Practical Driving Test in UK / Other Types of Vehicles Category

Practical Driving Test in UK / Other Types of Vehicles Category

Topics include: 

• Motorcycles - knowing the problems facing motorcyclists
  
• Lorries - understanding the potential hazards larger vehicles can cause
  
• Buses & Trams - understanding the potential hazards larger vehicles can cause

Once again safety is the main concern. Many of the questions have you, a car driver, following a large vehicle that is about to turn at a junction such as a roundabout or crossroads. Generally the answers to such questions are: 

• Stay well back from the vehicle
• Give it room
• Be prepared to stop
• Give way to it

I.E. the safest option. No question requires an answer such as: overtake the vehicle or warn the driver by flashing your headlights. 

Facts You Need To Know

• On windy days, when overtaking motorcyclists or cyclists, allow them extra room.
  
• Motorcyclists and cyclists will sometimes need to swerve to avoid hazards such as drain covers, so always give them plenty of room when passing them.
  
• It can be difficult to see motorcycles when you are waiting at a junction. Always look out for them. 

• Never overtake a lorry that is signaling to turn left or right.
  
• A long vehicle may move towards the centre of the road before turning left.
  
• A long vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane at a roundabout when turning right.
  
• Take care when overtaking a long or high-sided vehicle, always make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead. Such vehicles can make it difficult for you to see the road ahead, so keep well back, as this will improve your view ahead.
  
• Prior to overtaking a large vehicle always keep well back from the vehicle, as this will give you a better view ahead.
  
• When behind a bus at a bus stop always look out for pedestrians and be ready to give way to the bus as it pulls out.
  
• Always give way to a bus that is signalling to pull out.
  
• Car drivers need to be careful of trams because trams cannot steer to avoid you. Always give way to them.
  
• Never try and overtake a tram.
  
• Trams make little noise. You are unlikely to hear them approaching. Neither can they steer to avoid you.
  
• Powered vehicles such as wheelchairs have a maximum speed of 8 mph ( 12km/h).
  
• Crosswinds are most likely to affect cyclists, motorcyclists, high-sided vehicles and drivers towing caravans or trailers.
  
• When towing a caravan you should use extended-arm side mirrors.
  
• When driving on a wet road, where heavy spray reduces visibility, you should use dipped headlights and rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 metres.
  
• Slow moving vehicles are not allowed on motorways because they can't keep up with fast moving traffic. Vehicles not allowed on a motorway: motorcycles under 50CC, cycles, tractors and other farm vehicles, powered invalid carriages. 

1	You are waiting to emerge left from a minor road. A large vehicle is approaching from the right. You have time to turn, but you should wait. Why? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Large vehicles can hide other vehicles that are overtaking, especially motorcycles which may be filtering past queuing traffic. You need to be aware of the possibility of hidden vehicles and not assume that it is safe to emerge.   The large vehicle can easily hide an overtaking vehicle  The large vehicle can turn suddenly  The large vehicle is difficult to steer in a straight line  The large vehicle can easily hide vehicles from the left
2	You are travelling behind a bus that pulls up at a bus stop. What should you do? Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and Understanding There might be pedestrians crossing from in front of the bus. Look out for them if you intend to pass. Consider staying back and waiting. How many people are waiting to get on the bus? Check the queue if you can. The bus might move off straight away if there is no one waiting to get on. If a bus is signalling to pull out, give it priority as long as it is safe to do so.   Accelerate past the bus sounding your horn  Watch carefully for pedestrians  Be ready to give way to the bus  Pull in closely behind the bus
3	Which of these is least likely to be affected by crosswinds? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Although cars are the least likely to be affected, crosswinds can take anyone by surprise. This is most likely to happen, after overtaking a large vehicle, when passing gaps between hedges or buildings, and on exposed sections of road.   Cyclists  Motorcyclists  High-sided vehicles  Cars
4	You are following a large articulated vehicle. It is going to turn left into a narrow road. What action should you take? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Lorries are larger and longer than other vehicles and this can affect their position when approaching junctions. When turning left they may move out to the right so that they don�t cut in and mount the kerb with the rear wheels.   Move out and overtake on the right  Pass on the left as the vehicle moves out  Be prepared to stop behind  Overtake quickly before the lorry moves out
5	As a driver why should you be more careful where trams operate? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding You should take extra care when you first encounter trams. You will have to get used to dealing with a different traffic system. Be aware that they can accelerate and travel very quickly and that they cannot change direction to avoid obstructions.   Because they do not have a horn  Because they do not stop for cars  Because they do not have lights  Because they cannot steer to avoid you
6	You are towing a caravan. Which is the safest type of rear-view mirror to use? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Towing a large trailer or caravan can greatly reduce your view of the road behind. You need to use the correct equipment to make sure you can see clearly behind and down both sides of the caravan or trailer.   Interior wide-angle mirror  Extended-arm side mirror  Ordinary door mirrors  Ordinary interior mirror
7	It is a very windy day and you are about to overtake a cyclist. What should you do? Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding Cyclists, and motorcyclists, are very vulnerable in crosswinds. They can easily be blown well off course and veer into your path. Always allow plenty of room when overtaking them. Passing too close could cause a draught and unbalance the rider.   Overtake very closely  Keep close as you pass  Sound your horn repeatedly  Allow extra room
8	You are driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to be seen. You should use your Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and Understanding   full beam headlights  rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 metres (328 feet)  rear fog lights if visibility is more than 100 metres (328 feet)  dipped headlights  sidelights only
9	You wish to overtake a long, slow-moving vehicle on a busy road. You should Mark one answer. Knowledge and Understanding If you want to overtake a long vehicle, stay well back so that you can get a better view of the road ahead. The closer you get the less you will be able to see of the road ahead. Be patient, overtaking calls for sound judgement. DON�T take a gamble, only overtake when you are certain that you can complete the manoeuvre safely.   follow it closely and keep moving out to see the road ahead  flash your headlights for oncoming traffic to give way  stay behind until the driver waves you past  keep well back until you can see that it is clear