SA theory test overtaking and following practice questions

Question 1

When may you overtake a moving vehicle on its left?

• On a multi lane road, or when the vehicle is stopped or signalling a right turnCorrect answer
• Whenever there is space on the left
• Only when the driver in front waves you past
• Only on country roads

Outside these situations you overtake on the right. Passing on the left on a single lane road is an offence.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 141, as adopted in South Australia

Question 2

In South Australia, what is the minimum distance you must leave when passing a cyclist where the speed limit is over 60 km/h?

• 0.5 metres
• 1 metre
• 1.5 metresCorrect answer
• 3 metres

The minimum passing distance is 1 metre at 60 km/h or less and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h. You may cross centre lines to give that space when it is safe and you have a clear view.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: minimum passing distance for cyclists

Question 3

What is the minimum following gap you should keep in good conditions?

• Half a second
• One second
• Two secondsCorrect answer
• One car length

Two seconds covers your reaction time at any speed. Add more in rain, at night, on gravel, or behind a heavy vehicle.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: safe following distance

Question 4

You are behind a truck displaying a DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE sign and it is signalling left at an intersection. What should you do?

• Pass on its right at speed
• Pass on its left while it turns
• Sound your horn and move up beside it
• Wait behind it, because it may swing right before turning leftCorrect answer

Long vehicles need to swing wide to get around a corner, and the space that opens up beside them is where they are about to move.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: sharing the road with long vehicles

Question 5

You have started to overtake and realise there is less clear road ahead than you thought. What is the safest action?

• Abandon the manoeuvre, ease off and drop back behind the vehicleCorrect answer
• Accelerate hard and hope the gap is enough
• Move onto the shoulder to pass
• Sound your horn and continue

Dropping back costs you a few seconds. Committing to a pass you cannot finish is how head on crashes happen.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: overtaking

Question 6

When must you not begin to overtake?

• When you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure the road is clear, such as near a crest or a curveCorrect answer
• Whenever there is a vehicle behind you
• On any road with more than one lane in your direction
• Whenever the vehicle in front of you is a heavy vehicle

Crests, curves, level crossings and pedestrian crossings all hide what is coming. If you cannot see the whole pass, do not start it.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: overtaking

Question 7

Another driver has pulled out to overtake you on a country road. What should you do?

• Speed up so they spend less time on the wrong side of the road
• Move towards the centre of the road to discourage them
• Brake hard so they get past quickly
• Keep left, hold a steady speed and let them pastCorrect answer

Speeding up traps the other driver on the wrong side of the road. Ease off gently if the pass is taking too long.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: being overtaken

Question 8

You are following a fully loaded semi trailer on a country highway. How should you position yourself?

• Close behind it so you can pull out quickly when a gap appears
• Well back, where the truck's mirrors let the driver see you, with a longer gap than you would leave behind a carCorrect answer
• Beside its rear wheels while you wait for a gap
• Close enough to sit in the still air behind it

Heavy vehicles take much longer to stop and have large blind spots. If you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: sharing the road with heavy vehicles