Practice test
Practice Test 2
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. What is the national speed limit for a car on a motorway?
- A. 60 mph
- B. 70 mph
- C. 80 mph
- D. No limit
2. What speed limit applies to a car towing a trailer on a motorway?
- A. 50 mph
- B. 60 mph
- C. 70 mph
- D. No limit
3. At a 'STOP' sign you must...
- A. Slow and proceed if clear
- B. Stop completely at the line, then go when safe
- C. Give way only
- D. Sound your horn
4. When approaching a roundabout to turn left, which lane and signal should you use?
- A. Right lane, signal right
- B. Left lane, signal left on approach
- C. Centre lane, no signal
- D. Any lane, signal right
5. When can you cross a single solid white line in the centre of the road?
- A. Whenever you want to overtake
- B. To pass a stationary vehicle, cyclist or road maintenance, if safe
- C. Never, for any reason
- D. Only at night
6. Where must you not park?
- A. In a marked bay
- B. On the zigzag lines near a pedestrian crossing
- C. On your driveway
- D. In a quiet side road
7. Double yellow lines along the edge of the road mean...
- A. No waiting at any time
- B. Free parking
- C. Loading only
- D. Waiting allowed at night
8. You're turning right at a junction. Where should you position your car?
- A. Close to the left kerb
- B. Just left of the centre of the road
- C. On the pavement
- D. In the oncoming lane early
9. What should you do at a junction with traffic lights showing red?
- A. Stop at the stop line and wait
- B. Edge across if it looks clear
- C. Stop only if a car is coming
- D. Treat it as a give way
10. Amber on its own at traffic lights means...
- A. Speed up to clear
- B. Stop, unless you've crossed the line or stopping would be unsafe
- C. Carry on as normal
- D. Give way only
11. When may you drive in a bus lane?
- A. Whenever you like
- B. Outside its hours of operation, as shown on the signs
- C. Only in heavy traffic
- D. Never
12. What shape are most warning signs?
- A. Circular
- B. Triangular
- C. Rectangular
- D. Octagonal
13. A blue circular sign usually...
- A. Warns of danger
- B. Gives a positive instruction you must follow
- C. Shows a speed limit
- D. Marks parking
14. Which sign is octagonal (eight-sided)?
- A. No entry
- B. Stop
- C. Give way
- D. National speed limit
15. What does a sign showing a white diagonal line on a circular white background with a black border mean?
- A. No vehicles
- B. National speed limit applies
- C. End of motorway
- D. No stopping
16. A triangular sign showing two children means...
- A. No children allowed
- B. Watch out for children, e.g. near a school
- C. School closed
- D. A play area only
17. What does a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing up mean?
- A. No through road
- B. Ahead only
- C. One-way traffic warning
- D. Give way ahead
18. What colour are signs on primary routes (non-motorway)?
- A. Blue
- B. Green with white lettering
- C. Brown
- D. Yellow
19. What do zigzag white lines on the approach to a crossing mean?
- A. Park here
- B. No parking or overtaking the leading vehicle near the crossing
- C. Loading bay
- D. Bus stop
20. Amber reflective road studs are found...
- A. On the left edge
- B. Along the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway
- C. At every junction
- D. On cycle lanes
21. What does a triangular sign with a picture of traffic lights mean?
- A. The lights are off
- B. There are traffic lights ahead
- C. No traffic lights here
- D. A junction with no lights
22. What does a 'No U-turn' sign look like?
- A. A red triangle
- B. A red circle with a black U-turn arrow crossed out
- C. A blue circle
- D. A green square
23. What does a sign with a red-bordered triangle and an exclamation mark mean?
- A. No entry
- B. Other danger ahead — read any plate beneath
- C. End of restrictions
- D. A first-aid post
24. You arrive at the scene of a crash. What's your first priority?
- A. Move all casualties at once
- B. Make the area safe and warn other traffic
- C. Take photos
- D. Drive away
25. An unconscious casualty is breathing but lying on their back. What may help keep their airway open?
- A. Give them water
- B. Carefully place them in the recovery position if there are no other injuries preventing it
- C. Sit them upright and feed them
- D. Leave them face-down
26. A casualty is bleeding heavily from a wound with nothing embedded in it. What should you do?
- A. Leave it to clot
- B. Apply firm pressure to the wound, ideally with a clean pad
- C. Wash it with petrol
- D. Raise it and do nothing else
27. How can you help a casualty who is suffering from burns?
- A. Apply cream or butter
- B. Cool the burn with clean, cool water for at least 20 minutes
- C. Burst any blisters
- D. Remove anything stuck to it
28. After a collision, when must you report it to the police?
- A. Always within 24 hours
- B. If you don't exchange details at the scene, within 24 hours
- C. Only if your car is damaged
- D. Never
29. What information should you exchange after a collision causing damage?
- A. Only your phone number
- B. Names, addresses, vehicle details and insurance information
- C. Just a verbal apology
- D. Nothing if no one is hurt
30. What number should you call for the emergency services in the UK?
- A. 111
- B. 999 or 112
- C. 101
- D. 118
31. You're first on the scene of a motorway crash. How can you warn other traffic at night?
- A. Stand in the live lane
- B. Use hazard lights and, if safe, a warning triangle — but not on a motorway
- C. Flash a torch at drivers from the carriageway
- D. Do nothing
32. 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
33. 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
34. 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
35. 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
36. 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
37. 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
38. 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
39. 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
40. 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
41. 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
42. 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
43. 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
44. 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
45. What can under-inflated tyres cause?
- A. Better fuel economy
- B. Increased stopping distances and uneven wear
- C. Quieter running
- D. Higher top speed
46. 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
47. 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
48. 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
49. 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
50. 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
Answer key
- 1. 70 mph — The motorway speed limit for cars is 70 mph unless a lower limit is shown, including on variable signs (rule 124).
- 2. 60 mph — A car towing a caravan or trailer is limited to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways (rule 124).
- 3. Stop completely at the line, then go when safe — A STOP sign requires you to stop completely at the line, even if the road looks clear, then move off when safe (rule 171).
- 4. Left lane, signal left on approach — To turn left, approach in the left lane and signal left throughout (rule 186).
- 5. To pass a stationary vehicle, cyclist or road maintenance, if safe — You may cross a solid white line to pass a stationary obstruction, a cyclist, horse or maintenance vehicle travelling at 10 mph or less, when safe (rule 129).
- 6. On the zigzag lines near a pedestrian crossing — Never park on the zigzag lines at a crossing — they keep the area clear so pedestrians and drivers can see each other (rule 191, 240).
- 7. No waiting at any time — Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, though loading may sometimes be allowed — check the signs (rule 238).
- 8. Just left of the centre of the road — To turn right, move as close to the centre of the road as is safe and signal in good time (rule 179).
- 9. Stop at the stop line and wait — A red light means stop and wait behind the stop line until it changes (rule 109).
- 10. Stop, unless you've crossed the line or stopping would be unsafe — A steady amber means stop, unless you have already crossed the line or are so close that stopping might cause a crash (rule 109).
- 11. Outside its hours of operation, as shown on the signs — You may use a bus lane outside the times shown on the signs; during operating hours only permitted vehicles may use it (rule 141).
- 12. Triangular — Warning signs are usually triangular with a red border, alerting you to a hazard ahead (Highway Code, signs).
- 13. Gives a positive instruction you must follow — Blue circles give a mandatory positive instruction, such as 'turn left ahead' or a minimum speed.
- 14. Stop — The STOP sign is the only octagonal sign, so its shape is recognisable even if partly hidden.
- 15. National speed limit applies — A white circle with a single black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit applies.
- 16. Watch out for children, e.g. near a school — This warning sign tells you to watch for children, typically near a school or playground.
- 17. Ahead only — A blue circle with an upward arrow means 'Ahead only' — you must continue straight on.
- 18. Green with white lettering — Primary route direction signs have a green background; motorway signs are blue and local routes white.
- 19. No parking or overtaking the leading vehicle near the crossing — Zigzag lines mean you must not park or overtake the leading moving vehicle there, keeping sight lines clear (rule 191).
- 20. Along the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway — Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway (rule 132).
- 21. There are traffic lights ahead — This warning sign tells you traffic lights are ahead, so be ready to stop.
- 22. A red circle with a black U-turn arrow crossed out — A red circle containing a U-turn arrow with a diagonal line through it prohibits U-turns.
- 23. Other danger ahead — read any plate beneath — The exclamation-mark warning sign means there's another danger ahead; a plate underneath often explains it.
- 24. Make the area safe and warn other traffic — First make the scene safe: switch on hazard lights, warn other traffic and stop further collisions (rule 283).
- 25. Carefully place them in the recovery position if there are no other injuries preventing it — If they're breathing, the recovery position helps keep the airway clear — but don't move someone with suspected spinal injury unnecessarily.
- 26. Apply firm pressure to the wound, ideally with a clean pad — Apply firm direct pressure over the wound, and raise the limb if possible, to slow heavy bleeding (DR ABC / first aid).
- 27. Cool the burn with clean, cool water for at least 20 minutes — Cool a burn with plenty of clean, cool water and don't remove anything stuck to it or apply lotions.
- 28. If you don't exchange details at the scene, within 24 hours — If you don't give your details at the scene, you must report the collision to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours (rule 286).
- 29. Names, addresses, vehicle details and insurance information — Exchange names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details with anyone affected (rule 286).
- 30. 999 or 112 — Call 999 or 112 for emergency services. Use 101 for non-emergencies and 111 for urgent NHS advice.
- 31. Use hazard lights and, if safe, a warning triangle — but not on a motorway — Switch on hazard lights to warn others; don't use a warning triangle on a motorway as it's too dangerous to place (rule 283–284).
- 32. 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).
- 33. 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).
- 34. 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).
- 35. 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).
- 36. Following the vehicle in front too closely — Tailgating means leaving too little space behind another vehicle, removing your room to stop safely (rule 151).
- 37. 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).
- 38. Your judgement and concentration are impaired — Strong emotions impair concentration and judgement. Calm down before driving so you can respond safely.
- 39. 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).
- 40. 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).
- 41. 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).
- 42. 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).
- 43. 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).
- 44. 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).
- 45. Increased stopping distances and uneven wear — Under-inflated tyres wear unevenly, overheat and lengthen stopping distances, increasing the risk of a blowout (rule 89).
- 46. 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).
- 47. 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).
- 48. 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.
- 49. The driver — The driver is legally responsible for making sure children under 14 are properly restrained (rule 99–100).
- 50. A brake or tyre fault — Pulling to one side when braking suggests a brake or tyre problem and should be checked promptly.