Road markings and crossings: 37 theory test questions

All 37 questions, answers and sources

1. You see a Yield sign near a junction. What must you do?

   1. Stop fully even if the road is clear
   2. Give way only to traffic on your right
   3. Go first, as traffic on the major road must give way to you
   4. Give way to traffic on the major road ahead
   Show the answer

   D: Give way to traffic on the major road ahead. At a Yield sign you give way to traffic on the major road and only go when it is safe.

   “…must give way to any traffic on a major road ahead and you must not proceed onto the main road until it is safe to do so.”

2. On a national road, an overhead lane sign shows a red X above your lane. What does it mean?

   1. Slow down to 60 km/h while in this lane
   2. Overtaking is banned in this lane
   3. The lane is closed and you must stop
   4. The lane is for buses only
   Show the answer

   C: The lane is closed and you must stop. A red X closes the lane. It has the same effect as a Stop sign and you must not pass it.

   “A red X means the lane is closed. You must stop. You must not pass this sign. It has the same effect as a stop sign.”

3. An overhead lane sign shows a green arrow pointing down and to the left. What should you do?

   1. Stay in your lane, it is open
   2. Move into the left-hand lane safely
   3. Take the next exit on the left side of the road
   4. Stop at the left edge of the road
   Show the answer

   B: Move into the left-hand lane safely. A green arrow pointing left tells you to move into the left lane, following the normal rules for changing lanes.

   “A green arrow pointing to the left means you must move into the left-hand lane.”

4. You are driving along a one-way street with two lanes. Where should you normally drive?

   1. In the right-hand lane
   2. On the left-hand side
   3. In whichever lane is emptier
   4. Straddling both lanes
   Show the answer

   B: On the left-hand side. Even in a one-way street keep to the left, unless you are overtaking or turning right ahead.

   “…you should still drive on the left-hand side. You may leave the left-hand side only if you intend to overtake or turn right up ahead.”

5. How do road markings compare with upright signs in law?

   1. They are advice only
   2. They apply only at night
   3. They apply only when signed
   4. They have the same status
   Show the answer

   D: They have the same status. Road markings are traffic signs painted on the road. Drivers must obey them just like upright signs.

   “They have the same status as upright signs. Road users must obey these road markings.”

   Read the guide

6. A broken white line crosses your lane at the end of a minor road. What must you do?

   1. Stop fully even if it is clear
   2. Go first, as the line gives you priority at the junction
   3. Give way to traffic on the major road
   4. Wait for a green light
   Show the answer

   C: Give way to traffic on the major road. A broken white yield line means you give right of way to traffic on the major road ahead.

   “The driver must give right-of-way to any traffic on a major road ahead.”

   Read the guide

7. Lights at a junction have an advanced stop line for cyclists. The light is red. Where must you wait?

   1. In the shaded cyclist area
   2. Level with the traffic lights at the far side of the box
   3. Behind the first white line you reach
   4. Beside the cyclists at the front
   Show the answer

   C: Behind the first white line you reach. Wait behind the first white line and keep out of the shaded cyclist area.

   “The motor vehicle driver must wait behind the first white line they reach and not cross into the shaded area.”

8. At traffic lights there is a white-edged box with a right-turn arrow. Your light is red. Can you move into the box?

   1. Yes, to get ready to turn
   2. No, not through a red light
   3. Yes, if no traffic is coming
   4. Yes, if you signal right
   Show the answer

   B: No, not through a red light. You must not go into the turning box through a red light.

   “This shows where to position a vehicle if you want to take a right turn. Do not proceed into the box through a red light.”

9. You are in a right-turn box at a green light. Oncoming traffic blocks your turn. What must you do?

   1. Wait in the box until it is safe
   2. Reverse back behind the stop line
   3. Go straight ahead instead
   4. Turn quickly through a gap in traffic
   Show the answer

   A: Wait in the box until it is safe. If oncoming traffic stops you turning, wait in the box until you can turn safely.

   “…you must wait in the box until you can safely take the turn.”

10. There is a continuous white line along the centre of the road. When may you cross it?

    1. When overtaking a slow vehicle such as a tractor
    2. When the road ahead is clear
    3. Only at night
    4. Only in an emergency or for access
    Show the answer

    D: Only in an emergency or for access. All traffic must keep left of a continuous centre line, except in an emergency or for access.

    “All traffic must keep to the left of the line (except in an emergency or for access).”

    Read the guide

11. The centre lines ahead become longer, with shorter gaps. What are they warning you about?

    1. A lane reserved for buses starts on the left
    2. The end of a speed limit
    3. A parking area ahead
    4. Hazards such as bends, hills or junctions
    Show the answer

    D: Hazards such as bends, hills or junctions. Longer lines with shorter gaps are warning lines. They alert you to hazards such as restricted vision, junctions or bends.

    “These warning lines alert drivers to hazards such as restricted vision, approach to a junction…”

    Read the guide

12. There are double broken white lines along the centre of the road. What do they tell you?

    1. Overtaking is allowed freely for the next kilometre or so
    2. You are entering a 2-plus-1 road
    3. Continuous white lines are a short distance ahead
    4. The road ahead is one-way
    Show the answer

    C: Continuous white lines are a short distance ahead. Double broken centre lines warn that continuous white lines are coming up soon.

    “These alert drivers to continuous white lines a short distance ahead.”

    Read the guide

13. The centre of the road has a broken line beside a continuous line. The continuous line is nearer to you. What applies?

    1. You may cross if overtaking safely
    2. You must stay left of the continuous line
    3. You may cross as the broken line allows it
    4. Neither line applies to cars
    Show the answer

    B: You must stay left of the continuous line. You obey the line nearest to you. If that is the continuous line, you must keep to its left.

    “The driver must obey the line that is nearest to them.”

    Read the guide

14. On a road with a broken yellow edge line, a faster car is behind you. What may you do?

    1. Pull in briefly to let it pass, if the hard shoulder is clear
    2. Drive along the hard shoulder until it ends, keeping left of the line
    3. Speed up so it does not need to pass
    4. Brake to make it overtake sooner
    Show the answer

    A: Pull in briefly to let it pass, if the hard shoulder is clear. You may pull in briefly to let a vehicle pass, if no pedestrians or cyclists are using it and no junctions are near. Do not keep driving on it.

    “…they may pull in to the hard shoulder briefly (but do not continue driving in the hard shoulder)”

    Read the guide

15. At roadworks a worker holds up a Stop sign. When may you go on?

    1. When the Go (Téigh) sign is shown
    2. When no oncoming traffic is visible
    3. After waiting one minute
    4. When the car in front moves
    Show the answer

    A: When the Go (Téigh) sign is shown. You must stop at the Stop sign and only go through or past the roadworks when the Go sign is displayed.

    “You may only proceed through or past the roadworks when the Go sign (Téigh) is displayed.”

16. There are white diagonal hatched markings in the centre of the road. What must you do?

    1. Use them to wait before turning
    2. Drive on them to overtake
    3. Park on them briefly
    4. Not enter the area they cover
    Show the answer

    D: Not enter the area they cover. Hatched markings separate traffic. You must not enter the area they cover.

    “If you see these markings on a road, you must not enter the area they cover.”

    Read the guide

17. You are on a 2-plus-1 road with a centre barrier. You need to turn right but there is no junction. What may you do?

    1. Cross the barrier at a gap
    2. Stop and wait for a gap in the barrier
    3. Turn left onto a minor road and U-turn there
    4. Reverse back to the last junction you passed on the road
    Show the answer

    C: Turn left onto a minor road and U-turn there. On 2-plus-1 roads you may turn left onto a minor road, use the U-turn area there, then carry on.

    “…drivers who need to turn right or turn around may first turn left onto a minor road and perform a U-turn…”

18. What is the penalty for breaking the rules at a mini-roundabout?

    1. €60 fixed charge and no points
    2. €60 fixed charge plus one penalty point
    3. Three penalty points only
    4. €120 fixed charge plus two penalty points on your licence
    Show the answer

    B: €60 fixed charge plus one penalty point. Breaking mini-roundabout rules is a fixed-charge offence of €60 with one penalty point.

    “…it is a fixed-charge offence of €60 plus one penalty point to violate the rules relating to mini-roundabouts…”

19. When do bus lanes normally operate?

    1. 24 hours a day, every day
    2. 7am to 7pm or at peak hours
    3. Only on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, outside bank holidays
    4. Only during school terms
    Show the answer

    B: 7am to 7pm or at peak hours. Bus lanes normally run from 7am to 7pm or at peak hours. Always check the information plate, and if you cannot read it, stay out.

    “Normally, bus lanes operate from 7am to 7pm or during peak hours.”

20. It is outside the times shown on a bus lane plate. Who may drive in the bus lane?

    1. All traffic
    2. Only taxis
    3. Only buses
    4. Only cyclists
    Show the answer

    A: All traffic. Outside the hours shown, a bus lane is open to all traffic.

    “Outside these times, all traffic may use them.”

21. A contra-flow bus lane runs against the traffic beside it. When can a private car use it?

    1. Outside 7am to 7pm
    2. At weekends only
    3. When signalling to turn
    4. Never, day or night
    Show the answer

    D: Never, day or night. A contra-flow bus lane is reserved for buses only, day or night. Signs may allow cyclists or e-scooters.

    “It is reserved only for buses, which generally means that no other traffic may use it, day or night…”

22. Which of these may use a with-flow bus lane during its hours of operation?

    1. Private cars
    2. Vans with one passenger
    3. Taxis
    4. Learner drivers
    Show the answer

    C: Taxis. With-flow bus lanes can be used by buses, taxis, bicycles, e-scooters and L1e-A e-mopeds.

    “It can be used by bicycles, e-scooters, L1e-A e-mopeds and taxis as well as buses…”

23. You need to reach a building on a bus-only street. Can you drive in?

    1. No, never
    2. Yes, at any time
    3. Yes, for access only
    4. Only after 7pm and before 7am
    Show the answer

    C: Yes, for access only. Other traffic may use a bus-only street only to reach a building or a side road.

    “Other traffic may use them only to get access to a building or side road.”

24. A blue sign shows a tram lane beside your traffic lane. When may you enter the tram lane?

    1. To park for a short time
    2. Only to overtake, when it is safe
    3. Whenever no tram is visible in either direction
    4. To queue at traffic lights
    Show the answer

    B: Only to overtake, when it is safe. You may only enter a tram lane to overtake another vehicle, and only when it is safe.

    “A driver can only enter the tram lane to overtake another vehicle when it is safe to do so.”

25. A No Entry sign has a plate reading Except Trams and Access. When may you drive in?

    1. To enter or leave a building there
    2. Whenever no tram is in sight
    3. Only between 7pm and 7am on weekdays and weekends
    4. Never, it is for trams only
    Show the answer

    A: To enter or leave a building there. The Access plate lets a driver enter to get into or out of a building on that street.

    “…means that a driver or cyclist may enter the street if they need to enter or leave a building.”

26. A tram goes through a junction controlled by traffic lights. May you follow it through?

    1. Yes, trams always clear the way
    2. Yes, if you stay close behind
    3. Yes, if the tram signal is white
    4. Not unless you are permitted to
    Show the answer

    D: Not unless you are permitted to. Trams have their own signals. Drivers must not follow a tram through a light-controlled junction unless permitted.

    “Drivers must not follow a tram through a traffic light controlled junction unless permitted to do so.”

27. At an unattended level crossing, where should you stop under the Rail Cross Code?

    1. Right beside the first rail
    2. Ten metres past the gates, on the far side of the line
    3. At least two metres before the line
    4. On the crossing to look both ways
    Show the answer

    C: At least two metres before the line. Stop at least two metres before the railway line, then look and listen for trains.

    “Stop – at least two metres before the railway line…”

28. Your car stalls on a railway level crossing. What should you do first?

    1. Try to push the car off the tracks
    2. Move everyone well clear of the railway
    3. Stay in the car with hazards on
    4. Walk along the line towards the train to warn the driver
    Show the answer

    B: Move everyone well clear of the railway. Get everyone well clear, leave the vehicle, then phone the railway controller using the number at the crossing.

    “Move everyone well clear of the railway. Leave the animal or vehicle where it is.”

29. A user-worked level crossing has warning lights. The red light is on. What does it mean?

    1. A train is approaching and you should stop
    2. You may proceed with caution
    3. The gates are locked for repair work on the track
    4. The crossing is closed for the day
    Show the answer

    A: A train is approaching and you should stop. On these systems a red light warns that a train is approaching. An orange light means you may proceed with caution.

    “…with a red light indicating that a train is approaching and the user should stop.”

30. You arrive at an unattended level crossing and the gates are already open. What must you do after crossing?

    1. Shut and fasten the gates
    2. Leave them open as found
    3. Leave them for the next driver
    4. Phone the railway to close them
    Show the answer

    A: Shut and fasten the gates. You must shut and fasten the gates after you even if they were open when you arrived. Failure is an offence.

    “Even if the gates are open when you arrive, you must shut and fasten them after you to protect others.”

31. You have opened both gates at an unattended crossing. What should you do before driving over?

    1. Drive straight across without stopping
    2. Stop on the first rail to look
    3. Sound the horn twice and cross slowly in first gear
    4. Stop two metres clear and apply the handbrake
    Show the answer

    D: Stop two metres clear and apply the handbrake. Drive forward, stop two metres clear of the line, apply the handbrake, look and listen, then cross quickly.

    “Drive forward and STOP two metres clear of the railway line.”

32. A level crossing has road traffic lights but no barriers. Traffic is queuing beyond it. What should you do?

    1. Drive onto the track and wait
    2. Go round the queue on the other side of the road
    3. Wait until there is free space beyond
    4. Cross on amber
    Show the answer

    C: Wait until there is free space beyond. Do not drive onto the track until you can see enough room on the far side to clear it.

    “Don't drive onto the railway track until you can see enough free space on the other side.”

33. Red lights are flashing at an automated level crossing. What do they mean?

    1. Proceed with caution
    2. The same as a steady red light
    3. The barriers are faulty and you may cross
    4. Slow down to 30 km/h
    Show the answer

    B: The same as a steady red light. Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop, just like a steady red traffic light.

    “Flashing red lights have the same meaning as a steady red traffic light…”

34. A train has passed an automated crossing. The barriers are rising and the lights are still on. What should you do?

    1. Go once the barriers start rising
    2. Wait until all lights go out
    3. Weave around the barriers
    4. Cross as the train has gone
    Show the answer

    B: Wait until all lights go out. Wait until all the lights have gone out and the barriers are fully raised. Another train may be coming.

    “Wait for all lights to go out and barriers to be raised before moving on.”

35. Your vehicle clips a railway bridge but you see no damage. What must you do?

    1. Report it right away
    2. Nothing, as there is no damage
    3. Report it within 30 days
    4. Tell your insurer only
    Show the answer

    A: Report it right away. Any strike on a railway bridge must be reported immediately, damage or not, using the number on the bridge plate.

    “You must report immediately any incident of your vehicle striking a railway bridge or structure whether or not damage is obvious.”

36. A tunnel has a fixed 80 km/h speed limit sign. What does it mean?

    1. You must drive at 80 km/h
    2. 80 km/h is the minimum speed
    3. It applies only to lorries and buses
    4. 80 km/h is the maximum, not a target
    Show the answer

    D: 80 km/h is the maximum, not a target. In a tunnel the limit is the highest speed allowed, not the speed you have to drive at.

    “…remember this is the maximum permitted speed, not the required speed.”

    Read the guide

37. In a tunnel you see chevrons on the road with overhead signs. What do they tell you?

    1. Where to stop if you break down
    2. That two lanes are about to merge into one lane ahead
    3. The minimum gap to keep behind the vehicle ahead
    4. Where overtaking is allowed
    Show the answer

    C: The minimum gap to keep behind the vehicle ahead. Chevrons with overhead signs show the minimum distance to keep from the vehicle in front.

    “…advise you of the minimum distance you should keep between you and the vehicle ahead of you.”