Theory Test Safety and Your Vehicle - Questions and Answers

Excessive or uneven tyre wear can be caused by faults in
which THREE of the following?

A. The gearbox
B. The braking system
C. The Accelerator
D. The exhaust system
E. Wheel alignment
F. The suspension

Answer -

The braking system

Wheel alignment

The suspension

Regular servicing will help to detect faults at an early stage and this will avoid the risk of minor faults becoming serious or even dangerous.

Why is it a good idea to plan your journey to avoid busy
times?

A. You will have an easier journey
B. You will have a more stressful journey
C. Your journey time will be longer
D. It will cause more traffic congestion

Answer - You will have an easier journey

No one likes to spend time in traffic queues. Try to avoid busy times related to school or work travel. As well as moving vehicles you should also consider congestion caused by parked cars, buses and coaches around schools.

As well as planning your route before starting a journey, you
should also plan an alternative route. Why us this?

A. To let another driver overtake
B. Your first route may be blocked
C. To avoid a railway level crossing
D. In case you have to avoid emergency vehicles

Answer - Your first route may be blocked

It’s a good idea to plan an alternative route in case your original route is blocked for any reason. You’re less likely to feel worried and stressed if you’ve got an alternative in mind. This will enable you to concentrate fully on your driving or riding. Always carry a map that covers the area you will travel in.

Which of these, if allowed to get low, could cause you to
crash?

A. Anti-freeze level
B. Brake fluid level
C. Battery water level
D. Radiator coolant level

Answer - Brake fluid level

You should carry out frequent checks on all fluid levels but particularly brake fluid. As the brake pads or shoes wear down the brake fluid level will drop. If it drops below the minimum mark on the fluid reservoir, air could enter the hydraulic system and lead to a loss of braking efficiency or complete brake failure.

What can cause heavy steering?

A. Driving on ice
B. Badly worn brakes
C. Over-inflated tyres
D. Under-inflated tyres

Answer - Under-inflated tyres

If your tyre pressures are low this will increase the drag on the road surface and make the steering feel heavy. Your vehicle will also use more fuel. Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the braking, cornering and handling of your vehicle to a dangerous level.

Which of the following should not be kept in your vehicle?

A. A first aid kit
B. A road atlas
C. The tax disc
D. The vehicle documents

Answer - The vehicle documents

Never leave the vehicle’s documents inside it. They would help a thief dispose of the vehicle more easily.

Which of these is most likely to deter the theft of your
vehicle?

A. An immobiliser
B. Tinted windows
C. Locking wheel nuts
D. A sun screen

Answer - An immobiliser

An immobiliser makes it more difficult for your vehicle to be driven off by a thief. It is a particular deterrent to opportunist thieves.

The purpose of a catalytic converter is to reduce

A. fuel consumption
B. the risk of fire
C. toxic exhaust gases
D. engine wear

Answer - toxic exhaust gases

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce a large percentage of toxic emissions. They work more efficiently when the engine has reached its normal working temperature.

It is essential that tyre pressures are checked regularly.
When should this be done?

A. After any lengthy journey
B. After travelling at high speed
C. When tyres are hot
D. When tyres are cold

Answer - When tyres are cold

When you check the tyre pressures do so when the tyres are cold. This will give you a more accurate reading. The heat generated from a long journey will raise the pressure inside the tyre.

You are parked on a road at night. Where must you use
parking lights?

A. Where there are continuous white lines in the middle of
the road
B. Where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph
C. Where you are facing oncoming traffic
D. Where you are near a bus stop

Answer - Where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph

When parking at night, park in the direction of the traffic. This will enable other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle. Use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30 mph.

It can help to plan your route before starting a journey. You
can do this by contacting

A. your local filling station
B. a motoring organisation
C. the DVLA
D. your vehicle manufacturer

Answer - a motoring organisation

Most motoring organisations will give you a detailed plan of your trip showing directions and distance. Some will also include advice on rest and fuel stops. The Highways Agency website will also give you information on roadworks and incidents and gives expected delay times.

By avoiding busy times when travelling

A. you are more likely to be held up
B. your journey time will be longer
C. you will travel a much shorter distance
D. you are less likely to be delayed

Answer - you are less likely to be delayed

If possible, avoid the early morning and, late afternoon and early evening ‘rush hour’. Doing this should allow you to travel in a more relaxed frame of mind, concentrate solely on what you’re doing and arrive at your destination feeling less stressed.

Rapid acceleration and heavy braking can lead to

A. reduced pollution
B. increased fuel consumption
C. reduced exhaust emissions
D. increased road safety

Answer - increased fuel consumption

Using the controls smoothly can reduce fuel consumption by about 15% as well as reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. Plan ahead and anticipate changes of speed well in advance. This will reduce the need to accelerate rapidly or brake sharply.

Driving with under-inflated tyres can affect

A. engine temperature
B. fuel consumption
C. braking
D. oil pressure

Answer -

fuel consumption

braking

Keeping your vehicle’s tyres correctly inflated is a legal requirement. Driving with correctly inflated tyres will use less fuel and your vehicle will brake more safely.

The main cause of brake fade is

A. the brakes over heating
B. air in the brakes
C. oil on the brakes
D. the brakes out of adjustment

Answer - the brakes over heating

If your vehicle is fitted with drum brakes they can get hot and lose efficiency. This happens when they’re used continually, such as on a long, steep, downhill stretch of road. Using a lower gear will assist the braking and help prevent the vehicle gaining momentum.

A roof rack fitted to your car will

A. reduce fuel consumption
B. improve the road handing
C. make your car go faster
D. increase fuel consumption

Answer - increase fuel consumption

If you are carrying anything on a roof rack, make sure that any cover is securely fitted and does not flap about while driving. Aerodynamically designed roof boxes are available which reduce wind resistance and, in turn, fuel consumption.

What will reduce the risk of neck injury resulting from a
collision?

A. An air-sprung seat
B. Anti-lock brakes
C. A collapsible steering wheel
D. A properly adjusted head restraint

Answer - A properly adjusted head restraint

If you’re involved in a collision, head restraints will reduce the risk of neck injury. They must be properly adjusted. Make sure they aren’t positioned too low, in a crash this could cause damage to the neck.

How can you, as a driver, help the environment?

A. By reducing your speed
B. By gentle acceleration
C. By using leaded fuel
D. By driving faster
E. By harsh acceleration
F. By servicing your vehicle properly

Answer -

By reducing your speed

By gentle acceleration

By servicing your vehicle properly

Rapid acceleration and heavy braking lead to greater fuel consumption. They also increase wear and tear on your vehicle. Having your vehicle regularly serviced means your engine will maintain its efficiency, produce cleaner emissions and lengthen its life.

It is illegal to drive with tyres that

A. have been bought second-hand
B. have a large deep cut in the side wall
C. are of different makes
D. are of different tread patterns

Answer - have a large deep cut in the side wall

When checking your tyres for cuts and bulges in the side walls, don’t forget the inner walls (ie. those facing each other under the vehicle).

You are carrying two 13 year old children and their parents
in your car. Who is responsible for seeing that the
children wear seat belts?

A. The children's parents
B. You, the driver
C. The front-seat passenger
D. The children

Answer - You, the driver

Seat belts save lives and reduce the risk of injury. If you are carrying passengers under 14 years of age it’s your responsibility as the driver to ensure that their seat belts are fastened or they are seated in an approved child restraint.

Driving at 70 mph uses more fuel than driving at 50 mph by
up to

A. 10%
B. 30%
C. 75%
D. 100%

Answer - 30%

Your vehicle will use less fuel if you avoid heavy acceleration. The higher the engine revs, the more fuel you will use. Using the same gear, a vehicle travelling at 70mph will use up to 30% more fuel to cover the same distance, than at 50mph. However, don’t travel so slowly that you inconvenience or endanger other road users.

Your vehicle pulls to one side when braking. You should

A. change the tyres around
B. consult your garage as soon as possible
C. pump the pedal when braking
D. use your handbrake at the same time

Answer - consult your garage as soon as possible

The brakes on your vehicle must be effective and properly adjusted. If your vehicle pulls to one side when braking, take it to be checked by a qualified mechanic. Don’t take risks.

To help protect the environment you should NOT

A. remove your roof rack when unloading
B. use your car for very short journeys
C. walk, cycle, or use public transport
D. empty the boot of unnecessary weight

Answer - use your car for very short journeys

Try not to use your car as a matter of routine. For shorter journeys, consider walking or cycling instead – this is much better for both you and the environment.

Which THREE does the law require you to keep in good
condition?

A. Gears
B. Transmission
C. Headlights
D. Windscreen
E. Seat Belts

Answer -

Headlights

Windscreen

Seat Belts

Other things to check include lights, get someone to help you check the brake lights and indicators. Battery, a lot of these are now maintenance-free. Steering, check for play in the steering. Oil, water and suspension also need checking. Always check that the speedometer is working once you’ve moved off.

What should you do when leaving your vehicle?

A. Put valuable documents under seats
B. Remove all valuables
C. Cover valuables with a blanket
D. Leave the interior light on

Answer - Remove all valuables

When leaving your vehicle unattended it is best to take valuables with you. If you can't, then lock them out of sight in the boot. If you can see valuables in your car, so can a thief.