K53 rules of the road questions and answers

50 free practice questions for the learner’s licence test, written from the official Learner Driver Manual (Section 1: Rules of the Road). Tap an answer to check it; every question explains why and points to the section of the manual it comes from.

1. 1. Unless a road sign shows otherwise, what is the general speed limit on a public road in an urban area?

   A 80 km/hB 100 km/hC 60 km/h
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   Answer: C. 60 km/h A general speed limit of 60 km/h applies on every public road in an urban area. It doesn’t have to be shown on a sign. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.27

2. 2. What is the general speed limit on a public road outside an urban area that is not a freeway?

   A 100 km/hB 80 km/hC 120 km/h
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   Answer: A. 100 km/h Outside urban areas the general limit is 100 km/h, except on freeways. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.27

3. 3. What is the general speed limit on a freeway?

   A 110 km/hB 100 km/hC 120 km/h
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   Answer: C. 120 km/h Unless a sign shows a lower limit, 120 km/h applies on every freeway. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.27

4. 4. What is the highest speed limit that applies to a minibus or bus carrying passengers for reward?

   A 100 km/hB 80 km/hC 120 km/h
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   Answer: A. 100 km/h A speed limit of 100 km/h applies to buses and minibuses conveying persons for reward, even on a freeway. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.28

5. 5. What speed limit applies to a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of more than 9 000 kg?

   A 100 km/hB 80 km/hC 120 km/h
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   Answer: B. 80 km/h Goods vehicles over 9 000 kg GVM, heavy combinations and breakdown vehicles that are towing are limited to 80 km/h. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.29

6. 6. Besides between sunset and sunrise, when must the headlamps of a car be switched on?

   A Only on freewaysB Only when it rainsC When people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 metres
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   Answer: C. When people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 metres Headlamps, rear lamps and number-plate lamps must be on from sunset to sunrise, and at any other time when people and vehicles can’t be clearly seen at 150 m because of poor light or weather. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.1.2

7. 7. When must a motorcycle’s headlamp be switched on while riding on a public road?

   A At all times, day and nightB Only at nightC Only in bad weather
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   Answer: A. At all times, day and night A motorcycle’s headlamp must be lit at all times on a public road, day and night. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.1.1

8. 8. When must you dip your main (bright) beam?

   A Only when another driver flashes at youB For oncoming traffic and when following another vehicleC Only in urban areas
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   Answer: B. For oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle Dip your bright lights for oncoming traffic and when you are following another vehicle, so you don’t blind other drivers. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.2

9. 9. Your dipped headlamps must let you see a person or object at least how far ahead?

   A 100 metresB 20 metresC 45 metres
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   Answer: C. 45 metres Dipped beams must light up a person, vehicle or object at least 45 m ahead. Main beams must reach at least 100 m. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.2–6.3

10. 10. May you drive with only your parking lamps on?

    A No, not while the vehicle is movingB Yes, in urban areasC Yes, at dusk
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    Answer: A. No, not while the vehicle is moving A vehicle may not be driven on a public road with only its parking lamps lit. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.4

11. 11. When may you use your fog lamps?

    A When following another vehicle at nightB Whenever it is darkC Only when visibility is poor because of fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke
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    Answer: C. Only when visibility is poor because of fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke Fog lamps may only be lit when visibility is poor because of snow, fog, mist, dust or smoke. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.9

12. 12. What is the minimum following distance for a light motor vehicle in good conditions?

    A 2 secondsB 5 secondsC 1 second
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    Answer: A. 2 seconds Keep at least a 2-second gap behind the vehicle ahead in a light motor vehicle or on a motorcycle, and 3 seconds in a heavy vehicle. Increase it in rain, on slippery roads, in poor visibility or when someone is following you too closely. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.49

13. 13. What should you do with your following distance when it is raining?

    A Make it shorter so you can see the vehicle aheadB Make it longerC Keep it the same
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    Answer: B. Make it longer In rain, on slippery surfaces, in poor visibility or when being followed too closely, increase your following distance. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.49

14. 14. For seatbelt rules, how is a 12-year-old who is 1,6 metres tall treated?

    A As an adultB As a baby who needs a car seatC As a child
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    Answer: A. As an adult A child is a person aged 3 to 14, but anyone taller than 1,5 m counts as an adult, whatever their age. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.17

15. 15. When is it not compulsory to wear a seatbelt?

    A When reversing or moving in or out of a parking bayB In the back seatC On short trips in town
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    Answer: A. When reversing or moving in or out of a parking bay Seatbelts aren’t required while reversing or moving in or out of a parking bay. Rear-seat passengers must wear fitted seatbelts. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.17

16. 16. When may you use your vehicle’s hooter?

    A To greet a friendB Only when it is necessary for safetyC To tell slow drivers to hurry up
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    Answer: B. Only when it is necessary for safety The hooter may only be used when it is necessary for safety. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.15

17. 17. An ambulance approaches with its siren on and red lights flashing. What must you do?

    A Give it immediate right of wayB Keep going at the same speedC Speed up to stay ahead of it
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    Answer: A. Give it immediate right of way You must give immediate right of way to emergency vehicles sounding a siren and showing warning lights. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.16

18. 18. What colour warning light does a traffic officer’s vehicle use?

    A GreenB RedC Blue
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    Answer: C. Blue Traffic officers use blue warning lights. Fire, rescue and medical vehicles use red, and civil protection vehicles use green. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.16

19. 19. Your minibus breaks down on the roadway. How far behind it must you place the emergency warning triangle?

    A At least 10 metresB At least 45 metresC Right next to the vehicle
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    Answer: B. At least 45 metres Place the triangle at least 45 m from the vehicle, in the direction traffic approaches from, with its reflective side facing that traffic. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.24

20. 20. Which of these vehicles must carry an emergency warning triangle?

    A A minibusB A motor carC A motorcycle
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    Answer: A. A minibus Heavy vehicles, goods vehicles, minibuses and buses must carry at least one warning triangle. Motor cars, ambulances and motorcycles are excluded. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.24

21. 21. On which side do you normally overtake a vehicle travelling in the same direction?

    A On the rightB On the leftC On either side
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    Answer: A. On the right Pass to the right at a safe distance, and only move back to the left once you are safely clear of the vehicle you passed. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.45

22. 22. When may you pass a vehicle on its left?

    A Whenever the shoulder is wide enoughB When it is turning right or has signalled that it will turn rightC When it is driving slowly
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    Answer: B. When it is turning right or has signalled that it will turn right Passing on the left is allowed if it is safe and, for example, the vehicle ahead is turning right or has signalled to turn right. You may never pass on the shoulder or verge. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.45

23. 23. Where may you not overtake if you would have to move onto the right-hand side of the road?

    A In a 100 km/h zoneB On a straight road with a clear viewC When approaching the top of a rise or a curve
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    Answer: C. When approaching the top of a rise or a curve Don’t overtake when approaching the summit of a rise, a curve, or anywhere your view is restricted, unless you can do it without moving onto the right-hand side or the road is one-way. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.45

24. 24. Another vehicle is overtaking you. What must you do?

    A Move to the right to block itB Speed up so it can pass quicklyC Keep as far left as is safe and don’t speed up until it has passed
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    Answer: C. Keep as far left as is safe and don’t speed up until it has passed Keep as close to the left edge as you safely can and don’t accelerate until the other vehicle has passed. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.38

25. 25. When may you drive a light motor vehicle on the shoulder of a road with one lane each way?

    A At night to let faster traffic passB Any time you want to drive slowerC While being overtaken, in daylight, when it is safe and you can see clearly for 150 metres
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    Answer: C. While being overtaken, in daylight, when it is safe and you can see clearly for 150 metres Between sunrise and sunset, you may move onto the shoulder while being overtaken if it is safe and people and vehicles are clearly visible at 150 m. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.39

26. 26. At a traffic circle, to whom must you yield?

    A To traffic from your leftB To nobody if you are going straightC To traffic approaching from your right in the circle
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    Answer: C. To traffic approaching from your right in the circle When entering a traffic circle, yield to all traffic approaching from your right within the junction, unless a sign or traffic officer says otherwise. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.46

27. 27. How close to a fire hydrant (on the same side of the road) may you park?

    A Not within 5 metres of itB Right next to itC Not within 1,5 metres of it
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    Answer: C. Not within 1,5 metres of it You may not park within 1,5 m on either side of a fire hydrant on the same side of the road. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.47

28. 28. In an urban area, you may not park within how many metres of an intersection?

    A 5 metresB 20 metresC 1 metre
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    Answer: A. 5 metres In an urban area you may not park within 5 m of an intersection, or within 9 m before a pedestrian crossing. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.47

29. 29. Where may you not stop your vehicle?

    A On a bridge or within 6 metres of a tunnel, subway or bridgeB On the left side of a wide roadC In a marked parking bay
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    Answer: A. On a bridge or within 6 metres of a tunnel, subway or bridge You may not stop in a tunnel or subway, on a bridge, or within 6 m of one, unless you have to avoid an accident or a traffic officer tells you to. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.48

30. 30. May you stop on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic?

    A Yes, if your hazard lights are onB NoC Yes, for a short time
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    Answer: B. No Stopping on the right-hand side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic is not allowed. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.48

31. 31. Which statement about cellphones while driving is correct?

    A You may not hold a phone or other communication device in your hand or with any part of your bodyB You may hold it at a red traffic lightC You may hold the phone if you drive slowly
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    Answer: A. You may not hold a phone or other communication device in your hand or with any part of your body You may not drive while holding a cellphone or other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of your body. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.52

32. 32. A vehicle ahead has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. What must you do?

    A Hoot to warn the pedestriansB Pass it carefully on the rightC You may not pass the stopped vehicle
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    Answer: C. You may not pass the stopped vehicle When a vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, you may not pass it. Yield to pedestrians on the crossing, slowing down or stopping if needed. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.53

33. 33. Which of these may not be used on a freeway?

    A A motorcycle with an engine of 50 cm³ or lessB A minibusC A truck
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    Answer: A. A motorcycle with an engine of 50 cm³ or less Motorcycles of 50 cm³ or less (or electric), pedal cycles, animal-drawn vehicles, quadricycles and most tractors may not use a freeway. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.56

34. 34. On a freeway, a vehicle ahead wants to merge from an on-ramp. What should you do?

    A Speed up to close the gapB Allow it to merge in front of youC Hoot to warn it
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    Answer: B. Allow it to merge in front of you When you see a vehicle ahead wishing to merge from an on-ramp, allow it to merge in front of you. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.56

35. 35. What is the maximum length of a tow-rope or chain between two vehicles?

    A 3,5 metresB 1,5 metresC 6 metres
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    Answer: A. 3,5 metres The tow-rope, chain or tow-bar between the two vehicles may not be longer than 3,5 m. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.57

36. 36. When towing another vehicle with a rope or chain, what is the maximum speed?

    A 80 km/hB 30 km/hC 60 km/h
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    Answer: B. 30 km/h With a tow-rope or chain you may not exceed 30 km/h. A draw bar or tow-bar is needed to go faster. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.57

37. 37. May a motorcycle be used to tow another vehicle?

    A NoB Yes, a light trailerC Yes, if it is over 125 cm³
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    Answer: A. No No person may use a motorcycle to tow another vehicle. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.57

38. 38. You are involved in a crash. What must you do first?

    A Move your vehicle off the road straight awayB Drive to the nearest police stationC Stop immediately and check for injuries
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    Answer: C. Stop immediately and check for injuries Stop immediately, find out whether anyone is injured, help where you can and check the damage. If your details weren’t given to a traffic officer at the scene, report the crash at a police station within 24 hours. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.62

39. 39. Within how many hours must you report a crash to the police if you did not give your details to a traffic officer at the scene?

    A 7 daysB 12 hoursC 24 hours
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    Answer: C. 24 hours Report it at a police station within 24 hours, with your and the owner’s names and addresses and the registration number. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.62

40. 40. What is the legal limit of alcohol in the blood for an ordinary driver?

    A Less than 0,02 g per 100 mlB Less than 0,05 g per 100 mlC Less than 0,08 g per 100 ml
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    Answer: B. Less than 0,05 g per 100 ml You may not drive with 0,05 g of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or more. For professional drivers the limit is 0,02 g per 100 ml. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.65

41. 41. What is the minimum tread depth for the tyres of a light motor vehicle?

    A 3 mmB 0,5 mmC 1 mm
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    Answer: C. 1 mm Tyres must show a clearly visible tread pattern across the whole tyre, at least 1 mm deep. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.61

42. 42. A load projects more than 300 mm beyond the back of your vehicle. How must it be marked during the day?

    A It doesn’t need to be markedB With a red flagC With a yellow light
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    Answer: B. With a red flag A load projecting more than 300 mm to the rear (or 150 mm to the side) must have a red flag by day and retro-reflectors at night or in poor visibility. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.36

43. 43. May passengers ride in a caravan being towed?

    A Yes, below 60 km/hB No, it is against the lawC Yes, if they wear seatbelts
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    Answer: B. No, it is against the law It is against the law for passengers to ride in a caravan. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.34

44. 44. May the engine run while fuel is being put into the tank?

    A NoB Only for diesel vehiclesC Yes
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    Answer: A. No You may not let the engine run while petrol or other flammable fuel is being delivered into the tank. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.49

45. 45. What must you do before leaving your vehicle unattended on the road?

    A Set the brake (or otherwise stop it from moving) and switch off the engineB Switch on the hazard lights onlyC Leave the engine running
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    Answer: A. Set the brake (or otherwise stop it from moving) and switch off the engine You may not leave a vehicle unattended without setting its brake, and the engine may not run while the vehicle is stationary and unattended. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.49

46. 46. How old must you be to get a code 2 (light motor vehicle) learner’s licence?

    A 17B 18C 16
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    Answer: A. 17 Code 1 (motorcycle) is from 16, code 2 (light motor vehicle) from 17 and code 3 (heavy vehicles) from 18. Manual: Rules of the Road, 5.1

47. 47. How long is a learner’s licence valid?

    A 24 monthsB 12 monthsC 5 years
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    Answer: A. 24 months A learner’s licence is valid for 24 months from the day you pass the test. Manual: Rules of the Road, learner’s licence test information and 5.1

48. 48. May the holder of a code 1 (motorcycle) learner’s licence carry a passenger?

    A Only another licensed riderB YesC No
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    Answer: C. No A motorcycle learner’s licence does not allow you to carry a passenger. Manual: Rules of the Road, 5.1

49. 49. On a road divided into two or more roadways, which roadway must you use?

    A The right-hand roadwayB The left-hand roadwayC Whichever is less busy
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    Answer: B. The left-hand roadway On a divided road, drive only on the left-hand roadway unless a sign or traffic officer allows otherwise. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.37

50. 50. When must you signal that you are going to stop or turn?

    A In good time, so other road users can see itB Only at nightC Only when other vehicles are close
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    Answer: A. In good time, so other road users can see it Give a clear signal in good time before stopping or turning, visible to anyone in front, behind or beside you and long enough to warn them. Manual: Rules of the Road, 6.41–6.42

These are practice questions written by SchoolsInfo from the Department of Transport’s manual, not the official test questions, which are confidential and drawn at random. Study the full official manual too: the real test can ask about anything in it.