Junctions, roundabouts and parking: 40 theory test questions

All 40 questions, answers and sources

1. You reach a Stop sign and the road you are joining is empty. What must you do?

   1. Stop at the sign or stop line
   2. Slow down and go if clear
   3. Keep going, as no traffic is coming
   4. Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting
   Show the answer

   A: Stop at the sign or stop line. A Stop sign means a full stop every time, even if there is no traffic on the other road.

   “…you must stop at the sign or at the stop line on the road, if provided, even if there is no traffic on the road you would like to enter.”

2. You approach a Yield sign. What must you do?

   1. Always come to a full stop at the yield line first
   2. Slow down, stopping only if you need to
   3. Keep your speed, as you have priority
   4. Sound your horn before joining
   Show the answer

   B: Slow down, stopping only if you need to. At a Yield sign you must slow down, but you only need to stop if you have to wait for traffic.

   “…you must slow down, but you do not have to stop completely unless you need to wait for any oncoming traffic to pass.”

3. At a junction of two roads of equal importance, who has right of way?

   1. Traffic on your left
   2. Whoever arrives first
   3. Traffic on your right
   4. The larger vehicle
   Show the answer

   C: Traffic on your right. Where roads are of equal importance, traffic on your right has right of way and you must let it pass.

   “If you are at a junction where the roads are of equal importance, the traffic on your right has right of way.”

4. You are on the road that ends at a T junction. Who has right of way?

   1. You, if you are turning left and signalling clearly
   2. Whoever is signalling
   3. You, once you reach the line
   4. Traffic already on the road you are joining
   Show the answer

   D: Traffic already on the road you are joining. Traffic on the road you are joining has priority. You must wait for it to pass before turning.

   “If you are approaching a T junction, the traffic already on the road you are joining has right of way.”

5. You want to turn right. An oncoming car wants to turn left into the same road. Who goes first?

   1. You, since you got there first
   2. Whoever signalled first
   3. The car turning left
   4. You, as right turns take longer
   Show the answer

   C: The car turning left. When both want the same road, the vehicle turning left has right of way and the right-turner waits.

   “If you plan to turn right at a junction and a vehicle from the opposite direction wants to turn into the same road, the vehicle that is turning left has right of way.”

6. You are turning into a side road and a pedestrian is already crossing it. What must you do?

   1. Yield to the pedestrian
   2. Sound your horn and turn
   3. Turn behind them quickly
   4. Wait only if they are a child
   Show the answer

   A: Yield to the pedestrian. You must always yield to pedestrians already crossing at a junction.

   “You must always yield to: pedestrians already crossing at a junction…”

7. You are driving out of a private entrance onto a public road. Who has priority?

   1. You, once your bonnet is out
   2. Whoever is going faster
   3. You, if you signal first
   4. Traffic on the public road
   Show the answer

   D: Traffic on the public road. Coming out of a private entrance, you must yield to traffic on the public road.

   “…traffic on a public road when you are coming out of a private entrance.”

8. You are turning right from a major road into a minor road. Where should you position your car?

   1. Close to the left-hand kerb, leaving the centre free
   2. Just left of the middle of the road
   3. Across the centre line
   4. In the middle of your lane
   Show the answer

   B: Just left of the middle of the road. Positioning just left of the middle, or in a right-turn space, lets traffic pass you on the left.

   “As soon as you can do so safely, take up a position just left of the middle of the road or in the space provided for right-turning traffic.”

9. You are waiting to turn right across oncoming traffic. When should you turn the steering wheel?

   1. Only when you are ready to make the turn
   2. While you wait, so the wheels are already turned and ready
   3. As soon as you stop
   4. Before you signal
   Show the answer

   A: Only when you are ready to make the turn. Keep the wheels straight until you are ready to turn.

   “Do not turn the steering wheel until you are ready to make the turn.”

10. What is a 'swan neck' when turning right?

    1. Cutting across the corner of the road you are entering
    2. Passing the turning point, then turning back
    3. Turning without a signal
    4. Stopping in the middle of the road
    Show the answer

    B: Passing the turning point, then turning back. A swan neck means overshooting the correct turning point and then turning back into the road.

    “Do not make a 'swan neck' by passing the correct turning point and then having to turn back into the road you want to enter.”

11. You are turning right out of a minor road with a Stop sign. When should you go?

    1. When traffic from the right is clear
    2. When the car behind sounds its horn
    3. When the road is clear in both directions
    4. When a gap appears on your side only
    Show the answer

    C: When the road is clear in both directions. At a Stop or Yield sign you wait at the entrance until the road is clear both ways.

    “If you are at a junction controlled by a Stop or a Yield sign, wait at the entrance to the junction until the road is clear in both directions.”

12. You and an oncoming car are both turning right at a crossroads. How should you both turn if possible?

    1. Near side to near side
    2. One at a time, oldest driver first
    3. Both stop and wave each other on
    4. Back to back
    Show the answer

    D: Back to back. Turning back to back lets both drivers see oncoming traffic and be seen.

    “When turning right at a crossroads and a car coming from the opposite direction is also turning right, if possible you should both try to turn back to back…”

13. You are turning right from a one-way street. Where should you position?

    1. Close to the left-hand side
    2. In the centre of the street
    3. Close to the right-hand side
    4. Wherever there is space
    Show the answer

    C: Close to the right-hand side. In a one-way street you drive as close as safely possible to the right-hand side before turning right.

    “Drive as close as you safely can to the right-hand side of the one-way street.”

14. You are turning left into a minor road. What should you use your mirrors to watch for?

    1. Cyclists or motorcyclists coming up on your left
    2. Traffic waiting to come out of the minor road you are entering
    3. Pedestrians on the far footpath
    4. Your passengers' seatbelts
    Show the answer

    A: Cyclists or motorcyclists coming up on your left. Keep close to the left edge and watch your mirrors for cyclists and motorcyclists on your left.

    “…using your mirrors to watch for cyclists, e-scooters or motorcyclists coming up on your left.”

15. You are turning left from a minor road. What must you avoid?

    1. Signalling before the turn
    2. Slowing down before the turn
    3. Checking your mirrors first
    4. Swinging wide as you turn
    Show the answer

    D: Swinging wide as you turn. Take care not to swing wide, and give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing before you turn.

    “Take care not to swing wide when you turn and always give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the junction before you start any turn.”

16. When may you enter a yellow box junction before your exit is clear?

    1. When the lights are about to change and traffic ahead is moving
    2. When turning right and waiting for oncoming traffic
    3. When following a bus
    4. When traffic is moving slowly
    Show the answer

    B: When turning right and waiting for oncoming traffic. Turning right is the exception. You may wait in the box for a gap in oncoming traffic, if you do not block others.

    “In this case, you may enter the yellow box junction while waiting for a gap in traffic coming from the opposite direction.”

    Read the guide

17. There is a yellow box at a railway level crossing. When may you enter it?

    1. Only if you can leave it without stopping
    2. When the barrier is fully raised and the lights are off
    3. When the car ahead has entered it
    4. When no train is visible
    Show the answer

    A: Only if you can leave it without stopping. Never enter a yellow box at a level or tram crossing unless you can clear it without stopping.

    “Never enter these yellow box junctions unless you can leave them without stopping.”

    Read the guide

18. Which lane must you normally drive in on a dual carriageway?

    1. The right-hand lane
    2. The left-hand lane
    3. Whichever lane is quieter
    4. The centre lane on three lanes
    Show the answer

    B: The left-hand lane. You must normally keep to the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway.

    “You must normally drive in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway.”

19. When may you use the outer lane of a dual carriageway?

    1. Whenever you are driving at or near the speed limit
    2. When the left lane is bumpy
    3. For overtaking or turning right shortly
    4. At any time outside rush hour
    Show the answer

    C: For overtaking or turning right shortly. The outer lane is only for overtaking and for turning right a short distance ahead.

    “You may use the outer lane of a two-lane or three-lane dual carriageway only: for overtaking; and when intending to turn right a short distance ahead.”

20. You want to cross a dual carriageway but the median is too narrow for your car. What should you do?

    1. Cross the first half and wait there
    2. Stop with your car partly in the median
    3. Cross in two stages using hazard lights
    4. Wait until you can clear both sides in one go
    Show the answer

    D: Wait until you can clear both sides in one go. If the median cannot hold your car, wait on the minor road and cross both sides in one move.

    “If the median (the space in the central dividing strip) is too narrow for your vehicle, wait on the minor road until you can clear both sides of the carriageway, and complete your turn in one go.”

21. You want to cross a dual carriageway, but another vehicle is waiting in the median. What should you do?

    1. Pull in behind it in the first half
    2. Sound your horn so it moves
    3. Wait on the minor road
    4. Cross both halves behind it
    Show the answer

    C: Wait on the minor road. If the median is blocked, wait on the minor road until there is room to clear the first half without stopping on the carriageway.

    “If another vehicle is already blocking the median space, wait on the minor road until there is enough space to clear the first half of the road…”

22. At a roundabout, you want an exit between 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Which lane should you approach in?

    1. Generally the left-hand lane
    2. Generally the right-hand lane
    3. Either lane, whichever is shorter
    4. The right lane, signalling left
    Show the answer

    A: Generally the left-hand lane. Under the golden rule, exits from 6 to 12 o'clock are generally approached in the left-hand lane.

    “If taking any exit from the 6 o'clock to the 12 o'clock position, motorists should generally approach in the left-hand lane.”

    Read the guide

23. At a roundabout, you want an exit after 12 o'clock. Which lane should you approach in?

    1. Generally the left-hand lane
    2. Whichever lane is empty
    3. The left lane, signalling right
    4. Generally the right-hand lane
    Show the answer

    D: Generally the right-hand lane. Exits from 12 to 6 o'clock are generally approached in the right-hand lane.

    “If taking any exit between the 12 o'clock to the 6 o'clock positions, motorists should generally approach in the right-hand lane.”

    Read the guide

24. Road markings at a roundabout show a lane that differs from the golden rule. What should you do?

    1. Follow the golden rule
    2. Follow the road markings
    3. Use the lane with less traffic
    4. Ignore both and use the left lane
    Show the answer

    B: Follow the road markings. Lane markings take priority over the golden rule.

    “If there are road markings showing you what lane you should be in, follow those directions.”

    Read the guide

25. Who must you yield to when entering a roundabout?

    1. Traffic from the right or already on it
    2. Traffic coming from the left that is about to enter
    3. Only buses and lorries
    4. Nobody, if you are going straight
    Show the answer

    A: Traffic from the right or already on it. Treat a roundabout as a junction. Yield to traffic from the right or already on it, then keep moving if clear.

    “You must yield to traffic coming from the right or traffic already on the roundabout, but keep moving if the way is clear.”

    Read the guide

26. You are going straight ahead at a roundabout. When should you indicate left?

    1. As you approach the roundabout
    2. After passing the exit before yours
    3. Not at all, as going straight needs no signal on exit
    4. As soon as you enter the roundabout
    Show the answer

    B: After passing the exit before yours. Going straight, you do not indicate left until you have passed the exit before the one you want.

    “…do not indicate 'left' until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take.”

    Read the guide

27. You are taking a later exit at a roundabout and have been indicating right. When do you switch to left?

    1. As soon as you enter
    2. When you reach 12 o'clock
    3. After passing the exit before yours
    4. Only once you have fully left the roundabout
    Show the answer

    C: After passing the exit before yours. Keep the right indicator on until you pass the exit before yours, then change to left.

    “…leave your indicator on until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take. Then change to the 'left' turn indicator.”

    Read the guide

28. A cyclist on a roundabout is in the left lane and signalling right. What may this mean?

    1. They are about to stop
    2. They are leaving at the next exit
    3. They want you to overtake
    4. They intend to continue round
    Show the answer

    D: They intend to continue round. Cyclists and horse riders may stay in the left lane and signal right to show they are continuing round.

    “…cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout…”

    Read the guide

29. You park a car with automatic transmission. Which gear setting should you select?

    1. N
    2. D
    3. P
    4. R
    Show the answer

    C: P. In an automatic you select P when parked. In a manual you leave it in first or reverse.

    “Leave the vehicle in first gear or reverse, or, in the case of an automatic, select P.”

30. On which side should passengers get out of a parked car?

    1. The kerbside
    2. The road side
    3. Either side
    4. The driver's side
    Show the answer

    A: The kerbside. Passengers should exit on the kerbside, away from passing traffic.

    “…are not blocking other road users. Passengers should exit on the kerbside.”

31. You need lights on while parked at the side of the road at night. Which should you use?

    1. Dipped headlights
    2. Main beam headlights
    3. Front fog lights
    4. Side or parking lights only
    Show the answer

    D: Side or parking lights only. Headlights on parked cars can dazzle other drivers, so use only side or parking lights.

    “If you need to have lights on in these circumstances, you should use only 'side' or 'parking' lights.”

32. During clearway hours, when may a car stop in the clearway?

    1. For up to 10 minutes to load or unload shopping
    2. Only when waiting in a line of traffic
    3. When disc parking is available
    4. To drop off a passenger
    Show the answer

    B: Only when waiting in a line of traffic. In a clearway, vehicles may stop during the set times only when queuing in traffic, never to park.

    “Other vehicles may stop during these times only if they are waiting in a line of traffic, but they are not allowed to park…”

33. What do double yellow lines at the edge of the road mean?

    1. No parking at any time
    2. No parking during working hours
    3. Loading only
    4. Parking for permit holders
    Show the answer

    A: No parking at any time. Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time.

    “The double yellow lines mean no parking at any time.”

34. How close to a pedestrian crossing may you park?

    1. No closer than 5 metres before or after
    2. No closer than 15 metres before or 5 after
    3. No closer than 10 metres before it
    4. Right up to the zig-zag lines
    Show the answer

    B: No closer than 15 metres before or 5 after. You must not park 15 metres before or 5 metres after a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.

    “15 metres before or 5 metres after a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights…”

35. You borrow a relative's disabled parking permit while they are not with you. May you use a disabled bay?

    1. Yes, as long as the permit is clearly on display
    2. Yes, for up to one hour
    3. No, only for the permit holder's convenience
    4. Yes, outside business hours
    Show the answer

    C: No, only for the permit holder's convenience. A permit only allows parking in a disabled bay when it is for the permit holder's convenience.

    “…you cannot park in a disabled parking bay, even with a permit displayed, unless it's for the permit holder's convenience.”

36. How close to a road junction may you park, where no spaces are marked?

    1. Not within 2 metres
    2. Not within 10 metres
    3. Right up to the corner
    4. Not within 5 metres
    Show the answer

    D: Not within 5 metres. You must not park within 5 metres of a junction unless parking spaces are clearly marked.

    “…within 5 metres of a road junction unless parking spaces are clearly marked…”

37. When must you not park in a with-flow bus lane?

    1. At any time
    2. Only on weekdays during normal working hours
    3. During the hours it is in force
    4. Only at night
    Show the answer

    C: During the hours it is in force. A with-flow bus lane is off limits during its hours. A contra-flow bus lane is off limits at all times.

    “…in a contra-flow bus lane at any time or in a with-flow bus lane during the hours the bus lane is in force…”

38. Where must you never park?

    1. On the brow of a hill
    2. In a marked parking bay
    3. On a wide straight road
    4. In a disc parking area with a disc
    Show the answer

    A: On the brow of a hill. Parking at a corner, bend, hill brow or hump-back bridge hides your car from other drivers.

    “…at a corner, a bend, the brow of a hill or on a hump-back bridge…”

39. You leave a disc parking space. How soon may you park again on the same street?

    1. Straight away with a new disc
    2. After 30 minutes
    3. After two hours
    4. After one hour
    Show the answer

    D: After one hour. You must not park again in the same street within one hour of leaving a disc parking space.

    “…must not park again in the same street within one hour of leaving a disc-parking space.”

40. Your parking forces a pedestrian onto the road. What can a Garda decide?

    1. You need only move the car
    2. You committed dangerous parking
    3. Only a clamp can apply
    4. No offence, as you were parked
    Show the answer

    B: You committed dangerous parking. Parking that endangers others, such as pushing pedestrians onto the road, can be the offence of dangerous parking.

    “…for example, if it forces a pedestrian out onto the roadway, a Garda can decide that you have committed an offence of dangerous parking…”