WA theory test seatbelts and restraints practice questions

Question 1

Who is legally responsible for making sure passengers under 16 are properly restrained?

• The driverCorrect answer
• The oldest passenger in the vehicle
• Each passenger, whatever their age
• The vehicle's registered owner, even if not present

The driver must make sure every passenger under 16 is in a correctly fitted seatbelt or child restraint before moving off.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 2

How must a baby under six months old travel in a car?

• In an approved rearward facing child restraintCorrect answer
• In an approved forward facing child restraint
• On an adult's lap in the rear seat with a seatbelt around both
• In a booster seat with an adult seatbelt

Babies under six months must use a rearward facing restraint, which supports the head and neck in a crash. The restraint must be properly fitted and meet the Australian standard.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 3

Where must a child under four years old sit in a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats?

• In a rear seat, in an approved restraintCorrect answer
• In the front passenger seat, in an approved restraint
• Anywhere, as long as the airbag is switched off
• In the front seat if the rear seats are full of luggage

Children under four must not travel in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows. The rear seats are much safer for small children.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 4

How should a seatbelt be worn?

• Sash across the chest and shoulder, lap belt low and firm across the hipsCorrect answer
• Sash tucked under the arm for comfort
• Lap belt across the stomach with the sash behind the back
• Loose enough to lean forward easily

The belt has to load the strong bones of the shoulder and pelvis. A belt worn under the arm or across the stomach can cause severe internal injuries in a crash.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 5

How must a child aged four years to under seven years travel in a car?

• In an adult seatbelt on its own
• In an approved forward facing restraint or booster seat with a correctly positioned beltCorrect answer
• In a rearward facing restraint
• On an adult's lap sharing a seatbelt

Children in this age group still need a restraint or booster sized for them, because an adult belt sits across the wrong part of the body.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 6

Your car has five seating positions with seatbelts and six people want a lift. What should you do?

• Let the smallest passenger share a belt with someone else
• Let one passenger sit on the floor behind the front seats
• Make two trips or find another vehicle, because every passenger needs their own beltCorrect answer
• Drive slowly and keep to quiet streets

You must not carry more people than there are seating positions fitted with belts. Two people in one belt can injure each other badly in a crash.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 7

May you carry passengers in the tray of a utility or in a boot?

• Yes, on short trips at low speed
• Yes, if they sit down and hold on
• Yes, if a canopy is fitted over the tray
• No, people must travel only in a seating position designed for passengersCorrect answer

There is no restraint in a tray or a boot, and people are thrown out in even a minor crash. It is an offence as well as a very high risk.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints

Question 8

When may a driver or passenger legally travel without wearing a seatbelt?

• When the trip is under two kilometres
• Only where a valid medical exemption certificate appliesCorrect answer
• When the vehicle is travelling under 40 km/h
• When sitting in a rear seat

Belts are compulsory for every occupant in a seating position that has one. A doctor can issue an exemption certificate only in limited circumstances.

Rule cited: Drive Safe handbook (WA Department of Transport), Seatbelts and child restraints