Observation - making sure you know what other road users are in your vicinity
Anticipation - thinking well in advance about what other road users may do next
Concentration - understanding the actions of other road users whilst driving
Distraction - making sure you focus on your driving and avoid distraction
Concentration - staying alert when driving & knowing what factors may affect your driving.

Safety is the main concern. Understand this, add some common sense, and many of the questions are easy to answer.

Always ask yourself, which is the safest option?

E.g. You lose your way on a busy road. What is the best action to take?

Theory Test Categories

Stop at traffic lights and ask pedestrians
Shout to other drivers to ask them the way
Turn into a side road, stop and check a map
Check a map, and keep going with the traffic flow

To answer the question ask yourself, which is the safest option? Safety and common sense should tell you it's answer 3.

Stopping somewhere safe and convenient is an answer that repeats itself throughout the test. Why? Because this is the safest option.

Common Themes

Mobile phones. Eight questions exist that concern mobile phone usage. The facts you need to know are:

Never use a hand-held mobile phone while driving
If you receive a call while driving pull up and stop in a safe, convenient location before answering it.
The reason you can't use a hand-held mobile phone while driving is because it will cause you to lose concentration.
Although you can use a hands-free mobile phone while driving it is still likely to divert your attention from the road.

Facts To Know

Blind Spot - An area not covered by your mirrors.
Overtaking - never overtake on the brow of a hill, approaching a bend, approaching a dip in the road, approaching a left-hand junction.
Large Vehicles - keep well back when following a large vehicle as this helps the driver of the vehicle see you in their mirrors.
Tired Whilst Driving - then find a suitable place to stop and get some rest. Allow fresh air into your vehicle.
Losing Concentration - loud music, using a mobile phone, tuning the car radio, looking at a map and objects hanging from your interior mirror can all cause you to lose concentration and distract your attention.
A-Frames - also known as windscreen pillars can obstruct your view of the road, especially when approaching a bend or junction. At junctions always be look twice for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Headlights - always turn your lights on at dusk, even if the street lights have yet to come on. You use lights so other road users can see you.
Over taking - never overtake while approaching a junction, a dip in the road or a brow of a hill.
Alcohol and illegal substances (drugs) will affect your ability to drive. Don't drive when under their influence.
Medicine - don't drive if you have taken a medicine that has the potential to make your feel tired and groggy. If unsure, consult your doctor.

DSA Theory Test Questions - Alertness Category

Theory test answers, knowledge and understanding.

Contains the Theory Test Questions for Car Drivers valid from September 2008 or valid until Autumn 2010. Crown copyright material has been reproduced by permission of the Driving Standards Agency which does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the reproduction.