Safety Margins DVSA Theory Test

Welcome to your Safety Margins DVSA Theory Test

When driving on an open road in dry conditions, what distance should you maintain from the vehicle ahead?

A. A two-second time gap

B. One car length

C. Two meters (6 feet 6 inches)

D. Two car lengths

None

When driving on a wet road, how can you determine if your vehicle’s tyres are losing traction?

A. The engine will stall

B. The steering will feel very heavy

C. The engine noise will increase

D. The steering will feel very light

None

What lights should you use when driving on a wet motorway with vehicles creating surface spray?

A. Hazard warning lights

B. Dipped headlights

C. Rear fog lights

D. Sidelights

None

What steps can you take to prevent wheelspin when driving on an icy road?

A. Drive at a slow speed in the highest gear possible

B. Use the parking brake if the wheels start to slip

C. Brake gently and repeatedly

D. Drive in a low gear at all times

None

How can you use your vehicle’s engine to assist with braking?

A. By changing to a lower gear

B. By selecting reverse gear

C. By changing to a higher gear

D. By selecting neutral gear

None

You're driving on a country road and see this sign. What should you do after safely handling the hazard?

A. Check your tyre pressures. Switch on your hazard warning lights

B. Switch on your hazard warning lights

C. Accelerate briskly

D. Test your brakes

None

While traveling on the motorway, how can you reduce the risk of a collision if the vehicle behind is tailgating?

A. Increase your distance from the vehicle in front

B. Brake sharply

C. Switch on your hazard warning lights

D. Move onto the hard shoulder and stop

None

In freezing weather, what parts of your vehicle should you clear of ice and snow before starting a journey?

A. The aerial

B. The windows

C. The bumper

D. The boot

None

How should you approach overtaking a motorcyclist on a windy day?

A. Pass closely

B. Pass very slowly

C. Pass widely

D. Pass immediately

None

As you prepare to descend a steep hill, what steps should you take to manage your vehicle’s speed?

A. Select a high gear and use the brakes carefully

B. Select a high gear and use the brakes firmly

C. Select a low gear and use the brakes carefully

D. Select a low gear and avoid using the brakes

None

What can happen if you travel long distances in neutral (coasting)?

A. Improvement in control

B. Easier steering

C. Reduction in control

D. Increased fuel consumption

None

When driving in freezing conditions, what should you do as you approach a sharp bend?

A. Coast into the bend

B. Apply your parking brake

C. Firmly use your footbrake

D. Slow down gently

None

When driving in fog with your headlights on dipped beam and following other vehicles, what additional measures can you take to reduce the risk of a collision?

A. Keep close to the vehicle in front

B. Use main beam instead of dipped headlights

C. Keep up with the faster vehicles

D. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front

None

If you're following a vehicle on a wet road and maintaining a safe distance, what should you do if another driver overtakes you and moves into the gap you've left?

A. Flash your headlights as a warning

B. Try to overtake safely as soon as you can

C. Drop back to regain a safe distance

D. Stay close to the other vehicle until it moves on

None

After driving through flood water, what should you do to ensure your brakes are functioning correctly?

A. Accelerate and keep to a high speed for a short time

B. Go slowly while gently applying the brakes

C. Avoid using the brakes at all for a few miles

D. Stop for at least an hour to allow them time to dry

None

What signs might indicate that you're driving on an icy road?

A. There’s less wind noise

B. There’s less tyre noise

C. There’s less transmission noise

D. There’s less engine noise

None

Why is it important to stay well to the left when approaching a right-hand bend?

A. To improve your view of the road

B. To overcome the effect of the road’s slope

C. To let faster traffic from behind overtake

D. To be positioned safely if you skid

None

What indicators might suggest that you are driving on an icy road?

A. There’s less wind noise

B. There’s less tyre noise

C. There’s less transmission noise

D. There’s less engine noise

None

What is the primary advantage of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle?

A. Improved grip on the road

B. Lower fuel consumption

C. Shorter stopping distances

D. Improved passenger comfort

None

What demands extra caution when driving or riding in windy conditions?

A. Using the brakes

B. Moving off on a hill

C. Turning into a narrow road

D. Passing pedal cyclists

None

When driving in a built-up area with traffic-calming measures, what should you do as you approach a road hump?

A. Move across to the left-hand side of the road

B. Wait for any pedestrians to cross

C. Check your mirror and slow down

D. Stop and check both pavements

None

By how much can stopping distances increase in icy conditions?

A. Two times

B. Three times

C. Five times

D. Ten times

None

What precautions should you take when driving in a contraflow system?

A. Choose an appropriate lane in good time

B. Switch lanes to make better progress

C. Increase speed to get through the contraflow more quickly

D. Follow other motorists closely to avoid long queues

None

On what type of road surface might anti-lock brakes be ineffective?

A. Dry

B. Loose

C. Firm

D. Smooth

None

What is the primary cause of skidding?

A. The weather

B. The driver

C. The vehicle

D. The road

None

How should you operate anti-lock brakes during an emergency stop?

A. Keep pumping the footbrake to prevent skidding

B. Brake normally but grip the steering wheel tightly

C. Brake promptly and firmly until you’ve stopped

D. Apply the parking brake to reduce the stopping distance

None

When driving a vehicle with anti-lock brakes and needing to stop in an emergency, how should you apply the footbrake?

A. Slowly and gently

B. Slowly but firmly

C. Rapidly and gently

D. Rapidly and firmly

None

Where is your vehicle most likely to be impacted by side winds?

A. On a narrow country lane

B. On an open stretch of road

C. On a busy stretch of road

D. On a long, straight road

None

What does it indicate if the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light comes on while you’re driving?

A. The ESC system has activated

B. The ESC system has a fault

C. The ESC system is running a routine test

D. The ESC system is switched off

None

Under which conditions will your overall stopping distance be longer?

A. In the rain

B. In fog

C. At night

D. In strong winds

None

What can assist you in moving off on a snowy surface?

A. Using the car’s lowest gear

B. Using a higher gear than normal

C. Using a high engine speed

D. Using the parking brake and footbrake together

None

What precautions should you take when driving in snowy conditions?

A. Brake firmly and quickly

B. Be ready to steer sharply

C. Use sidelights only

D. Brake gently in plenty of time

None

What should you do when parking a car facing downhill?

A. Turn the steering wheel towards the kerb

B. Park close to the bumper of another car

C. Park with two wheels on the kerb

D. Turn the steering wheel away from the kerb

None

What steps should you take before beginning a journey in foggy weather?

A. Wear a hi-visibility jacket

B. Have a caffeinated drink

C. Allow more time

D. Reduce your tyre pressures

None

What will be impacted if the road surface becomes soft in extremely hot weather?

A. The suspension

B. The exhaust emissions

C. The fuel consumption

D. The tyre grip

None

Time’s up

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