709 free driving theory test questions and answers

1. Open a window and continue to your destination
2. Stop on the hard shoulder for a short rest
3. Leave at the next exit or services and take a break
4. Increase your speed to finish the journey sooner

Answer: C. Leave at the next exit or services and take a break — You must not stop on the hard shoulder to rest. Leave the motorway at the next exit or services, then stop somewhere safe and rest. On long journeys, plan a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours.

1. To make sure your signals are working
2. So you know how your manoeuvre will affect traffic behind you
3. Because it is only required on motorways
4. To see whether the road ahead is clear

Answer: B. So you know how your manoeuvre will affect traffic behind you — The Mirrors–Signal–Manoeuvre routine starts with mirrors so you understand the position and speed of traffic behind before you commit to signalling or changing course.

1. Sound your horn to warn other road users
2. Look round to check your blind spot
3. Switch on your hazard warning lights
4. Select a higher gear

Answer: B. Look round to check your blind spot — Mirrors don't cover everything. A final look over your shoulder into the blind spot catches cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians your mirrors miss before you move off.

1. Brake sharply to warn them off
2. Speed up to open the gap behind you
3. Ease off and increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front
4. Signal left and stop immediately

Answer: C. Ease off and increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front — Dropping back from the vehicle ahead gives you room to slow gently, so the tailgater isn't forced into an emergency stop behind you — and gives them a safer space to overtake into.

1. To let them know you're giving way
2. Only to let them know you're there
3. To thank them for letting you out
4. To tell them to move over

Answer: B. Only to let them know you're there — Headlight flashes have one official meaning: warning others of your presence, like the horn. Never assume a flash from another driver is an invitation to proceed — it may not be meant for you.

1. Between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am, unless another road user poses a danger
2. At any time on a road with street lights
3. Between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am in all circumstances
4. Whenever pedestrians are nearby

Answer: A. Between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am, unless another road user poses a danger — In a built-up area you must not use your horn between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am, and on any road you must not use it while stationary — in both cases unless another road user poses a danger. Never use it aggressively.

1. Fully comprehensive
2. Third party only
3. Third party, fire and theft
4. No insurance is needed for vehicles over 40 years old

Answer: B. Third party only — Third-party cover is the legal minimum: it covers injury to others and damage to their property, but not damage to your own vehicle. Driving uninsured is a serious offence.

1. After one year
2. After two years
3. When it's three years old
4. Only when it's sold

Answer: C. When it's three years old — Cars normally need their first MOT three years after they were first registered, then every year. You mustn't drive a car that needs an MOT without a valid certificate — the only exceptions are driving to a pre-arranged test, or to a garage for repairs needed to pass it.

1. Anyone with a full driving licence
2. Anyone over 18 with any licence type
3. A person at least 21 years old who has held a full licence for the category for at least 3 years
4. Only a DVSA-approved driving instructor

Answer: C. A person at least 21 years old who has held a full licence for the category for at least 3 years — A supervising driver must be at least 21 and have held (and still hold) a full licence for that category of vehicle for a minimum of three years. The learner must also display L plates (or D plates in Wales) and be insured.

1. Sound your horn and maintain speed
2. Expect a child to follow it — slow down and be ready to stop
3. Swerve around the ball
4. Flash your headlights to warn the child

Answer: B. Expect a child to follow it — slow down and be ready to stop — A ball is a classic clue to a developing hazard: a child is likely to chase it into the road with no thought for traffic. Check your mirrors, slow down and be prepared to stop.

1. It's anything at the side of the road
2. It would make you change your speed or direction
3. It only appears on rural roads
4. It's any parked vehicle

Answer: B. It would make you change your speed or direction — A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, such as slowing down or changing direction. A car parked at the kerb isn't one on its own — but if its door starts to open or it begins to pull out, you'd need to react, so it becomes a developing hazard.

1. It has no effect below the legal limit
2. It sharpens your reactions for a short period
3. It reduces coordination and reaction time and gives a false sense of confidence
4. It only affects you if you feel drunk

Answer: C. It reduces coordination and reaction time and gives a false sense of confidence — Any alcohol slows reactions, impairs judgement of speed and distance, and breeds overconfidence — a dangerous mix. The only safe approach is none at all before driving.

1. Straight away, so they can breathe more easily
2. Only if it's essential — for example, to restore breathing
3. As soon as the ambulance is called
4. Whenever the rider asks, regardless of injuries

Answer: B. Only if it's essential — for example, to restore breathing — Removing a helmet can worsen head and neck injuries. Leave it on unless it's essential to keep the casualty's airway open, and get medical help urgently.

1. At least 45 metres, on the same side of the road
2. 5 metres, next to the boot
3. At least 150 metres, on the opposite side
4. Warning triangles are illegal in the UK

Answer: A. At least 45 metres, on the same side of the road — Place the triangle at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind the vehicle on the same side of the road to give approaching drivers time to react. Never use one on a motorway.

1. Nothing further, provided you stopped
2. Report it to your insurer within 30 days only
3. Report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours
4. Leave a note on the other vehicle

Answer: C. Report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours — You must always stop at a collision involving injury or damage. If you don't give your details to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask, you must report to the police as soon as practicable — at most within 24 hours.

1. To overtake slow traffic on the left
2. In an emergency or breakdown, or when signs direct you to
3. Whenever traffic is queuing
4. To answer a phone call

Answer: B. In an emergency or breakdown, or when signs direct you to — You must not use the hard shoulder except in an emergency (such as a breakdown), or when directed to by the police, traffic officers or a traffic sign. Where it's used as an extra lane, you may drive on it only when a speed limit is shown above it. Stopping there for any other reason, including to rest or make a phone call, is not allowed.

1. The lane is for emergency vehicles only
2. Congestion ahead — slow down
3. You must not continue in that lane
4. The speed limit is being enforced by cameras

Answer: C. You must not continue in that lane — A red X means the lane is closed — there may be people, stopped vehicles or other hazards in it. Follow the signs to move safely into an open lane. Driving in a closed lane is an offence, and lane closures are enforced by the police.

1. Stop at the end of the slip road and wait for a gap
2. Build up speed to match the traffic and give priority to vehicles already on the motorway
3. Drive straight into lane one — joining traffic has priority
4. Use the hard shoulder until a gap appears

Answer: B. Build up speed to match the traffic and give priority to vehicles already on the motorway — Use the slip road to match the speed of motorway traffic and merge into a safe gap. Traffic already on the motorway has priority — don't force your way in, and avoid stopping unless queuing traffic requires it.

1. The lorry is about to turn
2. The driver can't see you either — drop back
3. You're at a safe following distance
4. You should overtake immediately

Answer: B. The driver can't see you either — drop back — If you can't see the lorry driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Drop back — you'll be visible, you'll see further down the road, and you'll have a safer view for any overtake.

1. Overtake on its left as it moves right
2. Sound your horn to alert the driver
3. Hold back — long vehicles often need the full width of the road to turn
4. Squeeze through the gap on the right

Answer: C. Hold back — long vehicles often need the full width of the road to turn — Long vehicles swing out before tight turns. Passing on the inside as it turns left could trap you along its nearside. Stay back until the manoeuvre is complete.

1. They travel more slowly than other traffic
2. They can't steer to avoid you and move quietly on fixed rails
3. They always have flashing amber beacons
4. They only run at night

Answer: B. They can't steer to avoid you and move quietly on fixed rails — Trams run on fixed rails and cannot swerve; they're also quiet and can approach quickly. Never race one to a stop, and give way where tram signs and signals require it.

1. Circular
2. Triangular
3. Rectangular
4. Octagonal

Answer: B. Triangular — Triangles warn, circles give orders, rectangles inform. Knowing the shape system lets you read a sign's purpose even at a distance or when partly obscured.

1. A warning of a hazard ahead
2. Something you must not do
3. A positive instruction — something you must do
4. Tourist information

Answer: C. A positive instruction — something you must do — Blue circles give positive instructions, such as 'turn left ahead' or a mandatory minimum speed. Red-ringed circles tell you what you must not do.

1. 60 mph
2. 50 mph
3. 70 mph
4. It depends on how many lanes there are

Answer: C. 70 mph — The sign means the national speed limit applies. A road with a central reservation separating the carriageways is a dual carriageway, where the national limit for cars is 70 mph. On a single carriageway it would be 60 mph. The limit depends on the type of road, not the number of lanes.

1. 50 mph
2. 60 mph
3. 70 mph
4. 40 mph

Answer: B. 60 mph — For cars and motorcycles the national speed limit is 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. Limits are lower for vehicles towing.

1. 20 mph
2. 30 mph
3. 40 mph
4. 50 mph

Answer: B. 30 mph — In England and Scotland a road with street lights usually has a 30 mph limit unless signs tell you otherwise. In Wales the default on these roads has been 20 mph since 17 September 2023.

1. Whenever the traffic lights are green
2. Only when your exit road is clear — or to turn right while waiting for oncoming traffic
3. Never, box junctions are for buses only
4. When at least half the box is clear

Answer: B. Only when your exit road is clear — or to turn right while waiting for oncoming traffic — You must not enter the box unless your exit is clear. The exception: you may wait in the box to turn right when only oncoming traffic or other right-turning vehicles stop you.

1. 1.0 mm across the whole tyre
2. 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth, around the entire circumference
3. 2.5 mm on the outer edges only
4. 3.0 mm in winter months

Answer: B. 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth, around the entire circumference — Car tyres must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round. Worn tyres dramatically increase stopping distances, especially in the wet.

1. Immediately after a motorway journey
2. When the tyres are cold, using the pressures in the vehicle handbook
3. Only at an MOT test
4. After driving at least ten miles

Answer: B. When the tyres are cold, using the pressures in the vehicle handbook — Driving warms the air in the tyres and raises the reading. Check pressures when cold, against the handbook figures — and remember to adjust for heavy loads or motorway trips where the handbook says so.

1. They shorten stopping distance on ice
2. They stop the wheels locking, so you can continue to steer while braking hard
3. They apply the handbrake automatically
4. They make skids impossible in all conditions

Answer: B. They stop the wheels locking, so you can continue to steer while braking hard — ABS prevents the wheels locking under hard braking, which keeps the steering responsive so you can avoid the hazard while stopping. It doesn't guarantee shorter stops, particularly on loose or icy surfaces.

1. At least two seconds
2. Exactly one car length
3. Half a second
4. Ten seconds at all speeds

Answer: A. At least two seconds — Leave at least a two-second gap in dry conditions — double it to four in the wet, and up to ten times the distance in ice and snow. Pick a fixed point and count as the vehicle ahead passes it.

1. 6 metres
2. 14 metres
3. 23 metres — about six car lengths
4. 53 metres

Answer: C. 23 metres — about six car lengths — At 30 mph the typical stopping distance is 23 metres: 9 metres thinking distance plus 14 metres braking distance. Speed, tiredness, weather and tyre condition all stretch it further.

1. A puncture — brake hard immediately
2. Aquaplaning — ease off the accelerator and don't brake until grip returns
3. Ice on the road — change up a gear
4. Nothing unusual — continue normally

Answer: B. Aquaplaning — ease off the accelerator and don't brake until grip returns — Light steering in standing water means your tyres are riding on the water's surface. Ease gently off the accelerator, keep the steering straight and avoid braking until the tyres grip again.

1. Whenever it rains
2. Only when visibility is seriously reduced — generally below 100 metres
3. At night on unlit roads
4. In slow-moving traffic

Answer: B. Only when visibility is seriously reduced — generally below 100 metres — Fog lights are for seriously reduced visibility (generally under 100 metres) and must be switched off when it improves — left on, they dazzle other drivers and hide your brake lights.

1. Worn road surfaces
2. The driver — braking, accelerating or steering too harshly for the conditions
3. Cold weather alone
4. Low fuel level

Answer: B. The driver — braking, accelerating or steering too harshly for the conditions — Skids don't just happen — they're usually caused by braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or driving too fast for the conditions. To recover, release the brake or ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid: if the rear slides right, steer right.

1. In tunnels and underpasses
2. On exposed stretches, high bridges and when passing gaps between buildings or high-sided vehicles
3. Only in built-up areas
4. On smooth, newly surfaced roads

Answer: B. On exposed stretches, high bridges and when passing gaps between buildings or high-sided vehicles — Gusts hit hardest on exposed and elevated sections and in the gaps around large vehicles. Give cyclists, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles extra room — the wind can push them off line suddenly.

1. Whoever loaded the vehicle
2. The driver
3. The vehicle's owner, even when not present
4. The insurance company

Answer: B. The driver — As the driver, you must not use your vehicle with an insecure load or beyond its weight limits — the responsibility sits with you, whoever did the loading.

1. It lowers the centre of gravity and improves stability
2. It raises the centre of gravity, reducing stability and increasing fuel consumption
3. It has no effect if you drive under 50 mph
4. It improves grip in crosswinds

Answer: B. It raises the centre of gravity, reducing stability and increasing fuel consumption — Weight up high makes the car lean more in bends and react more to crosswinds, and the drag burns more fuel. Load heavy items low in the vehicle and take corners more gently.

1. Brake firmly to bring it under control
2. Accelerate out of the snake
3. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently until it stabilises
4. Steer sharply in the opposite direction to the sway

Answer: C. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently until it stabilises — Braking or steering against the sway makes snaking worse. Ease off gradually, let the speed fall gently, and the outfit will settle — then consider load distribution and noseweight before continuing.

1. You — vehicles always have priority over pedestrians
2. The pedestrian — you should give way to people crossing or waiting to cross
3. Whoever moves first
4. The pedestrian, but only on a marked crossing

Answer: B. The pedestrian — you should give way to people crossing or waiting to cross — Under the hierarchy of road users, traffic turning into or out of a junction should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road they're turning into.

1. At least 1.5 metres
2. Half a metre is sufficient
3. One car door's width
4. No specific guidance exists

Answer: A. At least 1.5 metres — Leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking a cyclist at up to 30 mph — and more at higher speeds or in bad weather. If you can't leave that space, hold back until you can.

1. Quickly, to spend less time alongside the horse
2. Sound your horn so the rider knows you're there
3. Slow to a maximum of 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space
4. Rev the engine and pass close to the verge

Answer: C. Slow to a maximum of 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space — Horses are easily startled. Pass wide and slow — no more than 10 mph and at least 2 metres of space — with no sudden noise. Be ready to stop if the rider signals you to.

709 original practice questions across all 14 DVSA topics, each with the correct answer, an explanation and the Highway Code rule it tests. Every question is free and checked against The Highway Code as amended 22 October 2025.

No. The questions in the live test are never published, and the DVSA’s revision questions are Crown Copyright. Ours are original questions written to the same syllabus and format, so they test the same knowledge.

50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, with a pass mark of 43. 3 of them are about a short video clip. You also have to pass the hazard perception part.

Every question is free to practise online. A printable workbook with every question, answer and explanation is part of the optional Pass Pack on our pricing page.