SA theory test seatbelts and passengers practice questions

Question 1

Who is legally responsible for a passenger under 16 being properly restrained?

• The passenger's parent, whether present or not
• The passenger
• The driverCorrect answer
• Nobody in particular

The driver must not drive unless every passenger under 16 is in a properly fastened seatbelt or an approved child restraint.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: seatbelts and child restraints

Question 2

Five friends want to travel in your four seatbelt car. What must you do?

• Let the smallest two share one seatbelt
• Let one travel in the boot for a short trip
• Carry all five and drive below 50 km/h
• Carry only as many passengers as there are seating positions with seatbeltsCorrect answer

One person per belt, one belt per person. Sharing a belt or riding unrestrained is illegal and dangerous.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 265, as adopted in South Australia

Question 3

In a car with two rows of seats, where must a three year old child travel?

• In the rear row, in an approved child restraint suited to their age and sizeCorrect answer
• Anywhere, as long as an adult holds them
• In the front passenger seat with the airbag off
• In the front seat if the rear seats are occupied by adults

Children under four must not travel in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows, and they need a restraint matched to their size.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: seatbelts and child restraints

Question 4

Why must the driver wear a seatbelt even for a short trip to the shops?

• It is optional in cars fitted with airbags
• The rule applies whenever the vehicle is moving, and short local trips are where many crashes happenCorrect answer
• It is only required on freeways
• It is only required above 60 km/h

There is no short trip exemption, and an airbag is designed to work with a belt, not in place of one.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 264, as adopted in South Australia

Question 5

Your passenger is 18 years old and refuses to fasten their seatbelt. Who commits the offence?

• The passenger, because passengers aged 16 and over are responsible for their own seatbeltCorrect answer
• The driver, in every case
• Nobody, because seatbelts are optional for adults
• Both of you, but only above 60 km/h

Adults answer for their own belt, but as the driver you should still refuse to move until everyone is buckled in.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: seatbelts and child restraints

Question 6

You are carrying a six year old passenger. What restraint do they need?

• An adult seatbelt is enough at that age
• No restraint if they sit in the middle rear seat
• An adult lap belt only
• An approved forward facing child restraint or booster seat with the belt correctly adjustedCorrect answer

Children under seven need an approved restraint or booster matched to their size and fitted properly to the vehicle.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: seatbelts and child restraints

Question 7

You are carrying tools and a heavy bag loose on the back seat. Why does that matter?

• It affects how much fuel the car uses
• In a crash or under heavy braking, unsecured objects fly forward and can injure the people in the carCorrect answer
• It is only a problem when the boot is empty
• It interferes with the seatbelt warning system

Anything loose in the cabin keeps moving at the speed the car was doing. Put heavy items in the boot or strap them down.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: loads and loose objects

Question 8

Who may sit beside you as your supervising driver while you drive on a learner's permit in South Australia?

• Any person aged over 21
• Any licensed driver, including a provisional licence holder
• A qualified supervising driver who holds a full unconditional licence for that class of vehicleCorrect answer
• Any passenger, as long as they are not affected by alcohol

The person beside you must hold a full unconditional licence for the vehicle you are driving, and they must be within the alcohol limit that applies to them.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: learner's permit conditions