Northern Ireland Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AKeep left
   • BNo left turn
   • CBend to the left ahead
   • DTurn left ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Turn left ahead

   A blue circle gives an order. This one tells you that you must turn left ahead.

2. Question 2 of 25

   On a Red Route, what does a double red line mean?

   • ABuses only
   • BNo stopping at any time
   • CLoading allowed at any time
   • DNo parking at night only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No stopping at any time

   Road markings: the double red line always means no stopping at any time.

3. Question 3 of 25

   You are supervising a learner driver. May you use a hand-held mobile phone?

   • AYes, once the learner has passed the theory test
   • BNo, the ban applies to supervisors too
   • CYes, because you are not the one driving
   • DYes, but only to make short calls
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, the ban applies to supervisors too

   Rule 149 says you must not use a hand-held phone or similar device while driving or while supervising a learner driver.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AEnd of the 20 mph zone
   • BMaximum speed 20 mph
   • CAdvised speed 20 mph on a bend
   • DMinimum speed 20 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Maximum speed 20 mph

   A red circle around a number is a speed limit. Here the limit is 20 mph.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Does a speed limit mean it is always safe to drive at that speed?

   • ANo, it is a maximum; you may need to go slower
   • BYes, as long as the weather is good
   • CIt is a target speed that you should reach
   • DYes, it is always safe in any conditions
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, it is a maximum; you may need to go slower

   Rule 125: the speed limit is the absolute maximum. It does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed in all conditions.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ARoad ends at a quayside
   • BT-junction ahead
   • CCrossroads ahead
   • DNo through road
   Show answer

   Answer: B. T-junction ahead

   The road you are on ends at a T-junction. The wide bar shows the road with priority, so be ready to give way.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A cyclist is riding about 1 metre out from a line of parked cars. Why?

   • ATo avoid a car door that opens suddenly
   • BSo they can overtake cars more easily
   • CTo slow down the traffic behind them
   • DBecause cyclists must not ride near the kerb
   Show answer

   Answer: A. To avoid a car door that opens suddenly

   Rule 213: cyclists are advised to keep at least a door's width, or 1 metre, from parked cars.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You keep a car untaxed and off the road. What must you do?

   • ANothing, as long as it stays off the road
   • BTell the police where the car is kept
   • CTell your insurance company only
   • DMake a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)

   Annex 3: if you keep a vehicle untaxed and off the road, you must declare SORN. It is an offence not to.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A school crossing patrol shows you this sign. What must you do?

   • ASlow down and drive around the patrol
   • BStop only if a child is already in the road
   • CStop and wait while the children cross
   • DSound your horn and drive on
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop and wait while the children cross

   You must stop when a school crossing patrol shows a "Stop for children" sign.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A speed limit is shown inside a red circle on a motorway sign. What is it?

    • AAn advisory speed for bad weather
    • BThe average speed of traffic ahead
    • CA legal limit that you must not exceed
    • DA minimum speed for that lane
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A legal limit that you must not exceed

    Rule 261: you must not exceed a speed limit shown inside a red circle.

11. Question 11 of 25

    You plan to drive later today. What does the Highway Code say is the best approach to alcohol?

    • ADrink only beer
    • BHave no more than one drink an hour
    • CEat a big meal and drink as normal
    • DDo not drink at all
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Do not drink at all

    Rule 95: the best solution is not to drink at all when you plan to drive. Alcohol slows reactions and affects judgement.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Who is legally responsible for making sure a child under 14 wears a seat belt or uses a child restraint?

    • AThe child's parent, even if they are not in the car
    • BThe driver
    • CThe front-seat passenger
    • DThe child
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The driver

    Rule 100: the driver is responsible for making sure children under 14 wear seat belts or sit in a suitable child restraint.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ANo stopping at any time
    • BNo waiting
    • CNo entry
    • DParking area ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No waiting

    A single red diagonal on a blue background means no waiting. You may usually stop briefly to load or let passengers in or out.

14. Question 14 of 25

    When must you wear a seat belt in a car?

    • AOnly on journeys longer than 30 minutes
    • BOnly on motorways and fast roads
    • CWhenever one is fitted, unless you are exempt
    • DOnly when sitting in the front seats
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Whenever one is fitted, unless you are exempt

    Rule 99: you must wear a seat belt in cars, vans and goods vehicles if one is fitted, unless you are exempt.

15. Question 15 of 25

    When may you use the hard shoulder of a motorway?

    • AIn an emergency, or when told to by police or signs
    • BTo have a short rest when you feel tired
    • CTo overtake slow traffic when there is a long queue
    • DTo stop for a few minutes and make a phone call
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In an emergency, or when told to by police or signs

    Rule 269: you must not use the hard shoulder except in an emergency or when directed by police, traffic officers or a traffic sign.

16. Question 16 of 25

    On a motorway with no traffic ahead, which lane should you normally use?

    • AThe middle lane
    • BThe right-hand lane
    • CThe left-hand lane
    • DAny lane you like
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The left-hand lane

    Rule 264: keep in the left lane unless you are overtaking.

17. Question 17 of 25

    On a motorway with three or more lanes, which of these must not use the right-hand lane, except in special cases?

    • AAn electric car
    • BA car carrying four passengers
    • CA car towing a caravan
    • DA motorcycle
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A car towing a caravan

    Rule 265: vehicles towing trailers, and some large goods and passenger vehicles, must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are waiting to pull out of a junction. When should you go?

    • AOnly when there is a gap large enough for you to join safely
    • BAs soon as a driver on the main road flashes their lights
    • CWhen traffic on the main road is moving slowly
    • DWhen you have crept halfway over the give way lines
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only when there is a gap large enough for you to join safely

    Rule 170: look all around before you emerge, and do not pull out until there is a safe gap.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the speed limit on a motorway for a car towing a caravan or trailer?

    • A60 mph
    • B55 mph
    • C50 mph
    • D70 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 60 mph

    Rule 124: cars towing caravans or trailers are limited to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You have overtaken a slower vehicle on a single carriageway. When should you move back to the left?

    • AAfter at least half a mile
    • BOnly when the next junction comes
    • CStraight away, even if you are close to the vehicle
    • DAs soon as you can, without cutting in
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As soon as you can, without cutting in

    Rule 163: after overtaking, move back to the left as soon as you can, but do not cut in.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ABuses only on the whole road
    • BContra-flow bus lane
    • CBus station entrance
    • DWith-flow bus lane on the left
    Show answer

    Answer: D. With-flow bus lane on the left

    The bus lane runs the same way as the other traffic. Do not drive in it during its hours unless the sign shows your type of vehicle.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the only reason the Highway Code gives for flashing your headlights?

    • ATo thank another driver for letting you in
    • BTo invite another driver to go first
    • CTo warn others about a speed camera ahead
    • DTo let other road users know you are there
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To let other road users know you are there

    Rule 110: only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou have priority over oncoming vehicles
    • BOne-way road ends
    • CGive priority to vehicles coming from the opposite direction
    • DTwo-way traffic ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Give priority to vehicles coming from the opposite direction

    The red arrow shows your direction. You must let oncoming traffic through first, often at a narrow bridge or road.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What shape are most warning signs?

    • AOctagons
    • BTriangles
    • CCircles
    • DRectangles
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Triangles

    Traffic signs: warning signs are mostly triangular.

25. Question 25 of 25

    In heavy rain your steering suddenly feels unresponsive. What should you do?

    • ASteer sharply to the left towards the kerb
    • BEase off the accelerator and slow down gradually
    • CAccelerate to get through the water quickly
    • DBrake hard to stop as quickly as possible
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually

    Rule 227: if the steering becomes unresponsive, water is stopping the tyres gripping. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.

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