Theory test / Attitude
Attitude theory test questions
Up to date with the current Highway CodeLast reviewed October 2026
Attitude questions test how you behave towards other road users: following distance, patience with slower or less experienced drivers, giving way to buses and emergency vehicles, how you use your horn and headlights, and how you react when someone else gets it wrong. Since January 2022 the Highway Code has opened with the hierarchy of road users (Rules H1 to H3), which says that those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others.
Following distance is the most tested idea here. Rule 126 asks for at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads, at least doubled on wet roads and up to ten times greater on ice. If someone is tailgating you, the safe response is to ease off gently and leave more room in front, so you will not have to brake sharply. Braking to teach them a lesson is always wrong. If a car overtakes and cuts into the gap ahead, drop back to rebuild your two seconds (Rule 168).
Headlights and the horn have narrow, specific uses. Rule 110 says flash your headlights only to let other road users know you are there, never to give a message, and Rule 111 says never assume a flash is an invitation to go. Use the horn only to warn others of your presence while moving, never aggressively, and not in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am unless another road user poses a danger (Rule 112). At a zebra crossing, do not wave, flash or sound your horn to invite pedestrians across, because another vehicle may not stop (Rule 195).
Patience comes up again and again. Be particularly patient with learners and new drivers (Rule 217), make allowance for older drivers (Rule 216), give priority to buses pulling out of stops when it is safe (Rule 223), and pass horse riders at no more than 10 mph leaving at least 2 metres (Rule 215). When passing cyclists at up to 30 mph, leave at least 1.5 metres (Rule 163). If you are driving something slow and a queue builds up, pull in where it is safe and let it pass (Rule 169).
When another driver behaves badly, the answer is to stay calm and not get involved. Rule 147 says do not become agitated, pull over and calm down if you need to, and if someone pulls out in front of you at a junction, hold back and let them get clear rather than driving up close to intimidate them. In the test, any option that involves showing someone they were wrong is the wrong answer.
Try 5 free questions
No account needed. Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
A driver is following you very closely on a wet road. What should you do?
The free questions with answers
1. A driver is following you very closely on a wet road. What should you do?
Answer: Ease off and leave a bigger gap in front of you
More space in front means you can slow down gently if the traffic ahead stops, so the tailgater is less likely to hit you. Braking suddenly or speeding up only makes a collision more likely.
Highway Code rule 126
2. Another driver flashes their headlights at you while you wait at a junction. What does the Highway Code say a flash of headlights means?
Answer: Only that they are there, so use your own judgement
Rule 110 says headlights should only be flashed to let others know you are there. Rule 111 says never assume a flash is an invitation to proceed.
Highway Code rules 110, 111
3. A pedestrian is waiting at a zebra crossing as you approach. Which of these should you avoid?
Answer: Waving them across the road
Rule 195 says not to wave, flash your lights or use your horn to invite pedestrians across, because another vehicle may be approaching and not stop.
Highway Code rule 195
4. On a fast road in dry weather, what is the minimum gap the Highway Code recommends behind the vehicle in front?
Answer: Two seconds
Rule 126 recommends at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads. It should be at least doubled in the wet and can need to be ten times greater on ice.
Highway Code rule 126
5. You come up behind a horse rider on a narrow country road. How should you pass?
Answer: At no more than 10 mph, leaving at least 2 metres
Rule 215 says slow to a maximum of 10 mph when you see a horse and pass wide and slow, leaving at least 2 metres. Do not sound your horn or rev your engine.
Highway Code rules 215, 163
Questions people ask
- Can I flash my headlights to let another driver out?
- The Highway Code says to flash your headlights only to let others know you are there. A flash used as a message can be misread, and the other driver may pull out into danger you have not seen.
- What should I do if someone is tailgating me?
- Stay calm, keep a steady speed and gradually leave a bigger gap in front of you. That gives you room to slow down gently, so the driver behind is less likely to run into you.
- Is hogging the middle lane of a motorway an offence?
- Rule 264 says keep in the left lane unless overtaking. Police can treat lane hogging as careless driving, which can mean a fixed penalty of £100 and 3 points.
- What does the hierarchy of road users mean in practice?
- Drivers of larger and faster vehicles carry more responsibility for the safety of others. It does not take away anyone's duty to be careful, but it means you should expect to give way and slow down for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Other theory test topics
Rule references: The Highway Code (GOV.UK), Open Government Licence v3.0. Questions and explanations are written by PassRank and are not the official DVSA revision questions.