Mock Theory Test

Practice Your RSA Theory Test

Our mock theory test allows you to practice your category 'B' (Car) theory test. We cover the five core areas that you will be tested on:

Control of the Vehicle
Legal Matters / Rules of the Road
Managing Risk
Safe and Socially Responsible Driving
Technical Matters

You have forty-five minutes to answer forty questions and must answer at least thirty-five correctly to pass.

Want to brush up on just your road signs before your test? Try our Irish Road Sign test.

Good luck!

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1 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

1. What should a driver do when they encounter mud on the road?

Reduce speed and be aware of farm or works vehicles on the road.

Change to a lower gear and pump the brakes to see how slippery the surface is.

Apply the brakes immediately and put on the hazard warning lights.

Gradually increase speed so that the mud on the road will not stick to the tyres.

2 / 40

Category: Technical Matters

2. What is the primary purpose of the battery fitted to a petrol - or diesel - powered motor vehicle?

To reduce fuel consumption

To provide heat to the engine

To provide braking

To start the engine

3 / 40

Category: Control of Vehicle

3. What is the danger associated with applying the handbrake (parking brake) when the vehicle is moving?

The engine will stall once the handbrake is applied at speed

The wheels could lock and cause the vehicle to skid

The ABS could disconnect and cause the vehicle to skid

There is no danger - the vehicle will not skid as the handbrake can be released quickly

4 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

4. How would a driver calculate the maximum overall permitted weight of their vehicle?

By adding the unladen weight of the vehicle to the load permitted to be carried

By checking the weight of the load which may be carried

By calculating the unladen weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the fuel

By checking the unladen weight of the vehicle

5 / 40

Category: Technical Matters

5. What can be affected by driving on under-inflated tyres?

The exhaust system

Climate control system

Braking ability

Engine temperature

6 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

6. What determines the maximum allowed towing capacity of a vehicle?

The strength of the tow bar

The manufacturer's specifications

The combined weight of the vehicle and its trailer

The size of the tyres on the vehicle

7 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

7. What should a driver do if they are first in line to turn right at traffic lights while the green light is showing and there is oncoming traffic approaching?

Wait at the stop line for the light to turn amber and then make the turn

Remain at the stop line until a suitable gap in the oncoming traffic appears before making the turn

Go forward towards the centre of the junction and turn safely when a suitable gap appears

Remain at the stop line until a green arrow comes on

8 / 40

Category: Control of Vehicle

8. When should the handbrake be used to bring a vehicle to a halt?

Normally never

Only when going downhill

Only when going uphill

At any time

9 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

9. Is it permissible to drive a vehicle on a public road when the brake lights are not working?

Yes, outside of lighting-up times

No, unless driving in a built-up area

No, it is never permitted to be driven

Yes, during lighting-up times

10 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

10. When should a driver use their vehicle's hazard warning lights?

When moving slowly in traffic.

When broken down and causing an obstruction.

When reversing onto a narrow road.

When parked at a bend or corner.

11 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

11. If, when driving along, the driver notices that the engine power is lower than normal, what should they do?

Switch to a different fuel

Have the vehicle checked by a competent person

Replace the engine oil filter

Adjust the fuel mixture control mechanism

12 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

12. What should a driver do when entering a tunnel?

Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Always switch off your radio to avoid distractions.

Never drive below the posted speed limit.

Drive closer to the vehicle in front.

13 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

13. What should a driver do to secure the towing vehicle before unhitching a trailer?

Apply the handbrake, lower the jockey wheel and switch off the engine

Disconnect the electrical supply to the trailer lights and lower the jockey wheel

Lower the jockey wheel and then switch off the ignition

Apply the handbrake, switch off the ignition and engage a low gear

14 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

14. Is a driver allowed to use rebated (green) diesel fuel in a car on a public road?

Green diesel may be used in a car only in summer months

Green diesel may be used in a car only if the car is a taxis

Green diesel may never be used in a car

Green diesel may be used in a car only in winter months

15 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

15. When may a trailer be towed on a public road without a rear number plate?

When being towed by an agricultural tractor

When the tailboard is removed

When carrying a load that overhangs the trailer

Never, a number plate must always be displayed

16 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

16. What does this sign mean?

Sharp rise in the road ahead - for example, a humpback bridge

Road falls from centre to left and right

Series of bumps or hollows ahead

Traffic island ahead

17 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

17. What does this traffic light mean?

Traffic may proceed but not turn right.

Traffic must stop at the traffic light.

Traffic may proceed if the way is clear.

Give way to any oncoming traffic turning right.

18 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

18. What is a clearway?

An area where stopping and parking is reserved for buses and taxis only

An area that is strictly reserved for the loading and unloading of HGVs

An area that is reserved for pedestrians and motorised wheelchairs

An area where stopping and parking is not permitted during certain times

19 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

19. Is a driver permitted to park at an entrance to a property?

Yes, for 1 hour between 07.00 hrs to 23.30 hrs

Yes, for 1 hour between 23.30 hrs to 07.00 hrs

Yes, with the property owner?s consent

Yes, outside business hours

20 / 40

Category: Control of Vehicle

20. What may indicate a problem with the vehicle's braking system?

The vehicle's parking brake is more effective

The vehicle's suspension is affected

The vehicle's stopping distance is affected

The vehicles fuel consumption is reduced

21 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

21. What phrase is recommended for drivers to help them determine a safe distance from the vehicle in front on a dry road?

Only a fool breaks the one second rule

Only a fool breaks the two second rule

Only a fool breaks the three second rule

Only a fool breaks the four second rule

22 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

22. What is the minimum insurance cover a driver needs to drive on a public road?

Third Party

Personal Accident

Comprehensive

Third Party, Fire and Theft

23 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

23. What effect could incorrectly aligned headlights have?

They could dazzle oncoming drivers

They could reduce battery life

They could wear out the bulbs prematurely

They could cause a fire

24 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

24. What does this sign mean?

Major roadworks ahead

Level crossing ahead unguarded by gates or barriers

Level crossing ahead guarded by gates or barriers

End of major roadworks ahead

25 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

25. What do flashing amber beacons on an oncoming vehicle alert a driver to?

That the oncoming vehicle may be slow moving or extra wide

That the oncoming vehicle is a military vehicle

That the oncoming vehicle is fast moving

That the oncoming vehicle is an emergency vehicle

26 / 40

Category: Technical Matters

26. If the oil pressure gauge shows little or no pressure, or the warning light comes on, what could the problem be?

The oil is too thick

The oil level is too low

The oil level is too high

The oil is too cold

27 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

27. What does this sign mean?

No right turn.

Traffic crossing from the left.

Keep right.

Steep decline from the left.

28 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

28. What would be the effect of overloading a vehicle with passengers or goods?

Overloading will not reduce the ability to control the vehicle

It would improve the vehicle's road-holding ability

It would not have any effect provided speed is reduced

It would reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle.

29 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

29. What should a driver who wishes to perform a turnabout do?

Drive onto a footpath if necessary in order to ensure that they have sufficient room to turn

Check ahead and behind for oncoming traffic and turn briskly while still keeping a look out

It is not permissible to perform a turnabout in any circumstance

Drive into somebody?s driveway and reverse back onto the road

30 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

30. What does this sign mean?

With-flow bus lane.

Two-way traffic system.

Double-decker buses only.

Contra-flow bus lane.

31 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

31. When meeting oncoming traffic on a national road, is it permitted to move into the hard shoulder to allow following traffic to overtake?

No, except on 2-plus-1 roads?

No, it is never permitted to drive on a hard shoulder except in the case of an emergency

Yes, when a truck or bus is oncoming

Yes, temporarily when the hard shoulder is clear and it is safe to drive there

32 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

32. When being overtaken and there is oncoming traffic, what should a driver do?

Speed up so the following vehicle cannot overtake

Maintain position because other drivers should not have attempted to overtake

Maintain position and flash the headlights to warn the oncoming traffic

Allow the overtaking vehicle to pass and return safely to the left side of the road

33 / 40

Category: Legal Matters/Rules of the Road

33. What does this hand signal mean?

The driver intends to turn left

The driver intends to turn right

The driver intends to slow down

The driver will begin to reverse

34 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

34. Why is tailgating (driving too close behind the vehicle in front) dangerous?

The vehicle will not have sufficient distance to stop safely in an emergency

The braking system is less efficient in the slipstream of the vehicle in front

The engine may overheat because of restricted air flow over the vehicle's engine

The vehicle will exceed the speed limit

35 / 40

Category: Technical Matters

35. When is it recommended to use coolant?

All year round

Summer only

Winter only

In petrol engines only

36 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

36. When stopped at traffic lights and the green light comes on, what should a driver do?

Move off quickly and then check the mirrors

Move off slowly and then check the mirrors

Accelerate at a greater rate than other drivers so as to facilitate overtaking

Check that other road users have cleared the junction and move off with care

37 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

37. What should a driver do if they see horse riders on the road ahead?

The driver should turn on hazard warning lights and continue at normal speed

The driver should reduce speed, allow extra clearance and pass with care

The driver should increase speed and allow extra clearance

The driver should reduce speed and sound the horn

38 / 40

Category: Managing Risk

38. What should a driver do if a system warning light lights up on the dashboard of their vehicle whilst driving?

Continue to drive and listen for any unusual sounds

Stop and check the problem

Carry on and check the problem later

Continue for a distance to see if the light goes out

39 / 40

Category: Safe and Socially Responsible Driving

39. With regard to vehicle speed, what should a driver do when driving at night?

Maintain normal vehicle speed and drive with full headlights.

Increase vehicle speed as traffic is lighter at night.

Drive at a speed that enables the driver to stop within the distance ahead that they can see to be clear.

Drive at a higher speed than during the day to reduce the chances of falling asleep.

40 / 40

Category: Technical Matters

40. What effect can a worn shock absorber have on a vehicle?

It can cause an electrical short-circuit

It can increase fuel consumption

It can trigger the release of the airbags

It can cause the vehicle to 'bounce' in an unstable manner

Your score is

Disclaimer

This is completely free to use as often as you like. We try to ensure all the questions' accuracy and validity and keep them updated with the official RSA theory test questions. The tests try to simulate the real experience as much as possible. Like the actual test, you are given 45 minutes to complete the test. At the end of each test, you are given your result and can review your incorrect answers to see where you went wrong. If you see any errors or omissions, please get in touch with us.

Version Control

Date	Changes	By Whom
25/10/2023	Theory test created.	MC
14/03/2024	Questions Updated / Added	MC
29/05/2024	Questions & Explanations Updated / Added	MC
04/06/2024	Questions & Explanations Updated / Added	MC
18/06/2024	Questions & Explanations Updated / Added	MC
23/09/2025	Questions & Explanations Updated / Added	MC
27/01/2026	Questions & Explanations Updated / Added	MC

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