VIC learner permit test overtaking and following practice questions

Question 1

When may you overtake a vehicle on its left?

• Any time there is room on the left
• Only at night
• Never on any road
• When you are on a multi lane road, or the vehicle is stopped or signalling a right turnCorrect answer

Passing on the left is limited to those situations. On a single lane road you overtake on the right.

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

Question 2

You have overtaken a car on a two way road. When may you move back to the left?

• When you can see the whole vehicle in your interior mirrorCorrect answer
• After counting to three
• As soon as your front wheels pass its bonnet
• Only after the next intersection

Seeing the full vehicle in the centre mirror shows you are far enough ahead to return without cutting anyone off.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: overtaking

Question 3

You are behind a slow truck as you approach a crest where you cannot see the road beyond. What should you do?

• Flash your lights so oncoming traffic moves over
• Stay behind until you have a clear view of the road aheadCorrect answer
• Overtake quickly before the crest
• Move onto the shoulder to see past

Overtaking needs enough clear road to complete the move and return safely. Crests and curves hide oncoming traffic.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: overtaking

Question 4

In dry conditions, what is the minimum gap you should keep behind the vehicle in front?

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

Pick a fixed object, and if you reach it less than two seconds after the vehicle in front, you are too close. Double the gap in wet or poor conditions.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: safe following distance

Question 5

You need to exceed the speed limit briefly to complete an overtaking move. Is that allowed?

• Yes, up to 10 km/h over
• Yes, if you return to the limit immediately
• Yes, on country roads only
• No, the speed limit applies while overtaking as wellCorrect answer

There is no overtaking exemption from the speed limit. If you cannot pass within the limit, do not attempt the pass.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 20, as adopted in Victoria

Question 6

How much space should you leave when you pass a person riding a bicycle?

• Half a metre is always enough at low speed
• Enough room that a wobble or a swerve by the rider would not put them under your wheelsCorrect answer
• Any gap at all, as long as you pass quickly
• No extra room is needed if you sound your horn first

Riders move sideways to avoid potholes, drains and gusts of wind. Wait for a gap and change lanes to pass rather than squeezing through.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: passing cyclists safely

Question 7

Another driver begins to overtake you on a country road. What must you do?

• Speed up so the manoeuvre is over sooner
• Move towards the centre of the road to make your intentions clear
• Keep left and do not increase your speedCorrect answer
• Brake hard to open a gap in front of you

Speeding up while being passed traps the other driver on the wrong side of the road. Hold your line, hold your speed, and ease off if that helps them finish the move.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: being overtaken

Question 8

The vehicle in front of you has stopped at a marked pedestrian crossing. May you overtake it?

• Yes, if you pass at low speed
• Yes, if your side of the crossing looks clear
• Yes, provided you signal before moving out
• No, you must stop as well and only go once the crossing is clearCorrect answer

The stopped vehicle hides whoever is crossing. Passing it puts you alongside a pedestrian you cannot see until it is too late.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: pedestrian crossings

Question 9

You are towing a loaded trailer in steady rain. What should you do about your following distance?

• Increase it well beyond the gap you would normally keepCorrect answer
• Keep it exactly the same, because the trailer has its own brakes
• Reduce it so other drivers cannot cut in between you
• Follow closely so the spray from the vehicle ahead clears your windscreen

Extra weight and a wet surface both stretch your stopping distance. Give yourself more room than you would in a car on a dry road.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: towing and following distance

Question 10

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

• Brake sharply to warn them off
• Increase your own gap to the vehicle ahead so you can slow gently instead of braking hardCorrect answer
• Speed up until they fall back
• Move into the right lane and slow down until they pass

You cannot control the driver behind, but you can give yourself room to slow gradually. Let them pass when it is safe rather than trying to teach a lesson.

Rule cited: Road to Solo Driving handbook (Victoria), topic: safe following distance