Practice test
Practice Test 8
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.
Take this test timed and scored, with your predicted pass result — free to start in the app.
Download on theApp Store1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Which sound is a classic warning sign of worn brake pads?
- A. A low rumbling noise at high speed
- B. A high-pitched squealing or grinding noise when the brakes are applied
- C. A rattling noise from the exhaust when decelerating
- D. A clicking sound when turning the steering wheel
8. Which of these is a warning sign of a possible steering or suspension problem?
- A. The vehicle steers smoothly with no vibration
- B. The vehicle wanders or drifts without the driver making steering inputs
- C. The handbrake holds on a hill without the brake pedal depressed
- D. The speedometer needle vibrates above 120 km/h
9. Your vehicle bounces excessively after going over a bump. What could this indicate?
- A. Correctly functioning suspension
- B. Worn shock absorbers
- C. Over-inflated tyres only
- D. A low engine oil level
10. When must your windscreen wipers be in good working condition?
- A. Only during the winter months
- B. At all times, as they are required for roadworthiness
- C. Only if the vehicle was manufactured after 2010
- D. Only if the vehicle is used on motorways
11. Which of these conditions would cause a windscreen to fail the NCT?
- A. Minor scratches outside the wiper sweep area
- B. A crack or chip within the driver's critical vision area
- C. Light water marks that can be cleaned off
- D. Tinted film on the rear window only
12. Black smoke from a petrol engine exhaust most likely indicates:
- A. Coolant entering the combustion chamber
- B. A rich fuel mixture — too much fuel is being burned
- C. Normal condensation on a cold morning
- D. Oil burning due to worn piston rings
13. Continuous white smoke from the exhaust, combined with the coolant level dropping regularly, most likely indicates:
- A. A blocked air filter
- B. A failed head gasket allowing coolant into the combustion chamber
- C. Worn piston rings
- D. A faulty catalytic converter
14. What is the purpose of the NCT?
- A. To check a driver's road knowledge every few years
- B. To assess whether a vehicle meets minimum roadworthiness and safety standards
- C. To register the vehicle with the local council
- D. To set the annual road tax band for the vehicle
15. What shape is an Irish regulatory sign?
- A. Yellow diamond with a black symbol
- B. White circle with a red border
- C. Blue rectangle
- D. Red octagon
16. What colour are motorway direction signs in Ireland?
- A. Green
- B. White
- C. Blue
- D. Orange
17. What shape is the STOP sign?
- A. Circle
- B. Triangle
- C. Diamond
- D. Octagon
18. What does a white circle with a red border and a horizontal red bar across the centre mean?
- A. No overtaking
- B. Speed limit 40 km/h
- C. No entry
- D. No parking
19. A circular sign with a red border shows two car symbols side by side — one black and one red with a diagonal line through the red one. What does this mean?
- A. No parking for large vehicles
- B. Overtaking prohibited
- C. Lane closed ahead
- D. No entry for motorcycles
20. A yellow diamond sign shows a circular arrow. What does it warn about?
- A. One-way street ahead
- B. Roundabout ahead
- C. Sharp bend ahead
- D. U-turn permitted
21. A single continuous white line painted along the centre of a road means:
- A. You may cross it only to overtake
- B. Overtaking is advisory but not recommended
- C. You must not cross or straddle the line
- D. The line marks the edge of the carriageway
22. A broken white line down the centre of the road indicates:
- A. No overtaking at any time
- B. A cycle lane boundary
- C. Overtaking is permitted when it is safe to do so
- D. A contraflow bus lane
23. When may you legally enter and wait in a yellow box junction?
- A. When turning right and waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic, provided your exit lane is clear
- B. When going straight ahead and the lights are green, even if traffic is queued beyond the box
- C. When turning left and your exit is blocked by stationary traffic
- D. At any time, because waiting briefly in a yellow box is always permitted
24. Zig-zag white lines painted on the road are found near:
- A. Railway level crossings
- B. Pedestrian crossings
- C. Hump-back bridges
- D. School bus stops
25. What is the correct sequence of traffic lights in Ireland?
- A. Green → red → amber → green
- B. Green → amber → red
- C. Amber → green → red
- D. Red → amber → green → amber → red
26. Which describes the traffic light sequence used in Ireland?
- A. Red changes directly to green, with no combined red-and-amber phase
- B. Red and amber are shown together before the green light appears
- C. Amber is shown together with green before the red light appears
- D. Green flashes before changing straight to red
27. How many correct answers are required to pass the Irish car driver theory test?
- A. 30
- B. 32
- C. 35
- D. 38
28. For how long is an Irish driver theory test certificate valid?
- A. 6 months
- B. 1 year
- C. 2 years
- D. 5 years
29. What plates must a learner driver display on their vehicle in Ireland?
- A. N plates (white with green N)
- B. L plates (white with red L)
- C. P plates (white with red P)
- D. No plates required if accompanied
30. May a learner permit holder drive on a motorway in Ireland?
- A. No, learner permit holders are prohibited from motorways at all times
- B. Yes, if accompanied by a qualified driver
- C. Yes, after holding the permit for at least 12 months
- D. Yes, provided they do not exceed 100 km/h
31. What do N plates (novice plates) indicate?
- A. The driver is a learner permit holder
- B. The driver is a newly qualified driver in their first 2 years of a full licence
- C. The driver is under the age of 17
- D. The driver has failed the theory test once
32. For how long must a newly qualified driver display N plates in Ireland?
- A. 6 months
- B. 1 year
- C. 2 years
- D. Until their first penalty point is removed
33. What is the default speed limit on a motorway in Ireland?
- A. 100 km/h
- B. 110 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. 130 km/h
34. What is the default speed limit on a regional (R) road in Ireland?
- A. 60 km/h
- B. 80 km/h
- C. 100 km/h
- D. 50 km/h
35. You are driving in a clearly signed 30 km/h special speed limit zone. What type of area is this most likely to be?
- A. A motorway slip road
- B. A school or residential area where a lower limit has been set
- C. A national road with roadworks
- D. A dual carriageway in a city
36. A driver holds a learner permit for category B (car). Which of the following is a legal requirement when they drive?
- A. They may drive alone at any time
- B. They must be accompanied by a qualified driver who holds a full licence for at least two years
- C. They must display a red L-plate on the rear only
- D. They are restricted to national roads only
37. A novice driver in Ireland has recently passed their driving test. What is the maximum speed limit that applies specifically to them on a motorway?
- A. 100 km/h
- B. 110 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. Novice drivers may not drive on motorways
38. At a roundabout with no road markings or signs, who has priority?
- A. The driver approaching from the left
- B. The driver approaching from the right
- C. Traffic already circulating on the roundabout
- D. The driver on the larger road
39. At an unmarked junction (no signs or road markings), who has right of way?
- A. The driver on the wider road
- B. The driver travelling fastest
- C. The driver approaching from the right
- D. The driver approaching from the left
40. You are turning right from a major road into a side road. A cyclist is approaching from the opposite direction going straight ahead. Who has right of way?
- A. You, because you are on the major road
- B. The cyclist, who is travelling straight ahead
- C. Whoever reaches the junction first
- D. You, because cars have priority over cyclists
Answer key
- 1. 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.
- 2. 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.
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
- 7. A high-pitched squealing or grinding noise when the brakes are applied — Most modern brake pads have a metal wear indicator that produces a squealing sound when pads are thin; a grinding noise means the pads are fully worn.
- 8. The vehicle wanders or drifts without the driver making steering inputs — Wandering or pulling to one side when the steering wheel is released can indicate worn steering or suspension components and should be inspected.
- 9. Worn shock absorbers — Shock absorbers dampen suspension movement. Worn shocks let the vehicle continue bouncing, reducing tyre contact with the road and compromising control.
- 10. At all times, as they are required for roadworthiness — Working windscreen wipers are a legal requirement; worn or faulty wipers reduce visibility in rain and will fail an NCT inspection.
- 11. A crack or chip within the driver's critical vision area — Cracks or chips in the driver's forward vision zone are an NCT failure item because they distort or restrict the driver's view of the road.
- 12. 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.
- 13. A failed head gasket allowing coolant into the combustion chamber — A blown head gasket lets coolant enter the cylinders; it burns and exits as thick white smoke while the coolant reservoir gradually empties.
- 14. To assess whether a vehicle meets minimum roadworthiness and safety standards — The NCT examines key safety and emissions items to ensure vehicles on Irish roads meet the required standard for safe operation.
- 15. White circle with a red border — Regulatory signs in Ireland are circular with a white background and red border. They give legally binding instructions that drivers must obey.
- 16. Blue — Motorway signs in Ireland have a blue background. This immediately identifies roads subject to motorway regulations where special rules apply.
- 17. Octagon — The STOP sign is an octagon (eight sides) with a red background and white text. Its unique shape allows drivers to recognise it even when partially obscured.
- 18. 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.
- 19. Overtaking prohibited — The no-overtaking sign uses two car outlines — a coloured car passing a black car with a diagonal prohibition line — forbidding any overtaking manoeuvre.
- 20. Roundabout ahead — A yellow diamond with a circular arrow warns that a roundabout is ahead. Drivers should prepare to give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
- 21. You must not cross or straddle the line — A single continuous white centre line must not be crossed or straddled. It is used where sight distances are restricted and overtaking is not safe.
- 22. Overtaking is permitted when it is safe to do so — A broken (dashed) white centre line means overtaking is permitted when it is safe. Drivers must still ensure the road ahead is clear before passing.
- 23. When turning right and waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic, provided your exit lane is clear — The only permitted exception is when turning right: you may wait in the box for a gap in oncoming traffic, as long as your exit road is not blocked.
- 24. Pedestrian crossings — Zig-zag lines appear on either side of a pedestrian crossing. Drivers must not park, overtake or stop on zig-zag lines, keeping the crossing visible.
- 25. Green → amber → red — The standard sequence is green (proceed) → amber (prepare to stop) → red (stop). In Ireland there is no red-and-amber phase before green.
- 26. Red changes directly to green, with no combined red-and-amber phase — Ireland does not use the combined red-and-amber phase before green; the sequence goes directly from red to green, unlike some other European countries.
- 27. 35 — Candidates must answer at least 35 out of 40 questions correctly — a pass mark of 87.5%.
- 28. 2 years — A theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from the date it is issued. A learner permit application must be made within this period.
- 29. L plates (white with red L) — A learner permit holder must display L plates (white background with a red L) on both the front and rear of the vehicle at all times while driving.
- 30. No, learner permit holders are prohibited from motorways at all times — Learner permit holders are completely prohibited from driving on motorways in Ireland, regardless of whether they are accompanied.
- 31. The driver is a newly qualified driver in their first 2 years of a full licence — N plates are displayed by novice drivers — those in the first 2 years after obtaining their full driving licence for the first time.
- 32. 2 years — N plates must be displayed for the first 2 years after passing the driving test and receiving a full licence for the first time.
- 33. 120 km/h — The default speed limit on Irish motorways is 120 km/h unless road signs indicate otherwise.
- 34. 80 km/h — Regional (R) roads have a default speed limit of 80 km/h. Note: since 7 February 2025 (Road Traffic Act 2024) the default on rural local (L) roads was reduced to 60 km/h, but regional roads remain at 80 km/h.
- 35. A school or residential area where a lower limit has been set — Special speed limits of 30 km/h are commonly applied around schools, playgrounds, and residential streets where vulnerable road users are present.
- 36. They must be accompanied by a qualified driver who holds a full licence for at least two years — Learner permit holders must at all times be accompanied by a driver who holds a full category B licence for at least two years.
- 37. 120 km/h — Novice full-licence holders may use motorways and the standard 120 km/h limit applies; there is no separate lower motorway limit for novice drivers. They must display N-plates for two years.
- 38. Traffic already circulating on the roundabout — At all roundabouts in Ireland, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. Approaching drivers must yield to circulating traffic.
- 39. The driver approaching from the right — At an unmarked junction where roads are of similar importance, you must give way to traffic approaching from your right.
- 40. The cyclist, who is travelling straight ahead — When turning right, you must yield to oncoming traffic travelling straight ahead, including cyclists. You must wait until it is safe before completing your turn.