Practice test
Practice Test 6
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 does a single yellow line painted along the kerb indicate?
- A. Parking restrictions apply during certain hours — check the signs
- B. You may park for up to one hour
- C. No stopping at any time
- D. No parking at any time
2. What must you do when a Garda is on point duty at a junction and signals you to stop?
- A. Proceed if the traffic lights show green
- B. Stop immediately and obey the Garda's signal
- C. Sound your horn to acknowledge the signal and continue slowly
- D. Stop only if there is no other traffic present
3. Before signalling to turn right, a driver should first check their mirrors. Why is this the correct sequence?
- A. To comply with the NCT inspection requirement
- B. So other drivers know you are looking in your mirrors
- C. To be aware of traffic and road users who may be affected by the manoeuvre
- D. Mirrors must be adjusted before any turn
4. You are about to change lanes on a dual carriageway. After checking your mirrors and signalling, what additional check should you make?
- A. Check the speedometer
- B. Sound the horn to warn other drivers
- C. Flash your headlights
- D. Check your blind spot by glancing over your shoulder
5. What is the minimum safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist on a road with a speed limit above 50 km/h?
- A. 1.5 metres
- B. 2 metres
- C. 1 metre
- D. 1.2 metres
6. You are approaching a school at 3:30 pm on a weekday. What should you expect and do?
- A. Slow down; there may be many children crossing or getting into cars
- B. Move onto the hard shoulder to give buses room
- C. Use the horn to warn cyclists
- D. Schools are closed; continue at normal speed
7. When should you use your front and rear fog lights?
- A. At all times when driving in fog, however light
- B. At all times during the hours of darkness
- C. Whenever it is raining
- D. Only when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 100 metres)
8. What is aquaplaning and when is it most likely to occur?
- A. Engine flooding after driving through deep water
- B. Skidding caused by sudden braking on ice
- C. Loss of steering and braking when tyres ride on a film of water at speed
- D. Wheel-spin on a dry road at high speed
9. On a road with a thin layer of ice, by approximately how much does your braking distance increase compared to a dry road?
- A. It stays the same with ABS
- B. Up to ten times
- C. Five times
- D. Two times
10. What should you do if an oncoming driver dazzles you with their full beam headlights?
- A. Switch on your own full beam to match theirs
- B. Slow down, look towards the left edge of the road, and stop if necessary
- C. Close your eyes briefly until they have passed
- D. Flash your own full beam repeatedly in response
11. On a dry road at 100 km/h, which factors increase overall stopping distance?
- A. Using cruise control
- B. Air conditioning being on
- C. High tyre pressure only
- D. Driver fatigue, worn tyres, and higher speed
12. How does driving while tired affect a driver?
- A. It improves concentration by increasing alertness
- B. It impairs reaction time in a way similar to alcohol
- C. It only affects night driving, never daytime driving
- D. It has no measurable effect on reaction time
13. At a pelican crossing, the amber light is flashing. What should a driver do?
- A. Stop and wait for the green light
- B. Sound the horn to warn pedestrians to hurry
- C. Proceed at normal speed
- D. Give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear
14. You are driving on a rural road and a tractor is blocking your path. What should you do?
- A. Flash your headlights and pull alongside
- B. Sound the horn repeatedly to make the tractor pull in
- C. Stay well back, wait for a safe, clear, straight stretch before overtaking
- D. Overtake immediately on the grass verge
15. What is the safest advice regarding alcohol and driving?
- A. Never drink any alcohol before driving
- B. One standard drink is always safe before driving
- C. You may drink up to the legal limit and drive safely
- D. Eating a large meal makes any amount of alcohol safe
16. How does alcohol primarily affect a driver's ability?
- A. It improves concentration at low doses
- B. Its effects are only felt after 3 or more drinks
- C. It only affects vision, not reaction time
- D. It impairs judgement, slows reaction time and reduces coordination
17. You have been prescribed medication by your doctor. What should you do before driving?
- A. Only avoid driving if the medicine makes you feel drowsy after the first dose
- B. Reduce your speed by 20km/h as a precaution
- C. Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether the medicine affects your ability to drive
- D. Drive normally — prescribed medicines cannot impair driving
18. You are stopped at a red traffic light with the engine running. Is it legal to send a text message on a hand-held phone?
- A. Yes, because the vehicle is stationary
- B. Yes, but only if traffic is not moving
- C. Yes, provided the message is very short
- D. No, it is illegal whenever you are in charge of the vehicle with the engine running
19. Where is wearing a seat belt mandatory in a car in Ireland?
- A. Only at speeds above 50 km/h
- B. Only in the front seats
- C. In all seats, both front and rear, where one is fitted
- D. Only in the rear seats
20. Where should a rear-facing child seat NEVER be placed?
- A. Behind the driver's seat
- B. Secured with a seat belt
- C. In the front passenger seat when the airbag is active
- D. In the rear of the vehicle
21. How does driver fatigue affect road safety?
- A. It has no measurable effect at normal speeds
- B. It only affects drivers who work night shifts
- C. It only affects elderly drivers
- D. It impairs reaction time and judgement, similar to alcohol
22. On a long motorway journey, what is the best strategy to avoid fatigue?
- A. Consume large amounts of caffeine to stay alert
- B. Drive through the night when there is less traffic
- C. Keep the heater on high to stay awake
- D. Take regular rest breaks and avoid driving when you would normally be asleep
23. Where are penalty points recorded?
- A. On a temporary notice that is cleared after one month
- B. With your motor insurer only
- C. On your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period
- D. On the vehicle's registration document
24. A fully licensed driver accumulates 12 penalty points. What happens next?
- A. Their licence is suspended for one week
- B. They must retake their theory test
- C. They are automatically disqualified from driving
- D. They receive a warning letter only
25. What is the consequence of refusing to provide a breath sample when lawfully required by a Garda?
- A. You simply receive a warning and may drive on
- B. You are fined only if you later test positive
- C. It is a criminal offence that may result in disqualification
- D. There is no penalty if you have not been drinking
26. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous mainly because they:
- A. Raise the centre of gravity of the vehicle
- B. Make the ride harder and increase braking distance
- C. Increase fuel economy
- D. Cause increased tyre wear on the outer edges and reduce steering response
27. Over-inflated tyres mainly cause:
- A. Excessive wear on the outer tread edges
- B. Improved cornering and shorter braking distances
- C. Better fuel economy with no drawbacks
- D. Excessive wear in the centre of the tread and a harsher ride
28. Which of the following best describes the danger of mixing radial and cross-ply tyres on the same vehicle?
- A. It causes unpredictable handling, particularly when cornering
- B. It is only dangerous when driving at motorway speeds
- C. It increases rolling resistance but is otherwise safe
- D. It increases tread wear evenly across all tyres
29. When may front fog lights be used?
- A. Only on motorways
- B. At any time while the vehicle is moving
- C. At all times after dark on unlit roads
- D. Only in fog or falling snow where visibility is seriously reduced
30. A vehicle's hazard warning lights should be used:
- A. When driving slowly in a 50 km/h zone
- B. Whenever you are parked on a public road
- C. As a substitute for indicators when turning in a car park
- D. To warn other drivers of a breakdown or obstruction ahead
31. What should you do if your ABS warning light stays on while driving?
- A. Apply the brakes firmly to reset the system
- B. Continue driving — ABS lights illuminate in cold weather
- C. Have the ABS system checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible
- D. Disconnect the battery to clear the fault code
32. What does a spongy or soft brake pedal indicate?
- A. Normal operation that needs no investigation
- B. A possible fault such as air in the system or a fluid leak, which must be fixed
- C. That the handbrake is engaged
- D. That the ABS is working correctly
33. Your vehicle bounces excessively after going over a bump. What could this indicate?
- A. A low engine oil level
- B. Correctly functioning suspension
- C. Over-inflated tyres only
- D. Worn shock absorbers
34. Why should you keep the windscreen washer fluid reservoir topped up?
- A. Because operating wipers on a dry screen can damage both the blades and the windscreen
- B. Because the engine cannot start with an empty reservoir
- C. Because washer fluid cools the engine
- D. It is only needed to pass the NCT
35. Black smoke from a petrol engine exhaust most likely indicates:
- A. Oil burning due to worn piston rings
- B. Normal condensation on a cold morning
- C. A rich fuel mixture — too much fuel is being burned
- D. Coolant entering the combustion chamber
36. What does the NCT stand for?
- A. National Car Test
- B. National Compliance Test
- C. National Certification for Transport
- D. National Component Test
37. What shape is an Irish regulatory sign?
- A. Yellow diamond with a black symbol
- B. Blue rectangle
- C. Red octagon
- D. White circle with a red border
38. What colour are roadworks signs in Ireland?
- A. Yellow
- B. Orange
- C. Blue
- D. Red
39. What does a white circle with a red border and a horizontal red bar across the centre mean?
- A. Speed limit 40 km/h
- B. No entry
- C. No overtaking
- D. No parking
40. You see a yellow diamond sign depicting children running. What type of hazard does this indicate?
- A. Children's hospital nearby
- B. School ahead — children may be crossing
- C. Supervised crossing with a lollipop warden
- D. Playground area — parking prohibited
Answer key
- 1. Parking restrictions apply during certain hours — check the signs — A single yellow line indicates time-based parking restrictions. You must check nearby signs to find out exactly when parking is prohibited.
- 2. Stop immediately and obey the Garda's signal — A Garda's signal overrides all other traffic controls including traffic lights. You must stop and comply with the Garda's directions.
- 3. To be aware of traffic and road users who may be affected by the manoeuvre — The correct sequence is Mirror–Signal–Manoeuvre. Checking mirrors first tells you who is close behind or alongside, so you can signal and manoeuvre safely without cutting across or startling other road users.
- 4. Check your blind spot by glancing over your shoulder — Mirrors do not cover blind spots. A shoulder check (glancing over your shoulder) before the manoeuvre confirms no motorcycle or cyclist is alongside in the space mirrors cannot show.
- 5. 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.
- 6. Slow down; there may be many children crossing or getting into cars — School opening and closing times bring large numbers of children on foot and on bicycles. Speed must be reduced and extra caution applied.
- 7. 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.
- 8. Loss of steering and braking when tyres ride on a film of water at speed — Aquaplaning happens when water builds up in front of the tyres faster than it can be displaced, lifting them off the road. It is most likely at higher speeds during heavy rain.
- 9. 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.
- 10. Slow down, look towards the left edge of the road, and stop if necessary — Flashing full beam in retaliation dazzles the oncoming driver and creates a serious risk of a head-on collision. Instead, slow down, look towards the left edge of the road, and stop if necessary.
- 11. 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.
- 12. It impairs reaction time in a way similar to alcohol — Severe sleep deprivation produces impairment comparable to alcohol intoxication. Reaction time, decision-making, and hazard perception all deteriorate significantly when a driver is tired.
- 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. Stay well back, wait for a safe, clear, straight stretch before overtaking — Agricultural machinery is wide and slow. Drivers must be patient, stay back to see the road ahead, and only overtake on a straight, clear section with no oncoming traffic.
- 15. 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.
- 16. It impairs judgement, slows reaction time and reduces coordination — Alcohol impairs judgement, slows reactions and reduces coordination even at low levels, making driving dangerous.
- 17. 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.
- 18. No, it is illegal whenever you are in charge of the vehicle with the engine running — Using a hand-held phone while you are in charge of a vehicle with the engine running is illegal, even when stationary at traffic lights.
- 19. 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.
- 20. In the front passenger seat when the airbag is active — A rear-facing child seat must never be placed on a front passenger seat with an active airbag because the airbag could cause fatal injury to the child in a collision.
- 21. 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.
- 22. Take regular rest breaks and avoid driving when you would normally be asleep — Regular rest breaks and avoiding driving during your natural sleep hours are the most effective measures against fatigue-related accidents.
- 23. 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.
- 24. They are automatically disqualified from driving — Reaching 12 penalty points triggers automatic disqualification from driving. The driver must surrender their licence.
- 25. 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.
- 26. Cause increased tyre wear on the outer edges and reduce steering response — Under-inflation causes the tyre sidewalls to flex excessively, wearing the outer edges faster and generating heat that can lead to a blowout.
- 27. 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.
- 28. It causes unpredictable handling, particularly when cornering — Radial and cross-ply tyres have different flex characteristics; mixing them creates uneven grip and handling that can cause the driver to lose control.
- 29. 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.
- 30. To warn other drivers of a breakdown or obstruction ahead — Hazard lights are intended as a warning device for stationary breakdowns or to alert following traffic to a sudden hazard; they should not be used while driving normally.
- 31. 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.
- 32. A possible fault such as air in the system or a fluid leak, which must be fixed — A spongy brake pedal usually indicates air in the hydraulic braking system or a fluid leak, both of which reduce braking effectiveness and must be fixed.
- 33. Worn shock absorbers — Shock absorbers dampen suspension movement. Worn shocks let the vehicle continue bouncing, reducing tyre contact with the road and compromising control.
- 34. Because operating wipers on a dry screen can damage both the blades and the windscreen — Running wipers on a dry screen causes smearing, possible scratching of the glass, and rapid deterioration of the rubber wiper blades, so the reservoir should be kept topped up.
- 35. A rich fuel mixture — too much fuel is being burned — Black smoke from a petrol engine usually means incomplete combustion due to an overly rich air-fuel mixture, often caused by a faulty sensor or injector.
- 36. National Car Test — The NCT (National Car Test) is Ireland's mandatory roadworthiness test for private cars, administered by NCTS on behalf of the RSA.
- 37. White circle with a red border — Regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do under road traffic law. They are usually circular: white with a red border and black symbols, figures or letters for prohibitions and speed limits, and blue with white symbols for mandatory instructions such as the direction traffic must take. Some regulatory signs use other shapes — most notably the STOP sign (red octagon) and the YIELD sign (inverted triangle).
- 38. Orange — Roadworks signs use an orange background to make them highly visible and to distinguish temporary hazard warnings from permanent road signs.
- 39. No entry — The no-entry sign — a white circle with a red border and a thick horizontal red bar — prohibits vehicles from entering a road in that direction.
- 40. School ahead — children may be crossing — A yellow diamond sign showing children running or a school-like symbol warns of a school ahead and the likelihood of children crossing the road.