Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users theory test practice
Free, no accountBased on the Rules of the Road
What you need to know
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders and children are far more likely to be badly hurt in a crash than people inside a car. The Driver Theory Test checks that you know who must give way, how much room to leave and where the danger spots are. A good rule of thumb is simple: your vehicle has no greater right of way than anyone else, so drive defensively and expect the unexpected.
At a zebra crossing you must give way to anyone on it or waiting to cross. At a pelican crossing you must give way while the amber light is flashing. When you move off from a stop, such as at traffic lights or a parking space, give way to anyone already crossing. At a junction, give way to pedestrians who have started to cross the road you are turning into.
School wardens carry a round Stop sign. When it is raised you must stop and stay stopped until the children have crossed, the sign is lowered and the warden is back on the footpath. Junior wardens work in teams of six, and you stay stopped until they have all returned to the footpath. Never park where you would block a warden's view of the road.
Give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of space and never cut in front of them after passing. Watch for them at junctions, when turning left, when changing lane and before opening your door. Slow down for horse riders, pass wide and avoid the horn near animals. Make extra allowances for children, older people and people with disabilities, who may be slower or less predictable.
Rules of the Road: Pedestrian crossings · School wardens · Respecting other road users · Parking · Animal traffic · Traffic lights
20 practice questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
A pedestrian is standing at the kerb beside a zebra crossing, waiting to cross. What must you do?
Mark one answer · keys A to D
All the questions with answers
1. A pedestrian is standing at the kerb beside a zebra crossing, waiting to cross. What must you do?
Answer: Give way to the pedestrian
You must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing and to those waiting to cross it. A signal such as a flash or horn does not give you the right to go.
Rules of the Road: Pedestrian crossings
2. The amber light is flashing at a pelican crossing and a pedestrian is still crossing. What should you do?
Answer: Give way to the pedestrian and proceed when it is clear
While the amber light flashes you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing. You may go only once it is clear.
Rules of the Road: Pedestrian crossings
3. A school warden raises the Stop sign as you approach. For how long must you remain stopped?
Answer: Until the children have crossed, the sign is lowered and the warden is back on the footpath
You must stay stopped until the children have crossed, the sign has been lowered and the warden has safely returned to the footpath.
Rules of the Road: School wardens
4. Junior school wardens have stopped the traffic. When may you move off?
Answer: When all the junior wardens have returned to the footpath
Junior wardens work in a team of six, and all vehicles must stay stopped until every one of them is back on the footpath.
Rules of the Road: School wardens
5. You are overtaking a cyclist on a windy day. What is the safest approach?
Answer: Give plenty of room and do not cut in afterwards
Leave plenty of space, especially in wet or windy weather, as a cyclist can be blown off line. Never cut in front of them after passing.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
6. There is a cyclist ahead on your left and you plan to turn left at the next junction. What is the best action?
Answer: Hold back behind the cyclist rather than overtaking
Do not overtake a cyclist as you approach a junction if you are turning left. They may be continuing straight ahead and you could cut across them.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
7. You are about to open your car door on a street with traffic passing. What should you check first?
Answer: Your mirrors for cyclists and motorcyclists approaching
Check your mirrors for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians before opening a door, and open it only for as long as necessary.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users · Parking
8. You are approaching a horse rider on a narrow country road. What should you do?
Answer: Slow down, pass wide and avoid noise that may frighten the horse
Slow down, be ready to stop and pass with plenty of room. A horn or revving engine may frighten the animal.
Rules of the Road: Animal traffic
9. A person herding cattle along the road signals you to stop. What must you do?
Answer: Obey the signal and stop
If the person in charge of animals signals you to slow down or stop, you must obey. Slow down and be prepared to stop whenever you approach animals.
Rules of the Road: Animal traffic
10. You are about to reverse out of a driveway and cannot see clearly behind. Small children live nearby. What is the safest thing to do?
Answer: Get out and check behind the car first
A small child behind your car may not be visible in the mirrors or rear window. If in doubt, get out and check.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
11. You are first in the queue at green traffic lights, but a pedestrian is still crossing in front of you. What should you do?
Answer: Wait and give way to them
When you are moving off from a stationary position you must give way to any pedestrian already crossing the road.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
12. You notice an older pedestrian about to cross near a junction. How should you adjust your driving?
Answer: Make extra allowances and be ready to stop
Make extra allowances for older people, people with disabilities and children, who may take longer to cross or move unpredictably.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
13. A school bus has stopped and children are getting off. What is the right way to react?
Answer: Take great care and be ready to stop for children who may step out
Take special care near school buses, particularly when overtaking one that children are boarding or leaving. Children can step out suddenly.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
14. There are zigzag lines on the approach to a zebra crossing. What does this mean for you?
Answer: You must not overtake or park in that area
The zigzag area keeps the crossing clear and visible. You must not overtake or park within it.
Rules of the Road: Pedestrian crossings · Parking
15. A cycle track runs beside the road you are driving on. What is the rule for car drivers?
Answer: You must not drive or park on it
Do not drive or park on cycle tracks. They are reserved for cyclists, and blocking one can force them into traffic.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
16. You are waiting to turn right across oncoming traffic. What should you check in your mirrors?
Answer: For a motorcyclist who may be overtaking you
Use your mirrors to look for motorcyclists who may be overtaking as you approach a turn. Also watch for cyclists moving up on the inside.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
17. A bus is stopped at a bus stop with passengers getting off. What should you expect?
Answer: People walking around or crossing in front of and behind the bus
Watch for pedestrians walking to and from buses, who may step out from in front of or behind the bus. Be ready to slow or stop.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
18. You are driving along a street lined with parked cars. What is the main danger?
Answer: Pedestrians may step out suddenly from between the cars
Pedestrians, and especially children, can appear from between parked vehicles with no warning. Drive slowly enough to stop.
Rules of the Road: Respecting other road users
19. You stop at red traffic lights where there is an advanced stop line with a cyclist box. Where should you stop in your car?
Answer: Behind the first white line, not in the box
Cars must stop behind the first white line and leave the box for cyclists. Give them time to move off when the lights change.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
20. You approach a courtesy crossing with a raised, patterned surface and people waiting to cross. What is the best practice?
Answer: Drive very slowly and be prepared to stop
A courtesy crossing gives no automatic right of way to anyone. Drive very slowly, watch for pedestrians and be ready to stop.
Rules of the Road: Pedestrian crossings
Questions people ask
- Do I have to stop for a pedestrian waiting at a zebra crossing in Ireland?
- Yes. You must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing and to those waiting to cross it. You also must not overtake or park in the zigzag area on either side.
- How much room should I give a cyclist when overtaking in Ireland?
- Give them plenty of room and do not cut back in front of them. Allow even more space in wet or windy weather, on icy roads, when they are starting off and where the surface is poor.
- What must I do when a school warden holds up a Stop sign?
- Stop and stay stopped until the children have crossed, the sign has been lowered and the warden is back on the footpath. Failing to stop for a school warden is an offence.
- How should I pass a horse rider on an Irish road?
- Slow down, be ready to stop, pass wide and give the rider plenty of time. Avoid sounding your horn or revving the engine, as this can frighten the horse.
Other theory test topics
- Learner permits and licences
- Penalty points and offences
- Alcohol, drugs, phones and fatigue
- Vehicle safety and passengers
- Speed limits and stopping distances
- Junctions and right of way
- Roundabouts and turning
- Road signs and markings
- Motorways, overtaking and lanes
- Parking and stopping
- Hazards, emergencies and breakdowns
Rules summarised from the Rules of the Road (© Road Safety Authority). Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official Driver Theory Test questions.