Below are a selection of Theory Test Questions. If you have any questions please contact your local instructor who will answer them for you.

Q1. What shape and colour is a warning sign?

Ans. Diamond Shape – Yellow and Black.

Q2. What should always be kept clean on your vehicle?

Ans. Lights – Reflectors – Windows – Mirrors – Registration plate.

Q3. What does a single yellow line mean?

Ans. Parking prohibited during business hours.

Q4. What is the rule about passing animals on the road?

Ans. Slow down, give plenty of room, do not sound your horn or rev your engine.

Q5. What are the road markings for a no-entry street?

Ans. full white line followed by a broken white line.

Q6. What vehicles are prohibited from using a motorway?

Ans. Learner drivers, motorbikes under 50cc, invalid carriages or horse drawn vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Q7. What does a broken white line mean?

Ans. A broken white line means overtake if safe to do so.

Q8. Can your reverse from a minor road on to a major road?

Ans. NO. (You should reverse from a major road to a minor road, being very aware of the possible following traffic).

Q9. What does a double yellow line mean?

Ans. No parking at any time.

Q10. What is the sequence of traffic lights?

Ans. Green – steady Amber – Red – amber – green

Q11. When should you use your hazard lights?

Ans. When your car is broken down, being towed, or at the scene of an accident.

Q12. Where is the only place you will see a flashing red light?

Ans. At a level crossing. (Trains)

Q13. What is the rule on entering a roundabout?

Ans. Give way to traffic on your immediate right. Keeping the back wheels of the vehicle in front in view at all times!!

Q14. Name some places where you should not overtake?

Ans. Where you cannot see far enough ahead – too close to junctions – corners- approach to a bend – pedestrian crossings &dash (zig-zag lines see Q.29); hatch markings – over a continuous white line, on approach to hump back bridges etc.

Q15. What is a contra flow bus lane?

Ans. It is a bus lane that flows in the opposite direction to the traffic.

Q16. What shape and colour is a regulatory sign

Ans. Regulatory signs are round with red and white background with the exception of three: Stop, Yield and the end of speed limit.

Q17. What is the hard shoulder used for?

Ans. Emergencies, breakdowns, pedestrians and cyclists.

Q18. When should you dip your lights?

Ans. When meeting cars, built up areas, continuously lit up roads, following behind a vehicle, when fog or poor visibility persists, generally driving with parks lights all the time is a safe action.

Q19. What do the rules of the road say about sounding your horn?

Ans. You should not sound your horn between the hours of 11:30pm and 7:00am except in an emergency.

Q20. What does a clearway sign mean?

Ans. Parking prohibited during the times shown.

Q21. At a pelican crossing what does a flashing amber light mean?

Ans. Proceed with caution, giving way to pedestrians who may still be crossing.

Q22. To keep your Vehicle in legal condition, what should you pay attention to?

Ans. Brakes – lights – tyres – steering – indicators – wipers – speedometer – horn – silencer.

Q23. What are the minimum lighting requirements on your vehicle?

Ans. A motor vehicle (except a motor cycle) must be equipped with two headlights (white or yellow), two white side lights (front), two red rear lights, two red rear stop lights, two red rear reflectors, Number plate lighting to the rear and amber directional indicators front and rear.

Q24. What does a steady amber traffic light mean?

Ans. Stop if it is safe to do so, or as to not inconvenience other drivers by braking harshly!

Q25. How should you approach a green light that has been green from the first time you have seen it?

Ans. Approach with caution at a speed which would allow you to stop safely if necessary.

Q26. What are you legally required to have before you can drive on any public road?

Ans. You must hold a valid licence (provisional or full) and have your vehicle taxed and insured.

Q27. What does a green traffic light mean?

Ans. You may continue on if it is safe to do so.

Q28. What is the safest way to park your car at night (If parked on a road)?

Ans. Passenger side (left) to the kerb with the rear reflectors showing to the following traffic.

Q29. What do Zig – Zag lines on approach to a pedestrian crossing mean?

Ans. Overtaking is prohibited.

Q30. When may you overtake on the left?

Ans. When traffic in front is turning right, when you are turning left, when you are on a two lane road where the traffic is slow and the lane on the right is moving slower than the lane on the left.

Q31. How would you recognize a pedestrian crossing at nigh time?

Ans. Flashing Amber Beacons either side of the Zebra crossing.

Q32. At a pelican crossing what dose a flashing amber light mean?

Ans. Proceed with caution giving right of way to pedestrians crossing.

Q33. What is the minimum legal thread depth on a tyre?

Ans. 1.6 mil meters, 1mm for vintage cars

Q34. When should you not drive?

Ans. While under the influence of alcohol, drugs (prescribed or otherwise), or when tired or drowsy.

Q35. Name places you should not park?

Ans. Close to a junction (not within 15mts) –corners – double yellow lines – single yellow lines (within times zones) – opposite a continuous white line (causing other motorists to overtake) or anywhere you would obstruct other road users.

Q36. What should you do if blinded by oncoming lights at night?

Ans. SLOW DOWN!! , then look to the left, be aware of pedestrians, cyclists and obstructions on the left. If still blinded slow down more then and stop. Do not put on your own heads in retaliation!!

Q37. What signs would you expect to see when you are approaching a major road?

Ans. Warning sign – major road ahead, Regulatory sign – Stop or Yield.

Q38. How would you check your brake lights on your car if you were alone?

Ans. Reverse your car towards a window and look at the reflection.

Q39. What are the rules regarding the yellow box junction?

Ans. don’t go near it if you can’t clear it, except when turning right.

Q40. What is the maximum legal speed limit on Irish Motorways?

Ans. 120kmph or 70 mph

Read more →