Driving Test Practice - Ladybird Driving School Notes (Ireland)

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering key driving concepts and rules from the 47 notes.

When can you overtake on the left?

When you want to go straight ahead & the driver in front of you has moved out & signalled that they intend to turn right.

What is meant by a solid white line in the centre of the road?

You must stay to the left and must not cross the line unless it is for access or in an emergency.

What does a broken yellow line mean?

The road contains a hard shoulder which is normally only for pedestrians and cyclists but may be used briefly to allow faster traffic to overtake if it is safe to do so.

What do double broken white lines along the centre of the road mean?

These alert the driver to continuous white lines a short distance ahead. You must not cross them unless it is safe to do so.

At a stop sign that has no white line, where should you stop?

You must stop at the sign.

When there is a continuous and a broken white line along the centre of the road, which line should you obey?

You must obey the line that is nearest you.

Who has priority at a roundabout?

You must give right of way to traffic already on a roundabout.

When should you dip your headlights while driving?

When meeting other traffic. When following close behind another vehicle. On continuously lit roads. In snow, fog, dusk/dawn. Generally, to avoid inconveniencing other traffic.

What should you do if dazzled by another vehicle’s headlights?

Slow down and stop if necessary. Always watch for pedestrians or cyclists on the side of the road. If the dazzle is from an oncoming vehicle, look towards the left verge until the vehicle has passed. If the dazzle is from a vehicle behind you reflected in your mirror, use the night-driving mode on your mirror.

What restrictions apply to horn use?

Do not use a horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, unless there is a traffic emergency.

Within what distance from the kerb should you park?

45 cm.

Where should you not overtake?

Near a bend, the brow of a hill, a hump back bridge, a continuous white line, where your vehicle would obstruct a sign, at an entrance, opposite another vehicle on a narrow road, a taxi rank.

What is the sequence of traffic lights?

Green, Amber, Red.

What does a clearway mean?

No parking during specified times or stopping unless you are waiting in a line of traffic.

What rules apply to a box junction?

Do not enter a yellow box junction unless you can clear it without stopping. An exception is when you want to turn right. You may enter while waiting for a gap in traffic coming from the opposite direction as long to do so would not block other traffic that has priority.

What is the difference between a pelican crossing and a zebra crossing?

A pelican crossing is controlled by lights. A zebra crossing has flashing orange beacons and is controlled by the presence of pedestrians.

What does an island in the centre of a pedestrian crossing mean?

Zebra crossings with a central island should be treated as two separate crossings. Pelican crossings that go straight across the road count as one crossing even if there is a central island. If Pelican crossings on either side of the central island are not in a straight line (staggered), they count as two separate crossings.

What do the white zig-zag lines at a zebra crossing mean?

No overtaking or parking.

What is the speed limit on national roads (primary & secondary) and on motorways?

a) 100 km/h on national roads; b) 120 km/h on motorways.

What are the speed limits in built up areas?

Usually 50 km/h unless special speed limits apply; special limits are generally 30 km/h or 60 km/h.

What is the minimum tread depth on tyres?

1.6 mm over the main treads.

What are the rules regarding bus lanes?

A with-flow bus lane runs in the same direction as the traffic beside it and can be used by bicyclists and taxis as well as buses and is reserved during the times shown on the information plate. A contra-flow bus lane is reserved only for buses.

How far away should you park from a junction?

Over 5 metres.

What position would you take up for a right turn in a one-way street?

When turning right from a one-way street, drive as close as you can to the right-hand side.

What are hatched markings?

Diagonal or chevron markings on the road that can be used for merging traffic, for diverging traffic and for separating traffic travelling in opposite directions; if present you must not enter the area they cover.

What does a yield sign mean?

Give way to traffic on a major road ahead or on the roundabout and do not proceed unless it is safe to do so.

What is a filter light?

An arrow light; green or amber, proceed in the direction of the arrow if it is safe to do so.

You are approaching traffic lights and they change to amber, what action should you take?

Stop unless it is unsafe to do so.

What does a flashing amber traffic light mean?

Proceed if the crossing is clear but pedestrians have priority.

What do flashing red traffic lights mean?

Stop; train approaching.

What does a continuous yellow line at the side of a road mean?

No parking during certain hours.

What do double continuous yellow lines at the side of the road mean?

No parking at any time.

Within what distance from a pedestrian crossing should you not park?

15 metres before or 5 metres after.

What procedure must you adopt if crossing a dual carriageway with a narrow central median?

If the median is too narrow for your vehicle, you must wait until you can complete the crossing.

What are the differences between a motorway and a dual carriageway?

Motorways have exits to the left only, no traffic lights, no junctions, no roundabouts; speeds can reach up to 120 km/h.

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads with roads of equal importance?

Give priority to traffic on the junction and traffic approaching from your right.

What are the road markings for no entry?

A continuous and a broken white line with the words 'NO ENTRY'.

What would you look out for on country roads?

Pedestrians, animals, muddy surfaces, concealed entrances, slow-moving farm machinery.

When being overtaken, what must you not do?

Increase your speed.

Where would you never make a U-turn?

In a one-way street, where there is a continuous white line or lines, where a sign directs you not to.

What is meant by tailgating?

Driving too close to a vehicle in front, not keeping a safe distance.

What human factors can affect your driving?

Alcohol, drugs (prescription and non-prescription), tiredness & fatigue, road rage, attitude.

What is coasting and why is it potentially dangerous?

Coasting is when the vehicle is not being driven by the engine (clutch pedal held down or gear lever in neutral); it reduces the driver’s control of the vehicle.

Who is responsible for seat belts?

For passengers under 17 years of age, the driver is responsible; for passengers 17 and over, the person themselves.

When following the road ahead on a multi-lane dual carriageway, which lane would you normally use?

Lane 1 or the left-hand driving lane, unless road markings indicate otherwise.

What is the '2 second rule' for following distance?

A safe following distance of at least 2 seconds in dry conditions, doubled in the wet and extended further in icy conditions.

When you have signalled that you intend to turn left.

When traffic in both lanes is moving slowly & traffic in the left-hand lane is moving more quickly than the traffic in the right-hand lane.

What are the dangers of driving with badly worn tires

reduces traction, increases stopping distance

what are the dangers of driving a vehicle with a damaged tire sidewall such a cut or bulge

flats or blowouts

what are the dangers of driving a vehicle with defective brake lights

can lead to danger to other road users or pedestrians as it will not be obvious when the car is braking

what are the dangers of driving a vehicle at night with only one working headlight

oncoming traffic may think you are a motorbike, leading to potential dangers to other road users

when driving, how would you know that your indicators may not be working?

they wouldn’t click, or would click really fast to indicate a fault

What colour must indicators show?

Amber

Why should the engine coolant level be checked when the engine is cold?

level can flucuate depending on the temperature of the car

If the coolant level was low in the vehicle, how would the driver be made aware of this?

warning light of the dash, you must also regularly check the levels

what would happen if the engine oil ran low

engine would seize up

what is the purpose of engine oil

lubricate the engine

what is the recommended method of checking brake fluid level

checking between the two marks on the tank

what might be the cause of the brake fluid being low

leak