Practice test
Practice Test 4
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. Why should you keep your windscreen washer reservoir topped up?
- A. For looks
- B. It improves fuel economy
- C. So you can clear dirt and improve visibility
- D. It cools the engine
2. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you to...
- A. Stop in a shorter distance on every surface
- B. Avoid checking your tyres
- C. Steer while braking hard in an emergency
- D. Drive faster safely
3. How should you use the brakes if your car has ABS in an emergency stop?
- A. Use the handbrake instead
- B. Brake gently only
- C. Press firmly and keep your foot down
- D. Pump the pedal repeatedly
4. What does excessive or blue smoke from the exhaust suggest?
- A. The fuel is fresh
- B. The car is efficient
- C. The tyres are worn
- D. The engine may be burning oil and needs attention
5. When parking on a hill facing downhill, you should...
- A. Leave it in neutral
- B. Turn the wheels away from the kerb
- C. Apply the handbrake and turn the wheels towards the kerb
- D. Leave the doors open
6. When parking facing uphill next to a kerb, you should turn the wheels...
- A. It doesn't matter
- B. Towards the kerb
- C. Away from the kerb
- D. Straight ahead only
7. What should you do if a tyre bursts while you're driving?
- A. Accelerate to keep control
- B. Steer sharply to the verge
- C. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off and slow gradually to a stop
- D. Brake hard at once
8. 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
9. What should you do if your vehicle catches fire while driving?
- A. Pour water on the engine
- B. Drive faster to put it out
- C. Open the bonnet to look
- D. Stop, get everyone out and away, and call the fire service
10. How can a heavy, badly secured load affect your car?
- A. Improve fuel economy
- B. Make steering and braking less predictable
- C. Have no effect
- D. Cool the brakes
11. What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway?
- A. 70 mph
- B. 40 mph
- C. 60 mph
- D. 50 mph
12. What is the national speed limit for a car on a dual carriageway?
- A. 60 mph
- B. 80 mph
- C. 50 mph
- D. 70 mph
13. What is the national speed limit for a car on a motorway?
- A. No limit
- B. 60 mph
- C. 80 mph
- D. 70 mph
14. In a built-up area with street lights, what's the speed limit unless signs say otherwise?
- A. 50 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 40 mph
15. What speed limit applies to a car towing a trailer on a motorway?
- A. No limit
- B. 60 mph
- C. 50 mph
- D. 70 mph
16. At a junction with a 'Give Way' sign, you must...
- A. Have priority over the major road
- B. Give priority to traffic on the major road
- C. Always stop completely
- D. Sound your horn
17. At a 'STOP' sign you must...
- A. Sound your horn
- B. Slow and proceed if clear
- C. Give way only
- D. Stop completely at the line, then go when safe
18. Who has priority at a roundabout in the UK?
- A. The largest vehicle
- B. Traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right
- C. Traffic on your left
- D. Traffic entering the roundabout
19. When approaching a roundabout to turn left, which lane and signal should you use?
- A. Any lane, signal right
- B. Left lane, signal left on approach
- C. Centre lane, no signal
- D. Right lane, signal right
20. You want to go straight ahead at a roundabout. What should you do on approach?
- A. Stop on the roundabout
- B. Approach in the appropriate lane and signal left after the exit before yours
- C. Signal left
- D. Signal right the whole way
21. When can you cross a single solid white line in the centre of the road?
- A. Never, for any reason
- B. To pass a stationary vehicle, cyclist or road maintenance, if safe
- C. Whenever you want to overtake
- D. Only at night
22. What do double white lines with a solid line on your side mean?
- A. You must not cross or straddle the line
- B. Parking is allowed
- C. You may overtake freely
- D. You must stop
23. Where must you not park?
- A. On the zigzag lines near a pedestrian crossing
- B. On your driveway
- C. In a quiet side road
- D. In a marked bay
24. When are you allowed to stop on a clearway?
- A. For a quick errand
- B. To drop off a passenger
- C. Never, except in an emergency
- D. During the day only
25. Double yellow lines along the edge of the road mean...
- A. Free parking
- B. Waiting allowed at night
- C. No waiting at any time
- D. Loading only
26. What does a single yellow line mean?
- A. Always free to park
- B. No waiting at any time
- C. No stopping ever
- D. Waiting restrictions apply during the times shown on nearby signs
27. You're turning right at a junction. Where should you position your car?
- A. Just left of the centre of the road
- B. In the oncoming lane early
- C. Close to the left kerb
- D. On the pavement
28. When two vehicles meet on a narrow road and there's a passing place on your left, you should...
- A. Reverse a long way
- B. Pull into the passing place to let the other vehicle pass
- C. Drive onto the verge
- D. Insist on right of way
29. What should you do at a junction with traffic lights showing red?
- A. Treat it as a give way
- B. Stop at the stop line and wait
- C. Stop only if a car is coming
- D. Edge across if it looks clear
30. What does a green traffic light mean?
- A. You may go if the way is clear
- B. Stop
- C. Give way to your right only
- D. Go, whatever the situation
31. Amber on its own at traffic lights means...
- A. Give way only
- B. Carry on as normal
- C. Speed up to clear
- D. Stop, unless you've crossed the line or stopping would be unsafe
32. What does a flashing amber light at a pelican crossing mean?
- A. Speed up
- B. The lights are broken
- C. Stop and wait
- D. Give way to pedestrians on the crossing, then go if clear
33. When may you drive in a bus lane?
- A. Outside its hours of operation, as shown on the signs
- B. Whenever you like
- C. Only in heavy traffic
- D. Never
34. What's the rule about overtaking on the left ('undertaking')?
- A. Allowed on motorways only
- B. Allowed at night
- C. Always allowed
- D. Generally not allowed, except in queues or where lanes dictate it
35. What shape are most warning signs?
- A. Rectangular
- B. Triangular
- C. Octagonal
- D. Circular
36. A circular sign with a red border generally...
- A. Tells you what you must not do
- B. Marks a tourist route
- C. Warns of a bend
- D. Gives information
37. A blue circular sign usually...
- A. Marks parking
- B. Gives a positive instruction you must follow
- C. Warns of danger
- D. Shows a speed limit
38. What does an upside-down (inverted) triangle sign mean?
- A. No entry
- B. Stop
- C. Roundabout
- D. Give way
39. Which sign is octagonal (eight-sided)?
- A. National speed limit
- B. Give way
- C. Stop
- D. No entry
40. A red circle with a white horizontal bar means...
- A. One-way street
- B. Give way
- C. No entry
- D. No overtaking
41. What does a sign showing a white diagonal line on a circular white background with a black border mean?
- A. National speed limit applies
- B. No vehicles
- C. No stopping
- D. End of motorway
42. What do red and amber traffic lights showing together mean?
- A. Go
- B. Give way
- C. Stop — don't go until green shows
- D. Lights faulty
43. A triangular sign showing two children means...
- A. School closed
- B. Watch out for children, e.g. near a school
- C. No children allowed
- D. A play area only
44. A sign with a red ring around a number, e.g. 30, means...
- A. Maximum speed limit of 30 mph
- B. A route number
- C. A distance of 30 miles
- D. Minimum speed of 30
45. What does a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing up mean?
- A. No through road
- B. Give way ahead
- C. Ahead only
- D. One-way traffic warning
46. What does a brown background on a sign indicate?
- A. A diversion
- B. A motorway service area
- C. Roadworks
- D. Tourist information or attractions
47. What colour are signs on primary routes (non-motorway)?
- A. Brown
- B. Yellow
- C. Blue
- D. Green with white lettering
48. A solid white line along the edge of the carriageway marks...
- A. A cycle lane
- B. A bus lane
- C. The centre of the road
- D. The edge of the carriageway
49. What do zigzag white lines on the approach to a crossing mean?
- A. No parking or overtaking the leading vehicle near the crossing
- B. Loading bay
- C. Bus stop
- D. Park here
50. Reflective road studs ('cat's eyes') that are red mark...
- A. The centre of the road
- B. The left-hand edge of the carriageway
- C. The right-hand edge of the carriageway
- D. Lane dividers
Answer key
- 1. 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).
- 2. 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).
- 3. Press firmly and keep your foot down — With ABS, apply firm, continuous pressure and let the system prevent the wheels locking (rule 120).
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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).
- 6. 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).
- 7. 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).
- 8. 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).
- 9. 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.
- 10. Make steering and braking less predictable — A shifting or excessive load changes the car's balance, making steering and braking unpredictable (rule 98).
- 11. 60 mph — The national speed limit for cars on a single carriageway is 60 mph, unless a lower limit is signed (rule 124).
- 12. 70 mph — Cars may travel at up to 70 mph on a dual carriageway unless signs show a lower limit (rule 124).
- 13. 70 mph — The motorway speed limit for cars is 70 mph unless a lower limit is shown, including on variable signs (rule 124).
- 14. 30 mph — Street lighting usually means a 30 mph limit unless signs show a different one (rule 124).
- 15. 60 mph — A car towing a caravan or trailer is limited to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways (rule 124).
- 16. Give priority to traffic on the major road — A 'Give Way' sign means give priority to traffic on the major road; stop if necessary, but you needn't stop if it's clear (rule 172).
- 17. 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).
- 18. Traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right — Give priority to traffic already on the roundabout, normally coming from your right, unless signs or markings say otherwise (rule 185).
- 19. Left lane, signal left on approach — To turn left, approach in the left lane and signal left throughout (rule 186).
- 20. Approach in the appropriate lane and signal left after the exit before yours — For straight ahead, usually take the left lane, don't signal on approach, then signal left after passing the exit before the one you want (rule 186).
- 21. 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).
- 22. You must not cross or straddle the line — A solid white line on your side of double white lines means you must not cross or straddle it except in limited circumstances (rule 128).
- 23. 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).
- 24. Never, except in an emergency — On a clearway you must not stop at all on the main carriageway except in an emergency (rule 240).
- 25. 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).
- 26. Waiting restrictions apply during the times shown on nearby signs — A single yellow line means waiting is restricted during the times shown on the nearby signs or kerb plates (rule 238).
- 27. 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).
- 28. Pull into the passing place to let the other vehicle pass — Use the passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right, to let oncoming traffic through (rule 155).
- 29. Stop at the stop line and wait — A red light means stop and wait behind the stop line until it changes (rule 109).
- 30. You may go if the way is clear — Green means you may go on if the way is clear — don't proceed into a blocked junction (rule 109).
- 31. 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).
- 32. Give way to pedestrians on the crossing, then go if clear — Flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians still crossing, then proceed when clear (rule 196).
- 33. 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).
- 34. Generally not allowed, except in queues or where lanes dictate it — Don't overtake on the left except in slow queuing traffic or where your lane is moving faster, or when turning (rule 268).
- 35. Triangular — Warning signs are usually triangular with a red border, alerting you to a hazard ahead (Highway Code, signs).
- 36. Tells you what you must not do — Circular signs with a red ring or border give orders, mostly prohibitions — telling you what you must not do.
- 37. Gives a positive instruction you must follow — Blue circles give a mandatory positive instruction, such as 'turn left ahead' or a minimum speed.
- 38. Give way — An inverted triangle means 'Give Way' — give priority to traffic on the road you're joining.
- 39. Stop — The STOP sign is the only octagonal sign, so its shape is recognisable even if partly hidden.
- 40. No entry — A red circle with a white horizontal bar means 'No entry' for vehicles.
- 41. National speed limit applies — A white circle with a single black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit applies.
- 42. Stop — don't go until green shows — Red and amber together mean stop; do not pass until green shows, though it tells you green is coming (rule 109).
- 43. Watch out for children, e.g. near a school — This warning sign tells you to watch for children, typically near a school or playground.
- 44. Maximum speed limit of 30 mph — A red ring around a number is a maximum speed limit in mph for that road.
- 45. Ahead only — A blue circle with an upward arrow means 'Ahead only' — you must continue straight on.
- 46. Tourist information or attractions — Brown signs direct you to tourist attractions and facilities.
- 47. Green with white lettering — Primary route direction signs have a green background; motorway signs are blue and local routes white.
- 48. The edge of the carriageway — A continuous white line at the side marks the edge of the carriageway, helping you in poor visibility.
- 49. 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).
- 50. The left-hand edge of the carriageway — Red reflective studs mark the left-hand edge of the carriageway as you drive (rule 132).