Incidents, accidents and emergencies questions Car theory test

This topic has 48 practice questions. Here are 10 of them with the right answer and why.

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  1. When are you allowed to use hazard warning lights?

    • When stopped and temporarily obstructing trafficRight answer
    • When travelling during darkness without headlights
    • When parked on double yellow lines to visit a shop
    • When travelling slowly because you're lost

    You must not use hazard warning lights while moving, except to warn traffic behind when you slow suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway. Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking.

  2. What should you do if you have to stop while you're going through a congested tunnel?

    • Pull up very close to the vehicle in front to save space
    • Ignore any message signs, as they're never up to date
    • Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in frontRight answer
    • Make a U-turn and find another route

    It’s important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front at all times. This still applies in congested tunnels, even if you're moving very slowly or have stopped. If the vehicle in front breaks down, you may need room to manoeuvre past it.

  3. You arrive at the scene of a crash where someone is bleeding heavily from a wound in their arm. Nothing is embedded in the wound. What could you do to help?

    • Walk them around and keep them talking
    • Dab the wound
    • Get them a drink
    • Apply pressure over the woundRight answer

    If possible, lay the casualty down. Protect yourself from exposure to blood and, when you're sure there's nothing in the wound, apply firm pressure using clean material.

  4. You're at an incident. What could you do to help an unconscious casualty?

    • Take photographs of the scene
    • Check that they're breathing normallyRight answer
    • Move them to somewhere more comfortable
    • Splash their face with cool water

    If a casualty is unconscious, you need to check that they're breathing normally. Look for chest movements, look and listen for breathing, and feel for breath on your cheek.

  5. A casualty is not breathing normally and needs CPR. At what rate should you press down and release on the centre of their chest?

    • 10 times per minute
    • 120 times per minuteRight answer
    • 60 times per minute
    • 240 times per minute

    If a casualty is not breathing normally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be needed to maintain circulation. Place two hands on the centre of the chest and press down hard and fast – around 5–6 centimetres and about twice a second.

  6. Following a collision, a person has been injured. What would be a warning sign for shock?

    • Flushed complexion
    • Warm dry skin
    • Slow pulse
    • Rapid shallow breathingRight answer

    The effects of shock may not be immediately obvious. Warning signs to look for include • a rapid pulse • sweating • pale grey skin • rapid shallow breathing.

  7. An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They're unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?

    • Press firmly between their shoulders
    • Place their arms by their side
    • Give them a hot sweet drink
    • Check their airway remains openRight answer

    After a casualty has been placed in the recovery position, make sure their airway remains open and monitor their condition until medical help arrives. Where possible, do not move a casualty unless there’s further danger.

  8. An injured motorcyclist is lying unconscious in the road. The traffic has stopped and there's no further danger. What could you do to help?

    • Remove their safety helmet
    • Seek medical assistanceRight answer
    • Move the person off the road
    • Remove their leather jacket

    If someone has been injured, the sooner proper medical attention is given the better. Ask someone to phone for help or do it yourself. An injured person should only be moved if they’re in further danger. An injured motorcyclist’s helmet should not be removed unless it's essential.

  9. What should you do if you see a large box fall from a lorry onto the motorway?

    • Go to the next emergency telephone and report the hazardRight answer
    • Catch up with the lorry and try to get the driver's attention
    • Stop close to the box until the police arrive
    • Pull over to the hard shoulder, then remove the box

    Lorry drivers can be unaware of objects falling from their vehicles. If you see something fall onto a motorway, look to see if the driver pulls over. If they do not stop, do not attempt to retrieve the object yourself. Pull onto the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report the hazard.

  10. You're going through a long tunnel. What will warn you of congestion or an incident ahead?

    • Hazard warning lines
    • Other drivers flashing their lights
    • Variable message signsRight answer
    • Areas with hatch markings

    Follow the instructions given by the signs or by tunnel staff. In congested tunnels, a minor incident can soon turn into a major one, with serious or even fatal results.

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