Theory test / Other types of vehicle
Other types of vehicle theory test questions
Up to date with the current Highway CodeLast reviewed October 2026
This topic is about sharing the road with vehicles that do not behave like a car: lorries and buses, motorcycles, trams, tractors and other slow vehicles showing amber beacons, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and emergency vehicles. The questions check whether you understand how size, weight, speed and visibility change what those drivers can and cannot do, and what that means for where you position your own car.
Large vehicles cause the most wrong answers. A long lorry turning left often has to swing out to the right first, or use the whole width of the road, and the gap that opens on its left is a trap, not an invitation (Rules 170 and 221). At roundabouts long vehicles may straddle lanes, and at mini-roundabouts a vehicle that physically cannot get round the central marking is allowed to drive over it (Rules 187 and 188). If you cannot see a lorry's mirrors, the driver cannot see you, so drop back: you will also see much further ahead (Rules 164 and 222).
Motorcycles are small, quick and easy to miss, especially at junctions, so look twice before you pull out (Rule 211). A rider who glances over their shoulder may be about to pull out or turn right (Rule 212). Riders are pushed around by strong wind and by the turbulence from high-sided vehicles, and they may swerve to avoid drain covers, potholes or wet patches, so give them extra room (Rules 213 and 233). Remember that motorcycles and large vehicles both need more distance to stop than a car (Rule 126).
Trams move quickly and almost silently, and they cannot steer round you (Rule 224). You MUST NOT drive in a road or lane reserved for trams, and you should not overtake a tram that has stopped where there is no platform and no signed route past it (Rules 300 and 303). Tram rails are slippery when wet, so cyclists and motorcyclists will try to cross them as close to a right angle as possible (Rule 306). Buses deserve similar patience: give way to a bus signalling to pull out from a stop when you can do so safely, and watch for passengers crossing in front of it (Rule 223).
Numbers worth remembering: many lorries are limited to 56 mph (Rule 222); powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters used on the road go no faster than 8 mph (Rule 220); tram overhead wires are normally 5.8 metres above the road (Rule 307); buses and coaches have a 50 mph limit on single carriageways (Rule 124). On a motorway with three or more lanes, anything towing a trailer and goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes MUST NOT use the right-hand lane (Rule 265). A flashing amber beacon means a slow or stopped vehicle, such as a tractor, gritter or recovery truck, so approach with caution (Rule 225).
Try 5 free questions
No account needed. Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
You are behind a long lorry that is signalling left at a junction, but it moves out towards the right first. What should you do?
The free questions with answers
1. You are behind a long lorry that is signalling left at a junction, but it moves out towards the right first. What should you do?
Answer: Stay well back and give it room to turn
Long vehicles often need to swing out or use the whole width of the road to turn. The space that opens on the left will close as the lorry turns, so hold back until it has finished.
Highway Code rules 170, 221
2. Why should you keep well back when following a large lorry?
Answer: So the driver can see you and you can see ahead
Sitting close behind a large vehicle hides you from its mirrors and blocks your view of the road. Dropping back fixes both problems and gives you time to react.
Highway Code rules 164, 222
3. Why do trams need particular care from other road users?
Answer: They move quietly and cannot steer to avoid you
Trams run on fixed rails, so they cannot swerve round an obstruction, and they are often very quiet. Rule 224 warns that they move quickly but silently.
Highway Code rule 224
4. It is very windy and a motorcyclist ahead of you is overtaking a high-sided lorry. What should you do?
Answer: Keep well back as the rider may be blown off course
Strong gusts and the turbulence around large vehicles can push a motorcycle sideways. Leaving a big gap gives the rider room if they are blown off line.
Highway Code rules 232, 233
5. A bus ahead is signalling to pull away from a bus stop. What should you do?
Answer: Give way to it if you can do so safely
The Highway Code asks you to give priority to buses pulling away from stops when it is safe. Braking suddenly with traffic close behind could cause a collision of its own.
Highway Code rule 223
Questions people ask
- Why does a lorry move to the right before turning left?
- A long vehicle needs a wider arc so its rear wheels do not cut across the kerb. Stay well back and never try to pass on its left while it is turning (Rules 170 and 221).
- Can I overtake a tram?
- Only where signs and markings show you a route past it. If a tram has stopped at a stop with no platform and there is no signed alternative route, wait behind it until it moves off (Rule 303).
- Which vehicles cannot use the right-hand lane of a motorway?
- On motorways with three or more lanes, any vehicle towing a trailer, goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and certain speed-limited goods and passenger vehicles MUST NOT use the right-hand lane except in prescribed circumstances (Rule 265).
- What does a flashing amber beacon on a vehicle mean?
- It warns that the vehicle is slow-moving or stationary, for example a tractor, gritter, recovery vehicle or abnormal load. Approach with caution and be ready to slow down (Rule 225).
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.