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Managing Risk: theory test questions

99 questions from the Irish Driver Theory Test, each with the correct answer and an explanation.

  1. In general, how often should a driver check the tyre pressure of a vehicle?Answer: Regularly.
  2. After changing a wheel on a vehicle, which of the following should be checked soon afterwards?Answer: The wheel nuts.
  3. A fault in which component may lead to uneven or excessive tyre wear?Answer: Suspension.
  4. A driver has stalled in the middle of an unguarded level crossing and cannot restart the engine. The warning bell is ringing. What should the driver do?Answer: Walk clear of the crossing and phone the signal operator so that trains can be stopped.
  5. A driver notices that the wiper blades are worn. What should they do?Answer: Have the blades replaced as soon as possible.
  6. If a vehicle breaks down, where should the driver stop?Answer: As far to the left as possible.
  7. If a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, what should a person do?Answer: Move the vehicle to the hard shoulder.
  8. In general, how should children under 3 years of age be secured in a vehicle?Answer: They should always be secured in the correct child seat.
  9. If a driver is involved in a serious collision with an uninsured motorist, where nobody is injured, who should it be reported to?Answer: The driver's insurance company and the Gardaí.
  10. How could towing an overloaded trailer affect a vehicle?Answer: It could impair the vehicle's steering and braking.
  11. If a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, what should a person do?Answer: Wear a high visibility vest.
  12. How would a driver know that a brake-light bulb is not working?Answer: By standing at the rear of the vehicle and checking as another person presses the brake pedal.
  13. How should a child restraint system be fitted in a vehicle?Answer: It should be fitted in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
  14. How does driving at high speed affect a vehicle’s road holding?Answer: The road holding ability of the vehicle is reduced.
  15. What effect can overloading a vehicle have on its road-holding?Answer: The load can make the vehicle more difficult to control.
  16. What effect can a broken lens have on headlights?Answer: It can reduce and distort the beam.
  17. What does this light mean?Answer: The high-beam headlights are switched on.Blue illuminated dashboard square containing a black lamp shape with horizontal bars to its left.
  18. Is it allowed for a vehicle to be driven on a public road when the brake lights are not working?Answer: No, it is never permitted to be driven.
  19. What does this light mean?Answer: Directional indicator on.Green illuminated dashboard square containing a black right-pointing arrow.
  20. What can be affected by driving on under-inflated tyres?Answer: Fuel consumption.
  21. What is the quickest way to warn other traffic of a crash?Answer: Use hazard lights.
  22. What effect does towing a loaded trailer have on stopping ability?Answer: It increases the stopping distance.
  23. What is the purpose of daytime running lights on a vehicle?Answer: To increase the vehicles visibility in daylight hours.
  24. What should a driver do before towing a caravan?Answer: Have extended mirrors fitted to the towing vehicle.
  25. What effect does carrying a load have on a vehicle’s braking ability?Answer: It increases the distance required to stop.
  26. What lighting must be on a two-axle car-trailer?Answer: Indicators, brake lights, rear number plate light, red reflectors and rear tail lights.
  27. What lighting must be on a tractors trailer during lighting-up hours?Answer: Indicators, brake lights, rear number plate light, red reflectors and rear tail lights.
  28. What is the immediate effect of a head-on collision between two cars at speed?Answer: All persons in each vehicle are thrown violently forward.
  29. What is the main reason for maintaining the correct tyre pressures?Answer: To help provide optimum road holding.
  30. What is the minimum legal tread depth for tyres on cars?Answer: 1.6 millimetres
  31. What effect could incorrectly aligned headlights have?Answer: They could dazzle oncoming drivers.
  32. What should a driver do if the right-hand headlight bulb fails when driving at night?Answer: Have the bulb replaced immediately.
  33. What should a driver do to assist a person who is unconscious following a collision?Answer: Try to keep the person warm with a blanket or overcoat.
  34. What should a driver do when involved in an incident where nobody is injured but the vehicles are causing a danger or obstruction on the road?Answer: Take care when moving damaged vehicles and make every effort to warn other traffic.
  35. What should a driver do if they notice steam rising from the engine compartment?Answer: Stop where safe and investigate the cause.
  36. What should a driver do when requested to drive a vehicle that they feel is overloaded?Answer: Refuse to drive the vehicle.
  37. What should a driver do if their vehicle breaks down on an automatic railway level crossing?Answer: Get passengers clear of the crossing and phone the signal operator so that trains can be stopped.
  38. Where safety belts are fitted to a car when must adult occupants wear them?Answer: At all times.
  39. What should a driver do to secure the towing vehicle before unhitching a trailer?Answer: Apply the handbrake, switch off the ignition and engage a low gear.
  40. What should a driver do if involved in a collision with another vehicle where nobody is injured?Answer: Exchange all relevant details with the other driver.
  41. When a wiper blade fails to clear the windscreen what should the driver do?Answer: Have the wiper blades replaced as soon as possible.
  42. When calling for help on an emergency telephone on the motorway, who does the call go to?Answer: The Gardaí.
  43. When should tyre pressure be checked?Answer: When the tyres are cold.
  44. When changing a wheel on a public road, what should a person do to ensure their own safety?Answer: Wear reflective clothing and switch on the vehicle hazard warning lights.
  45. When dealing with crash victims, remember A B C. What does A stand for?Answer: Airway.
  46. When attaching a trailer to their vehicle, what must a driver check?Answer: That the trailer coupling is attached securely.
  47. When should a driver use their hazard warning lights?Answer: When the vehicle has broken down.
  48. What type of drink should be given to a person who has been injured in a collision?Answer: No drink should be given.
  49. What would be the effect of overloading a vehicle with passengers or goods?Answer: It would reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
  50. Who is responsible for ensuring that a passenger under 17 years of age is wearing a seat belt while travelling in a car?Answer: The driver only.

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