ACT knowledge test seatbelts and passengers practice questions

Question 1

Who is responsible for making sure a passenger under 16 is properly restrained?

• The passenger themselves
• The driver of the vehicleCorrect answer
• The front seat passenger
• The child's parent, whether or not they are in the car

The driver carries the legal responsibility for every passenger under 16 being in a correctly fitted restraint suited to their age and size.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 266, as adopted in the Australian Capital Territory

Question 2

You are driving and one adult passenger has not fastened their seatbelt. Who can be penalised?

• Only the passenger, as they are an adult
• Nobody, if the trip is short
• Only the driver, in every case
• The passenger, and the driver may also be liableCorrect answer

Passengers aged 16 and over must wear a fitted seatbelt and can be penalised themselves. The driver is still expected to ensure everyone is restrained before moving off.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 265, as adopted in the Australian Capital Territory

Question 3

How should a lap sash seatbelt be positioned?

• Lap belt low across the hips and sash across the chest and shoulderCorrect answer
• Lap belt across the stomach and sash under the arm
• Sash behind the back for comfort
• Lap belt loose so it does not press on the body

The lap section should sit low on the pelvis, not on the soft stomach, and the sash should cross the collarbone. A belt worn under the arm or behind the back can cause serious injury.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: wearing seatbelts correctly

Question 4

Your car has four seatbelts and five people want to travel. What must you do?

• Take only as many passengers as there are seatbeltsCorrect answer
• Let two smaller passengers share one belt
• Carry the extra person in the boot area
• Proceed if the trip is under two kilometres

Every person needs their own seating position and restraint. Sharing a belt is illegal and in a crash it injures both people.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: number of passengers and seatbelts

Question 5

When must a driver wear a seatbelt?

• Only above 40 km/h
• Only on roads outside built up areas
• Whenever the vehicle is moving, and when stationary but not parkedCorrect answer
• Only when carrying passengers

You must be belted while driving, including while stopped in traffic or at lights. Short trips at low speed are where a large share of crashes happen.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 264, as adopted in the Australian Capital Territory

Question 6

Where should a child restraint or booster seat be fitted in a vehicle with rear seats?

• In the front passenger seat for easier supervision
• In a rear seating position wherever the vehicle has rear seatsCorrect answer
• In whichever seat has the most room
• In the centre front seat if one is fitted

Young children must travel in the back where the vehicle has rear seats. The rear is further from the impact zone and away from front airbags.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: child restraints

Question 7

Passengers in your car are being loud and distracting while you drive. What should you do?

• Turn to face them and ask them to stop
• Speed up to end the trip sooner
• Ignore it, as passengers are not your concern
• Pull over safely and sort it out before continuingCorrect answer

You are responsible for keeping control of the vehicle. If passengers are pulling your attention away, stop somewhere safe rather than trying to manage it while moving.

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

Question 8

May a passenger travel in the tray of a utility or in the load area of a van?

• Yes, if the vehicle stays under 60 km/h
• Yes, if they are holding on securely
• No, passengers must travel in a proper seating position with a restraintCorrect answer
• Yes, if there are no seats left inside

Load areas have no restraints and nothing to stop a person being thrown out. Passengers must be in a seat fitted with a seatbelt or an approved child restraint.

Rule cited: ACT Road Rules Handbook, topic: carrying passengers safely