UK Car Theory Test (Multiple Choice)
Safety margins: practice questions
Our UK Car Theory Test bank has 30 questions on this topic. Here are 4 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
How can you check you are keeping a two-second gap?
- Count the cars in the queue ahead
- Watch your speedometer for two seconds
- Count the seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed point until you pass it
- Count the number of car lengths between you
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C. Count the seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed point until you pass it — Rule 126: choose a landmark, and if you reach it before saying 'only a fool breaks the two-second rule', you are too close.
Question 2
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 40 mph?
- 12 metres (40 feet)
- 53 metres (175 feet)
- 36 metres (118 feet)
- 23 metres (75 feet)
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C. 36 metres (118 feet) — Rule 126: at 40 mph, thinking 12 m plus braking 24 m gives 36 m.
Question 3
What is the typical thinking distance at 30 mph?
- 21 metres
- 14 metres
- 6 metres
- 9 metres
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D. 9 metres — Rule 126: the thinking distance at 30 mph is 9 metres. It grows in proportion to speed.
Question 4
How should you brake on an icy road?
- Using the handbrake only
- Hard, to stop quickly
- Repeatedly while steering sharply
- Gently, and in good time
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D. Gently, and in good time — Rule 231: brake gently. Harsh braking or acceleration can cause skids.