Basically, this section tries to encourage you to be a careful and safe driver. Again safety is the main concern. The DSA want to instill in you an attitude that is polite, calm, considerate and above all safe.

A regular theme is your attitude to other road users.

To help you answer such a questions think what is the safest, most considerate option. E.g. Question. You wish to turn right ahead. Why should you take up the correct position in good time?

To allow other drivers to pull out in front of you
To give a better view into the road that you are joining
To help other road users know what you intend to do
To allow drivers to pass you on the right

The correct answer is 3 - the safest and most considerate option.

Common Themes

Competitive driving and showing off whilst driving is dangerous. Young, inexperienced drivers can often be involved in crashes due to showing off and driving competitively.
Fuel - diesel fuel when spilt is slippery. Always make sure your fuel cap is correctly replaced after filling up. A loose filler cap can waste fuel and money and make the road slippery for other road users.
Rural Roads - slow down and be careful when approaching animals and livestock. When passing a horse move forward slowly and give plenty of room. If you encounter a farmer herding animals you should stop if he asks you to.

Pedestrian Crossings

Never wave a pedestrian across at any crossing, as there may be another vehicle coming
Pelican Crossing - the flashing amber light means give way to pedestrians already on the crossing
Toucan Crossings - cyclists can ride across these
Puffin Crossing - a steady amber light follows the green light. There is no flashing amber light. The red light will stay on until the pedestrians using it have reached a safe position
Zebra Crossing - when approaching a zebra crossing if pedestrians are waiting to cross you must slow down and stop. If they fail to cross immediately you should continue to wait.

Vehicles with BLUE flashing beacons:

bomb disposal
blood transfusion
police patrol
mountain rescue
coastguard
ambulance
fire engine

Vehicle's with GREEN flashing beacons:

doctor's car

When being followed by a vehicle with a flashing blue light you should pull over as soon as safely possible to let it pass.

Facts To Know

Tailgating - this means following another vehicle too closely.
Two Second Rule - in good, dry conditions you should leave a two second between you and the vehicle you are following. In wet conditions the gap should be four seconds.
Car Horn - only use this to alert other road users of your presence.
Flashing Headlights - only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there.
Full beam headlights - only use when on a unlit road at night when there is no traffic ahead of you.
If it is safe to do so, give way to buses.
Don't follow long vehicles too closely as doing so will reduce your view ahead.
Diamond-shaped road signs give instructions to tram drivers only.
Tram rails pose most risk to cyclists.
In a one-way street, when wanting to turn right you should position your car in the right-hand lane.
At an unmarked crossroads, slow down and look both ways.
If a driver is following you too closely, slow down gradually and increase the distance between your car and the one in front of you.
Give way to buses whenever it is safe to do so.
If another road user cuts you up, drop back to leave the correct separation distance.
When passing horses slow down and allow plenty of room.
A loose filler cap on a diesel fuel tank may allow diesel to leak out, This will waste fuel and could make the road slippery for other road users, as diesel when spilt is slippery.

DSA Theory Test Questions - Attitude 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.