ACT knowledge test mobile phones and distraction practice questions

Question 1

You are a learner driver stopped in a queue of traffic at a red light. May you pick up your phone to read a message?

• Yes, because the car is not moving
• Yes, if the handbrake is on
• No, the vehicle is still on the road and the rule still appliesCorrect answer
• Yes, if it takes only a few seconds

Stopped in traffic is not parked. The mobile phone rule applies until you are legally parked out of the traffic stream with the engine off or in park.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 300, as adopted in the Australian Capital Territory

Question 2

When may a fully licensed driver legally use a mobile phone for a call while driving?

• When held in the hand but on speaker
• When resting on the lap or seat
• When held against the ear at low speed
• When it is in a fixed mounting or operated hands freeCorrect answer

A full licence holder may make or take a call only if the phone is secured in a commercially designed mount or used entirely hands free. Holding it in any way is an offence.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 300, as adopted in the Australian Capital Territory

Question 3

What are the mobile phone rules for learner and provisional drivers?

• They may use a phone hands free only
• They must not use a mobile phone at all while drivingCorrect answer
• They may use a phone in a mounted cradle
• They may use a phone for navigation only

Learner and provisional drivers face a total ban on mobile phone use while driving, including hands free and mounted use. Set up navigation before you start the trip.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: mobile phone rules for learner and provisional drivers

Question 4

You need to enter a new destination into a navigation app during a trip. What should you do?

• Enter it while stopped at traffic lights
• Enter it while driving slowly in light traffic
• Ask a passenger to hold the wheel
• Park somewhere legal and safe first, then enter itCorrect answer

Entering an address takes your eyes and mind off the road for many seconds. Pull over and park properly before you touch the device.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: driver distraction

Question 5

Why is a hands free phone conversation still a risk while driving?

• It divides your attention and you notice less of the roadCorrect answer
• It reduces your grip strength on the wheel
• It interferes with the vehicle's electronics
• It is only a risk in heavy rain

Even with both hands on the wheel, a conversation takes mental capacity. Drivers on a call miss more hazards and react more slowly, so keep calls short or skip them.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: driver distraction

Question 6

Your phone rings while you are driving and you have no legal way to answer it. What is the best action?

• Answer quickly and keep the call short
• Let it ring out and deal with it once parkedCorrect answer
• Answer and hold the phone below the window line
• Pass the phone to a passenger to answer for you

No call is worth the risk or the penalty. Silence the phone before you set off so an incoming call is not a temptation.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: mobile phones and driving

Question 7

Which of these counts as a distraction that can affect your driving?

• Only things done above 60 km/h
• Only using a mobile phone
• Only activities involving a screen
• Eating, adjusting controls or turning to talk to passengersCorrect answer

Anything that takes your eyes, hands or mind off driving is a distraction. Sort out food, music and climate settings before you move.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: driver distraction

Question 8

Where should a phone mount be positioned in a vehicle?

• Anywhere that is easy to reach with one hand
• In the centre of the windscreen for the best view
• Where it does not block your view of the roadCorrect answer
• Attached to the steering wheel

A mounted phone must not obscure your view through the windscreen or interfere with the controls. Position it low and to the side, and set it up before you start.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: phone mountings