Northern Territory, car licence

NT DriveSafe test signals and lane use practice questions

All 9 original Northern Territory practice questions on signals and lane use for the car licence are on this page, with the correct answer and the rule behind it marked on each one.

Reviewed on

Practice draw: 9 of 9

Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write them

In signals and lane use, 9 of the 9 answers cite Northern Territory Road Users Handbook.

  1. Question 1

    When should you start indicating before a turn?

    • Long enough before the turn to give other road users clear warningCorrect answer
    • Only once you have started to turn
    • As the front wheels begin to move across
    • Signals are optional when nobody is behind you

    A signal is only worth giving if people have time to react to it. Signalling as you turn tells everyone what you are already doing.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: signalling

  2. Question 2

    You are parked at the kerb and want to pull out into traffic. What is the correct procedure?

    • No signal is needed to leave a parking space
    • Move out first, then signal once you are in the lane
    • Sound the horn instead of signalling
    • Signal, check your mirrors and blind spot, and give way to traffic already on the roadCorrect answer

    Traffic already moving has priority. A shoulder check catches the bicycle or motorcycle a mirror will not show you.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: moving off from the kerb

  3. Question 3

    You are on a multi lane road where the limit is over 80 km/h, or where a Keep Left Unless Overtaking sign is up. Which lane should you use?

    • Any lane, at any time
    • Stay out of the right lane unless you are overtaking, turning right, or the traffic is congestedCorrect answer
    • The right lane, if you prefer to travel faster
    • The left lane is reserved for trucks

    Keeping left leaves the right lane free for people passing, which cuts down on drivers weaving between lanes.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: keeping left

  4. Question 4

    What is the correct order for changing lanes?

    • Signal and move across straight away
    • Move across first, then signal
    • Use the mirrors alone and move when they look clear
    • Check mirrors, signal, check the blind spot over your shoulder, then move when there is a safe gapCorrect answer

    Mirrors have blind spots big enough to hide a motorcycle. The head check is the step that finds what the mirrors miss.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: changing lanes

  5. Question 5

    There is a continuous dividing line on your side of the road. What does it mean for overtaking?

    • You may cross it to overtake as long as the road ahead is clear
    • You must not cross it to overtake, and may only cross it where the rules allow you to enter or leave the roadCorrect answer
    • Dividing lines are only a guide to lane position
    • You may cross it at night when traffic is light

    A continuous line is drawn where the sight distance is too short for passing. Wait for a broken line on your side.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: dividing lines

  6. Question 6

    You are driving on a road with marked lanes. Where should the vehicle sit?

    • You may straddle two lanes when traffic is light
    • You may straddle lanes while towing a trailer
    • Keep the vehicle inside a single marked lane unless you are changing lanes safelyCorrect answer
    • Lane lines are advisory and can be ignored

    Sitting on a line leaves nobody sure what you are doing and blocks two lanes at once.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: marked lanes

  7. Question 7

    When should you use your hazard lights?

    • To warn others when your vehicle is stopped in a dangerous place or has become a hazardCorrect answer
    • So you can park where parking is not allowed
    • Instead of indicators when you are turning
    • Any time it is raining

    Hazard lights say that the vehicle is a problem. Using them for anything else cancels out your indicators and confuses other drivers.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: vehicle lights

  8. Question 8

    Your lane ends ahead and you have to move into a lane that continues. What is the rule?

    • Give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving intoCorrect answer
    • Traffic in the continuing lane has to make room for you
    • Merge without signalling so you do not slow anyone down
    • Stop at the end of your lane and wait for a gap of at least 100 metres

    When your lane ends at a line marking, the drivers in the continuing lane have priority. Signal early, match their speed, and take a real gap.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: merging

  9. Question 9

    Two lines of traffic are merging into one and there are no lane lines marked. Who gives way?

    • The vehicle on the left goes first
    • The vehicle on the right goes first
    • Give way to the vehicle whose front is ahead of yoursCorrect answer
    • The faster vehicle goes first

    Where lines end and traffic merges without markings, the vehicle in front has priority. Look along the line of the other vehicle rather than guessing.

    Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: merging