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Car study notes

Attitude

Considerate driving, close following, courtesy and how your attitude affects safety.

What this topic covers

Considerate driving, close following, courtesy and how your attitude affects safety. The full Car Driving Theory Test app contains 38 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Consideration, Close following, Courtesy, Priority.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

You wish to turn right ahead. Why should you take up the correct position in good time?

  • A. To allow drivers to pass you on the right
  • B. To help other road users know what you intend to do ✓ correct
  • C. To give a better view into the road that you're joining
  • D. To allow other drivers to pull out in front of you
Explanation: If you wish to turn right into a side road, take up your position in good time. Move to the centre of the road when it's safe to do so. This will allow vehicles to pass you on the left. Early planning will show other traffic what you intend to do.
Example 2

You're driving behind a heavy goods vehicle. What should you do if it signals left but steers to the right?

  • A. Hold your speed and sound your horn
  • B. Overtake on the right of it
  • C. Drive on, keeping to the left
  • D. Slow down and let the vehicle turn ✓ correct
Explanation: Large, long vehicles need extra room when making turns at junctions. They may move out to the right in order to make a left turn. Keep well back and do not attempt to pass them on their left.
Example 3

What should you do if you're driving a slow-moving vehicle on a narrow winding road?

  • A. Give a left signal when it's safe for vehicles to overtake you
  • B. Pull in when you can, to let the vehicles behind overtake ✓ correct
  • C. Wave the vehicles behind to come past you if you think they can overtake quickly
  • D. Keep well out to stop vehicles overtaking dangerously
Explanation: If you're driving a slow-moving vehicle along a narrow road, try not to hold up faster traffic. If you see vehicles following behind, pull over in a safe place and let the traffic pass before continuing. Do not wave other traffic past – this could be dangerous if you or they have not noticed a hazard ahead.
Example 4

Why is it dangerous to travel too close to the vehicle ahead?

  • A. Your sat nav will be confused
  • B. Your view of the road ahead will be restricted ✓ correct
  • C. Your mirrors will need adjusting
  • D. Your engine will overheat
Explanation: 'Tailgating' is the term used when a driver or rider follows the vehicle in front too closely. It's dangerous because it restricts your view of the road ahead and leaves no safety margin if the vehicle in front needs to slow down or stop suddenly. Tailgating is often the underlying cause of rear-end collisions or multiple pile-ups.

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Get all 38 questions on this topic in the Car Driving Theory Test app.

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