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Safe and Responsible Driving: theory test questions

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

  1. When a driver intends to make a left-hand turn at a busy city junction and there are pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users present, what should the driver do?Answer: Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users who may try to cross the road in front of the driver’s vehicle.
  2. When a driver is driving in a line of traffic and does not intend to overtake, what should the driver do?Answer: Stay back and leave a gap for other drivers to overtake.
  3. When a driver wants to turn left into a property and there is a bus lane on the left, what should the driver do?Answer: Give way to cyclists, taxis and buses which may be using the bus lane.
  4. When driving at night, what is the safest approach for a driver to adopt?Answer: Drive at a speed that enables the driver to stop within the distance ahead that they can see to be clear.
  5. When driving behind a heavy goods vehicle that is signalling to turn right, what should a driver do?Answer: Stay behind until there is enough space to overtake it on the inside or until it has completed the turn.
  6. When can a driver travel in the right-hand lane on a dual carriageway?Answer: When overtaking a vehicle in the left-hand lane.
  7. When driving behind a bus that is signalling to turn left and there is oncoming traffic, what should a driver do?Answer: Stay back and allow it to complete the turn.
  8. When driving along and wishing to use a hand-held mobile phone, what should a driver do?Answer: Stop at a safe location before using the phone.
  9. When driving into a narrow gap between oncoming vehicles and vehicles parked on the left. What should a driver do?Answer: Indicate right, stopping if necessary until oncoming traffic has passed by.
  10. When driving on a country road without footpaths, what should a driver expect coming towards them on their side of the road?Answer: Pedestrians.
  11. When is the use of the horn prohibited?Answer: Between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am in a built-up area.
  12. When driving, what effect could icy roads have on the vehicle?Answer: The vehicle would be more likely to skid.
  13. When driving on this one-way street with vehicles parked on both sides, what should a driver be prepared for?Answer: A vehicle door may open on either side of the street.Large green lorry ahead, with red cars behind it on both sides and another car farther ahead to the right.
  14. When intending to turn right as shown, what should the car driver do?Answer: Wait and allow the oncoming vehicle to pass.Driver's view of a branching junction with a black car on the left, a blue lorry on the right and colored route arrows.
  15. When is a driver allowed to overtake another vehicle on the left?Answer: When the driver is turning left.
  16. When wishing to turn right at the end of a one-way street, where should a driver position their vehicle?Answer: Drive as close as is possible to the right-hand side of the road.
  17. When overtaking a cyclist what should a driver be aware of?Answer: The cyclist may suddenly change direction.
  18. When should signals (for example, with indicators) be given to other road users?Answer: Clearly and in good time to let other road users know what you intend to do.
  19. When stopped at traffic lights and the green light comes on but pedestrians are still crossing the road, what should a driver do?Answer: Wait as long as necessary to enable them to complete the crossing.
  20. When towing a high and wide-bodied trailer what should a driver do?Answer: Make use of extended mirrors to check for following traffic.
  21. When should a driver use the vehicle side lights?Answer: When parking on an unlit road.
  22. Where are the blind spots that a driver needs to be aware of when towing a loaded trailer?Answer: The area to the side and rear of the vehicle and the trailer that the driver cannot see.
  23. Why is tailgating (driving too close behind the vehicle in front) dangerous?Answer: The vehicle will not have enough distance to stop safely in an emergency.
  24. Which of the following is a possible consequence for a learner driver if they drive after drinking as little as just one unit of alcohol?Answer: A three month disqualification from driving
  25. Which vehicle is in the correct position to make a right turn from a minor road onto a major road?Answer: 1Overhead junction diagram with numbered colored cars; a vertical side road meets a horizontal road.
  26. Why does it take longer to stop the vehicle on a wet road?Answer: The tyres have less road grip than in dry weather.
  27. When required to stop in an emergency, what should a driver do?Answer: Apply firm pressure on the footbrake.
  28. What does a 2-plus-1 road have?Answer: Two lanes of traffic in one direction and one in the opposite direction.
  29. What is the correct action to take in this situation?Answer: Keep a close eye on the children and be prepared to brake in good time.Road junction viewed toward the road ahead, with two children standing on the left pavement.
  30. What is the effect of a worn exhaust?Answer: The filtering of fumes is reduced and engine noise is louder.
  31. What should drivers do if they approach road works and there is earth-moving machinery moving about?Answer: Reduce speed as there may be loose gravel or mud on the road.
  32. Which of the following road users are most vulnerable in slow-moving city traffic?Answer: Pedestrians.
  33. What alternatives can drivers take to help protect the environment?Answer: Use public transport.
  34. What is the main difference between driving on a motorway and driving on other types of road?Answer: Traffic is generally permitted to travel at a higher speed on a motorway.
  35. What should a driver do if dazzled by lights at night reflecting in their interior mirror?Answer: Temporarily adjust the angle of the mirror.
  36. At what point is a vehicle load more likely to shift?Answer: When cornering.
  37. Which action contributes to Eco-Driving?Answer: Looking ahead and anticipating.
  38. How should a driver proceed if their view is blocked at a junction?Answer: Move out slowly onto the road while watching carefully for other traffic.
  39. What should a driver do if they wish to drive across a busy road and the traffic lights which normally control the junction are temporarily out of action?Answer: Take good observation, wait for a clear break in the traffic and proceed to cross the road safely.
  40. What phrase is recommended for drivers to help them determine a safe distance from the vehicle in front on a dry road?Answer: Only a fool breaks the two second rule.
  41. When driving in the dark on an unlit country road, what should a driver be aware of?Answer: That e-scooter users are much more vulnerable on dark roads.
  42. What should the car driver do in this situation?Answer: The driver must allow the cyclist to proceed.Driver's view of a junction with cyclists at the left and opposite side; orange, blue and green route arrows cross the road.
  43. How can fuel efficiency be improved?Answer: By using gentle acceleration and making gear changes appropriate to speed.
  44. After a heavy downpour, why should a driver keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front?Answer: Because the required stopping distances is greater.Photograph of a blue car ahead on a wet tree-lined road, with water on the road surface.
  45. In this situation, what should the driver in the right-hand lane of the dual carriageway be aware of?Answer: Crosswinds may blow the rider into their path.Photograph through a rain-covered windscreen, with a dark car ahead and a motorcycle farther to the left on a wet road.
  46. Is a driver permitted to pick up or set down a passenger on a motorway?Answer: A driver is never permitted to pick up or set down passengers on a motorway.
  47. A driver wishes to go straight ahead at a cross junction of equal importance. If they encounter other traffic, what is the general rule that applies?Answer: Traffic approaching from the driver's right has right of way.
  48. What are the possible consequences of having incorrectly adjusted headlights?Answer: Oncoming road users could be dazzled.
  49. When may you pass another vehicle on the left-hand side?Answer: When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right or in slow moving lanes of traffic.
  50. Can a driver break a red light or break the speed limit to allow an emergency service vehicle to pass?Answer: No, a driver should never break a red light or speed up to allow an emergency service vehicle to pass.

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