Your vehicle: 40 theory test questions

All 40 questions, answers and sources

1. Which of these must a driver make sure is checked regularly?

   1. The radio and speakers
   2. The steering and brakes
   3. The glovebox lock
   4. The cup holders and armrests
   Show the answer

   B: The steering and brakes. The law lists items such as steering, brakes, lamps, indicators and tyres that must be checked regularly.

   “You must ensure that the steering, brakes, front and rear lamps, indicators…”

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2. Which item does the RSA advise is useful to carry in your car?

   1. A spare set of number plates
   2. A second car battery
   3. A can of spare petrol
   4. A high-viz vest or jacket
   Show the answer

   D: A high-viz vest or jacket. The RSA suggests carrying a first aid kit, a high-viz vest, a warning triangle, a torch and a small fire extinguisher.

   “…at least 1 high-viz vest or jacket (fluorescent and reflective)”

3. What is the legal minimum tread depth for most vehicles over the main tread?

   1. 1.0 mm
   2. 2.0 mm
   3. 1.6 mm
   4. 3.0 mm
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   C: 1.6 mm. Most vehicles must have at least 1.6 mm of tread over the main tread.

   “…have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm over the main tread, however it is strongly…”

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4. At what tread depth does the RSA strongly recommend you consider new tyres?

   1. 1 mm
   2. 1.6 mm
   3. 5 mm
   4. 3 mm
   Show the answer

   D: 3 mm. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm but changing tyres at 3 mm is strongly recommended.

   “…recommended that you consider changing the tyres when they have reached 3 mm.”

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5. When you check tyre pressures, which tyre should you include?

   1. Every tyre, including the spare
   2. Only the two front tyres
   3. Only the tyres on the driven wheels
   4. Only tyres that look soft or low
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   A: Every tyre, including the spare. Check the pressure of every tyre, the spare included, against the recommended levels.

   “Pressure: Regularly check the pressure of every tyre, including the spare tyre…”

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6. What should you look for when you examine your tyres for damage?

   1. Mud and road dust
   2. Faded sidewall lettering
   3. Cuts, cracks and bulges
   4. Small stones in the tread
   Show the answer

   C: Cuts, cracks and bulges. Cuts, cracks and bulges can lead to sudden blow-outs.

   “Checking for damage: Regularly examine your tyres for cuts, cracks and bulges…”

7. You are replacing a tyre. What kind should you fit?

   1. Any secondhand tyre that looks in good condition
   2. New, e-marked tyres from a reputable dealer
   3. Part-worn tyres bought online
   4. Whatever size is cheapest at the garage
   Show the answer

   B: New, e-marked tyres from a reputable dealer. Only fit new e-marked tyres from a reputable dealer.

   “Replacing tyres: For your safety, only fit new and e-marked tyres bought from…”

8. What must you not do when fitting tyres to one axle?

   1. Fit two new tyres at the same time
   2. Fit two tyres of the same size
   3. Fit tyres that carry an e-mark
   4. Mix radial and cross ply tyres
   Show the answer

   D: Mix radial and cross ply tyres. Tyres on the same axle must match, so radial and cross ply must not be mixed.

   “…a reputable dealer. Do not mix radial and cross ply tyres on any one axle. Tyres…”

9. You have fitted a space saver spare. What should you use it for?

   1. Finishing your journey or getting to a tyre dealer
   2. Normal daily driving until your next service
   3. Long motorway journeys only
   4. Driving for up to a year before replacing it
   Show the answer

   A: Finishing your journey or getting to a tyre dealer. A space saver is temporary. Use it to finish the trip or reach a tyre dealer.

   “…complete a journey or make a journey to a tyre dealer. Do not travel at a speed…”

10. How fast can you drive on a space saver spare tyre?

    1. Up to the normal speed limit for the road
    2. Up to 120 km/h on motorways only
    3. No faster than the speed stamped on the tyre
    4. Any speed, if the pressure is correct
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    C: No faster than the speed stamped on the tyre. Do not exceed the recommended speed marked on the temporary tyre.

    “…in excess of the recommended speed stamped on the tyre.”

11. Why should you avoid secondhand tyres?

    1. They are always illegal to fit
    2. You do not know how they were used or abused
    3. They cannot be fitted to rear axles
    4. They are not allowed on cars over 4 years old
    Show the answer

    B: You do not know how they were used or abused. With a secondhand tyre there is no history of how it was treated, so it carries risk.

    “…there is no history of how they have been used or abused.”

12. Is it an offence to drive an unsafe vehicle on a public road?

    1. No, only if it fails the NCT
    2. No, unless it causes a crash
    3. Only if the tax is out of date
    4. Yes, it is an offence
    Show the answer

    D: Yes, it is an offence. Driving an unsafe vehicle on a public road is an offence.

    “It is an offence to drive an unsafe vehicle on a public road.”

13. What colour lights must a vehicle show to the front?

    1. White or yellow
    2. Red or white
    3. Amber or red
    4. Blue or white
    Show the answer

    A: White or yellow. Lights to the front must be white or yellow, and to the rear they must be red.

    “A vehicle must have white or yellow lights showing to the front and red lights…”

14. What colour must a car's direction indicators be?

    1. White
    2. Red
    3. Green
    4. Amber
    Show the answer

    D: Amber. Direction indicators must be amber.

    “…showing to the rear, together with amber direction indicators and white or…”

15. When must you only use fog lights?

    1. Whenever it is raining heavily
    2. In dense fog or falling snow
    3. At dusk on any unlit road
    4. On motorways at night time
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    B: In dense fog or falling snow. Fog lights are only for dense fog or falling snow. In clear weather they cause glare.

    “You must only use fog lights in dense fog or falling snow. Turn them off in…”

16. Which extra light may you fit to your car if you wish?

    1. A blue flashing light
    2. A red flashing light
    3. A high mounted rear brake light
    4. A green front lamp
    Show the answer

    C: A high mounted rear brake light. High mounted rear brake lights are allowed. Other optional lighting is controlled by law.

    “You may fit high mounted rear brake lights if you wish, but fitting other…”

17. Can you fit blue or red flashing lights to your private car?

    1. No, you must not fit them
    2. Yes, if you are a volunteer
    3. Yes, for use at night only
    4. Yes, with insurance approval
    Show the answer

    A: No, you must not fit them. Flashing lights other than indicators are for Gardaí, ambulances and designated service vehicles.

    “…not fit blue or red flashing lights to your vehicle. See www.dttas.ie for details.”

18. You plan to modify your car. Who should you also tell?

    1. Your local county council
    2. Your insurance company
    3. The NCT centre
    4. Your nearest Garda station
    Show the answer

    B: Your insurance company. Some modifications can invalidate insurance, so tell your insurer.

    “You should also inform your insurance company, as some modifications can…”

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19. You are parked at night and need lights. Which should you use?

    1. Dipped headlights
    2. Full beam headlights
    3. Rear fog lights and hazard lights
    4. Side lights or parking lights
    Show the answer

    D: Side lights or parking lights. Do not use headlights when parked. Use side or parking lights instead.

    “…parked or stopped, use ‘side’ lights or ‘parking’ lights.”

20. Your car has daytime running lights. What must you remember at lighting up time?

    1. To switch on your front fog lights
    2. To switch off the daytime running lights
    3. To switch on your dipped headlights
    4. To use full beam headlights at all times
    Show the answer

    C: To switch on your dipped headlights. Daytime running lights are not enough at lighting up time. Switch on dipped headlights.

    “…your dipped head lights at lighting up time.”

21. What type of glass must be used for the windscreen of a modern motor vehicle?

    1. Toughened plastic
    2. Laminated glass
    3. Tinted safety film
    4. Single-pane float glass
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    B: Laminated glass. Laminated glass is required for windscreens of motor vehicles registered since January 1986.

    “Type of windscreen: Laminated glass must be used for the windscreens of motor…”

22. You are about to slow down. What must you do first?

    1. Use your mirrors
    2. Sound your horn
    3. Flash your headlights
    4. Switch on hazard lights
    Show the answer

    A: Use your mirrors. You must check your mirrors before moving off, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down, stopping or turning.

    “…before moving off, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down, stopping, turning…”

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23. Which person is exempt from wearing a safety belt?

    1. A passenger on a short trip
    2. A learner driver during practice
    3. A driver tester during a test
    4. A passenger in the back seat
    Show the answer

    C: A driver tester during a test. Driving instructors and driver testers are exempt during a lesson or test.

    “…driving instructors or driver testers during a lesson or a test, and…”

24. Child seats sold by retailers in the EU must now meet which regulation?

    1. R44
    2. R100
    3. R116
    4. R129
    Show the answer

    D: R129. Since 1 September 2024 new seats sold must comply with Regulation R129.

    “Regulation R129. Child seats approved to R129 have undergone more…”

25. Where must a rear-facing child seat never be used?

    1. In a seat with an active frontal airbag
    2. Behind the driver's seat in the back
    3. In the middle seat of the rear row
    4. In any car fitted with ISOFIX points
    Show the answer

    A: In a seat with an active frontal airbag. An airbag opening in front of a rear-facing seat can seriously injure or kill a child.

    “Rear-facing child car seats must not be used in passenger seats protected…”

26. Is it against the law for a child to sit in the front seat?

    1. Yes, for all children under 12
    2. No, if they use the right child restraint
    3. Yes, unless an adult sits beside them
    4. No, and they need no restraint
    Show the answer

    B: No, if they use the right child restraint. There is no ban on children in the front if they use the correct restraint, but rear-facing seats must not face an active airbag.

    “There is no law against children sitting in the front seat, as long as they…”

27. You fit a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. What penalty may you get?

    1. At least 3 penalty points
    2. A verbal warning only
    3. 1 penalty point
    4. No penalty points
    Show the answer

    A: At least 3 penalty points. This is illegal and can lead to at least 3 penalty points.

    “…active airbag. You may receive at least 3 penalty points on your driving…”

28. Who is legally responsible for making sure passengers under 17 are restrained?

    1. Each passenger
    2. The car's owner, if not driving
    3. The parent, even if not in the car
    4. The driver
    Show the answer

    D: The driver. The driver has the legal duty to make sure all passengers under 17 are properly restrained.

    “…passengers under 17 are appropriately restrained in the vehicle.”

29. Who is exempt from supplying child car seats?

    1. Grandparents on short trips
    2. Drivers of cars over 10 years old
    3. Taxi and bus drivers
    4. Drivers with N-plates
    Show the answer

    C: Taxi and bus drivers. Taxi and bus drivers do not have to supply child car seats.

    “Taxi and bus drivers are exempt from supplying child car seats.”

30. You are driving your child 500 metres to the shop. Should they use their child restraint?

    1. No, not for journeys under 1 km
    2. Yes, for every journey, however short
    3. Only if you will use a motorway
    4. Only if the child sits in the front seat
    Show the answer

    B: Yes, for every journey, however short. Use the child restraint on every trip, no matter how short.

    “Use the child restraint for every journey, no matter how short.”

31. What free service does the RSA provide for parents?

    1. A free child car seat for every baby
    2. A free car seat fitting at the NCT
    3. A rebate on secondhand child seats
    4. A child car seat checking service
    Show the answer

    D: A child car seat checking service. The RSA runs a free child car seat checking service called Check It Fits.

    “…regularly. The RSA provides a free child car seat checking service, so please visit…”

32. Your 15-year-old passenger is not wearing a seat belt. How many penalty points could you get?

    1. Up to 5
    2. Up to 1
    3. Up to 2
    4. None, it is their offence
    Show the answer

    A: Up to 5. The driver must make sure passengers under 17 are belted or restrained, and can get up to 5 penalty points.

    “…may receive up to 5 penalty points if your passengers in this age group are not…”

33. You are loading a roof box. What must you make sure of?

    1. The box matches the colour of the car
    2. The load sits higher than the windscreen
    3. The load does not block your view in any direction
    4. The box is only fitted for long journeys
    Show the answer

    C: The load does not block your view in any direction. A roof load must not block your view of the road in any direction.

    “…make sure that the load does not block your view of the road in any direction…”

34. What must the text on a registration plate look like?

    1. Black italic text on a yellow background
    2. Plain black text on a white reflective background
    3. White text on a plain black background
    4. Any font or colour, if it is readable
    Show the answer

    B: Plain black text on a white reflective background. Numbers and letters must be plain black on a plain white reflective background, with no italics or shadows.

    “…letters must be in plain black text on a plain white reflective background. There…”

35. You need to pop into a shop for two minutes. Can you leave your toddler alone in the car?

    1. No, not even for a short time
    2. Yes, if the windows are open
    3. Yes, if the engine is off
    4. Yes, for under five minutes
    Show the answer

    A: No, not even for a short time. You must not leave young children alone in a vehicle, even briefly.

    “You must not leave infants or young children on their own in a motor vehicle, even if…”

36. How should a dog travel in your car?

    1. Loose on the back seat so it can move
    2. On a passenger's lap in the front
    3. In the boot with the parcel shelf removed
    4. Secured with a suitable harness or cage
    Show the answer

    D: Secured with a suitable harness or cage. Animals should be secured with a harness or cage to avoid injury to them and to passengers.

    “…appropriate harness or cage to avoid injury to the animal or to other passengers.”

37. What penalty can you get for driving while using a hand-held mobile phone?

    1. A verbal warning from Gardaí only
    2. A fixed charge and 1 penalty point
    3. A fixed charge and up to 5 penalty points
    4. A fixed charge only, with no points
    Show the answer

    C: A fixed charge and up to 5 penalty points. Using a hand-held phone while driving is an offence with a fixed charge and up to 5 penalty points.

    “…phone. It is an offence, for which you may receive a fixed charge and up to 5…”

38. You are caught reading a text while driving. What happens?

    1. A fixed charge and 2 penalty points
    2. A compulsory court appearance
    3. A written warning from the Gardaí
    4. A fixed charge only, with no points
    Show the answer

    B: A compulsory court appearance. Texting or emailing while driving means a compulsory court appearance. There is no option of penalty points.

    “…offence for which a person will face a compulsory court appearance and a fine to…”

39. When may you use your mobile phone while driving?

    1. To check a text while stopped at red lights
    2. To change your music on a quiet road
    3. To read a short email while in slow traffic
    4. To call 999 or 112 in an emergency
    Show the answer

    D: To call 999 or 112 in an emergency. The only exception is phoning 999 or 112 or responding to a genuine emergency.

    “999 or 112, or you are responding to another type of genuine emergency.”

40. You are playing music in the car. How loud should it be?

    1. Low enough to hear sirens and horns
    2. As loud as is comfortable for you
    3. Loud enough to block out road noise
    4. Any level, as long as the windows are shut
    Show the answer

    A: Low enough to hear sirens and horns. Keep the volume at a level that does not distract you or stop you hearing sirens or horns.

    “…distract or prevent you from hearing emergency sirens or car horns.”