UK Driving Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

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

   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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You need to stop in an emergency and your car has ABS. What should you do with the brake pedal?

   • APump the brake pedal quickly on and off
   • BBrake gently so that the ABS does not work
   • CPull the handbrake on as hard as you can
   • DPress firmly and keep pressing until you have slowed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Press firmly and keep pressing until you have slowed

   Rule 120: in an emergency, apply the footbrake firmly and do not release the pressure until the car has slowed enough.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You are overtaking another vehicle at night. When may you use main beam?

   • ANever; main beam is not allowed at night
   • BAs soon as you come up behind it
   • CAll the way through the overtake
   • DOnly once you are level, if it will not dazzle anyone
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Only once you are level, if it will not dazzle anyone

   Rule 115: keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You are dazzled by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. What should you do?

   • AClose one eye
   • BSpeed up to pass them quickly
   • CSwitch to main beam to warn them
   • DSlow down, and stop if you need to
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down, and stop if you need to

   Rule 115: if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights, slow down and if necessary stop.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are going through a contraflow at road works. What should you do as you enter and leave it?

   • ASpeed up to get through quickly
   • BChange lanes to find the fastest one
   • CSwitch on your rear fog lights
   • DSlow down and keep a bigger gap
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down and keep a bigger gap

   The road works rules say lanes in a contraflow may be narrow, with no barrier from oncoming traffic, and the camber can change. Slow down and keep a bigger gap.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How should cyclists and motorcyclists cross tram tracks?

   • ADiagonally, at a good speed
   • BRiding along between the rails
   • CDirectly, at right angles to the rails
   • DAt a shallow angle to the rails
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Directly, at right angles to the rails

   The tramway rules say it is safest for cyclists and motorcyclists to cross tram tracks directly at right angles. Give them extra space.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When may you use hazard warning lights while you are driving?

    • ATo thank a driver who has let you into a queue
    • BWhen you park for a few minutes on double yellow lines
    • COn motorways and unrestricted dual carriageways, to warn of a hazard
    • DWhen driving in heavy rain or spray on any road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. On motorways and unrestricted dual carriageways, to warn of a hazard

    Rule 116: do not use hazard lights while driving except on motorways or unrestricted dual carriageways to warn of a hazard or obstruction ahead.

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

    Which of these riders must not use a motorway?

    • AA rider of a motorcycle under 50 cc
    • BA driver towing a caravan
    • CA rider of a 600 cc motorcycle with a full licence
    • DA minibus driver
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A rider of a motorcycle under 50 cc

    Rule 253: riders of motorcycles under 50 cc and holders of provisional motorcycle licences must not use motorways.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are joining a motorway from a slip road. Who has priority?

    • AYou, as the joining driver
    • BTraffic already on the motorway
    • CWhoever is going faster
    • DLorries and buses only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic already on the motorway

    Rule 259: give priority to traffic already on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the left lane.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    When may you pass vehicles on their left on a motorway?

    • AIn queues, when your lane is moving faster
    • BWhenever the left lane is clear of traffic
    • CWhen the car ahead is going below 70 mph
    • DNever, in any situation at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In queues, when your lane is moving faster

    Rule 268: do not overtake on the left, except in congestion where your lane happens to move faster than the lane on your right.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A red X is shown above your lane on a motorway. What does it mean?

    • AYou may use the lane for one more mile
    • BThe lane is for buses and coaches only
    • CThe lane is closed; you must not drive in it
    • DThere is a speed camera in that lane ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The lane is closed; you must not drive in it

    Rule 258: a red X marks a closed lane. You must move to an open lane and must not drive in the closed one.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Red lights are flashing above your lane on a motorway. What must you do?

    • ACarry on but slow down
    • BMove onto the hard shoulder
    • CMove to an open lane
    • DStop at once in your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Move to an open lane

    Rule 258: red flashing lights mark a closed lane. Follow the signs to move into an open lane.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Amber lights are flashing on a motorway signal. What do they mean?

    • AThe motorway is closed ahead
    • BUse the hard shoulder now
    • CThere is a hazard ahead; slow down
    • DSpeed up to clear the area
    Show answer

    Answer: C. There is a hazard ahead; slow down

    Rule 257: flashing amber lights warn of a hazard ahead. Slow down until you pass a sign showing the hazard has ended.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    On a smart motorway, when may the hard shoulder be used as a normal lane?

    • AOnly when a speed limit is shown above it
    • BAt night, when roads are quieter
    • CWhen a red X is shown above it
    • DWhenever the traffic is heavy
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only when a speed limit is shown above it

    Rule 269: where the hard shoulder can be a running lane, use it only when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or blank sign means emergencies only.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How are emergency areas on motorways marked?

    • ABrown signs with a white picture of a car
    • BBlue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol
    • CGreen signs with a white letter P on them
    • DRed signs with a white cross in the middle
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol

    Rule 270: emergency areas have blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol and may have an orange surface. Use them only in an emergency.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Your car breaks down on a motorway with a hard shoulder. How should you get out?

    • ABy the driver's door, then stand beside the car
    • BStay in the car until a recovery truck arrives
    • CAway from traffic if safe, then wait behind the barrier
    • DBy any door, then walk to the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Away from traffic if safe, then wait behind the barrier

    Rule 277: get out on the side away from traffic if safe, and wait well away from your vehicle, behind the barrier where there is one.

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