UK Driving Theory Test Practice 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does the driving routine "MSM" stand for?

   • AMirrors, signal, manoeuvre
   • BManoeuvre, signal, mirrors
   • CMirror, steer, move
   • DMove, stop, mirror
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Mirrors, signal, manoeuvre

   The Highway Code reminder is Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre: check what is behind you, signal if needed, then make the move.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Why should you look round as well as using your mirrors before you change lanes?

   • ALooking round tells other drivers you are about to move
   • BMirrors have blind spots where a vehicle can be hidden
   • CIt is quicker than using the mirrors
   • DMirrors make vehicles look closer than they are
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Mirrors have blind spots where a vehicle can be hidden

   Rule 161: mirrors do not show everything. A quick look round covers the blind spots.

3. Question 3 of 25

   When should you check your mirrors?

   • AOnly once you have moved off and reached your speed
   • BOften, and always before you signal, change direction or speed
   • COnly on motorways and dual carriageways
   • DOnly when you are about to reverse or park
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Often, and always before you signal, change direction or speed

   Rule 161 says use your mirrors often so you always know what is behind and beside you, and always before signalling or changing direction or speed.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You start to feel sleepy on a long drive. What should you do?

   • AStop in a safe place and rest
   • BDrive faster to finish the journey sooner
   • COpen a window and keep going
   • DTurn the radio up loud
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop in a safe place and rest

   Rule 91 says that if you feel sleepy you should stop in a safe place. Fresh air or loud music do not cure tiredness.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Between which hours does the Highway Code advise you to avoid long journeys?

   • A6 am and 9 am
   • B2 pm and 4 pm
   • CMidnight and 6 am
   • D8 pm and 10 pm
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Midnight and 6 am

   Rule 91 advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when you are more likely to feel sleepy.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Your car has driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning. Who is responsible for the car?

   • AThe car maker
   • BThe system itself
   • CNobody, while the system is switched on
   • DYou, the driver
   Show answer

   Answer: D. You, the driver

   Rule 150: you are still responsible for the vehicle when you use a driver assistance system. Do not rely on it.

10. Question 10 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).

11. Question 11 of 25

    A cyclist ahead looks back over their shoulder. What might this mean?

    • AThey may be about to pull out or turn
    • BThey are about to get off their bike
    • CThey want you to overtake straight away
    • DThey are checking that your lights are on
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They may be about to pull out or turn

    Rule 212: when a cyclist or motorcyclist looks over their shoulder, they may be about to pull out or turn. Give them time and space.

12. Question 12 of 25

    A driver behind wants to overtake you. What should you do?

    • AKeep a steady speed, and slow down if needed to let them pass
    • BMove towards the centre of the road to block them
    • CSpeed up a little so they cannot get past you
    • DBrake sharply to warn them to drop back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep a steady speed, and slow down if needed to let them pass

    Rule 168: never block a driver who wants to pass. Speeding up while someone is overtaking you is dangerous.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Another driver flashes their headlights at you while you wait at a junction. What should you do?

    • AFlash your lights back to say thank you, then pull out
    • BPull out straight away, as they are letting you go
    • CCheck it is safe before you move, as they may not mean "go"
    • DSound your horn to let them know you are coming
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Check it is safe before you move, as they may not mean "go"

    Rule 111: never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to go. Check for yourself.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In a built-up area, during which hours must you not sound your horn, unless another road user is a danger?

    • ABetween 10 pm and 6 am
    • BBetween midnight and 8 am
    • CBetween 9 pm and 7 am
    • DBetween 11.30 pm and 7 am
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Between 11.30 pm and 7 am

    Rule 112: you must not sound your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am, or while stationary, unless another road user poses a danger.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A pedestrian is waiting at a zebra crossing. How should you let them know they can cross?

    • ASound your horn briefly to tell them to cross
    • BStop and wait, without waving or flashing your lights
    • CFlash your headlights to show you have seen them
    • DWave them across so they know it is safe
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop and wait, without waving or flashing your lights

    Rule 195 says do not wave, flash your lights or use your horn to invite pedestrians across. Another vehicle may be coming.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A bus ahead is signalling to pull away from a bus stop. What should you do?

    • AGive way to it if you can do so safely
    • BSound your horn to warn the driver
    • CSpeed up and pass it
    • DFlash your lights so it waits
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Give way to it if you can do so safely

    Rule 223: give priority to buses when it is safe, especially when they signal to pull away from stops.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A learner driver ahead stalls when the traffic lights turn green. What should you do?

    • ASound your horn to hurry them
    • BFlash your headlights at them
    • CBe patient and give them time
    • DDrive past them closely
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Be patient and give them time

    Rule 217 asks you to be especially patient with learner drivers and newly qualified drivers.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Why is it dangerous to drive very close behind the vehicle in front?

    • AYou may not be able to stop in time if it brakes suddenly
    • BIt is only dangerous at night, when it is dark
    • CIt stops you seeing your mirrors properly
    • DIt makes the driver in front speed up to get away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. You may not be able to stop in time if it brakes suddenly

    Rule 126: leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can stop safely if it suddenly slows down or stops.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which phrase can you say to check that you are keeping a two-second gap?

    • A"Mirrors, signal, manoeuvre"
    • B"Stop, look and listen"
    • C"Think once, think twice, think bike"
    • D"Only a fool breaks the two-second rule"
    Show answer

    Answer: D. "Only a fool breaks the two-second rule"

    Rule 126: as the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, say the phrase. If you reach the point before you finish, you are too close.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You are in a slow-moving queue. There is a side road on your left. What should you do?

    • AClose up to the car in front
    • BStop across the junction to keep your place
    • CLeave the junction clear so traffic can get in and out
    • DSound your horn to warn drivers in the side road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Leave the junction clear so traffic can get in and out

    Rule 151: in slow-moving traffic, keep junctions and entrances clear.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A horse rider signals to you to slow down. What should you do?

    • ARev your engine so they know you are there
    • BSound your horn to warn the horse
    • CSlow down or stop as asked
    • DOvertake quickly to get past
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down or stop as asked

    Rule 215: do what riders ask when they signal you to slow down or stop. Horses can move very quickly if they are startled.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What is the legal minimum tread depth for car tyres?

    • A2 mm on the outer edges, all the way round
    • B1.6 mm across the central three-quarters, all the way round
    • C1 mm across the whole width, all the way round
    • D3 mm across the central half of the tread
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters, all the way round

    Annex 6: car tyres must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire tyre.

25. Question 25 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.

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

The real test: 43 of 50 in the multiple-choice part, and 44 of 75 in the hazard perception part