TAS knowledge test overtaking and following practice questions

Question 1

On a dry road in good conditions, what is a sensible minimum gap to the vehicle in front?

• One car length for every 10 km/h of speed
• Half a second, since modern brakes are strong
• At least a two second gapCorrect answer
• Whatever gap stops other drivers merging in

Pick a fixed object ahead, and if you reach it before you finish counting two seconds after the vehicle in front passes it, you are too close. Make it longer in the wet.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: safe following distance

Question 2

When may you normally pass a vehicle on its left?

• Whenever the left lane is moving faster
• Only on a road with a limit above 80 km/h
• Only when the other driver waves you through
• When you are on a multi lane road and staying in your own marked laneCorrect answer

On a multi lane road, traffic in each lane travels at its own pace, so passing on the left happens lawfully. You must not swerve to the left of a vehicle on a single lane road to get past it.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: overtaking on the left

Question 3

There is a single continuous line on your side of the centre of the road. What does that mean for overtaking?

• You must not cross it to overtakeCorrect answer
• You may cross it if the vehicle ahead is slow
• You may cross it as long as you signal first
• You may cross it if the road ahead is straight

A continuous line on your side marks a stretch where overtaking is unsafe, usually because of limited sight distance. Wait for the line to become broken.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: dividing lines and overtaking

Question 4

You are on a two way road approaching a crest and you want to overtake a slower car. What should you do?

• Overtake quickly before you reach the crest
• Wait until you are past the crest and can see a long clear stretch aheadCorrect answer
• Overtake with your headlights on high beam as a warning
• Move to the wrong side early and hold there until a gap appears

You cannot see oncoming traffic beyond a crest or a blind curve. Overtaking needs a view of enough clear road to get past and return safely.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: when not to overtake

Question 5

You have passed a vehicle on a two way road. When should you move back to the left side?

• Immediately, so you spend the least time on the wrong side
• After the vehicle you passed flashes its lights
• When you can see the whole front of that vehicle in your mirror and there is a safe gapCorrect answer
• Only once you have reached the next intersection

Cutting back too soon forces the other driver to brake. Seeing the full front of their vehicle in your interior mirror is a simple check that you are far enough ahead.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: completing an overtaking manoeuvre

Question 6

Another driver starts to overtake you on a country road. What should you do?

• Speed up so they give up and drop back
• Move to the right to block them until it is safer
• Brake hard to make room in front of you
• Keep to the left, hold a steady speed and let them pastCorrect answer

It is an offence to increase your speed while being overtaken. Staying left with a steady speed shortens the time they spend on the wrong side of the road.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: being overtaken

Question 7

You are following a large truck on a highway. Why should you leave a bigger gap than usual?

• So you can see further past it and be seen in the driver's mirrorsCorrect answer
• Because trucks stop in a shorter distance than cars
• Because trucks are not allowed to be followed closely at night
• So you can use the extra space to overtake without signalling

Sitting close behind a truck blocks your view of the road ahead and puts you in the driver's blind area. A longer gap gives you both more information.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: sharing the road with heavy vehicles

Question 8

A driver behind you is following far too closely. What is the safest response?

• Brake sharply to make them back off
• Hold a steady speed, increase your own gap to the vehicle ahead, and let them pass when it is safeCorrect answer
• Speed up to open a gap behind you
• Turn on your rear fog light and keep it on

You cannot control the driver behind, but you can give yourself more room in front so you never need to brake hard. Brake checking a tailgater invites the crash you are trying to avoid.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: being followed too closely

Question 9

A vehicle ahead of you has stopped in the middle of the road, signalling right and waiting to turn. What may you do?

• Cross to the right of it and pass on that side
• Sound your horn until the driver completes the turn
• Pass to the left of it if there is room and it is safe to do soCorrect answer
• Stay behind it until the turn is finished, in all cases

Passing on the left of a vehicle turning right is allowed when there is enough room. Check first for cyclists, parked cars opening doors and pedestrians near the kerb.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: passing a turning vehicle