Night driving theory test questions
Driving at night asks more of you because you can see less and judge speed and distance less easily, and the Irish driving theory test checks that you adjust for it. You need to know when and how to use your headlights, how to avoid dazzling other drivers and what to do when you are dazzled, and why keeping your lights clean and correctly aligned matters. The test also covers how to make yourself and others visible in the dark and why a well maintained car is safer once the light fades. The safe answer usually involves slowing down and leaving more room than you would by day. The questions below come from our question bank and show every answer option, mark the correct answer and explain why it is right. They cover headlight use, dazzle, visibility and the care night driving needs. Read the explanations, then practise the same material in a full session before test day.
1. A driver wishes to drive at night, but the offside (right-hand side) headlight bulb is blown. What should the driver do?
- AReplace it temporarily with the brake-light bulb.
- BDrive with the hazard lights on.
- CReplace it temporarily with the nearside (left-hand side) bulb.
- Not drive until the bulb is replaced.Correct
A driver is responsible for their vehicle’s roadworthiness and they should check it at regular intervals. Drivers must not drive on the road unless their vehicle’s headlights are in good working order, adjusted properly and clean.
2. What effect can a broken lens have on headlights?
- AIt can cause the bulb to overheat.
- BIt can increase the brightness of the beam in the other headlight.
- CIt can cause other bulbs to blow if not fixed immediately.
- It can reduce and distort the beam.Correct
A driver is responsible for their vehicle’s roadworthiness and they should check it at regular intervals. Among the checks they should make are that all the lights are in working order. If they find defects in the lights, such as a broken lens, they should have them repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
3. Why is it important to ensure that the vehicle headlights are correctly aligned?
- To enable the driver to see properly.Correct
- BTo increase the lifespan of the headlights.
- CTo reduce battery consumption.
- DTo enable the driver to drive faster in the dark.
A driver should ensure their headlights are properly aligned so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers and also to see properly themselves.
4. What effect could incorrectly aligned headlights have?
- They could dazzle oncoming drivers.Correct
- BThey could cause a fire.
- CThey could wear out the bulbs prematurely.
- DThey could reduce battery life.
A driver should ensure their headlights are properly aligned so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers and also to see properly themselves.
5. What should a driver do if the right-hand headlight bulb fails when driving at night?
- AReplace it temporarily with the left-hand headlight bulb.
- BReplace it temporarily with the brake light bulb.
- CDrive with the hazard lights on.
- Have the bulb replaced immediately.Correct
Vehicles (except motorcycles) are required by law to have right and left headlights. Faulty lights should be repaired immediately. A vehicle with only one headlight can cause a hazard to other road users or be mistaken for a motorcycle.
6. What would make a pedestrian more visible to a driver at night?
- AWearing a waterproof jacket.
- BWearing headphones.
- Wearing a hi-vis jacket.Correct
- DCarrying a bright flashlight.
Even with the best vehicle headlights, drivers can see less at night than during the day, pedestrians as vulnerable road users are extremely difficult to see in the dark. Wearing reflective clothing makes pedestrians more visible. Pedestrians should always wear bright and hi-vis clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night when walking outside built-up areas.
7. Generally what lighting must a car, tractor or works vehicle have when driving?
- AHeadlights, brake lights and indicators only.
- BHeadlights, number plate and rear reflectors only.
- Headlights, front and rear side lights, rear number plate light, red rear reflectors, brake lights and indicators.Correct
- DHeadlights and a reversing light.
In general all cars, tractors and works vehicles are required by law to have headlights, front and rear side lights, rear number plate light, rear reflectors, brake lights and indicators. There are some exceptions to this, such as electric cars with a maximum speed of 38 km/h.
8. How can sunlight affect visibility in a car with dirty windows?
- It can seriously reduce visibility.Correct
- BIt can cause objects to seem further away than they are.
- CIt can enhance visibility.
- DIt can cause objects to seem closer than they are.
It is essential that all vehicle windows are clear and clean at all times so that drivers can see road and traffic conditions all around. Dirty windows are a particular hazard when the sun is low in the sky. Dirty windows also decrease visibility during hours of twilight and darkness.
9. When driving at night the full headlights of a typical car should enable the driver to see for a distance of how many metres?
- A150 metres.
- B200 metres.
- C50 metres.
- 100 metres.Correct
At night in good driving conditions the full headlights of a car will typically let you see 100 metres ahead. So, you should travel at a speed that allows you to stop within that distance.
10. When driving at night, what is the safest approach for a driver to adopt?
- ADrive at the maximum speed limit with dipped headlights on at all times.
- BDrive with full headlights on at all times.
- CDrive at the maximum speed limit with full headlights on to see clearly ahead.
- Drive at a speed that enables the driver to stop within the distance ahead that they can see to be clear.Correct
When driving at night in good driving conditions the dipped headlights of a car will typically let you see 30 metres ahead. So, you should travel at a speed that allows you to stop in that distance.