A C Driving Tuition

(1) What safety checks should you make prior to turning on the engine?

Ans: Check that the doors are securely closed, seat is adjusted and locked into place, head restraint is in the correct position ( in line with the top of your head ideally or at a minimum reach the top of your ears), seatbelt is on, mirrors adjusted, handbrake is on and gear is in neutral.

(2) What regulations apply to the use of the horn?

Ans: You can sound the horn to alert other road users of your presence for safety reasons. It should not be used in anger or between the hours of 11pm and 7am in built up areas unless in the case of an emergency.

(3) When is it appropriate to overtake on the left?

Ans: When the vehicle  in front is turning right. When you intend to turn  left. In queues where the right hand lanes are moving more slowly.

(4) What circumstances permit you to  cross a continuous white line while driving?

Ans:  When necessary to avoid an obstruction,  gain access, and if there is a broken white line on your side of a continuous white line. 

(5) At a Stop Sign that has no white line – where would you stop?

Ans: At the stop sign.

(6) What rules apply to a green light?

Ans: Proceed with caution.

(7) What rules apply to a red light?

Ans: Stop.

(8) Describe a Box Junction and what rules apply.

Ans: Yellow box with criss cross markings. You must not enter the box unless you can clear it with the exception of turning right.

(9) What rules apply to a still amber light?

Ans: Stop unless unsafe to do so.

(10) What rules apply to a  Toucan Crossing?

Ans: Both cyclists and pedestrians can cross when safe to do so.

(11) Describe a Zebra Crossing and what rules apply.

Ans: A zebra crossing is marked by black and white striped road markings and accompanied by flashing amber beacons. Drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and must give way to pedestrians already on the crossing.

(12) What is the difference between a Zebra Crossing and a Pelican Crossing?

Ans: At a  Zebra Crossing traffic  is controlled by the presence of  pedestrians whereby a Pelican Crossing is controlled by lights.

(13) Where would you see zig zag lines (road markings) and what rules apply?

Ans: On approach to, and exit from a Pedestrian Crossing. No parking or overtaking.

(14) How would you recognise a Hard Shoulder and what rules apply?

Ans: A hard shoulder is marked by single broken yellow lines at the edge of a road. It should only be used in the case of a breakdown or emergency, or if you are driving a slow moving vehicle, to allow traffic to overtake if it’s safe to do so.

(15) What does a solid yellow line along the edge of a road indicate?

Ans: No parking at the hours displayed – usually during business hours.

(16) What does a double yellow line along the edge of a road indicate?

Ans: No parking at any time.

(17) What rules apply to a motorway?

Ans: Motorways are designed for fast moving traffic and consist of multiple lanes in each direction. Keep to the left lane unless overtaking. Learner drivers, vehicles under 50 cc, bicycles, pedestrians, animals and invalid carriages are not permitted to use the motorway.

(18) When should you dip your headlights?

When meeting oncoming traffic. Travelling close behind another vehicle, when driving through well lit areas, fog, snow, dusk and dawn. 

(19) Where would you see flashing red lights and what rules apply?

Ans: At a level crossing – stop – train approaching.

(20) What is the sequence of traffic lights?

Ans: Green, amber, red.

(21) Give some examples of where you should not park.

Ans: On double yellow lines. Blocking an entrance or exit and obstructing a road sign. On a single yellow line during times indicated. Opposite a continuous white line. On a bend or a brow of a hill or hump back bridge. Opposite another vehicle on a narrow road. 

(22) How would you know you were entering a One Way street at the wrong end?

Ans: Road markings – a continuous white line with broken white lines behind it.

(23) What speed limits apply to  motorways? 

Ans: 120 km/h

(24) What speed limits apply to national roads?

Ans: 100 km/h

(25) What speed limits apply to regional/local roads?

Ans: 80 km/h

(26) What speed limits  apply to built up areas –  towns and cities?

Ans: 50km/h. Special speed limits of 30km/h and 60km/h can also apply in designated areas.

(27) What does an island in the centre of a zebra crossing indicate?

Ans: There are two separate crossings to each side of the island.

(28) What should you do if dazzled by oncoming traffic?

Ans: Slow down and stop if necessary.

(29) What rules apply to a clearway?

Ans: No stopping or parking at the times indicated, with the exception of buses and taxis dropping off and picking up passengers. 

(30) What is the legal maximum parking distance from the Kerb?

Ans: Less than half a metre – 18 inches.

(31) What is the legal parking distance from a junction?

Ans: 5 metres.

(32) What is the legal parking distance from a pedestrian crossing?

Ans: 15 metres on approach and 5 metres following the crossing.

(33) Give some examples of where you should not overtake.

Ans: At a bend, a brow of a hill or a humpback bridge – at a junction, opposite a continuous white line. Bus lane, taxi rank.  Any situation whereby  your view ahead is restricted.

(34) What is the two second rule?

Ans: In normal driving conditions stay two seconds behind the vehicle in front. To gauge this, pick an object at the side of the road and when the vehicle in front reaches that object start counting to two seconds – if you reach the chosen object before two seconds, you are too close to stop safely if needed, so hold back. Double it to four seconds in wet weather.

(35) Who has  priority on a roundabout?

Ans: Traffic on your right, and road users already on the roundabout.

(36) What is the minimum requirement for tread depth on a tyre?

Ans: A new tyre’s tread depth is approximately 8mm and the minimum tread depth is  1.6mm.

(37) At an uncontrolled junction of equal importance – who has the right of way?

Ans: Traffic on the right and traffic already in the junction.

(38) Name three people in authority whom you must stop for.

Ans: A Garda, a school warden and a person in charge of animals.

(39) What should you look out for when turning right from a minor road onto a dual carriageway? 

Ans: Observe the central reservation. If it is wide enough you can move into it when there is a safe gap in the traffic to your right, wait, and complete the turn when safe to do so. If the median strip is too narrow to wait in, you must make sure both sides are clear before moving onto the carriageway.

(40) Where should you position your vehicle to make a right hand turn?

Ans: Just left of centre.

(41)  Where should you position your vehicle to make a right hand turn on a one way street?

Ans: On the right hand side of the road.

(42) What is aquaplaning?

Ans: Also known as hydroplaning, aquaplaning happens when a layer of water builds up between a vehicle’s tyres and the road surface. With no traction between the tyres and the road, you could lose control of the car temporarily and be unable to steer, brake or accelerate. Aquaplaning is most likely to occur when driving at higher speeds. Lower your speed during heavy rainfall, when there’s enough rain to form puddles or standing water.