Safety and your vehicle questions Car theory test
This topic has 82 practice questions. Here are 10 of them with the right answer and why.
How would under-inflated tyres affect your vehicle?
- The vehicle's stopping distance would increaseRight answer
- The flash rate of the vehicle's indicators would increase
- The vehicle's gear change mechanism would become stiff
- The vehicle's headlights would aim high
Your tyres are your only contact with the road. To prevent problems with braking and steering, keep your tyres free from defects; they must have sufficient tread depth and be correctly inflated. Correct tyre pressures help reduce the risk of skidding and provide a safer and more comfortable drive or ride.
When are you not allowed to sound your vehicle's horn?
- Between 10.00 pm and 6.00 am in a built-up area
- At any time in a built-up area
- Between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am in a built-up areaRight answer
- Between 11.30 pm and 6.00 am on any road
Every effort must be made to prevent excessive noise, especially in built-up areas at night. Do not rev your engine or sound the horn unnecessarily. It's illegal to sound your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another road user poses a danger.
What makes the vehicle in the picture \'environmentally friendly\'?
- It's powered by gravity
- It's powered by diesel
- It's powered by electricityRight answer
- It's powered by unleaded petrol
Trams are powered by electricity and therefore do not emit exhaust fumes. They ease traffic congestion by offering drivers an alternative to using their car, particularly in busy cities and towns.
Why have 'red routes' been introduced in major cities?
- To raise the speed limits
- To help the traffic flowRight answer
- To provide better parking
- To allow lorries to load more freely
Inconsiderate parking can obstruct the flow of traffic and so make traffic congestion worse. Red routes are designed to prevent this by enforcing strict parking restrictions. Driving slowly in traffic increases fuel consumption and causes a build-up of exhaust fumes.
What's the purpose of road humps, chicanes and narrowings?
- To separate lanes of traffic
- To increase traffic speed
- To allow pedestrians to cross
- To reduce traffic speedRight answer
Traffic-calming measures help to keep vehicle speeds low in congested areas where there are pedestrians and children. A pedestrian is much more likely to survive a collision with a vehicle travelling at 20 mph than they are with a vehicle travelling at 40 mph.
What's the purpose of a catalytic converter?
- To reduce fuel consumption
- To reduce the risk of fire
- To reduce harmful exhaust gasesRight answer
- To reduce engine wear
Catalytic converters reduce a large percentage of harmful exhaust emissions. They work more efficiently when the engine has reached its normal working temperature.
When should tyre pressures be checked?
- After any lengthy journey
- After travelling at high speed
- When tyres are hot
- When tyres are coldRight answer
Check the tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. This will give you a more accurate reading. The heat generated on a long journey will raise the pressure inside the tyre.
When will your vehicle use more fuel?
- When its tyres are under-inflatedRight answer
- When its tyres are of different makes
- When its tyres are over-inflated
- When its tyres are new
Check your tyre pressures frequently - normally once a week. If they're lower than those recommended by the manufacturer, there will be more 'rolling resistance'. The engine will have to work harder to overcome this, leading to increased fuel consumption.
How should you dispose of a used vehicle battery?
- Bury it in your garden
- Put it in the dustbin
- Take it to a local-authority disposal siteRight answer
- Leave it on waste land
Batteries contain acid, which is hazardous, and they must be disposed of safely. This means taking them to an appropriate disposal site.
What's most likely to increase fuel consumption?
- Poor steering control
- Accelerating around bends
- Staying in high gears
- Harsh braking and acceleratingRight answer
Accelerating and braking gently and smoothly will help to save fuel and reduce wear on your vehicle. This makes it better for the environment too.