Practice test
Practice Test 2
40 questions, just like the real test. Attempt them, then check the answer key below — or take the timed, auto-scored version in Theory Test Ireland.
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Download on theApp Store1. What is the minimum safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist on a road with a speed limit above 50 km/h?
- A. 1 metre
- B. 1.2 metres
- C. 1.5 metres
- D. 2 metres
2. Why are elderly pedestrians considered a higher-risk group near roads?
- A. They are more likely to jaywalk
- B. They may move slower, have reduced hearing or vision, and misjudge vehicle speeds
- C. They always use zebra crossings
- D. They prefer to walk on the road surface
3. When following a motorcyclist, why should you leave a greater following distance than you would for a car?
- A. Motorcyclists always travel faster than cars
- B. Motorcyclists can brake very quickly and a rear impact would be catastrophic for them
- C. Motorcycles have wider turning circles
- D. Headlights on motorcycles are dimmer
4. When should you use your front and rear fog lights?
- A. Only when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 100 metres)
- B. At all times when driving in fog, however light
- C. Whenever it is raining
- D. At all times during the hours of darkness
5. How do stopping distances change on a wet road compared to a dry road?
- A. They stay the same if you have good tyres
- B. They roughly double
- C. They reduce slightly due to tyre cooling
- D. They increase by about 25%
6. If you feel your vehicle start to aquaplane, what is the correct action?
- A. Brake hard to regain traction
- B. Steer sharply to find a dry patch
- C. Ease off the accelerator gently and hold the steering straight until grip returns
- D. Change to a lower gear immediately
7. On a road with a thin layer of ice, by approximately how much does your braking distance increase compared to a dry road?
- A. Two times
- B. Five times
- C. Up to ten times
- D. It stays the same with ABS
8. At night, when should you switch from full beam headlights to dipped headlights?
- A. Only when driving through a town
- B. When an oncoming vehicle appears or when following closely behind another vehicle
- C. Only when the speed limit drops below 60 km/h
- D. Full beam should be used at all times on unlit roads
9. What is the main advantage of dipped headlights over sidelights at night?
- A. They reduce fuel consumption
- B. They illuminate the road much further ahead, allowing earlier hazard detection
- C. They keep the battery charged at idle
- D. They are legally required only in fog
10. On a dry road at 100 km/h, which factors increase overall stopping distance?
- A. High tyre pressure only
- B. Driver fatigue, worn tyres, and higher speed
- C. Using cruise control
- D. Air conditioning being on
11. Which of the following is the BEST remedy when you feel drowsy while driving?
- A. Open the window for fresh air and continue driving
- B. Turn up the radio volume
- C. Stop safely, have a caffeinated drink, and take a short nap of around 15–20 minutes
- D. Increase your speed to shorten journey time
12. At a zebra crossing, a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing. What must the driver do?
- A. Sound the horn and proceed carefully
- B. Give way immediately to the pedestrian
- C. Continue if the pedestrian is on the far side
- D. Flash headlights to indicate you are stopping
13. At a pelican crossing, the amber light is flashing. What should a driver do?
- A. Proceed at normal speed
- B. Give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear
- C. Stop and wait for the green light
- D. Sound the horn to warn pedestrians to hurry
14. On a narrow country road, you approach a sharp bend. What is the primary hazard to anticipate?
- A. Ice on the road
- B. An oncoming vehicle or slow-moving agricultural vehicle on your side of the road
- C. Overtaking by the vehicle behind you
- D. Speed cameras around the bend
15. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a fully licensed car driver in Ireland?
- A. 80mg per 100ml of blood
- B. 50mg per 100ml of blood
- C. 20mg per 100ml of blood
- D. 35mg per 100ml of blood
16. What is the safest advice regarding alcohol and driving?
- A. You may drink up to the legal limit and drive safely
- B. Never drink any alcohol before driving
- C. One standard drink is always safe before driving
- D. Eating a large meal makes any amount of alcohol safe
17. Which of the following drivers is subject to a BAC limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood?
- A. A driver who has held a full licence for 5 years
- B. A professional bus driver
- C. A driver aged over 65
- D. A driver who passed their test 3 years ago
18. What effect does drinking coffee or eating food have on your blood alcohol concentration?
- A. It quickly reduces your BAC to a safe driving level
- B. It has no effect on how fast alcohol leaves your body; only time reduces BAC
- C. It halves your BAC within thirty minutes
- D. It speeds up elimination only if you also drink water
19. You have been prescribed medication by your doctor. What should you do before driving?
- A. Drive normally — prescribed medicines cannot impair driving
- B. Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether the medicine affects your ability to drive
- C. Only avoid driving if the medicine makes you feel drowsy after the first dose
- D. Reduce your speed by 20km/h as a precaution
20. Is it legal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving in Ireland?
- A. Yes, if calls are brief
- B. Yes, if the vehicle is stationary in traffic
- C. No, it is illegal and carries penalty points
- D. Yes, but only on motorways
21. What is the primary reason hand-held mobile phone use while driving is so dangerous?
- A. It can damage the phone
- B. It significantly diverts attention, slowing reaction time
- C. It drains the car battery
- D. It only affects new drivers
22. Where is wearing a seat belt mandatory in a car in Ireland?
- A. Only in the front seats
- B. Only in the rear seats
- C. In all seats, both front and rear, where one is fitted
- D. Only at speeds above 50 km/h
23. Children under what height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a car?
- A. 130cm
- B. 140cm
- C. 150cm
- D. 160cm
24. Under what condition may a rear-facing infant seat be used on the front passenger seat?
- A. At any time, as the front seat is always safe
- B. Only if the front passenger airbag has been deactivated
- C. Only if the child is older than two years
- D. Only on journeys shorter than five kilometres
25. How does driver fatigue affect road safety?
- A. It has no measurable effect at normal speeds
- B. It impairs reaction time and judgement, similar to alcohol
- C. It only affects elderly drivers
- D. It only affects drivers who work night shifts
26. Is opening a car window a reliable way to prevent falling asleep at the wheel?
- A. Yes, fresh air keeps a tired driver fully alert
- B. No, it gives only temporary relief; the only reliable remedy is to stop and rest
- C. Yes, provided the radio is also turned up loud
- D. Yes, as long as the journey is on a motorway
27. At how many penalty points does a fully licensed driver face disqualification in Ireland?
- A. 6 points
- B. 7 points
- C. 10 points
- D. 12 points
28. Where are penalty points recorded?
- A. On the vehicle's registration document
- B. On your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period
- C. With your motor insurer only
- D. On a temporary notice that is cleared after one month
29. Which of the following offences can result in penalty points being added to a driver's licence?
- A. Speeding
- B. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
- C. Failing to wear a seat belt
- D. All of the above
30. Can a Garda stop your vehicle at any time to check documents?
- A. Only if the Garda witnessed you committing an offence
- B. Yes, Gardaí have the power to stop any vehicle
- C. Only at official checkpoints
- D. Only between midnight and 6am
31. What is the consequence of refusing to provide a breath sample when lawfully required by a Garda?
- A. There is no penalty if you have not been drinking
- B. It is a criminal offence that may result in disqualification
- C. You simply receive a warning and may drive on
- D. You are fined only if you later test positive
32. What is the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres in Ireland?
- A. 1.0 mm
- B. 1.6 mm
- C. 2.0 mm
- D. 3.0 mm
33. When should you check your tyre pressures?
- A. Only when a warning light comes on
- B. When the tyres are hot after a long drive
- C. When the tyres are cold, before a long journey
- D. Once a year during the NCT
34. Over-inflated tyres mainly cause:
- A. Excessive wear on the outer tread edges
- B. Excessive wear in the centre of the tread and a harsher ride
- C. Better fuel economy with no drawbacks
- D. Improved cornering and shorter braking distances
35. What effect does correct tyre inflation have on fuel economy?
- A. It reduces fuel economy by increasing grip
- B. It improves fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance
- C. It has no effect on fuel economy
- D. It only matters for diesel vehicles
36. When must you use dipped headlights during daytime?
- A. Only on motorways
- B. Whenever visibility is seriously reduced due to poor weather
- C. Only between midnight and 6 am
- D. Only when driving through tunnels longer than 500 m
37. When may front fog lights be used?
- A. At any time while the vehicle is moving
- B. Only in fog or falling snow where visibility is seriously reduced
- C. At all times after dark on unlit roads
- D. Only on motorways
38. How can you check that your brake lights are working when you are alone?
- A. Drive at speed and apply the brakes firmly
- B. Reverse close to a reflective surface such as a wall or another vehicle and press the brake pedal
- C. Check the dashboard — a warning light will appear if they fail
- D. Brake lights cannot be checked without a second person
39. Which of the following is a sign that your brakes may need attention?
- A. The brake pedal feels firm and the vehicle stops in a straight line
- B. The vehicle pulls to one side when braking
- C. Braking distance decreases on wet roads
- D. The handbrake holds the vehicle on a slight hill
40. What should you do if your ABS warning light stays on while driving?
- A. Continue driving — ABS lights illuminate in cold weather
- B. Have the ABS system checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible
- C. Apply the brakes firmly to reset the system
- D. Disconnect the battery to clear the fault code
Answer key
- 1. 1.5 metres — Where the speed limit exceeds 50 km/h, drivers must give at least 1.5 metres of clearance to cyclists. Higher speeds mean greater impact force if something goes wrong.
- 2. They may move slower, have reduced hearing or vision, and misjudge vehicle speeds — Age-related reductions in mobility, hearing and vision mean elderly pedestrians may step out or cross slowly, making it harder for them to judge gaps in traffic.
- 3. Motorcyclists can brake very quickly and a rear impact would be catastrophic for them — Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable; rear-end collisions at low speed can cause fatal injuries. A larger gap gives you more time to react if they brake suddenly.
- 4. Only when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 100 metres) — Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally below 100 metres. Using them in clear conditions dazzles other drivers and is illegal. You must switch them off when visibility improves.
- 5. They roughly double — Water reduces tyre grip significantly. Overall stopping distances (thinking distance plus braking distance) approximately double on a wet road compared to a dry one.
- 6. Ease off the accelerator gently and hold the steering straight until grip returns — Sudden braking or steering inputs can make the skid worse. Easing off the accelerator gradually reduces speed so the tyres can regain contact with the road surface.
- 7. Up to ten times — Ice dramatically reduces tyre friction. Braking distances can be up to ten times longer on ice than on a dry road, so a large speed reduction and large following gap are essential.
- 8. When an oncoming vehicle appears or when following closely behind another vehicle — Full beam dazzles oncoming drivers and the driver ahead in your mirrors. Dip headlights whenever an oncoming vehicle is visible or when you are following another vehicle.
- 9. They illuminate the road much further ahead, allowing earlier hazard detection — Sidelights (parking lights) have very limited range and are not intended for driving. Dipped headlights illuminate the road adequately so the driver can identify hazards in time to react.
- 10. Driver fatigue, worn tyres, and higher speed — Fatigue lengthens reaction time; worn tyres reduce braking grip; higher speed increases both reaction distance and braking distance. All three raise overall stopping distance.
- 11. Stop safely, have a caffeinated drink, and take a short nap of around 15–20 minutes — Fresh air and loud music only delay the onset of sleep temporarily. Caffeine combined with a short nap is the most effective way to restore alertness before continuing.
- 12. Give way immediately to the pedestrian — Once a pedestrian has stepped onto a zebra crossing, the driver must stop and give way. Pedestrians have priority as soon as they are on the crossing.
- 13. Give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear — A flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians already on the crossing. Once the crossing is clear, drivers may proceed.
- 14. An oncoming vehicle or slow-moving agricultural vehicle on your side of the road — Narrow country roads often have blind bends where oncoming traffic or large slow-moving farm vehicles may appear suddenly or occupy more than their lane width.
- 15. 50mg per 100ml of blood — The legal BAC limit for a fully licensed driver in Ireland is 50mg per 100ml of blood. Exceeding this limit is a criminal offence.
- 16. Never drink any alcohol before driving — Even small amounts of alcohol impair judgement, reaction time and coordination. The safest approach is never to drink any alcohol before driving.
- 17. A professional bus driver — Professional drivers (including bus and truck drivers) are subject to the lower 20mg/100ml limit, alongside learner and novice drivers.
- 18. It has no effect on how fast alcohol leaves your body; only time reduces BAC — Only time reduces blood alcohol concentration. Coffee, food, water or exercise do not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.
- 19. Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether the medicine affects your ability to drive — Some prescription medicines can impair concentration, reaction time or vision. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before driving while on medication.
- 20. No, it is illegal and carries penalty points — Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal in Ireland and carries penalty points on your licence.
- 21. It significantly diverts attention, slowing reaction time — Handling a phone diverts both mental and physical attention from driving, dramatically increasing stopping distances and reaction times.
- 22. In all seats, both front and rear, where one is fitted — Irish law requires every occupant of a car to wear a seat belt where one is fitted, in both front and rear seats.
- 23. 150cm — Children under 150cm in height (or under 36kg in weight) must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a car.
- 24. Only if the front passenger airbag has been deactivated — A rear-facing child seat may be used on the front passenger seat only if the airbag has been deactivated. An active airbag could cause fatal injury to the child in a collision.
- 25. It impairs reaction time and judgement, similar to alcohol — Fatigue significantly impairs reaction time, concentration and decision-making to a level comparable to alcohol impairment, making it extremely dangerous.
- 26. No, it gives only temporary relief; the only reliable remedy is to stop and rest — Opening a window gives only temporary relief. The only reliable solution to driver fatigue is stopping and resting properly.
- 27. 12 points — A fully licensed driver who accumulates 12 penalty points within a 3-year period is automatically disqualified from driving.
- 28. On your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period — Penalty points are applied to and remain on your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period.
- 29. All of the above — Speeding, mobile phone use while driving, and failure to wear a seat belt are all offences that carry penalty points in Ireland.
- 30. Yes, Gardaí have the power to stop any vehicle — Gardaí have the legal power to stop any vehicle at any time and request the driver to produce relevant documents.
- 31. It is a criminal offence that may result in disqualification — Refusing to provide a breath, blood or urine sample when lawfully required is a criminal offence and may result in disqualification.
- 32. 1.6 mm — The law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre's width and around the entire circumference.
- 33. When the tyres are cold, before a long journey — Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold because driving heats the air inside, giving a falsely high reading.
- 34. Excessive wear in the centre of the tread and a harsher ride — Over-inflation makes the centre of the tread bulge and carry most of the load, wearing it unevenly and reducing the tyre's ability to absorb road shocks.
- 35. It improves fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance — Properly inflated tyres reduce rolling resistance, which means the engine has to work less and consumes less fuel.
- 36. Whenever visibility is seriously reduced due to poor weather — Dipped headlights must be used any time visibility is poor, such as in heavy rain, fog, or snow, even during daylight hours.
- 37. Only in fog or falling snow where visibility is seriously reduced — Front fog lights must only be used in fog or falling snow where visibility is seriously reduced. Using them in clear conditions can dazzle other road users.
- 38. Reverse close to a reflective surface such as a wall or another vehicle and press the brake pedal — By reversing close to a wall or garage door you can see the reflection of the brake lights in your mirrors when you press the pedal.
- 39. The vehicle pulls to one side when braking — Pulling to one side during braking usually indicates uneven brake wear or a fault such as a seized calliper, which requires immediate inspection.
- 40. Have the ABS system checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible — A permanently illuminated ABS light means the system has detected a fault and may not function correctly; the vehicle should be inspected promptly.