In this free PCV theory test you have 50 questions to answer, each question has four possible answers, just choose the one you think is correct.
You have 57 minutes to complete the test. (The full length Pro version has 100 questions in 115 minutes).
The clock will appear in the bottom right hand corner of your screen.
You need to score at least 43 to pass. Good luck!
PCV Theory Test 1A
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#1. A collision has just happened. An injured person is lying in a busy road. What’s the first thing you should do to help?
The most immediate danger is further collisions and fire. You could warn other traffic by switching on hazard warning lights, displaying an advance warning triangle or sign (but not on a motorway), or by any other means that doesn’t put you or others at risk.
#2. When may you drive over a footpath?
It’s illegal to drive on or over a footpath, except to gain access to a property. If you need to cross a pavement, give priority to pedestrians.
#3. What will reduce the risk of neck injury resulting from a collision?
If you’re involved in a collision, head restraints will reduce the risk of neck injury. They must be properly adjusted. Make sure they aren’t positioned too low: in a crash, this could cause damage to the neck.
#4. You're in queuing traffic. Just ahead there is a junction on your left. Why should you not stop across the opening of the junction?*
If you block the junction, other vehicles will not be able to turn into or out of it. Where an oncoming driver cannot turn right from the main road, they may well then stop all the traffic behind them resulting in an unnecessary traffic jam.
#5. What's used to reduce traffic bunching on a motorway?
Congestion can be reduced by keeping traffic at a constant speed. At busy times, maximum speed limits are displayed on overhead gantries. These can be varied quickly, depending on the amount of traffic. By keeping to a constant speed on busy sections of motorway, overall journey times are normally improved.
#6. What does this blue circular sign mean?*
You would see a sign like this when you are approaching a dual-carriageway, it tells you to keep to the left-hand side of the road.
#7. An enforcement officer keeps your analogue tachograph records. How should they endorse the replacement charts?
If your records are kept by an enforcement officer, you should ask the officer to endorse the replacement charts with their name and telephone number. The enforcement officer should also record the number of charts they keep. Alternatively, they can give you a receipt for the charts.
#8. By how much can stopping distances increase in icy conditions?
Tyre grip is greatly reduced in icy conditions. For this reason, you need to allow up to ten times the stopping distance you would allow on dry roads.
#9. An injured motorcyclist is lying unconscious in the road. The traffic has stopped and there's no further danger. What should you do to help?
If someone has been injured, the sooner proper medical attention is given the better. Ask someone to phone for help or do it yourself. An injured person should only be moved if they’re in further danger. An injured motorcyclist’s helmet shouldn’t be removed unless it’s essential.
#10. You're looking for somewhere to park at night. When may you park on the right-hand side of the road?
Red rear reflectors show up when headlights shine on them. These are useful when you’re parked at night, but they’ll only reflect if you park in the same direction as the traffic flow. Normally you should park on the left, but in a one-way street you may also park on the right-hand side of the road.
#11. A trailer must stay securely hitched to the towing vehicle. What additional safety device must be fitted to a trailer braking system?
In the event that the trailer becomes detached from the towing vehicle, the breakaway cable activates the trailer brakes before snapping. This allows the towing vehicle to get free of the trailer and out of danger.
#12. When may you stop on an urban clearway?
Urban clearways have their times of operation clearly signed. You may stop only for as long as is reasonable to pick up or set down passengers. You should ensure that you’re not causing an obstruction for other traffic.
#13. What's the maximum speed of powered wheelchairs or scooters used by disabled people?
Some powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are designed for use on the pavement only and cannot exceed 4 mph (6 km/h). Others can go on the road as well, and this category cannot exceed 8 mph (12 km/h). Take great care around these vehicles. They’re extremely vulnerable because of their low speed and small size.
#14. You're in a tunnel and you see this sign. What does it mean?
If you have to leave your vehicle and get out of a tunnel by an emergency exit, do so as quickly as you can. Follow the signs directing you to the nearest exit point. If there are several people using the exit, don’t panic but try to leave in a calm and orderly manner.
#15. What's the most important reason for having a properly adjusted head restraint?
In a collision, rapid deceleration will violently throw vehicle occupants forward and then backwards as the vehicle stops. Seat belts and airbags protect occupants against the forward movement. Head restraints should be adjusted so they give maximum protection to the head and neck during the backward movement.
#16. An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They're unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?
After a casualty has been placed in the recovery position, make sure their airway remains open and monitor their condition until medical help arrives. Where possible, don’t move a casualty unless there’s further danger.
#17. You're approaching a busy junction. What should you do when, at the last moment, you realise you're in the wrong lane?
There are times when road markings are obscured by queuing traffic, or you’re unsure which lane to use. If, at the last moment, you find you’re in the wrong lane, don’t cut across or bully other drivers to let you in. Follow the lane you’re in and find somewhere safe to turn around and rejoin your route.
#18. How should you treat a zebra crossing that's split by an island?
Some zebra crossings are divided by a central island. Each half is a separate crossing.
#19. Your vehicle has broken down at night on a two-way road. How should you try to leave the vehicle?
If your vehicle breaks down, try to stop on the left, facing in the same direction as the flow of traffic. This will help other drivers to see you, as your red reflectors will show to the rear. Don’t stop on the pavement, as the weight of the vehicle may damage paving stones and underground services.
#20. You're reversing into a side road. What should you do if you see a pedestrian crossing the road behind your vehicle?
If you’re reversing into a side road and see a pedestrian crossing the road behind your vehicle, wait until the pedestrian has passed before continuing. Don’t forget that you may not be able to see a small child directly behind your vehicle. Be aware of the possibility of hidden dangers.
#21. Your vehicle has collided with a railway bridge. What information must you give the railway authority when you telephone them?
The railway authority needs to know immediately if one of their bridges has been hit. You’ll need to tell them the number of the bridge so they can identify it. The railway authority will then take action to prevent railway passengers from being put at risk.
#22. How are you likely to be affected by drinking alcohol?
Never drink if you’re going to drive or ride. Your judgement can be seriously affected, even if you aren’t over the drink-drive limit. Don’t take risks; it isn’t worth it.
#23. When may you overtake another vehicle on the left?
You may pass slower vehicles on their left while travelling along a one-way street. Be aware of drivers who may need to change lanes and may not expect faster traffic passing on their left.
#24. An adult casualty isn't breathing. To maintain circulation, CPR should be given. What's the correct depth to press down on their chest?
An adult casualty isn’t breathing normally. To maintain circulation, place two hands on the centre of the chest. Then press down hard and fast – around 5–6 centimetres and about twice a second.
#25. You see this signal overhead on the motorway. What does it mean?
You’ll see this sign if there has been an incident ahead and the motorway is closed. You must obey the sign. Make sure that you prepare to leave in good time.
#26. You find that you need glasses to read vehicle number plates at the required distance. When must you wear them?
Have your eyesight tested before you start your practical training. Then, throughout your driving life, have checks periodically, as your vision may change.
#27. What happens if your vehicle starts to aquaplane?
If you drive too fast in wet conditions, your steering may suddenly feel ‘light’. This indicates that the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are skating on the surface of the water. This is known as aquaplaning. While this is happening, you’ll be unable to steer the vehicle and your brakes will have no effect on your speed. To restore your tyres’ grip on the road, ease off the accelerator smoothly. Don’t brake or turn the steering until tyre grip has been restored.
#28. You intend to slow down to give way to pedestrians at a zebra crossing. Why could an arm signal be useful?
When approaching a zebra crossing where you intend to stop, using an arm signal can be helpful. This not only tells the vehicles behind that you intend to stop, but also informs approaching traffic and waiting pedestrians, who can’t see your brake lights.
#29. After this hazard you should test your brakes. Why is this?
A ford is a crossing over a stream that’s shallow enough to drive or ride through. After you’ve gone through a ford or deep puddle, your brakes will be wet and they won’t work as well as usual. To dry them out, apply a light brake pressure while moving slowly. Don’t travel at normal speeds until you’re sure your brakes are working properly again.
#30. What does this traffic sign mean?
Drivers of motor cars are not allowed to proceed beyond this sign.
#31. Which arm signal tells you that the car you're following is going to pull up?
There may be occasions when drivers need to give an arm signal to confirm their intentions. This could include in bright sunshine, at a complex road layout, when stopping at a pedestrian crossing or when turning right just after passing a parked vehicle. You should understand what each arm signal means. If you give arm signals, make them clear, correct and decisive.
#32. The double white line along the centre of the road is unbroken on your side. When may you cross the line?
Solid white lines are used where it would be dangerous to overtake. If the solid line is on your side of the road, you may cross it to pass a stationary vehicle, or to overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road-maintenance vehicle that’s travelling at 10 mph or less. You may also cross the solid line to enter premises or a side road.
#33. Anti-lock brakes are designed to help prevent you from skidding. When is this likely to be least effective?
There will be little for your tyres to grip onto when the road surface is loose or damaged. In this situation anti-lock braking may not be of much help.
#34. When traffic lights are out of order, who has priority?
When traffic lights are out of order, you should treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be cautious, as you may need to give way or stop. Look for traffic attempting to cross the junction, unaware that it doesn’t have priority.
#35. How is a strong wind likely to affect your bus?
Be alert for places where the road is shielded from the wind. When you leave this shelter, the wind may suddenly blow you off course, making steering more difficult.
#36. When will your vehicle use more fuel?
Check your tyre pressures frequently – normally once a week. If they’re lower than those recommended by the manufacturer, there will be more ‘rolling resistance’. The engine will have to work harder to overcome this, leading to increased fuel consumption.
#37. What does the curved arrow on the road mean?
In this picture, the road marking shows that overtaking drivers or riders need to return to the left. These markings show the direction drivers must pass hatch markings or solid double white lines. They are also used to show the route that high vehicles should take under low arched bridge.
#38. Your vehicle suffers a tyre blow-out. How could this create a hazard for other road users?
When a tyre explodes, fragments are thrown over a wide area. This can create a serious hazard for other drivers. You should regularly check your tyres for cuts, damage and pressure. Frequent checks and proper maintenance can help prevent a blow-out.
#39. A person has been injured. They may be suffering from shock. What are the warning signs to look for?
The effects of shock may not be immediately obvious. Warning signs are rapid pulse, sweating, pale grey skin and rapid shallow breathing.
#40. What does this sign mean?
This sign tells you to beware of trams. If you don’t usually drive in a town where there are trams, remember to look out for them at junctions and look for tram rails, signs and signals.
#41. How would you identify a section of road used by trams?
Trams may run on roads used by other vehicles and pedestrians. The section of road used by trams is known as the reserved area and should be kept clear. It usually has a different surface, edged with white lane markings.
#42. What is a rumble device designed to do?
A rumble device consists of raised markings or strips across the road, designed to give drivers and riders an audible, visual and tactile warning. These devices are used in various locations, including in the line separating the hard shoulder and the left-hand lane on the motorway and on the approach to some hazards.
#43. Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?
Practise good observation in all directions before you emerge or make a turn. Proceed only when you’re sure it’s safe to do so.
#44. You arrive at the scene of a motorcycle crash. The rider is injured. When should their helmet be removed?
Don’t remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it’s essential. Remember they may be suffering from shock. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink, but do reassure them confidently.
#45. Where would you see a contraflow bus and cycle lane?
The traffic permitted to use a contraflow lane travels in the opposite direction to traffic in the other lanes on the road.
#46. How can a bus driver show care for their passengers?
At bus stops, stop close to the kerb, where it’s safe and convenient for your passengers to get on and off. Accelerating as you move off can easily unsteady a passenger. Try to wait until all passengers are seated or settled before moving off.
#47. What does this sign mean?
It will take up to ten times longer to stop when it’s icy. Where there’s a risk of icy conditions, you need to be aware of this and take extra care. If you think the road may be icy, don’t brake or steer harshly, as your tyres could lose their grip on the road.
#48. What does this sign mean?
This type of sign warns you of hazards ahead. Make sure you look at each sign and road marking that you pass, so that you don’t miss any vital instructions or information. This particular sign shows there’s a T-junction with priority over vehicles from the right.
#49. Who's responsible for making sure that a vehicle isn't overloaded?
Carrying heavy loads will affect control and the vehicle’s handling characteristics. If the vehicle you’re driving is overloaded, you’ll be held responsible.
#50. A driver emerges from a junction ahead of you. You have to brake to avoid them. What should you do next?*
There are many inconsiderate drivers on our roads, or the driver may be new and lacking in judgement. It’s not easy, but if you can remain calm and ignore the error, you will remain a better and more focussed driver.
