Christmas family driving quiz

Play the 20 questions

1. Alertness

   On a long drive, what minimum break is recommended after every two hours of driving?

   1. A30 minutes
   2. B10 minutes
   3. C5 minutes
   4. D15 minutes
   Answer and reason

   D. 15 minutes. The recommended minimum is a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving. Source: The Highway Code, rule 91

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2. Vehicle handling

   You are on a straight stretch of icy road approaching a bend. You need to reduce speed before turning. Which approach should you use?

   1. AKeep your speed on the straight, then brake firmly while turning
   2. BBrake progressively on the straight, then steer smoothly
   3. CBegin turning first, then use short bursts of heavy braking
   4. DAccelerate towards the bend, then turn sharply through it
   Answer and reason

   B. Brake progressively on the straight, then steer smoothly. On ice, brake progressively before a bend, then steer smoothly and avoid sudden actions. Source: The Highway Code, rule 231

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3. Vulnerable road users

   A Class 3 mobility scooter is travelling on the road at dusk. What should you remember?

   1. AIt is limited to 8 mph and may be hard to see
   2. BIt has priority over your vehicle
   3. CIt can keep up with the speed of traffic
   4. DIt must not be used on the road after dusk
   Answer and reason

   A. It is limited to 8 mph and may be hard to see. A Class 3 mobility scooter is limited to 8 mph and may be hard to see, so allow for it. Source: The Highway Code, rule 41; The Highway Code, rule 43

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4. Hazard awareness

   You are driving on a country road towards a turning that is partly hidden by hedges. Why should you reduce your speed?

   1. AYou must stop and sound your horn at hidden turnings
   2. BCountry roads have a 30 mph limit near every turning
   3. CFarm vehicles may emerge, or there may be mud on the road
   4. DTraffic from hidden turnings always has priority
   Answer and reason

   C. Farm vehicles may emerge, or there may be mud on the road. On country roads, slow down for partly hidden turnings and be ready for farm vehicles or mud on the road. Source: The Highway Code, rule 154

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5. Alertness

   A driver passed their first driving test eight months ago. They are caught holding and using a phone to take a photograph while driving. Which outcome does GOV.UK describe for this offence?

   1. A6 penalty points and a £200 fine, with their licence kept for a first offence
   2. B3 penalty points, a £200 fine and permission to keep their licence
   3. C6 penalty points, a £200 fine and loss of their licence
   4. DA £200 fine without points, since the phone was used only as a camera
   Answer and reason

   C. 6 penalty points, a £200 fine and loss of their licence. Hand-held phone use can bring 6 points and a £200 fine; drivers who passed in the last 2 years also lose their licence. Source: GOV.UK: Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving - Penalties

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6. Vehicle loading

   An 11-year-old child is 130 cm tall. You are taking them on a planned journey in your private car, with room for the correct child seat. What restraint must they use?

   1. AAn adult seat belt alone, because the journey is planned
   2. BAn adult seat belt alone, because they are older than 3
   3. CA suitable child car seat or booster seat
   4. DNo restraint if an adult sits beside them in the rear
   Answer and reason

   C. A suitable child car seat or booster seat. Children normally need a child seat until age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Source: GOV.UK: Child car seats: the law - Using a child car seat or booster seat

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7. Attitude

   You are in slow-moving traffic. What should you do to help an emergency vehicle get past?

   1. ALeave space so you can manoeuvre
   2. BPull close to the car in front
   3. CMove into the left lane to overtake
   4. DDrive onto the hard shoulder
   Answer and reason

   A. Leave space so you can manoeuvre. Leave enough space to manoeuvre if an emergency vehicle needs to get past. Source: The Highway Code, rule 151

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8. Safety and your vehicle

   Fog has cleared and you can see clearly. What should you do with your fog lights?

   1. AKeep only the rear fog light on
   2. BSwitch them off
   3. CKeep them on until you park
   4. DLeave them on to be seen
   Answer and reason

   B. Switch them off. Rule 236 says you must switch fog lights off when visibility improves. Source: The Highway Code, rule 236

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9. Vehicle loading

   You need to take a 5-year-old child, 110 cm tall, on an unexpected, necessary journey over a short distance in your private car. The correct child seat is unavailable, but a rear seat has an adult belt. What does the stated exception allow?

   1. AThe child may use the adult belt on the rear seat
   2. BThe child may sit on an adult's lap without a belt
   3. CThe child may travel on the rear seat without any belt
   4. DThe child may share the driver's belt on the front seat
   Answer and reason

   A. The child may use the adult belt on the rear seat. With no suitable child seat, a child aged 3+ may use a rear adult belt on an unexpected, necessary, short trip. Source: GOV.UK: Child car seats: the law - Unexpected journeys; GOV.UK: Seat belts: the law - Overview

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10. Safety margins

    In fog, you can see only a short stretch of clear road ahead. The rear lights of another car are visible farther away. What should determine your speed?

    1. AKeeping close enough to follow the other car's lights
    2. BMaintaining the speed you used before the fog
    3. CMatching the speed of the visible rear lights
    4. DStopping well within the distance you see clearly
    Answer and reason

    D. Stopping well within the distance you see clearly. In fog, you should be able to stop well within the distance you can see clearly; rear lights can mislead. Source: The Highway Code, rule 235

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11. Alertness

    Which of these does the Highway Code list as a distraction to avoid while driving?

    1. AListening for emergency sirens
    2. BChecking your mirrors
    3. CGlancing at your speedometer
    4. DEating or drinking
    Answer and reason

    D. Eating or drinking. Eating and drinking are distractions; keep your full attention on the road. Source: The Highway Code, rule 148

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12. Motorway rules

    A passenger asks you to let them out on a motorway verge near a path. There is no emergency. How should you respond?

    1. AStop on the verge if the passenger can leave quickly
    2. BUse an emergency area to let the passenger out
    3. CStop on the hard shoulder with your hazard lights on
    4. DContinue without setting the passenger down
    Answer and reason

    D. Continue without setting the passenger down. You must not pick up or set down anyone on a motorway except in an emergency. Source: The Highway Code, rule 272

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13. Alertness

    You drank alcohol last evening. What should you remember before driving this morning?

    1. AA strong coffee makes you fit to drive
    2. BA night's sleep always clears it
    3. CEating breakfast clears the alcohol
    4. DYou may still be unfit to drive
    Answer and reason

    D. You may still be unfit to drive. Alcohol takes time to leave your body; drinking the evening before may leave you unfit to drive in the morning. Source: The Highway Code, rule 95

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14. Vehicle handling

    You are driving in fog and a vehicle is following too closely behind you. Which of these should you **not** do?

    1. AAccelerate to get away from it
    2. BKeep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
    3. CUse your brake lights to warn when slowing down
    4. DCheck your mirrors before you slow down
    Answer and reason

    A. Accelerate to get away from it. In fog, do not accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is too close behind (rule 235). Source: The Highway Code, rule 235

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15. Safety margins

    You are driving on a road that may be icy. Which of these is a sign that your vehicle is losing its grip on ice?

    1. AThe steering feels heavier and the tyres make more noise
    2. BThe steering feels unresponsive and the tyres go quiet
    3. CThe tyres make a loud rumbling noise
    4. DThe steering responds normally and tyre noise increases
    Answer and reason

    B. The steering feels unresponsive and the tyres go quiet. Rule 231: on ice the steering may feel unresponsive and tyres make almost no noise. Source: The Highway Code, rule 231

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16. Safety margins

    In icy or snowy weather, stopping distances can reach how many times the dry distance?

    1. ATen times
    2. BFive times
    3. CThree times
    4. DTwo times
    Answer and reason

    A. Ten times. In icy or snowy weather, stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads. Source: The Highway Code, rule 230

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17. Incidents, accidents and emergencies

    After a breakdown at night, which clothing does the Highway Code advise you to wear?

    1. AReflective clothing
    2. BAny coat, whatever its visibility
    3. CDark clothing without reflective strips
    4. DFluorescent clothing without reflection
    Answer and reason

    A. Reflective clothing. Wear reflective clothing after a breakdown at night or in poor visibility. Source: The Highway Code, rule 276

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18. Vehicle loading

    You join a motorway while towing a caravan with your car. No lower speed limit is displayed. What is the maximum speed allowed for your combination?

    1. A30 mph
    2. B50 mph
    3. C70 mph
    4. D60 mph
    Answer and reason

    D. 60 mph. A car towing a caravan has a motorway speed limit of 60 mph. Source: The Highway Code, rule 124: Speed limits table

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19. Incidents, accidents and emergencies

    A box falls from your car onto a motorway. You reach a place of relative safety. What should you do about the box?

    1. ALeave it in place and call 999
    2. BWait for a gap, then walk back and collect it
    3. CAsk a passenger to retrieve it while you watch traffic
    4. DReverse along the motorway until you reach it
    Answer and reason

    A. Leave it in place and call 999. Leave motorway obstructions for the emergency services; stop somewhere relatively safe and call 999. Source: The Highway Code, rule 280; The Highway Code, rule 263

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20. Safety margins

    During heavy rain, your steering becomes unresponsive as water prevents the tyres gripping the road. How should you reduce speed?

    1. AMake repeated sharp turns while maintaining speed
    2. BBrake sharply to push the tyres through the water
    3. CEase off the accelerator and slow gradually
    4. DKeep accelerating until the steering responds again
    Answer and reason

    C. Ease off the accelerator and slow gradually. If water makes the steering unresponsive, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually. Source: The Highway Code, rule 227

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