Prepare for your test
Below are the most frequently asked questions by driving test examiners, including bonnet checks, hand gestures and signs.
If you notice any important questions we've missed, please email info@mydriving.ie to help us improve this resource for future learners.
1. How should you react to flashing red traffic lights?
Stop immediately - these indicate an approaching train.
2. What's the proper following distance in dry conditions?
3. When must you dip your headlights?
When meeting traffic, following closely, on lit roads, in poor visibility (fog/snow), or to avoid dazzling others.
4. How close can you park to a pedestrian crossing?
No parking within 15m before or 5m after the crossing.
5. What's the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres in Ireland?
1.6mm (across the central ¾ of the tyre and around the full circumference).
6. How would you check the engine oil level?
Park on level ground, wait for the engine to cool, pull out the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it, then check the level is between min/max marks.
7. What do double solid yellow lines at the roadside mean?
Parking prohibited at all times.
8. When can you enter a yellow box junction?
Only if your exit is clear, except when turning right (may wait if not blocking priority traffic).
9. What should you do if dazzled by headlights?
Slow down, look left toward the verge, and use your mirror's anti-dazzle feature if available.
10. What's the speed limit on national roads vs motorways?
National roads: 100km/h
Motorways: 120km/h
11. How do you handle a staggered pelican crossing with an island?
Treat it as two separate crossings.
12. When shouldn't you use your horn?
In built-up areas between 11:30pm-7:00am unless in emergency.
13. What's the rule for parking near junctions?
Stay more than 5 meters away.
14. How do you identify a no-entry road?
Solid and broken white lines with "NO ENTRY" signage.
15. What should you do at an amber traffic light?
Stop unless unsafe to do so.
16. Where is overtaking prohibited?
Near bends, hills, bridges, continuous lines, junctions, or narrow roads.
17. What does a single solid yellow line indicate?
No parking during specified times.
18. How should you position for a right turn in a one-way street?
Stay as far right as possible.
19. What do white zig-zags at crossings mean?
No parking or overtaking.
20. Who has priority at unmarked equal crossroads?
Yield to traffic from your right.
21. What's the urban speed limit unless signed otherwise?
50km/h (may be 30km/h or 60km/h in special zones).
22. How do you recognize hatched road markings?
Diagonal/chevron patterns marking no-entry zones for traffic separation.
23. What should you never do when being overtaken?
Increase your speed.
24. What does a yield sign require?
Give way to priority traffic and only proceed when safe.
25. When is coasting dangerous?
When disengaging gears/clutch - reduces vehicle control.
26. What's the rule for roundabout priority?
Yield to traffic already on the roundabout.
27. How far from the kerb should you park?
Within 45cm (about 1.5 feet).
28. What does a filter light allow?
Movement in the arrow's direction when safe.
29. Where are U-turns prohibited?
One-way streets, across continuous lines, or where signed.
30. What factors impair driving ability?
Alcohol, drugs, fatigue, distractions, and emotional state.
31. How to cross a dual carriageway with a narrow median?
Wait until you can cross completely if the median is too small.
32. What distinguishes motorways from dual carriageways?
Motorways have no roundabouts/junctions, left-only exits, and higher speed limits.
33. Who's responsible for adult vs minor seatbelts?
Driver (under 17s)
Passengers (17+).
34. What should you watch for on rural roads?
Animals, hidden entrances, slow vehicles, and poor surfaces.
35. What does tailgating mean?
Following too closely - reduces reaction time.
36. Which lane should you use on multi-lane roads?
Left lane (Lane 1) unless overtaking or directed otherwise.
37. What does a flashing amber light at crossings mean?
Proceed with caution - pedestrians have right of way.
38. How to recognize zebra vs pelican crossings?
Zebra: Orange beacons & uncontrolled
Pelican: Traffic light-controlled.
39. What's the stopping rule at unsigned stop signs?
Stop at the sign itself.
40. Which line takes precedence when center lines differ?
Obey the line nearest to your vehicle.
41. Can you proceed through a red light if an emergency vehicle approaches from behind?
No. Move aside if possible, but never break traffic signals—emergency vehicles will find a way around.
42. What should you check before changing lanes?
Mirrors, blind spots, and signal in advance. Ensure there's enough space to move safely.
43. What should you do if your tyre bursts while driving?
Hold the steering firmly, ease off the accelerator, and brake gently once under control.
44. What's Ireland's legal blood alcohol limit for novice drivers?
0.0%—strict zero tolerance for learners and newly licensed drivers.
45. When can you use a mobile phone while driving?
Only if parked safely.
46. What's the safest following distance in heavy rain?
Double the 2-second rule to 4 seconds for extra braking time.
47. When can you use the hard shoulder on a motorway?
Only in emergencies or if directed by signs/officials (e.g., during breakdowns).
48. Can you park opposite a continuous white line?
No—it's illegal to park where it would force others to cross the line.
49. What's the danger of underinflated tyres?
Reduced grip, longer braking distances, and increased risk of blowouts.
50. What extra space should you leave when passing cyclists?
At least 1 meter in zones under 50km/h, 1.5 meters in higher speed areas.
51. How do you check if your braking lights are working if you're by yourself?
Reverse back in front of a reflective surface and apply the brakes then check the rear view mirror.
52. How long do you have to keep your Novice plate on after passing your test?
2 years from the date of your first full license.
53. When is it legal to undertake? (Overtaking from the left side of the car in front of you rather than right side)
Only if the car in front of you is indicating and turning right.
54. What would you do if you see a puddle?
Your plan A is to avoid it as it might be hiding a pothole underneath it, Plan B is to take it really slowly.
55. When is the good time to overtake a stationary bus on a bus stop?
If the bus is indicating left, as it means the bus is still picking up passengers, while if the bus has the right indicator on it means that the bus is intending to move off.
56. What is a clearway?
A clearway is an area of road that must be kept clear for moving traffic. Most common example would be houses drive way.
57. What should you do if traffic lights are not working?
Treat the junction as an unmarked junction.
Give way according to the normal rules for an unmarked junction, including giving way to traffic from the right where applicable.
58. How to deal with traffic lights if they turn yellow as you approach them?
You have one second to clear the traffic light from the moment it turns yellow, if you can clear it, you keep going without further acceleration, if you can't clear it in one second then you start slowing down and stopping.
59. When should you use your hazard warning lights?
To warn other road users of a hazard or obstruction or if you broke down - Not for parking -.
60. What should you do before opening your car door when parked on the road?
Check mirrors and blind spots for cyclists, motorcyclists and other traffic.
Source: Rules of the road by the RSA
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