Gibraltar Theory Test cheat sheet

Observation cycle: mirror check every 5-8 seconds; a glance should last no longer than about 1 second so eyes return to the road ahead.

Mirror order before signalling: interior mirror, then the relevant door mirror, then blind-spot shoulder check, then signal.

At 30 mph a vehicle covers about 13.4 m per second; a 2-second glance = roughly 27 m travelled blind.

Tiredness signs: heavy eyelids, drifting lane position, yawning, missed junctions, delayed reactions - stop at a safe place, not the hard shoulder.

Motorway hard shoulder is for emergencies only; tiredness stops belong at services or a lay-by.

Drink-drive limit in Gibraltar: 50 mg alcohol per 100 ml blood (or 22 micrograms per 100 ml breath); the safest rule is none.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines: check the label for drowsiness warnings; if affected, do not drive.

Night driving: reduce speed so you can stop within the distance lit by headlights; use dipped headlights in lit built-up areas.

Following distance rule: at least a 2-second gap in dry conditions; double it to 4 seconds in rain or on wet roads.

Tailgater response: increase your own gap ahead so you can slow gradually, and let the vehicle pass when safe - never brake to punish.

Zebra crossing rule: give way to pedestrians on the crossing; do not wave others across, as another road user may be overtaking.

Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights: make progress to let them through only when safe; do not mount kerbs or run red lights.

Speed limits are maximums, not targets: the correct speed depends on visibility, traffic, road surface and pedestrians.

Driver fatigue and stress raise aggression risk; a courteous, patient response lowers collision risk more than asserting right of way.

Horn use: only to warn others of your presence, not to express annoyance; never in a built-up area at night unless danger is imminent.

Eco-courtesy: smooth acceleration and early lift-off reduce both fuel use and conflict with other road users.

Legal minimum tread depth: 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread around the whole circumference.

Tyre pressures: check cold, at least monthly and before long journeys; under-inflation raises fuel use and blow-out risk.

Lights check: test headlights, brake lights, indicators and hazards weekly; a failed brake light is a common defect.

ABS purpose: prevents wheel lock under heavy braking, preserving steering control - it does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces.

Seat belts: driver is responsible for being belted and for passengers under 14; adults are responsible for themselves.

Child restraints: children must use an appropriate child seat or booster until 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.

Coolant and oil: check engine oil with the engine cold and level; low coolant risks overheating and head gasket damage.

Load security: an unsecured load can shift and cause loss of control; roof loads raise the centre of gravity and fuel consumption.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; both increase with speed, and braking distance rises with the square of speed.

Typical dry stopping distances: 20 mph ≈ 12 m, 30 mph ≈ 23 m, 40 mph ≈ 36 m, 50 mph ≈ 53 m, 60 mph ≈ 73 m, 70 mph ≈ 96 m.

Wet roads: braking distance roughly doubles; icy roads: up to ten times the dry distance.

Two-second rule: pick a fixed point; if you reach it before counting two seconds after the vehicle ahead, you are too close.

Tunnel gaps: leave at least a 5-metre gap when stationary in a tunnel and switch off the engine if the stop is prolonged.

Large vehicles: drop back so the driver can see you in the mirrors; if you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you.

Overtaking cyclists: give at least 1.5 m clearance at speeds up to 30 mph and more at higher speeds.

Braking on bends: slow before the bend, maintain a steady speed through it, and accelerate gently on exit.

Static hazards: parked cars, junctions, bends, crests and roadworks; scan for the door that may open or the car that may pull out.

Moving hazards: vehicles emerging, cyclists, motorcyclists filtering, and pedestrians stepping off the kerb.

Vulnerable road users: children, older pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists; reduce speed near schools, parks and residential streets.

Junction rule: at an unmarked junction, give way to traffic from the right; at a T-junction, give way to traffic on the through road.

Roundabouts: give way to traffic already on the roundabout from the right; signal left to exit.

Pedestrian crossings: approach at a speed that lets you stop; be ready for someone stepping out from between parked cars.

Wet or icy surfaces: reduce speed early, avoid sudden steering or braking, and watch for standing water and aquaplaning.

Blind spots and occlusion: a parked lorry or bus can hide a pedestrian; slow down and look past the obstruction before proceeding.