Sample Questions
Q. When should you use dipped headlights?
A. Dawn and dusk. At night - When meeting or following other traffic. In a well-lit area. In fog,
falling snow or heavy rain.
Q. What should you do if you are dazzled by another vehicles headlights?
A. If it's an oncoming vehicle I would avert my gaze to the verge and slow down or stop if
necessary. If it was behind me I would use the night driving mode on my mirror.
Q. If a traffic light shows...
Red:
Stop.
Green:
Go if it is safe.
Solid Amber:
Stop if it is safe to do so.
Flashing Amber:
Normally at pedestrian crossing, it means you must yield to pedestrians but if
it's clear you can proceed with caution.
Q. Explain the rule of the yellow box junction.
A.Do not enter the box unless your exit ahead is clear. However you may enter the box and wait if
you are turning right, as long as you are not blocking traffic with right of way.
Q.What do double yellow lines mean?
A. No parking at any time.
Q. What does a single yellow line mean?
A. No parking during business hours.
Q. What do continuous white lines on the road mean?
A. Keep left and do not cross the line except in an emergency or for access.
Q. What does a broken yellow line along the edge of the road mean?
A. It marks the edge of the road and shows where the hard shoulder begins.
Q. When can you overtake on the left?
A. When the vehicle in front is turning right and you are going either straight on or turning left. And
also in traffic when the traffic is flowing more slowly in the right lane than in the left lane.
Q. What road users are not allowed to use the motorway?
A.
 Learners.
 Invalid carriages.
 Pedestrians.
 Pedal cycles.
 Animals.
 Vehicles under 50cc.
 Vehicles under 50km/h.
 Think LIPPA50/50 if that helps you remember.
Q. At a roundabout, what traffic should you give right of way to?
A. Traffic already on the roundabout and traffic coming from the right.
Q. At a junction with roads of equal importance which traffic would you give right of way to?
A. Traffic coming from the right and traffic already crossing the junction.
Q. What does a broken white line in the centre of the road mean?
A. You may cross it if it is safe to do so.
Q. If there are double white lines in the centre of the road, one of which is broken and one of which
is continuous which do you obey?
A. The one nearest you.
Q. When may you use the right hand lane of a dual carriageway?
A. When you are overtaking and when you are turning right at a junction a short distance ahead.
Q. Can you drive in the hard shoulder?
A. The hard shoulder is normally just for pedestrians and cyclists but if its clear and you wish to let
traffic behind you pass you can use it temporarily.
Q. What is the difference between a motorway and a normal road?
A.
 120km/h.
 No stopping.
 No U turns.
 On and off by slip roads, not junctions.
 Some road users are not allowed to use motorways.
Q. At traffic lights what does a flashing amber arrow mean?
A. You may proceed with caution in the direction of the arrow, yielding to traffic with right of way.
Speed Limits
Built up areas
50km/h
Regional and local 80km/h
National roads
100km/h
Motorway
120km/h
Q. Can you explain the two-second rule?
A. In dry conditions you allow a two second gap between your car and the vehicle in front by
picking a fixed landmark like a lamp post. When the vehicle in front passes it you should be able to
count out loud to 2 before your car passes that landmark. It’s the 4 second rule in wet conditions.
“Only a fool breaks the two-second rule.”
Q. What do Zigzag markings either side of a Zebra Crossing mean?
A. Do not park in that area and do not overtake as you approach the crossing.
Q. If you were going on a long journey what checks would you perform?
A. Tyre pressure, Oil, Coolant, Screen wash, Fuel.
Q. When would you use the horn?
A. To warn others of danger or to make them aware of your presence for safety reasons. Do not use
your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 at night and 7.00 in the morning unless there is an
emergency.
Q. How would you recognise a zebra crossing at night time?
A. There are flashing amber beacons.
Q. Who is responsible for ensuring the people in the car are wearing seatbelts?
A. The driver is responsible for making sure anybody under 17 is wearing a seatbelt.
Q. List 3 people who can command you to stop your vehicle.
A. Gardai and other emergency personnel, a person in charge of animals, flagman, school warden,
customs checkpoint.
Other important topics
 The Signs ROTR pg. 178 onwards (depending on edition of book).
 The do's and don'ts of Parking ROTR pg. 113
Cockpit Drill
Door:
Closed properly
Seatbelt:
On
Seat:
Base
Back
Headrest
Handbrake:
On
Gearstick:
Neutral
Mirrors:
All 3 adjusted.
Turn the key and check the dash for warning lights.
Technical Checks
Before you set off on the driving part of your test the tester will check that the lights on the car are
working.
Then the tester will ask you to explain 3 technical checks. These 3 will be from the following list:
1. The tyres.
2. The lights.
3. The reflectors.
4. The indicators.
5. The engine oil.
6. The coolant.
7. The windscreen washer.
8. The steering.
9. The brakes.
10. The horn.
Tyres You check the tyre pressure and look for cracks and bulges. The minimum tread depth
allowed is 1.6mm.
Lights You check your lights by turning them on and getting out to ensure they are all working. For
the brake lights and reverse lights you would point the back of the car at a nearby reflective surface
such as a big window or garage door. Or get friend to check they are on.
Reflectors You would check for cracks and dirt which might impair their effectiveness.
Indicators You can tell an indicator bulb needs replacing by getting out and inspecting them or
more likely – the indicator clicking sound will be extra fast.
Engine Oil You would check the oil level using the dip stick and then top up the oil if required. To
read the dipstick you must take it out, clean it, put it back in fully, and then take it out again for an
accurate oil level reading.
Coolant The coolant level can be seen on the side of the tank. You must ensure it is between the
min. and max. markings.
Windscreen Washer You would top up your screen wash regularly.
Steering You would check your steering was working while parked with the engine on. You would
turn it from full lock to full lock looking for excessive play, strange noise, strange feeling.
Brakes You would brake in a safe place to ensure they are working. If they are ineffective, noisy or
the car pulls to one side you know there is a problem.
You would check the handbrake by attempting to drive forward gently with the handbrake applied
and assess whether it stops the car or not.
Horn You would check its working by beeping, but not in a built-up area between 11.30 at night
and 7.00 in the morning.