for a car tyre in the UK?
- A. 1.0 mm
- B. 1.6 mm
- C. 2.0 mm
- D. 3.0 mm
26. When should you check your tyre pressures?
- A. Only at an MOT
- B. When the tyres are cold
- C. Straight after a long fast drive
- D. Only when one looks flat
27. What can under-inflated tyres cause?
- A. Better fuel economy
- B. Increased stopping distances and uneven wear
- C. Quieter running
- D. Higher top speed
28. What should you do if your brakes feel spongy or are not working well?
- A. Pump them and keep driving
- B. Stop driving and get them checked before continuing
- C. Drive faster to test them
- D. Ignore it until the MOT
29. Which of these reduces the environmental impact of your driving?
- A. Revving the engine when stationary
- B. Driving smoothly and avoiding harsh acceleration
- C. Carrying extra weight you don't need
- D. Leaving a roof rack on permanently
30. Why should you remove a roof rack when you're not using it?
- A. It's the law
- B. It increases drag and uses more fuel
- C. It damages the paint
- D. It blocks the rear view
31. How can you reduce fuel consumption?
- A. Accelerate and brake harshly
- B. Anticipate the road and drive smoothly in the right gear
- C. Keep the engine revving high
- D. Carry heavy items at all times
32. What should you do before a long journey?
- A. Nothing — just set off
- B. Check oil, coolant, tyres, lights and fuel
- C. Only check the radio
- D. Empty the boot
33. What does it mean if your engine oil warning light comes on while driving?
- A. The oil is fresh
- B. There may be a serious lubrication problem — stop safely and check
- C. You need more fuel
- D. The brakes are worn
34. How should you adjust your head restraint for safety?
- A. As low as possible
- B. So the top is at least level with the top of your ears
- C. Tilted fully forward
- D. Removed for comfort
35. Who is responsible for ensuring a child under 14 wears a seat belt or uses a child seat?
- A. The child
- B. The driver
- C. A passenger
- D. No one
36. When must you use an appropriate child restraint?
- A. Only on motorways
- B. For children until they're 12 years old or 135 cm tall
- C. Only for newborns
- D. Never, a seat belt is enough
37. Your car pulls to one side under braking. What's the likely cause?
- A. The radio is on
- B. A brake or tyre fault
- C. Too much fuel
- D. Bright headlights
38. What's the safest way to carry a heavy load in a car?
- A. Loose on the back seat
- B. Secured and spread so it can't move or affect handling
- C. All on one side
- D. On the roof without straps
39. Why should you keep your windscreen washer reservoir topped up?
- A. For looks
- B. So you can clear dirt and improve visibility
- C. It cools the engine
- D. It improves fuel economy
40. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you to...
- A. Stop in a shorter distance on every surface
- B. Steer while braking hard in an emergency
- C. Drive faster safely
- D. Avoid checking your tyres
41. How should you use the brakes if your car has ABS in an emergency stop?
- A. Pump the pedal repeatedly
- B. Press firmly and keep your foot down
- C. Brake gently only
- D. Use the handbrake instead
42. What does excessive or blue smoke from the exhaust suggest?
- A. The car is efficient
- B. The engine may be burning oil and needs attention
- C. The tyres are worn
- D. The fuel is fresh
43. When parking on a hill facing downhill, you should...
- A. Leave it in neutral
- B. Apply the handbrake and turn the wheels towards the kerb
- C. Leave the doors open
- D. Turn the wheels away from the kerb
44. When parking facing uphill next to a kerb, you should turn the wheels...
- A. Towards the kerb
- B. Away from the kerb
- C. Straight ahead only
- D. It doesn't matter
45. What should you do if a tyre bursts while you're driving?
- A. Brake hard at once
- B. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off and slow gradually to a stop
- C. Accelerate to keep control
- D. Steer sharply to the verge
46. Why is it important that all your lights work?
- A. For appearance
- B. So you can see and be seen by others
- C. To pass the radio test
- D. It saves fuel
47. What should you do if your vehicle catches fire while driving?
- A. Open the bonnet to look
- B. Stop, get everyone out and away, and call the fire service
- C. Drive faster to put it out
- D. Pour water on the engine
48. How can a heavy, badly secured load affect your car?
- A. Improve fuel economy
- B. Make steering and braking less predictable
- C. Cool the brakes
- D. Have no effect
49. What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway?
- A. 40 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 60 mph
- D. 70 mph
50. What is the national speed limit for a car on a dual carriageway?
- A. 50 mph
- B. 60 mph
- C. 70 mph
- D. 80 mph
Answer key
- 1. Check your mirrors and blind spots, then signal if needed — Before moving off, use your mirrors, check your blind spots, and signal if it would help others (Highway Code, rule 159).
- 2. Tiredness affects your concentration and reactions — Tiredness reduces concentration and slows reactions. Take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours (rule 91).
- 3. Leave at the next services or exit and rest — If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place to rest. On a motorway, leave at the next exit or services — never stop on the hard shoulder to sleep (rule 91).
- 4. Never, except a genuine 999 emergency when it's unsafe to stop — It's illegal to hold and use a phone while driving. The only exception is calling 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it's unsafe to stop (rule 149).
- 5. Use mirrors, check the blind spot, then signal — Use the mirror–signal–manoeuvre routine and check the blind spot before moving, so you don't cut across a vehicle you hadn't seen (rule 133).
- 6. Ease off the accelerator to increase the gap in front of you — Slow down gently to build a bigger gap ahead, giving yourself room to brake smoothly without the tailgater hitting you (rule 151).
- 7. Edge forward slowly until you can see clearly — Move forward slowly and carefully until you have a clear view, then turn only when it's safe (rule 170).
- 8. It distracts you from the road and slows your reactions — Even hands-free conversations distract you and slow your reactions. It's safest not to use any phone while driving (rule 149).
- 9. Following the vehicle in front too closely — Tailgating means leaving too little space behind another vehicle, removing your room to stop safely (rule 151).
- 10. Ask them to stop, and pull over if needed — You must stay in full control. Ask passengers not to distract you, and stop safely if the distraction continues.
- 11. To warn other road users of your presence when needed — Use the horn only to warn others of your presence, never to rebuke. Don't sound it in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am (rule 112).
- 12. A moving vehicle poses a danger — Don't sound the horn while stationary except when another moving vehicle poses a danger (rule 112).
- 13. Your judgement and concentration are impaired — Strong emotions impair concentration and judgement. Calm down before driving so you can respond safely.
- 14. You can't keep a two-second gap in dry conditions — In good conditions keep at least a two-second gap. If you can't, you're too close (rule 126).
- 15. Check all around, including blind spots, for pedestrians and obstacles — Reversing has many blind spots. Check all around, look mainly through the rear window, and don't reverse further than necessary (rule 202).
- 16. Keep the volume low enough to hear what's happening outside — Loud music or headphones can mask sirens and other warnings. Keep the volume moderate and stay aware of the road.
- 17. Stop in a safe, legal place to check directions — Don't read directions while moving. Pull over somewhere safe and legal to work out your route (rule 150).
- 18. Some cause drowsiness or slow reactions — Some medicines cause drowsiness or impair driving. Check the label or ask your doctor or pharmacist before driving (rule 96).
- 19. Stay calm, watch its course and pull over safely when you can — Look ahead, keep calm and make room for emergency vehicles when safe — don't brake harshly or mount the kerb (rule 219).
- 20. Slow down and be ready to stop to let them cross — Be ready to slow down and stop to let pedestrians cross. Don't wave them across, as another vehicle may not stop (rule 195).
- 21. Programme it before you set off — Set your route before you start, and follow road signs and conditions over the device. Don't handle it while moving (rule 150).
- 22. Slow down and use your sun visor — Dazzle reduces what you can see, so slow down and use the visor. Stop if you genuinely can't see (rule 237).
- 23. Only in an emergency or breakdown — The hard shoulder is for emergencies and breakdowns only. Leave the carriageway at services or an exit for any other reason (rule 275).
- 24. Stop somewhere safe and rest before continuing — Tiredness is a major cause of crashes. If you're sleepy, stop and rest rather than risk it, even close to home (rule 91).
- 25. 1.6 mm — Car tyres must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the whole circumference (rule 89).
- 26. When the tyres are cold — Check pressures when tyres are cold for an accurate reading, and increase them for heavy loads or fast driving (rule 89).
- 27. Increased stopping distances and uneven wear — Under-inflated tyres wear unevenly, overheat and lengthen stopping distances, increasing the risk of a blowout (rule 89).
- 28. Stop driving and get them checked before continuing — Faulty brakes are dangerous. Have them checked before you drive — never carry on with a known fault (rule 89).
- 29. Driving smoothly and avoiding harsh acceleration — Smooth driving, correct tyre pressures and removing unused loads or racks all cut fuel use and emissions (rule 123).
- 30. It increases drag and uses more fuel — A roof rack increases wind resistance, raising fuel consumption. Remove it when not needed (rule 123).
- 31. Anticipate the road and drive smoothly in the right gear — Reading the road ahead, easing off early and using the correct gear all save fuel and reduce wear (rule 123).
- 32. Check oil, coolant, tyres, lights and fuel — Basic checks of oil, coolant, tyres, lights and fuel before a long trip help avoid a breakdown (rule 97).
- 33. There may be a serious lubrication problem — stop safely and check — An oil pressure warning can mean serious engine damage is imminent. Stop as soon as it's safe and investigate.
- 34. So the top is at least level with the top of your ears — A correctly set head restraint, with its rigid part at least level with the top of your ears, reduces neck injury in a crash (rule 97).
- 35. The driver — The driver is legally responsible for making sure children under 14 are properly restrained (rule 99–100).
- 36. For children until they're 12 years old or 135 cm tall — Children must use the correct restraint until they are 12 or reach 135 cm tall, whichever comes first (rule 100).
- 37. A brake or tyre fault — Pulling to one side when braking suggests a brake or tyre problem and should be checked promptly.
- 38. Secured and spread so it can't move or affect handling — Loads must be secure and well distributed so they can't shift, fly forward in a crash or upset the car's balance (rule 98).
- 39. So you can clear dirt and improve visibility — Washer fluid lets you clear a dirty windscreen and maintain a clear view, especially in poor weather (rule 229).
- 40. Steer while braking hard in an emergency — ABS helps you keep steering control during hard braking, but it doesn't necessarily shorten stopping distances (rule 120).
- 41. Press firmly and keep your foot down — With ABS, apply firm, continuous pressure and let the system prevent the wheels locking (rule 120).
- 42. The engine may be burning oil and needs attention — Blue smoke usually means the engine is burning oil — a fault that should be investigated and will also fail an MOT.
- 43. Apply the handbrake and turn the wheels towards the kerb — Facing downhill, turn the front wheels towards the kerb and use the handbrake so the car can't roll into the road (rule 252).
- 44. Away from the kerb — Facing uphill, turn the wheels away from the kerb and set the handbrake, so the car rolls into the kerb if it moves (rule 252).
- 45. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off and slow gradually to a stop — Grip the wheel, ease off the accelerator and slow down gently to keep control after a blowout — don't brake harshly (rule 277).
- 46. So you can see and be seen by others — Working lights let you see the road and let others see you. Check them regularly (rule 113).
- 47. Stop, get everyone out and away, and call the fire service — Pull over, get everyone out and well clear, and call 999. Don't open the bonnet, as this feeds the fire with air.
- 48. Make steering and braking less predictable — A shifting or excessive load changes the car's balance, making steering and braking unpredictable (rule 98).
- 49. 60 mph — The national speed limit for cars on a single carriageway is 60 mph, unless a lower limit is signed (rule 124).
- 50. 70 mph — Cars may travel at up to 70 mph on a dual carriageway unless signs show a lower limit (rule 124).