Motorway theory test questions
Motorway questions are a reliable part of the Irish driving theory test, and they reward clear knowledge of a few firm rules. You need to know who and what is not allowed on a motorway, including learner drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and slow vehicles, and that you keep to the left lane except when overtaking. The test also asks about joining safely from a slip road, what to do if you break down, and why the hard shoulder is for emergencies only. These are situations where the safe answer and the legal answer are the same, so the reasoning is worth understanding rather than guessing. The questions below come from our bank and show every answer option, the correct answer and an explanation for each. They cover lane discipline, breakdowns, joining and the vehicles that may not use a motorway at all. Read the explanations, then sit a timed session to see the same material under exam conditions.
Related reading: Motorway rules.
1. On a motorway, when should a driver use the hazard warning lights?
- AWhen towing another vehicle.
- BWhen parked in the hard shoulder to take a phone call.
- When the vehicle has broken down.Correct
- DWhen another vehicle is following too closely.
Use the hazard warning lights to warn other road users of a danger ahead. For example, if your vehicle has broken down and is stopped on the hard shoulder, you can use the hazard warning lights to warn following vehicles of your presence.
2. If a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, what should a person do?
- ATurn on the full beam headlights.
- BPlace a red warning triangle to the left of the vehicle.
- CAsk a passenger to stand on the motorway to warn other traffic.
- Move the vehicle to the hard shoulder.Correct
Move the vehicle to the hard shoulder. Park as near to the left as possible. If this is not possible, take steps to warn other drivers, such as switching on the hazard warning lights.
3. Which of the following statements is true in relation to tyre pressure and driving on a motorway?
- The driver should ensure that tyre pressure is correct, in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.Correct
- BThe driver should reduce tyre pressure because high speeds will cause them to heat up.
- CThe driver should increase the front tyre pressure in order to cope with sustained high speed.
- DThe driver should increase the rear tyre pressure in order to cope with sustained high speed.
The driver should ensure that the tyre pressure of their vehicle is correct at all times. Correct tyre pressure is especially important when travelling long distances, on motorways and at speed.
4. When calling for help on an emergency telephone on the motorway, who does the call go to?
- The Gardaí.Correct
- BNational Roads Authority.
- CNational Safety Council.
- DRoad Safety Authority.
The emergency telephones at the side of a motorway are linked directly to An Garda Síochána in order for them to respond appropriately as soon as possible. The Gardaí know precisely the location of each call using these phones.
5. What effect do the hazard warning lights have on the brake lights?
- AThey cause the brake lights to flash repeatedly.
- They have no effect.Correct
- CThey cause the brake lights to switch off completely.
- DThey cause the left and right brake lights to flash alternately.
The hazard lights work independently of the other lights on the vehicle (except the direction indicators), and have no effect on the brake lights. Use the hazard warning lights to warn other road users of a danger ahead, when your vehicle is broken down and causing an obstruction, or when you needs to slow down sharply on a motorway.
6. Which roads are learner permit holders not allowed to drive on?
- AThey may not drive on national roads.
- BThey may not drive on rural roads.
- They may not drive on motorways.Correct
- DThey may not drive on dual carriageways.
A learner permit holder must not drive on a motorway. It is a serious offence to do so.
7. What roads are learner permit holders allowed to drive on?
- All roads except motorways.Correct
- BAll roads except national roads.
- CAll roads except dual-carriageways.
- DAll roads except motorways and dual-carriageways.
A learner permit holder must not drive on a motorway. It is a serious offence to do so.
8. When should a driver move into an auxiliary lane on a motorway?
- ATo allow other traffic to overtake.
- BTo enter a service area.
- CTo overtake slower traffic in other lanes.
- To leave the motorway.Correct
Auxiliary lanes are found on some motorways and are to the left of the main motorway lanes. They link the off-ramp of the road you are leaving with the next available off-ramp or exit. If a driver is already in lane 1 of the motorway and they intend to take the next exit, they should enter the auxiliary lane to do so. The auxiliary lane is normally identified by a broken white line to the right of the lane, with markings that are shorter, closer and wider than the broken white lines normally seen in lane 1, 2 or 3.
9. When joining a motorway from a slip road, what should a driver do?
- Adjust speed to match that of the motorway traffic, and merge into a suitable gap.Correct
- BDrive on the hard shoulder for a distance until a suitable gap appears in the traffic.
- CUse the size of the vehicle to assert its position on the motorway.
- DStop on the slip road until a suitable gap appears in the traffic.
When joining a motorway from a slip road, drivers should adjust their speed to that of the motorway traffic on the acceleration lane and merge into a suitable gap in lane 1. Do not force other traffic to swerve or slow down to avoid your vehicle.
10. What should a driver do when travelling on a motorway or dual carriageway?
- ARelax because there will be no oncoming traffic.
- BMatch the speed to that of the vehicle in the adjoining lane.
- CMatch the speed to that of the vehicle in front.
- Be alert for other drivers who may suddenly change lanes or reduce speed.Correct
Motorways and dual carriageways are designed to help traffic travel faster and more safely between destinations. Traffic conditions can change very quickly because of the speed and increased volumes of traffic and lanes, and you need to be particularly alert to other drivers changing lanes or reducing speed.