Mock Test 2

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You must take care when approaching any hazard where height is limited. Know the height of your vehicle and what you can drive under safely. If you aren’t sure that it’s safe, take another route.

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If a height isn’t shown on the bridge, the headroom (in the UK) will be at least 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches). 

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Hitting a bridge with your vehicle can have serious consequences for road and rail traffic. You must tell the police about the incident immediately. If the bridge is a railway bridge, call the railway authority as well as the police to report the incident. 

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The railway authority needs to know immediately if one of their bridges has been hit. You’ll need to tell them the number of the bridge so they can identify it. The railway authority will then take action to prevent railway passengers from being put at risk.

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If your vehicle touches bells suspended over the road, they’ll obviously ring. This will warn you that your vehicle exceeds the safe travelling height beneath electrified overhead cables ahead. You must stop immediately and either find another route or take advice.

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You must take an uninterrupted break of 45 minutes after four-and-a-half hours of driving. This break may be replaced by two shorter breaks of at least 15 and 30 minutes, taken in that order, during the four-and-a-half hours. During any break, you mustn’t drive or do any other work.

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You’re allowed to extend your daily driving time twice a week, to 10 hours a day. A ‘day’ is generally any 24-hour period that starts when you begin driving (or other work) again, after the last daily or weekly rest period.

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Under EU rules, you must have a minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours. A reduced daily rest period is any period of rest of at least 9 hours, but less than 11 hours. 

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Under EU rules, you must have a minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours. However you may reduce this to 9 hours for up to three days in any one week.

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Drivers’ hours and rest periods are controlled in the interests of road safety. A driver’s daily rest period should normally be 11 hours, but this may be reduced to 9 hours for three days in one week. It’s a serious offence to break these rules and anyone doing so is liable to a heavy fine and even imprisonment.

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Before driving a vehicle fitted with anti-lock brakes, refer to the handbook. This will give you details of the manufacturer’s recommended method of use. Remember, anti-lock brakes will enhance your skills, but they can’t replace them.

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Applying a firm, continuous brake pressure will enable the anti-lock braking system (ABS) to function properly. However, ABS is becoming increasingly sophisticated, so you should read the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook for its advice about using the system.

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Continually using the brakes could cause them to overheat. When that happens, they become less effective. This is called brake fade, and it occurs most often when the driver has to control the vehicle’s speed on a long downhill gradient. To help prevent brake fade, use the endurance brake (retarder) and a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed in check, rather than the wheel-mounted brakes.

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When approaching a long hill, you should take note of any early warning signs. Reduce your speed and select the appropriate gear in good time. Using an endurance brake (retarder), if fitted, will help control your speed.

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Being seated properly is very important when driving long distances. A poor driving position can quickly cause fatigue. You should make sure that you can reach all the controls comfortably.

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Your head restraint should be adjusted so that, in the event of a collision, it protects your neck from whiplash injury.

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You can legally remove your seat belt when carrying out a manoeuvre that involves reversing. Don’t forget to put it back on again when you’ve finished.

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There are times when other road users make incorrect or ill-judged decisions. Try to stay calm and don’t retaliate or react aggressively, especially as your vehicle is likely to be larger and more intimidating than the other person’s. Always put safety first.

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The effect of your vehicle driving through a puddle will be to throw water onto the pavement. If there are pedestrians close by, they could be splashed with the water. Be considerate and, if it’s safe to do so, avoid driving through the puddle.

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A long lorry with a heavy load will need more time to pass you than a car. It won’t be able to accelerate enough to pass you quickly, especially on an uphill stretch of road. Be considerate to the lorry driver – ease off the accelerator and allow the lorry to pass.

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A smooth ride at all times isn’t always easy to achieve. However, scanning ahead for hazards will help you avoid late braking and cornering too fast.

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If you’re approaching a set of traffic lights and you can see they’ve been on green for a while, be prepared for them to change. Ease off the accelerator and be ready to come to a gradual stop if you need to. Don’t try to beat the red light; it may change as you come closer, causing you to brake late and harshly. Think of your passengers.

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Passengers are very vulnerable when they’re standing in a moving vehicle. Inconsiderate use of the footbrake can easily cause them injury – especially if they’re young or infirm. Some passengers may not wait until you’ve stopped before leaving their seat. If you seem to be in a hurry, they may even leave their seat early because they don’t want to feel responsible for holding you up.

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Turning corners or travelling around bends too quickly will push passengers towards the outside of the bend. In addition, the weight of the passengers being transferred to one side of the vehicle will make the bus even more unstable. This will make steering out of the bend more difficult.

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Thinking and planning well ahead will help you to deal competently and safely with hazards and other road users. A safe, comfortable ride, even when you’re under pressure, will be appreciated by your passengers.

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Try to anticipate the actions of other road users. When you’re waiting at a junction, don’t emerge until you’re sure of their intentions; their signals might be misleading.

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Where a motorway has a long or steep gradient, slow-moving large vehicles might get in the way of other traffic. To help the traffic flow, an extra lane – called a crawler lane – is sometimes found on these gradients. This helps the traffic to flow by providing the slower heavy vehicles with a dedicated lane on the left.

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You don’t know what the driver of this car will do. Be prepared for any hazard. The driver may not have seen you. Planning ahead will allow you to be in the correct gear and at the correct speed to cope if this hazard develops.

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Large vehicles are required by law to use parking lights when parked at night, unless in a designated off-road parking area. Also, unless you’re in a one-way street, you must only park on the left-hand side. It’s generally much better to park off-road if you can, particularly if you’re going to be stationary for a long period of time.

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You must take extra care when your vehicle is carrying a load. When cornering, weight will be transferred away from the direction in which you’re turning. Also, when you’re braking, weight can be transferred in several different directions.

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Always plan ahead and take note of gradient warning signs. On downhill gradients, you can help control your vehicle’s speed and avoid brake fade by selecting a lower gear in good time.

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When driving a long vehicle around corners, it’s sometimes necessary to adopt a different road position to avoid mounting the kerb or colliding with street furniture such as lampposts or traffic signs. Other road users may not understand what you intend to do next. Watch them carefully and always signal in good time.

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Cyclists, motorcyclists, caravans and high-sided vehicles can be very vulnerable in high winds. Plan well ahead and consider the difficulties they may be having. Remember, some routes may be closed to certain vehicles and you may need to use an alternative route.

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You should take account of the weather forecast when you plan your route. You’re most likely to be subjected to side wind on exposed routes; for example, on long bridges, open roads and exposed stretches of motorway.

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Listen to the weather forecast and plan your route to avoid exposed or high-level roads if windy weather is expected.

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The car is the most stable of the vehicles shown. However, all vehicles are affected by side wind and buffeting from larger vehicles. Be aware that your speed and road position could cause unnecessary turbulence when passing smaller vehicles.

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Before helping the pedestrian, you should protect yourself from contact with blood. If there’s nothing embedded in the wound, you can stem the flow of blood by applying pressure to the wound area. As soon as practical, fasten a pad to the wound with a bandage or cloth.

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You should warn other road users that there has been a incident. You can do this by displaying an advance warning triangle or by switching on hazard warning lights or other lights. However you choose to warn people of the incident, make sure it doesn’t put you or others at risk.

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If you’re the first to arrive at an incident, further collisions and fire are the immediate concerns. Switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other traffic. Stop any running vehicle engines to reduce the risk of fire. Don’t assume that someone else has called the emergency services – do it yourself. Don’t move casualties trapped in vehicles unless they’re in danger.

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At a traffic incident, the danger of further collisions and fire needs to be dealt with and the emergency services must be called. When helping a casualty, follow the DR ABC procedure, as this has been designed by medical experts to give the best outcome while waiting for the emergency services to arrive. Don’t remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it’s essential to do so.

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The priority when dealing with an unconscious person is to make sure their airway is open and they can breathe. Stay with the casualty and make sure someone rings for an ambulance. 

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If you stop to give help at an incident and there are casualties, don’t move injured people unless there’s further danger. Keep them warm, comfortable and calm. Don’t give them anything to drink.

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Make the area safe and call the emergency services first. If you’re able to give first aid, follow the DR ABC procedure. If you feel you aren’t capable of carrying out first aid, consider taking some training. It could save a life.

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Warning buzzers are linked to many systems on modern vehicles, including the air brakes. A warning light on the dashboard may help you identify the system that’s caused the problem. Stop in a safe place until the fault has been identified and put right. Get professional help if necessary.

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Keeping your vehicle’s tyres in good condition will give them a good grip on the road and will improve the vehicle’s overall stability. Each tyre must have at least the minimum legal depth of tread across three-quarters of its width. Renew tyres well before they wear to less than that. 

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Bulbs should be replaced as soon as you’re aware that they’ve failed. Carry a stock of all the various bulbs used on your vehicle, so you can repair a fault without delay.

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In extremely cold weather, you’ll have to use diesel fuel with anti-waxing additives to stop the fuel lines from freezing up. During the winter months, these additives are usually put in by the fuel companies. 

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To comply with the law, all lights must be in good working order, even in daylight when they’re not being used. Before you set out, make sure that everything is working and get any faulty lights fixed. You may need to use your headlights or other lights if you’re delayed or find yourself driving in conditions of reduced visibility.

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A warning-lights check is sometimes performed automatically when the ignition is switched on. However, you may need to do this manually by operating a separate check switch. Never start a journey without carrying out this check. If there’s a problem, have it repaired before you set off. 

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It can be dangerous for vehicles passing close by if you open the door carelessly. Always look properly to make sure that it’s safe – checking the blind spots as well as using the mirrors – before you get out of the cab.

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The only time you may use hazard warning lights while driving is when you’re on an unrestricted dual carriageway or motorway and you want to warn other drivers of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to make sure your warning is seen.

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As you pass pedestrians or vehicles on your left, you should use your nearside mirror and check that you’ve passed them safely. You need to allow a good safety margin before you move back to the left.

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Always use the MSM routine when you’re approaching a hazard.
M – Mirrors: check the position of the traffic behind you.
S – Signal: signal your intention to slow down or change course in good time.
M – Manoeuvre: a manoeuvre is any change in position, from slowing or stopping the vehicle to turning off a busy road.

Hint

Some lanes are set aside for certain types of vehicle. Signs and road markings show the authorised vehicles in words or pictures. There’s usually also a sign showing the times that the lane is in operation. Some lanes might only be in operation for a short time. Check the sign and only use the lane if you’re allowed to do so.

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You must make sure that you adjust the seat so that you’re able to reach all the controls and see in all the mirrors before you start to drive any vehicle. You should also be able to lean out of the window and check your offside blind spots.

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A SORN allows you to keep a vehicle off the road and untaxed. The SORN remains valid until the vehicle is taxed, sold or scrapped. If you buy a vehicle that has a SORN, the SORN will finish as soon as you buy it. You’ll need to make a new SORN if you want to keep the vehicle off the road and untaxed.

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If you want to keep a vehicle untaxed and off the public road, you must make a SORN. It’s an offence not to do so. When you’ve made a SORN, you won’t have to pay vehicle tax, but you also won’t be able to use the vehicle on the road. The SORN remains valid until your vehicle is taxed, sold, scrapped or exported.

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It’s a serious offence to drive without insurance. As well as an unlimited fine, you may be disqualified or given penalty points. 

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Good forward planning will reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions. This will cause less wear on the vehicle and its tyres, as well as reducing environmental pollution.

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By using a bypass, rather than joining the stop/start traffic in a town centre, you’re less likely to be held up and can travel at a constant speed. Keeping to a constant speed will reduce the amount of pollution produced by your vehicle.

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If you plan your journey to avoid busy times, you can avoid congestion. That way, your overall journey time may be reduced, so cutting costs and making you a more efficient driver.

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Leaving the filler cap off, or not properly securing it, could result in a spillage of diesel onto the road. Because diesel is slippery, this would be a major hazard, so make sure to correctly secure the filler cap after use.

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Fuel spilled on the road is a serious danger to other road users, especially motorcyclists. To prevent this from happening, make sure the filler cap is secure after refuelling.

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Always check the road signs. They’ll inform you of hazards ahead so you know what problems to expect. A number of different signs show pedestrians in different situations. Learn them all so you’ll understand the hazards you’re likely to meet.

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Approaching a junction at the correct speed will allow you enough time to observe and react. Pedestrians crossing here have priority and you must give way to them.

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Always look into the road you’re entering. If pedestrians are already crossing, be considerate and give way to them. Don’t wave or signal them to hurry; they have priority here.

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Never attempt to change direction to the right without checking your right-hand mirror. A motorcyclist might not have seen your signal and could have decided to overtake. This action should be a matter of routine.

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Pedestrians and cyclists are shown the green light together. The signals are push-button-operated and there’s no flashing amber phase.

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Toucan crossings can be used by cyclists and pedestrians. Some cycle routes lead cyclists to these crossings. Always look out for cyclists, as they’re likely to be approaching much faster than pedestrians.

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Vehicles that are used to carry children to and from school will be travelling at busy times of the day. Be prepared for a vehicle with this sign to make frequent stops. It might pick up or set down passengers in places other than normal bus stops.

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This shared route is for pedestrians and cyclists only. Be aware that, when it ends, the cyclists will be rejoining the main road.

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Don’t hurry elderly people across the road by getting too close to them or revving the engine. Be aware that they might take longer to cross. They might also have hearing difficulties and not hear you approaching.

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A triangular sign is a warning sign. Knowing this, you can prepare for the hazard ahead.

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Be cautious, especially if there’s a bend in the road and you’re unable to see well ahead. If you have to pass pedestrians, leave them plenty of room. You might have to use the right-hand side of the road, so look well ahead and in your mirrors before you pull out.

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Side-wind warning signs are often found on roads that are frequently affected by strong wind. High-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles are more susceptible to windy weather, and you should be aware of the difficulties they may be having.

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A sign showing an exclamation mark (!) tells you that there may be danger ahead. Be ready to slow down for whatever that may be.

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You won’t be able to see any hazards that might be out of sight in the dip. As well as oncoming traffic, there may be cyclists, horse riders, parked vehicles or pedestrians hidden from view. Only start to overtake when you can see the road ahead is clear, giving you enough time to overtake safely.

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This sign is found where a shallow stream crosses the road. Heavy rainfall could increase the flow of water. If the water looks too deep or the stream has swelled over a large distance, stop and find another route.

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You must always be aware of the size of your vehicle. Look out for road signs that show a width restriction. There should be an indication of this at the entrance to the road.
Don’t get into a situation where you have to reverse out of a narrow road because you haven’t seen a sign.

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Anti-lock brakes are a driver aid, and can help you maintain steering control while braking. However, you mustn’t rely on them to get you out of trouble or expect to be able to make sudden direction changes if you’re going too fast.

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Don’t frustrate other road users by driving for long distances with a queue of traffic behind you. This could cause them to lose concentration and overtake in an unsafe way. Stop where it’s safe and let them pass.

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Check your nearside external and internal mirrors before you move away, in case anyone is attempting to board or leave your vehicle. Always give passengers time to be seated safely before you move away.

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During high winds, one of the lanes on a high bridge might be closed to traffic to create a buffer lane. The buffer lane is kept free to prevent vehicles from being blown into the path of other road users in the next lane. The closure of this lane may cause traffic congestion and delay.