Northern Ireland Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   You need to set a new route on your sat nav during a journey. What should you do?

   • ASet it while driving slowly
   • BSet it at the next red traffic light
   • CFind a safe place to stop first
   • DType the address with one hand
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Find a safe place to stop first

   Rule 150 says do not be distracted by maps or screens; find a safe place to stop if you need to. You must not hold the device while driving (Rule 149).

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AHump bridge
   • BTunnel ahead
   • CSteep hill upwards
   • DUneven road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Hump bridge

   The road rises over a bridge. You may not see oncoming traffic until late, so slow down.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A pedestrian is walking in the road on a lane with no pavement. How much space should you give them?

   • AAt least half a metre
   • BAt least 1 metre, at any speed
   • CAt least 2 metres, at a low speed
   • DNone; they should step aside
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least 2 metres, at a low speed

   Rule 163: allow at least 2 metres for pedestrians walking in the road and keep to a low speed.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AQuayside or river bank
   • BFerry terminal ahead
   • CFord ahead
   • DRisk of flooding
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Quayside or river bank

   The road may run along an open quay or river bank. Take care not to drive into the water.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How should you normally brake?

   • ABy changing down to a low gear only
   • BMainly with the handbrake
   • CEarly and lightly, then more firmly
   • DLate and hard, just before you need to stop
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Early and lightly, then more firmly

   Rule 117: the safest way to brake is early and lightly, more firmly as you begin to stop, then ease off just before the car stops.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ACar and motorcycle hire
   • BParking for cars and motorcycles
   • CMotor vehicles only
   • DNo motor vehicles
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No motor vehicles

   A car and a motorcycle inside a red circle mean no motor vehicles may go past the sign.

7. Question 7 of 25

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

   • A50 mph
   • B70 mph
   • C80 mph
   • D60 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 70 mph

   Rule 124: the national speed limit for cars on dual carriageways is 70 mph.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are driving a car on a single carriageway road and pass this sign. What is the highest speed you may drive?

   • A50 mph
   • B40 mph
   • C70 mph
   • D60 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 60 mph

   The national speed limit for cars on a single carriageway road is 60 mph.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Many large vehicles are fitted with speed limiters. What top speed are they often limited to?

   • A70 mph
   • B80 mph
   • C40 mph
   • D56 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 56 mph

   Rule 222: many large vehicles are speed-limited to 56 mph (90 km/h), even on motorways.

10. Question 10 of 25

    At a level crossing the amber light comes on before you reach the white line. What must you do?

    • ADrive round the barriers
    • BCross if no train is in sight
    • CStop behind the white line
    • DSpeed up and cross quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop behind the white line

    You must obey the lights at a level crossing and stop behind the white line. Only keep going if you have already crossed the line when the amber light comes on.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStart of motorway
    • BBridge ahead
    • CEnd of motorway
    • DDual carriageway ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Start of motorway

    This blue sign marks the start of a motorway. Motorway rules apply from this point.

12. Question 12 of 25

    At a roundabout, a cyclist in the left-hand lane is signalling right. What should you do?

    • AGive them room, as they may be going right round
    • BOvertake them quickly on the right-hand side
    • CSound your horn to warn them where you are
    • DCut across in front of them to take the first exit
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Give them room, as they may be going right round

    Rule 186: cyclists may stay in the left lane while going round and signal right. Do not cut across them.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Signs with red circles mostly tell you what?

    • ADirections to a town
    • BWhat you must not do
    • CTourist information
    • DA warning of a hazard
    Show answer

    Answer: B. What you must not do

    Traffic signs: signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive, for example no entry or a maximum speed.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What is the typical overall stopping distance for a car at 30 mph?

    • A12 metres (40 feet)
    • B23 metres (75 feet)
    • C53 metres (175 feet)
    • D36 metres (118 feet)
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 23 metres (75 feet)

    Rule 126: at 30 mph the typical stopping distance is 23 metres: 9 metres thinking and 14 metres braking.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You park on a road at night. Which way should your car face?

    • AAny way, as long as the lights are on
    • BTowards the nearest junction
    • CAgainst the traffic flow
    • DThe same way as the traffic flow
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The same way as the traffic flow

    Rule 248: you must not park on a road at night facing against the traffic flow, unless in a recognised parking space.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ALevel crossing without barrier ahead
    • BLevel crossing with barrier or gate ahead
    • CCattle grid ahead
    • DRoad works ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead

    The gate symbol warns of a railway level crossing that has a barrier or gate.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You have to stop in traffic in a tunnel. What is the smallest gap you should leave to the vehicle in front?

    • A20 metres
    • BNo gap is needed
    • C1 metre
    • D5 metres
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5 metres

    Rule 126: if you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap between you and the vehicle in front.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How much room should you give a motorcyclist when overtaking?

    • ANone, if they keep to the left
    • BLess than a car, because motorcycles are narrow
    • CAt least as much as you would give a car
    • DHalf a metre
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least as much as you would give a car

    Rule 163 and Rule 212: give motorcyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which road marking usually goes with this sign?

    • ADouble broken white lines across your side of the road
    • BA single solid white line
    • CA yellow box with criss-cross lines
    • DWhite zigzag lines along the kerb
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Double broken white lines across your side of the road

    A give way junction has double broken white lines across the road. A single solid white line goes with a STOP sign.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How should you drive on an icy road?

    • AWith your hazard lights on the whole time
    • BAs normal, as long as your tyres are new
    • CSlowly, in a high gear, with very gentle braking
    • DQuickly, in a low gear, braking firmly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slowly, in a high gear, with very gentle braking

    Rule 231: on icy roads drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How long is a theory test pass certificate valid?

    • ATwo years
    • BFive years
    • CSix months
    • DOne year
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Two years

    You must pass your practical driving test within two years of passing the theory test, or take the theory test again.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A warning light comes on while you are driving. What should you do?

    • ASwitch the engine off while still moving
    • BOnly worry if a second light comes on
    • CStop when safe and find out what it means
    • DIgnore it until your next service
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop when safe and find out what it means

    Annex 6: do not ignore warning displays. If a warning light comes on while driving, stop and investigate.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ANo overtaking
    • BCar parking ahead
    • CTwo-way traffic ahead
    • DKeep a safe gap from the car in front
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No overtaking

    The two cars side by side in a red circle mean you must not overtake.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How can you find out when a single yellow line applies?

    • AIt always applies, 24 hours a day
    • BCheck the times on nearby plates or zone signs
    • CIt never applies on Saturdays or Sundays
    • DIt only applies during school holidays
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Check the times on nearby plates or zone signs

    Rule 238: you must not wait or park on a single yellow line during the times shown on nearby time plates or zone entry signs.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Your car breaks down on an ordinary road. Where should you put a warning triangle?

    • A10 metres in front of the car, on the pavement
    • BAt least 45 metres behind, on the same side of the road
    • C5 metres behind, on the other side of the road
    • DIn the middle of the road, beside the car
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 45 metres behind, on the same side of the road

    Rule 276: place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, but never on a motorway.

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