Other Types of Vehicle

Sharing the road with lorries, buses, trams, agricultural vehicles and bikes.

What this topic covers

Sharing the road with lorries, buses, trams, agricultural vehicles and bikes. The full Motorcycle Theory Test app contains 21 questions on this topic, drawn from the official DVSA bank.

Worked examples

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

Example 1

You are riding behind a long vehicle. There is a mini-roundabout ahead. The vehicle is signalling left, but positioned to the right. You should

A. sound your horn
B. overtake on the left
C. keep well back ✓ correct
D. flash your headlights

Explanation: The long vehicle needs more room than other vehicles in order to make the left turn. Don’t overtake on the left – the driver will not expect you to be there and may not see you. Staying well back will also give you a better view around the vehicle.

Example 2

You are following a long vehicle. It approaches a crossroads and signals left, but moves out to the right. You should

A. get closer in order to pass it quickly
B. stay well back and give it room ✓ correct
C. assume the signal is wrong and it is really turning right
D. overtake as it starts to slow down

Explanation: A lorry may swing out to the right as it approaches a left turn. This is to allow the rear wheels to clear the kerb as it turns. Don’t try to filter through if you see a gap on the nearside.

Example 3

You are travelling behind a bus that pulls up at a bus stop. What should you do?

A. Accelerate past the bus sounding your horn
B. Watch carefully for pedestrians ✓ correct
C. Be ready to give way to the bus ✓ correct
D. Pull in closely behind the bus

Explanation: 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.

Example 4

You are following a long lorry. The driver signals to turn left into a narrow road. What should you do?

A. Overtake on the left before the lorry reaches the junction
B. Overtake on the right as soon as the lorry slows down
C. Do not overtake unless you can see there is no oncoming traffic
D. Do not overtake, stay well back and be prepared to stop. ✓ correct

Explanation: When turning into narrow roads articulated and long vehicles will need more room. Initially they will need to swing out in the opposite direction to which they intend to turn. They could mask another vehicle turning out of the same junction. DON’T be tempted to overtake them or pass on the inside.

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