How long has it been since you did your theory exam? Try these 40 DVLA questions to see how well you really know your way around.
According to analyses, more than 50,000 driving tests are taken annually by students who have already failed at least five times.
This comes on the heels of news that current driving test wait times at most test centers – as of February 2023 – are still around six months.
While cancellations are coming – meaning it may be possible to get tested for about four months – there is still a huge backlog created by the coronavirus pandemic.
A theory test costs £23 for cars, so it’s important that you feel confident in answering all the questions you’ll be faced with.
Meanwhile, a practical driving test costs between £62 and £75 depending on when they are taken.
Can you answer these 40 official driving theory questions? Take the test below to find out if you could pass the test (File image)
And the first step for everyone is to apply for a provisional UK driving license – which will set you back £34.
The total bill for repeated failures could run you thousands of dollars when you factor in the skyrocketing cost of the lessons.
Last December, Derbyshire Police released a photo of a woman suspected of being linked to taking driving tests for other people.
She was suspected of being an impostor on 18 November by staff at the riding center in Quintin Road, Derby. Suspicions were raised by staff when a member realized she might be taking a test on behalf of someone else.
She is believed to have been linked to “similar incidents” in 12 other provinces.
Police have confirmed that investigations are still ongoing this year, and would appreciate anyone coming forward with information that could help with their investigation.
And most recently, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) warned drivers they could be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to renew their license every 10 years.
This means those who passed their test before 2014 will have to renew next year.
The news comes after DVLA staff walked out in February in protest of stagnant wages and poor working conditions.
The strike – which ran from 20 to 25 February – hit trade unionists from the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) dealing with drivers’ medical issues at DVLA’s Swansea headquarters and base in Birmingham.
After this, MailOnline asks… can you answer these 40 official driving theory questions?
1. The meaning of the sign shown opposite is:
- Pay and display parking
- Do not stop
- Parking restricted to permit holders
- No parking
2. The meaning of the sign shown below is:
- Loose crushed stone
- Quarry ahead
- Falling or fallen rocks
- Falling snowballs
3. Using the rearview mirror to hang items can:
- Limit your view
- Make you a more careful driver
- Give you a better view
- Help your concentration
4. An APK certificate is normally valid for:
- 10,000 miles
- 30,000 miles
- Three years after the date of issue
- One year after the date of issue
5. The meaning of the sign shown below is:
- Highway closed
- End of highway
- Start of highway
- Highway services
6. What do AMBER studs show on the highway?
- The right edge of the roadway
- The left edge of the roadway
- The separation of the lanes
- The highway exit
7. At what times is the use of the horn prohibited in built-up areas?
- Between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m
- Between sunset and sunrise
- Between sunset and 8 am
- Between 11:30 PM and 7:00 AM
8. There are no speed limit signs on the road. How is a 30 mph limit indicated?
- By warning lines
- By street lights
- By double yellow lines
- By pedestrian islands
9. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- No through road
- Phone kiosk
- Road closed
- Parking lot further on
10. Once you pass your theory and practical exam, is your driver’s license usually valid until you reach?
- 70 years old
- 65 years old
- 60 years old
- Forever
11. Who has right of way at an unmarked intersection?
- The faster vehicle
- The smaller vehicle
- The larger vehicle
- No one has priority
12. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- No parking
- Minimum speed limit
- Urban thoroughfare
- intersection
13. The meaning of the sign shown on the right is:
- Give way to traffic on the main road
- Stop
- Stop and yield
- Crossing pedestrians
14. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Pedestrians on the road ahead
- Pedestrian crossing
- No pedestrians
- Accompany all children
15. You are following a vehicle on a wet road. You must leave a gap of at least:
- One second
- Two seconds
- Three seconds
- Four seconds
16. What is the safest way to overtake a cyclist on a windy day?
- Overtake very close
- Catch up quickly
- Sound your horn repeatedly
- Provide extra space
17. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Closed road ahead
- Level crossing with gate
- Cattle grid with gate
- No through road
18. You may ONLY use front fog lights when:
- You think it’s safer
- Vision is severely impaired
- Daylight fades
- Driving after midnight
19. You are at the scene of an accident. Someone is in shock. You should:
- Tell them to man up
- Keep them warm
- Offer them a hot drink
- Offer them a cigarette
20. When using a highway emergency telephone you must:
- Have someone else with you
- Be aware of oncoming traffic
- Keep your back to traffic
- Stand on the hard shoulder
21. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Cattle
- Wild animals
- Guided animals
- Farm down the road
22. Other than pedestrians, who else should you watch out for at a toucan crossing?
- Oncoming traffic
- Buses leave
- Trams crossing in front of the door
- Cyclists crossing
23. Red routes in major cities have been introduced to:
- Let trucks load more freely
- Raise the speed limits
- Help traffic flow
- Provide better parking
24. A vehicle with a flashing green light is a:
- Fire truck
- Road maintenance vehicle
- Ambulance
- The doctor’s car
25. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- A bend in the road
- B. Prioritize
- C. No left turn
- D. Turn left ahead
26. What is the speed limit for trucks on a highway?
- 40 mph
- 50mph
- 60 mph
- 70mph
27. You are approaching a curve at high speed. You should start braking:
- In a curve
- After the bend
- After changing gears
- Before the bend
28. You May Make a U-Turn:
- By carefully assembling both sidewalks
- On a wide one-way street
- On a highway, if it’s safe
- When it’s safe on a wide road
29. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Use both lanes
- Don’t overtake
- no motor vehicles
- Parking spot
30. How close to a junction can you park?
- 10 meters (32 feet)
- Anywhere, as long as you are not on road markings
- 15 meters (49 feet)
- 20 meters (66 ft)
31. Use the far right lane of a four-lane highway:
- If your speed is above 60 mph
- For emergency vehicles only
- For cars only
- For overtaking
32. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Hump bridge
- Odd gone
- Road subsidence
- Hills ahead
33. Carrying too much weight in your vehicle can seriously affect:
- Tyres
- To steer
- Engine oil level
- Battery life
34. You are driving on a highway. A vehicle in front switches on its hazard warning lights while driving. What does this mean?
- There is a police car in front of us
- The vehicle exits the highway
- The vehicle changes lanes
- There is danger ahead
35. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Odd gone
- Hump bridge
- Low bridge
- Tower Bridge
36. You need to be extra careful when filling up with diesel fuel because if spilled it is:
- Difficult to remove from skin and clothing
- Odourless
- Clearly
- Slippery
37. For what purpose do you use ‘kick down’ in an automatic car?
- Cruise control
- Rapid acceleration
- emergency stops
- Fuel economy
38. The driver in front did not cancel the right turn signal. Would you:
- Flash your lights to warn the driver
- Blow your horn before overtaking
- Ignore it and catch up anyway
- Stay behind and don’t overtake
39. The meaning of the sign depicted below is:
- Temporary lane closure
- Permanent lane closure
- Don’t overtake
- Road work
40. A police officer asks for your driver’s licenses. You don’t have them with you. You have to show them inside the police station?
- 5 days
- 7 days
- 14 days
- 21 days
answers:
- Parking restricted to permit holders
- Falling or fallen rocks
- Limit your view
- One year after the date of issue
- End of highway
- The right edge of the roadway
- Between 11:30 PM and 7:00 AM
- By street lights
- No through road
- 70 years old
- No one has priority
- Urban thoroughfare
- Give way to traffic on the main road
- Pedestrians on the road ahead
- Four seconds
- Provide extra space
- Level crossing with gate
- Vision is severely impaired
- Keep them warm
- Be aware of oncoming traffic
- Cattle
- Cyclists crossing
- Help traffic flow
- The doctor’s car
- No left turn
- 60 mph
- Before the bend
- When it’s safe on a wide road
- Don’t overtake
- 10 meters (32 feet)
- For overtaking
- Odd gone
- To steer
- There is danger ahead
- Hump bridge
- Slippery
- Rapid acceleration
- Stay behind and don’t overtake
- Temporary lane closure
- 7 days
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