The driving theory test questions that almost no motorists get right

An L plate on a car
An L plate on a car -Credit:PA Wire


Driving theory test questions can present challenges - but some are harder than others. New evidence shows half of drivers would fail theory tests if they took them now - but can you answer these questions below that, surprisingly, almost nobody got right?

For many motorists, passing the theory test is a necessary hurdle that must be cleared in order to get their licence. Once on the road, most won't give the Highway Code much thought and are confident in their ability to drive safely.

Research by Car Insurance has revealed that millions of drivers are left puzzled when faced with questions from a theory test. While most of us have a general understanding of what we should and shouldn't do behind the wheel, when it comes to specifying details, things become a bit more challenging.

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The Highway Code often undergoes updates, years after many drivers pass their tests, further complicating matters. To assess motorists' knowledge, a set of questions were presented to 2,000 individuals.

The study's results showed that half of drivers would fail their theory tests if they took them now, while nine out of 10 were unable to correctly answer all five particularly difficult questions. These are the five questions (answers below).

  1. What should you do if you have to quickly slow down when driving on the motorway?

  2. What do triangular road signs indicate?

  3. What is the legal speed limit on a motorway is, if no signs indicate otherwise?

  4. When driving on a wet road, what time gap should you leave between your car and the car in front of you?

  5. Which lights do you think are appropriate to turn on when driving on the motorway at night, when there are cars ahead of you?

Independent Advisor Car Insurance expert, Connor Campbell, expressed his amazement at the lack of primary knowledge amongst drivers. He said: "It's shocking how many motorists don't know the rules when it comes to the basics of safe driving practices. Being behind the wheel entails significant responsibility, and risking the lives of other road users due to negligence is simply unacceptable."

Advising on a less hazardous approach, he added: "You should adopt a defensive driving approach to minimise collision risks by focusing not only on your actions, but also your surroundings. That includes the behaviour of other drivers, pedestrians, and any obstacles on the road, not to mention adjusting your driving based on weather and road conditions."

He concluded with some practical advice: "Look 15 seconds ahead and communicate your intentions clearly while driving - remember to signal when changing lanes even if you don't see other cars nearby. Additionally, don't rush, and maintain a safe following distance to allow for sudden stops or unforeseen manoeuvres."

Answers

  1. Turn on your hazard lights

  2. Warnings

  3. 61mph to 70mph

  4. 4-5 seconds

  5. Dipped headlights

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