Gambia Driving Test cheat sheet

Gambia drives on the LEFT (British colonial legacy); signs and markings follow the UK/EC pattern, so overtaking is normally on the right and roundabouts are negotiated clockwise.

Regulatory signs are circular with a red border (prohibitions) or blue circles (mandatory instructions); warning signs are triangular with a red border and white or yellow background; information signs are rectangular, usually blue or green.

A red octagon means STOP: a full stop at the stop line is required even when the road appears clear. An inverted red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY: stop only if traffic on the priority road requires it.

Traffic signals follow the sequence red, red-and-amber, green, amber, red. Amber alone means stop unless stopping is unsafe; red-and-amber means prepare to go but do not move until green shows.

A flashing amber at a pelican-style pedestrian crossing means give way to pedestrians still on the crossing but proceed if it is clear; a steady red light at any crossing means stop.

Double solid white centre lines mean no crossing in either direction; a solid line on your side with a broken line on the other means you may not cross, while the opposing traffic may.

Broken white centre lines permit overtaking when safe; short closely spaced dashes mark hazard warning lines near junctions, bends and crests where overtaking is dangerous.

Yellow lines along the kerb indicate parking restrictions: a single yellow restricts parking during stated hours, double yellow prohibits waiting at all times; yellow zig-zags mark school or crossing approaches where stopping is banned.

Direction and lane arrows painted on the carriageway are mandatory: you must follow the arrow for the lane you are in and change lanes before the solid line if you need a different direction.

At an uncontrolled T-junction or crossroads the general rule is give way to traffic approaching from your right; at a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating (coming from your right).

A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must give way to that traffic; a right turn in left-hand-drive Gambia crosses the opposing lane, so wait for a safe gap.

Where a road joins a main road, the joining vehicle gives way; entering from a private drive, car park or dirt track gives way to all traffic on the public road.

Emergency vehicles with sirens or blue flashing lights have priority; do not brake sharply or mount the kerb, instead slow, indicate and move left to let them pass.

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have absolute priority once they step onto it; approach at a speed that lets you stop, and never overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Overtake only on the right, only when the road ahead is clear, the centre line permits it, and you can see far enough to complete the manoeuvre; never overtake at bends, crests, junctions or crossings.

Speed limits in The Gambia are set by sign and by urban/rural context; in built-up areas keep to the posted limit (commonly 30-50 km/h) and outside towns to the posted higher limit, reducing further for pedestrians, livestock, potholes and rain.

Keep left unless overtaking; on multi-lane roads stay in the left lane for normal running and use the right lane only to pass.

Stopping, parking and U-turns are prohibited on bends, near junctions, on crossings, at bus stops and where signs or yellow lines forbid them.

A valid driving licence of the correct class must be carried and produced on demand to a police officer; driving without one, or outside the class endorsed, is an offence.

Learner drivers must display L plates and be accompanied by a qualified driver; provisional conditions restrict the routes and hours permitted.

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum to use a vehicle on a public road; driving uninsured is an offence and the certificate or proof should be available for inspection.

Vehicle registration (log book), road tax and a valid inspection/roadworthiness certificate must be current; expired documents can lead to fines, seizure or prosecution.

The vehicle must display valid number plates front and rear, legible and unaltered; obscuring or altering plates is an offence.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers where fitted, and children should be restrained appropriately; the driver is responsible for ensuring passengers are belted.

Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and pillion passengers; carrying more than one pillion passenger or riding without a helmet breaches the traffic regulations.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted but still distracts and can be penalised if it causes careless driving.

After a collision involving injury or damage, stop, exchange details, report to the nearest police station within the required period, and do not leave the scene of an injury crash.

Use the two-second rule for following distance in dry conditions; double it to four seconds in rain, at night, or when following motorcycles and heavy vehicles.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds; keep a mirror-blind-spot-shoulder check before any lane change or overtake.

Defensive driving assumes other road users will make mistakes: cover the brake when a pedestrian, cyclist, animal or parked car could enter your path.

Hazard perception means reading cues early: brake lights, indicator flashes, children near the kerb, livestock on rural roads, and potholes or standing water after rain.

In The Gambia, expect pedestrians, street vendors, taxis stopping abruptly, livestock and unlit vehicles at night; reduce speed in markets, towns and near schools.

At night dip headlights for oncoming traffic and when following; do not dazzle. Use headlights whenever visibility is reduced and in rain.

In rain, standing water causes aquaplaning and loss of steering; ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and keep steering steady until grip returns.

Overtaking requires a clear view, a permitted line, and enough distance to return to the left lane; abort if oncoming traffic appears.

Do not drive when angry, rushed or distracted; fatigue and emotion lengthen reaction time as much as alcohol does.

Pre-drive cockpit drill: seat position, mirrors, seat belt, gear in neutral, handbrake on, then start the engine and check warning lights extinguish.

Daily walk-around checks: tyres for pressure, tread and damage, lights and indicators, fluid levels, wipers, mirrors, number plates and any leaks under the vehicle.

Tyre tread must be legal and tyres correctly inflated; under-inflation causes overheating, poor grip and higher fuel use, while worn tyres increase stopping distance.

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid with the engine cold and the vehicle on level ground; top up only to the marked level.

Know the controls: clutch, brake and accelerator pedals, gear lever, handbrake, indicators, wipers, hazard lights, headlights and horn; locate them before moving off.

Brakes should be tested gently at low speed after starting; a spongy pedal, pull to one side or unusual noise means stop and have the vehicle checked.

Warning lights: red means stop safely and investigate (oil pressure, brakes, temperature); amber means caution and check soon; never ignore a red light.

Before reversing, check mirrors and look over your shoulder; reverse slowly and be prepared to stop, since blind spots behind the vehicle are large.

Breakdown safety: move off the carriageway, switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle behind the vehicle where safe, and keep passengers away from traffic.

At any crash: stop, switch on hazard lights, make the scene safe, check for injuries, call emergency services, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic).

Do not move a casualty with suspected spinal injury unless they are in danger; keep them still and warm and monitor breathing until help arrives.

For severe bleeding apply direct pressure with a clean cloth; for a casualty not breathing, begin CPR if trained and send for an ambulance.

Exchange names, addresses, insurance details and registration numbers with the other party; note witnesses, time, location and damage, and report to police.

Never leave the scene of a crash involving injury or death; failing to stop and report is a serious offence.

For a vehicle fire, switch off the engine, get everyone out and move well away; do not open the bonnet fully, as air feeds the fire.

If you break down on a busy road, get passengers out on the safe side and behind a barrier if possible; use hazard lights and a warning triangle.

Keep a basic first-aid kit, warning triangle, torch and fire extinguisher in the vehicle and know how to use them.

Report collisions to the nearest police station promptly; the police report is needed for insurance claims and legal compliance.

Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs judgment and reduces peripheral vision; even small amounts raise crash risk, and driving while over the legal limit is an offence.

The safest rule is not to drink at all before driving; designate a sober driver if you plan to drink, and remember that alcohol effects last longer than the drinking session.

Drugs, including some medicines, can impair driving; check labels for drowsiness warnings and never drive under the influence of illegal substances.

Fatigue signs include yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting lanes and missed signs; the only real remedy is to stop in a safe place and rest or sleep.

Do not rely on coffee, loud music or open windows to counter fatigue; they mask symptoms briefly but do not restore alertness.

Long drives should include a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours; share driving where possible.

Illness, stress and some medical conditions reduce fitness to drive; if you feel unwell or your vision is impaired, do not drive.

Eyesight must meet the legal standard for driving; wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses and keep a spare pair if needed.

Alcohol and fatigue together multiply impairment; never drive after a late night of drinking, even if you feel awake.

Motorcyclists must wear a helmet, use headlights in daylight for visibility, and keep both hands on the handlebars except to signal.

Motorcycles are less visible than cars; ride in a position that keeps you out of blind spots, avoid riding in the gutter, and never weave between lanes.

Carry only one pillion passenger, who must sit astride facing forward with feet on footrests and wear a helmet.

Brake using both brakes together, more front than rear, and avoid sudden braking on wet or sandy roads where grip is low.

Commercial vehicles and lorries have large blind spots and long stopping distances; never cut in front of a heavy vehicle and allow extra space when following.

Loads on commercial vehicles must be secure, within the permitted weight and dimensions, and must not obscure lights, plates or the driver's view.

Goods vehicles may be subject to route, weight and hours restrictions; drivers must carry the correct licence class and vehicle documents.

Before a commercial journey, check tyres, brakes, lights, load security and coupling devices; a pre-trip inspection is a legal and safety duty.

When overtaking a motorcycle, give it plenty of room; when riding, position yourself to be seen in mirrors and avoid riding alongside vehicles.