Northern Ireland Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the minimum type of motor insurance the law requires?

   • AFully comprehensive
   • BThird party
   • CBreakdown cover
   • DThird party, fire and theft
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Third party

   Annex 3: the minimum cover required by law is third-party insurance.

2. Question 2 of 25

   At a pelican crossing the amber light is flashing. What must you do?

   • AWait for the red light to come on
   • BGo on, because drivers have priority
   • CGive way to anyone on it, then go on with care if clear
   • DStop and wait until the light turns green
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Give way to anyone on it, then go on with care if clear

   Rule 196: when the amber light flashes at a pelican crossing, you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing.

3. Question 3 of 25

   The rear of your car skids to the right. Which way should you steer?

   • ATo the left
   • BKeep straight and brake hard
   • CTurn the wheel fully to the left
   • DTo the right
   Show answer

   Answer: D. To the right

   Rule 119: steer in the direction of the skid. If the rear skids to the right, steer to the right.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A stationary bus is showing a "School Bus" sign. What should you do?

   • AOvertake quickly before the bus moves off
   • BFlash your headlights to tell the driver to wait
   • CSound your horn as you pass to warn children
   • DDrive slowly past, as children may be getting on or off
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Drive slowly past, as children may be getting on or off

   Rule 209: drive carefully and slowly past a stopped school bus, as children may be getting on or off.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You are turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is waiting to cross it. What should you do?

   • ATurn first, because vehicles have priority
   • BGive way to the pedestrian
   • CSound your horn to warn them
   • DWave them back onto the pavement
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Give way to the pedestrian

   Rule H2: at a junction, give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or out of.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ASteep hill upwards
   • BHump bridge
   • CSteep hill downwards
   • DRoad narrows
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Steep hill downwards

   The slope goes down from left to right, so the road ahead goes steeply downhill.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does third-party insurance cover?

   • ADamage to your own car
   • BYour own injuries in a crash
   • CTheft of your own car
   • DInjury or damage you cause to others
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Injury or damage you cause to others

   Annex 3: third-party cover is for injury or damage to others. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle or injury to yourself.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ANo waiting
   • BParking allowed
   • CSpeed limit ends
   • DNo vehicles except bicycles being pushed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No vehicles except bicycles being pushed

   A plain red ring with a white middle means no vehicles. You may still push a bicycle.

9. Question 9 of 25

   When may you drive a car in a bus lane?

   • AWhenever the traffic is heavy
   • BOnly when you need to overtake
   • COutside its hours, or if signs allow cars
   • DAt no time, day or night
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Outside its hours, or if signs allow cars

   Rule 141: signs show the times a bus lane operates and which other vehicles may use it. Rule 165 says do not overtake into a bus lane during its hours.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn back, road closed
    • BU-turns allowed here
    • CNo U-turns
    • DSharp bend ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No U-turns

    The U-shaped arrow with a red bar means you must not make a U-turn.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which of these road users must not use a motorway?

    • ACyclists
    • BCar drivers with a full licence
    • CLorry drivers
    • DCoach drivers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Cyclists

    Rule 253: motorways must not be used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and certain slow vehicles, among others.

12. Question 12 of 25

    On a windy day a motorcyclist is overtaking a high-sided vehicle ahead of you. What should you do?

    • AOvertake the motorcyclist and the lorry together
    • BKeep well back, as the rider may be blown off course
    • CSound your horn to warn the motorcyclist
    • DClose up behind the motorcyclist
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Keep well back, as the rider may be blown off course

    Rule 233: turbulence from large vehicles can affect motorcyclists. Keep well back when they overtake high-sided vehicles.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Should you use a warning triangle if you break down on a motorway?

    • AOnly at night
    • BNo, never on a motorway
    • CYes, 100 metres behind your car
    • DYes, 45 metres behind your car
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, never on a motorway

    Rule 276: never use warning triangles on motorways.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are driving along a residential street with parked cars. Which hazard should you expect?

    • AChildren running out between parked cars
    • BTractors pulling out of fields
    • CTrams crossing at high speed
    • DVehicles joining from a slip road
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Children running out between parked cars

    Rule 152: in residential streets, look out for children running out between parked cars, opening doors and vehicles pulling out.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You have just driven through deep water. What should you do?

    • APump the brakes hard while at high speed
    • BTest your brakes gently at the first safe chance
    • CSwitch off the engine straight away
    • DDrive fast for a while to dry the engine
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Test your brakes gently at the first safe chance

    Rule 121: brakes may work less well after deep water. Test them gently and, if needed, apply light pressure while driving slowly to dry them.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ASide road on the right
    • BBend to the right ahead
    • CRight turn only
    • DNo right turn
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No right turn

    A red circle means you must not do something. The arrow with a red bar across it means no right turn.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What do yellow marks on the kerb mean?

    • ANo loading at the times shown on nearby plates
    • BParking for Blue Badge holders only
    • CNo waiting at any time, day or night
    • DA bus stop where cars must not wait
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No loading at the times shown on nearby plates

    Road markings: yellow kerb marks mean loading and unloading is not allowed at the times shown on nearby plates.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What kind of route does a white direction sign with a black border show?

    • AA motorway
    • BA local or non-primary route
    • CA tourist attraction
    • DA primary route
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A local or non-primary route

    Local and non-primary routes have white signs with black borders.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

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

    Answer: D. Route for pedal cycles only

    A blue circle with a white bicycle means the route is only for pedal cycles.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What must you be able to read, in good daylight, to meet the driving eyesight rule?

    • AA number plate from 20 metres
    • BYour speedometer from 2 metres
    • CA road sign from 100 metres away
    • DA number plate from 10 metres
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A number plate from 20 metres

    Rule 92: you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres (20.5 metres for old-style plates) in good daylight.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What causes most skids?

    • AWorn seat belts that let you slide in your seat
    • BHarsh braking, accelerating or steering, or too much speed
    • CUsing dipped headlights during the day
    • DDriving with the windows open in strong wind
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Harsh braking, accelerating or steering, or too much speed

    Rule 119: skids are mainly caused by the driver. Remove the cause by easing off the brake or accelerator.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATram lane ahead
    • BLevel crossing without barrier or gate ahead
    • CRailway station ahead
    • DLevel crossing with barrier ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead

    The steam train symbol warns of a level crossing with no gate or barrier. Look and listen for trains.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When may you use a hand-held mobile phone while driving?

    • AIf you hold it low down, below the steering wheel
    • BTo read a short text message in slow-moving traffic
    • CWhile you are waiting in a queue at red traffic lights
    • DIn a genuine emergency, to call 999 or 112 if unsafe to stop
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a genuine emergency, to call 999 or 112 if unsafe to stop

    Rule 149 bans using a hand-held phone while driving, even when stopped in traffic. A genuine emergency call is one of the few exceptions.

24. Question 24 of 25

    An ambulance with flashing blue lights and a siren is coming up behind you. What should you do?

    • ASpeed up so you stay ahead of it
    • BDrive through a red light to get out of its way
    • CLet it pass safely, without breaking traffic rules
    • DBrake hard straight away, wherever you are
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Let it pass safely, without breaking traffic rules

    Rule 219: do not panic. Let it pass, but follow traffic signs, avoid stopping on a bend or hill brow, and do not mount the kerb.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Your car pulls to one side when you brake. What is the most likely cause?

    • AToo much oil in the engine sump
    • BA brake fault or wrongly inflated tyres
    • CA loose or twisted seat belt
    • DLow screenwash in the reservoir
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A brake fault or wrongly inflated tyres

    Annex 6: if the vehicle pulls to one side when braking, it is most likely a brake fault or incorrectly inflated tyres. See a garage straight away.

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