Cyclist theory test questions
Cyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road, and the Irish driving theory test returns often to how drivers should share the road with them safely. You need to know to give cyclists room when you pass, to wait for a safe gap rather than squeezing by, and to take extra care at junctions where cyclists can be hard to see. The test also covers cycle lanes and cycle tracks, who may use them and what the markings around them mean. Because a mistake falls hardest on the cyclist, the safe answer is almost always the patient, generous one. The questions below are drawn from our question bank and show the full set of answer options, mark the correct answer and explain the reasoning. They cover passing cyclists, cycle lanes and tracks, and the care needed at junctions and turns. Read the explanations, then practise the wider topic of sharing the road in a full session before your test.
Related reading: Sharing the road with vulnerable users.
1. What traffic may use a cycle lane accompanied by a continuous white line?
- ACyclists and taxis.
- BCyclists and motorcyclists.
- Cyclists and motorised wheelchairs.Correct
- DBuses and cyclists.
A cycle track is for the use of cyclists and motorised wheelchairs. No other vehicles may cross into or over a mandatory cycle track unless this is necessary in order to leave a side road or a property adjacent to the cycle track.
2. Apart from cyclists and motorised wheelchairs, what other road users may use an unoccupied cycle lane accompanied by a broken white line?
- AOnly buses and taxis.
- All drivers may make temporary use.Correct
- COnly moped riders and motorcyclists.
- DOnly hackneys and taxis.
Drivers may make temporary use of a cycle track with a broken white line on the right-hand side if it is not occupied.
3. Who can use a signed cycle track accompanied by a continuous white line on the left-hand side?
- ACyclists and motorcyclists.
- BDrivers when overtaking a vehicle turning right.
- Cyclists and users of motorised wheelchairs.Correct
- DDrivers, when it is not being used by a cyclist.
A cycle track is for the use of cyclists and motorised wheelchairs only. No other vehicles may cross into or over a mandatory cycle track unless this is necessary in order to leave or enter a side road or a property adjacent to the cycle track.
4. How should an L plate be composed?
- AA white L on a red background.
- BA red L on a transparent background.
- CA green L on a white background.
- A red L on a white background.Correct
L plates should be displayed front and rear. The plates should be a red L on a white background and should be not less than 15 cm high with a border of at least 2 cm. A learner motorcyclist must wear a yellow tabard displaying L plates front and rear. The L plates must be not less than 15 cm high on a white background.
5. What procedure should a driver follow when intending to overtake a cyclist travelling in the same direction up ahead?
- AIndicate, check the mirror, move out and overtake when safe to do so.
- BIndicate, move out and check the mirror for following traffic.
- CMirror check, and move out to overtake without indicating.
- Mirror check, indicate and move out if it is safe to do so.Correct
The sequence drivers should follow the mirror - signal - manoeuvre routine when overtaking. Drivers should overtake only when it is safe to do so. Give extra space to cyclists when overtaking them, as they may need to move out to avoid a pothole, or they could be blown into your path on windy days.
6. When a driver intends to make a left-hand turn at a busy city junction and there are pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users present, what should the driver do?
- AKeep to the right to make room for cyclists and e-scooter users to pass.
- BSpeed up to clear the junction quickly.
- CSignal left, watch the right-hand mirror and make the turn when it is clear.
- Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users who may try to cross the road in front of the driver’s vehicle.Correct
When making a left-hand turn on a busy city street, drivers should pay particular attention to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter users who may appear unexpectedly and especially from the left and may not be aware of the vehicle’s intention.
7. When overtaking a cyclist what should a driver be aware of?
- AThe cyclist is only permitted to use the bus lane.
- BThe cyclist is not wearing a safety helmet.
- The cyclist may suddenly change direction.Correct
- DThe cyclist may only continue straigh.
Cyclists are just as entitled to use the road as other vehicles, and drivers need to pay special attention to them. Cyclists are vulnerable road users and sometimes make sudden movements - for example, to avoid a pothole, some broken glass or other debris on the road. Sufficient clearance should be given when overtaking them to lessen the possible danger.
8. What should a driver ensure when overtaking a cyclist?
- AOvertake only when the cyclist is in a cycle lane.
- BOvertake quickly to avoid holding up traffic.
- COvertake when the cyclist pulls in and stops.
- Overtake giving them plenty of space.Correct
Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Motorists must give good clearance when overtaking cyclists.
9. If it is safe to overtake a cyclist in speed zones over 50 km/h, what is the recommended minimum passing distance?
- AAllow a minimum of 1 metre.
- BAllow a maximum of 1.5 metres.
- Allow a minimum of 1.5 metres.Correct
- DAllow a maximum of 1.75 metres.
A driver should drive their vehicle far enough to the left to allow traffic to safely pass or overtake on the right, but not so far to the left that you are driving on a cycle lane or blocking or endangering cyclists or pedestrians. Where a driver wishes to overtake a cyclist and it is safe to do so, they should, if it is possible, give the recommended clearance depending on the speed limit area they are in.
10. When a driver intends to make a left-hand turn on a busy city street junction and there are pedestrians and cyclists around, what should the driver do?
- AStay close to the left to prevent cyclists or pedestrians coming up on your left side.
- BSignal left, watch the right-hand mirror and make the turn when it is clear.
- CKeep to the right to make room for cyclists to pass.
- Watch for cyclists or pedestrians who may try to cross the road in front of the vehicle.Correct
When making a left-hand turn on a busy city street, drivers should pay particular attention to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who may appear unexpectedly and may not be aware of the vehicle’s intention.