Road marking theory test questions
Road markings carry instructions just as road signs do, and the Irish driving theory test expects you to read them correctly. You need to know what continuous and broken white lines mean, when you may and may not cross them, and how yellow lines and box junctions change what you are allowed to do. Markings also show where cycle lanes and cycle tracks run and who may use them. Because the lines do the talking, misreading them is a common cause of mistakes on the road and on the test. The questions below are drawn from our question bank and show every answer option, mark the correct answer and explain it, so you learn to interpret the markings rather than guess. They cover white and yellow lines, box junctions and the markings around cycle lanes. Read the explanations, then practise the same material in a full session so the meanings become second nature before test day.
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. Where is a driver allowed to park?
- Where the driver is not blocking other road users their view of traffic signals or the road ahead.Correct
- BAt road works.
- CWhere there is a continuous white line along the centre of the road.
- DOn a footpath.
It is an offence to park at the side of a road that has a single or double continuous white line along its centre. Parking on such a road could create an obstruction and may cause inconvenience or danger to other road users.
5. What should a rider be aware of when crossing road markings such as lines or arrows?
- ABraking distance is shortened.
- Tyre grip is reduced.Correct
- CSteering is improved.
- DTyre grip is not affected.
Riding on just 2 wheels, riders need to be on the constant lookout for irregularities and other problems with the road surface. This can include all road markings.
6. What should the driver be aware of when crossing road markings such as lines and directional arrows in wet weather?
- AThe required stopping distance is reduced due to improved tyre grip.
- BSteering control is improved.
- The required stopping distance is increased due to reduced tyre grip.Correct
- DThe tyre grip is improved.
You should be aware of the impact of changes in the road surface. For example, road markings and directional arrows can become slippery when wet. Where possible, avoid driving on road markings, and be aware of the increased risk of skidding.
7. 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.
8. What position should a driver generally adopt on approach to a roundabout when intending to take the first exit to the left?
- AApproach by straddling both lanes.
- BApproach in the right-hand lane.
- CApproach in any lane available.
- Approach in the left-hand lane.Correct
When a driver intends to take any exit between the 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock positions they should generally approach the roundabout in the left lane unless road markings dictate otherwise.
9. In general, when turning right on a two-way road, where should a driver position the vehicle?
- AAt either side of the middle of the road.
- BAt the far right-hand side of the road.
- CAt the far left-hand side of the road.
- Just left of the middle of the road.Correct
In general, the correct position to be in before turning right is just left of the centre of the road. Where the road is wide enough, this position allows traffic coming from behind and going straight ahead to pass safely on the left. The driver should be alert for road markings which direct them to follow a certain course.
10. Apart from the risk of skidding, what should the driver be aware of when driving in snow?
- Road signs and road markings may become obscured.Correct
- BThe brake fluid may freeze, causing the brakes to fail.
- CThe air in the tyres may freeze, causing them to burst.
- DThe power steering fluid may freeze causing the steering to fail.
Road signs and road markings may become obscured by snow. If this happens you may have difficulty reading regulatory, warning and information signs. This is the main reason why these signs are different shapes. Drivers should pay particular attention when travelling in these conditions.