NT DriveSafe test speed limits practice questions

Question 1

You are driving on a street in a built up area in the Northern Territory and there are no speed limit signs. What speed limit applies?

• 50 km/h
• 60 km/hCorrect answer
• 70 km/h
• 80 km/h

Where a road runs through a built up area and no sign says otherwise, the default limit is 60 km/h. A built up area is one with buildings beside the road or street lighting set at regular intervals.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: speed limits

Question 2

You are on a road outside a built up area and you have not passed a speed limit sign. What speed limit applies?

• 80 km/h
• 90 km/h
• 100 km/h
• 110 km/hCorrect answer

Outside built up areas the default limit is 110 km/h unless a sign shows a different number. A sign always beats the default.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: speed limits

Question 3

What does a speed limit sign tell you?

• The highest speed allowed on that road in good conditionsCorrect answer
• The speed you are expected to keep up with
• A figure you may exceed when traffic is light
• The average speed for the whole trip

A speed limit is a ceiling, not a target. In rain, dust, fog or poor light you have to drive well under the posted number.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 20, as adopted in the Northern Territory

Question 4

A sign shows a 40 km/h school zone with times printed underneath it. When does the 40 km/h limit apply?

• Only when you can see children near the road
• Only during school holidays
• During the times shown on the sign, on school daysCorrect answer
• At all hours, every day of the year

The lower limit applies for the periods printed on the sign whether or not any children are in sight.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: school zones

Question 5

The road is signed at 100 km/h and heavy rain has left water lying across the surface. What speed should you drive at?

• 100 km/h, because that is the posted limit
• Whatever speed keeps you with the traffic around you
• Slower than 100 km/h, at a speed you can stop in safelyCorrect answer
• Exactly 10 km/h under the posted limit

The posted limit assumes good conditions. Water on the road cuts grip and can float the tyres, so you have to pick a speed that matches what the road is actually doing.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: driving in poor conditions

Question 6

A temporary 40 km/h sign is up at roadworks. When does that limit apply?

• From the sign until the end of roadworks sign, whether or not workers are presentCorrect answer
• Only while workers are standing on the road
• Only on weekdays
• Only if someone with a stop sign signals you

A temporary limit is a legal limit for the whole length it covers. Loose surfaces, plant and changed line marking are hazards even when nobody is working.

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

Question 7

You are on a section of highway signposted at 130 km/h. What does that sign mean?

• You must travel at 130 km/h
• The limit applies only to road trains
• You may reach 130 km/h only while overtaking
• 130 km/h is the maximum allowed there in good conditionsCorrect answer

A posted number is always a maximum. Tyre condition, load, fatigue, wildlife and heat all give you reasons to sit well under it.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: speed limits

Question 8

The road is signed at 80 km/h and the seal ends, leaving loose gravel. What should you do?

• Hold 80 km/h because that is what the sign allows
• Slow to a speed that suits the loose surface, even though the sign still says 80 km/hCorrect answer
• Speed up so the tyres ride on top of the gravel
• Stop and wait until a sealed section starts again

Braking and steering both take much longer on gravel. The sign sets the legal maximum, and the surface sets the safe speed.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: unsealed roads

Question 9

You pass a sign showing 60 km/h. How long does that limit stay in force?

• For one kilometre only
• Until you leave the town area
• Until the road surface changes
• Until you pass another speed limit sign or reach a point where a different default appliesCorrect answer

A posted limit runs until it is replaced. If you have not seen a sign for a while, work out whether you are in a built up area or outside one and apply the default for that.

Rule cited: Northern Territory Road Users Handbook, topic: speed limits