Northern Ireland Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   You cannot leave the recommended space to overtake a cyclist safely. What should you do?

   • AWait behind until you can
   • BSound your horn so they move over
   • COvertake with two wheels on the verge
   • DOvertake anyway, but slowly
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Wait behind until you can

   Rule 163: if you cannot give the recommended space, wait behind and do not overtake.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AOne-way system ahead
   • BRoundabout ahead
   • CTurning area ahead
   • DMini-roundabout here
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Roundabout ahead

   A red triangle is a warning. Arrows going clockwise inside it warn that there is a roundabout ahead.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ACycle shop ahead
   • BCycle route ahead
   • CNo cycling
   • DRoute for pedal cycles only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Cycle route ahead

   A bicycle in a red triangle warns that a cycle route joins or crosses the road ahead.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How often does the Highway Code recommend a break on a long journey?

   • AOnly when you need to buy fuel
   • BAt least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving
   • C30 minutes after every hour of driving
   • D5 minutes after every four hours of driving
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving

   Rule 91 recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving.

5. Question 5 of 25

   A green filter arrow is lit at traffic lights. What does it mean?

   • AYou may go that way if clear, whatever other lights show
   • BYou may only go straight ahead
   • CAll traffic may go in any direction
   • DYou must stop and wait for the full green
   Show answer

   Answer: A. You may go that way if clear, whatever other lights show

   Light signals: a green arrow means you may go in that direction if the way is clear.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ASoft verges
   • BSlippery road
   • CRoad closed
   • DRoad works
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Road works

   A person digging warns of road works ahead. Slow down and obey any temporary signs.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ANo entry for vehicles
   • BRoad closed for road works
   • COne-way traffic ahead
   • DNo stopping at any time
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No entry for vehicles

   A red circle with a white bar means no entry. You must not drive past this sign.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are driving a slow vehicle and a long queue has built up behind you. What should you do?

   • AWave the traffic past you on a bend
   • BGo over the speed limit to keep up with traffic
   • CKeep going at the same speed
   • DPull in where it is safe and let the traffic pass
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pull in where it is safe and let the traffic pass

   Rule 169: do not hold up a long queue. Check your mirrors and pull in where it is safe to let traffic pass.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which road sign has eight sides?

   • ANo entry
   • BRoad works
   • CGive way
   • DStop
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Stop

   Traffic signs: the Stop sign is the only eight-sided sign. The Give Way sign is an upside-down triangle.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Where must L plates be shown on a learner's car?

    • AOn the dashboard, facing out
    • BOn the back window only
    • CClearly visible at the front and rear
    • DOn the roof, facing forward
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Clearly visible at the front and rear

    Annex 3: L plates must be clearly visible to others from in front of and behind the vehicle.

11. Question 11 of 25

    When should you check your tyre pressures?

    • AOnly when a tyre looks flat
    • BWhen the tyres are warm
    • CStraight after a long motorway drive
    • DWhen the tyres are cold
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When the tyres are cold

    Annex 6: check pressures when the tyres are cold. Warm or hot tyres can give a misleading reading.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You see a flashing amber light below a "School" sign. What does it mean?

    • AThe lower speed limit has now ended
    • BChildren may be crossing; drive very slowly
    • CYou must stop and wait until the light goes out
    • DThe school is closed today, so you can carry on
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Children may be crossing; drive very slowly

    Rule 208: a flashing amber signal below a School warning sign means children may be crossing. Drive very slowly until clear.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Emergency vehicles may use flashing lights of which colours?

    • ABlue, red or green
    • BAmber or white
    • CAmber only
    • DPurple or yellow
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Blue, red or green

    Rule 219: look and listen for emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A pedestrian has stepped onto a zebra crossing. What must you do?

    • ASpeed up to pass before they reach your side
    • BCarry on, as you were there first
    • CGive way to them
    • DSound your horn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Give way to them

    Rule 195: you must give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a zebra crossing.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A long lorry ahead moves out to the right as it gets near a left turn. Why?

    • AThe driver is about to turn right
    • BIt has broken down
    • CThe driver wants you to overtake on the left
    • DIt needs extra road space to make the turn
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It needs extra road space to make the turn

    Rule 221: large vehicles may need extra road space to turn. Be ready to stop and wait.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway road?

    • A40 mph
    • B70 mph
    • C50 mph
    • D60 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 60 mph

    Rule 124: the national speed limit for cars on single carriageways is 60 mph.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are driving past an ice cream van parked in a street. Why should you slow down?

    • AChildren may run out into the road
    • BThe driver may wave you on
    • CIce cream vans have right of way
    • DThe van may pull out at speed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Children may run out into the road

    Rule 206: drive slowly past parked ice cream vans, where children are likely to be.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are overtaking a cyclist on a road with a 50 mph limit. How much space should you leave?

    • AExactly 1 metre
    • BMore than 1.5 metres
    • CLess than you would at 30 mph
    • DHalf a metre
    Show answer

    Answer: B. More than 1.5 metres

    Rule 163: 1.5 metres is the minimum at up to 30 mph. Give cyclists more space at higher speeds.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A pedestrian is hit by a car travelling at 40 mph. What does the Highway Code say is the likely result?

    • AThey will probably have only minor injuries
    • BThey will probably be killed
    • CSpeed makes little difference
    • DThey will usually walk away unhurt
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They will probably be killed

    Rule 207: a pedestrian hit at 40 mph will probably be killed. At 20 mph there is about a 1 in 20 chance of death.

20. Question 20 of 25

    With a solid white line nearest you, you may cross it to pass a cyclist, horse or road maintenance vehicle going at what speed or less?

    • A10 mph
    • B5 mph
    • C20 mph
    • D30 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 10 mph

    Rule 129: you may cross the solid line, if the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle or overtake a cyclist, horse or road maintenance vehicle doing 10 mph or less.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThere is no speed limit
    • BEnd of all parking rules
    • CMotorway ahead
    • DThe national speed limit applies
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The national speed limit applies

    The white disc with a black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit for the road and vehicle applies. It does not mean there is no limit.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In Great Britain, when may a learner car driver drive on a motorway?

    • ANever, until they pass the practical test
    • BWith an approved driving instructor, in a dual-control car
    • CWith any driver who is over 21
    • DAfter passing the theory test, with any supervisor
    Show answer

    Answer: B. With an approved driving instructor, in a dual-control car

    Rule 253: learner car drivers must not use motorways unless they are with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is "coasting"?

    • ADriving in neutral or with the clutch down
    • BDriving at a steady speed in top gear
    • CDriving downhill in a low gear
    • DUsing cruise control on a motorway
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Driving in neutral or with the clutch down

    Rule 122: coasting means travelling in neutral or with the clutch down. It reduces control because there is no engine braking.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn left ahead
    • BKeep left
    • CNo left turn
    • DVehicles may pass either side
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Keep left

    A white arrow pointing down to the left on a blue circle means you must keep to the left, often of a traffic island.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does a red and amber traffic light showing together mean?

    • AStop; do not go until green shows
    • BGo if the way ahead is clear
    • CGo if you are turning left
    • DGet ready to stop at the line
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop; do not go until green shows

    Light signals: red and amber also means stop. Do not pass through or start until green shows.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 43 of 50 multiple-choice questions, plus 44 of 75 in hazard perception