WA theory test overtaking and lane use practice questions

Question 1

You are passing a bicycle rider on a road where the speed limit is 60 km/h or less. What is the minimum gap you must leave?

• 1 metreCorrect answer
• 0.5 metres
• 1.5 metres
• 2 metres

At 60 km/h or less you must leave at least one metre between your vehicle and the rider. Above 60 km/h the minimum gap increases to 1.5 metres.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Sharing the road with cyclists

Question 2

When are you allowed to overtake another vehicle on its left?

• When the vehicle is signalling and turning right, or when you are in a marked lane beside it on a multi lane roadCorrect answer
• Whenever the left side of the road looks clear
• Only on unsealed roads
• Never, in any circumstances

Passing on the left is limited to those situations because drivers do not expect to be overtaken there. Outside them you overtake on the right.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Overtaking

Question 3

Two lanes merge into one and the lane markings end. Who must give way?

• The driver whose vehicle is behind must give way to the vehicle aheadCorrect answer
• The driver in the left lane always gives way
• The driver in the right lane always gives way
• The slower vehicle must give way regardless of position

Where lane lines end and lanes merge, the vehicle in front has priority. Adjust your speed early so you can slot in without forcing anyone to brake.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Merging

Question 4

You want to change from your lane into the next marked lane. What must you do?

• Check mirrors and blind spot, signal in time, and give way to traffic already in that laneCorrect answer
• Signal and move across immediately, because signalling gives you the right of way
• Move across first and signal once you are in the lane
• Give way only to vehicles behind you in that lane

A signal is a warning, not a claim on the space. Vehicles already in the lane you want keep their priority.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Changing lanes

Question 5

Another driver is overtaking you on a two lane road. What should you do?

• Keep left, hold a steady speed and let them passCorrect answer
• Speed up so they have less distance to travel
• Move towards the centre line to block them
• Brake hard so they pass more quickly

You must not increase your speed while being overtaken. Holding a steady speed and keeping left shortens the time the other driver spends on the wrong side of the road.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Overtaking

Question 6

You are behind a road train on a Western Australian highway and want to overtake. What do you need?

• A much longer clear stretch of road than you would need to pass a carCorrect answer
• The same distance you would use to pass a car
• A gap of about two car lengths
• Only a broken centre line, whatever the distance ahead

Road trains are far longer than a car and throw up dust that hides oncoming traffic. If you cannot see a long clear road ahead, stay back and wait.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Sharing the road with heavy vehicles