Iraq Light Vehicle Driving Theory cheat sheet

Iraqi traffic law is administered under the national traffic code (Law No. 86 of 2004 and its amendments); traffic police (al-Murur) enforce it and may issue on-the-spot fines, seize plates, or withdraw the licence.

Sign categories are distinguished by shape: circles regulate (red border = prohibition, blue = mandatory instruction), triangles warn, rectangles inform or direct, and octagons mean stop.

A red circle with a white bar means no entry; a red circle with a single diagonal slash means no parking; a red cross on blue means no stopping at any time.

Solid white edge lines mark the carriageway limit; broken white lines separate lanes of the same direction and may be crossed to change lanes after signalling and checking mirrors.

A double solid line, or a solid line on your side of a broken line, may not be crossed; a broken line on your side permits crossing when safe.

A yellow box junction may only be entered if your exit is clear, except when turning right and waiting only for oncoming traffic.

Traffic signals: red = stop before the stop line; flashing amber = proceed with caution if the junction is clear; green arrow = movement permitted only in the arrow direction.

A police officer's hand signals override fixed signals and markings; an arm raised vertically means stop for traffic approaching from the front and rear.

At an unmarked T-junction or crossroad with no signs or signals, give way to traffic approaching from the right.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; entering vehicles yield and signal left on approach, right on exit.

A vehicle turning left across oncoming traffic must yield to that oncoming traffic and to pedestrians crossing the road it enters.

A vehicle turning right from a one-way or from the right edge yields to pedestrians and cyclists continuing straight on the road it enters.

An emergency vehicle using siren or flashing blue/red lights has priority; pull to the right edge and stop if necessary until it passes.

Vehicles on a main road have priority over vehicles emerging from a side road, private driveway, petrol station or unpaved track, regardless of the right-hand rule.

At a stop sign, a full stop behind the line is required even when the road appears clear; at a give-way sign, stop only if required to yield.

When two vehicles meet on a narrow hill road where passing is impossible, the descending vehicle gives way to the ascending one unless a passing place is closer to the descending vehicle.

Pedestrians already on a marked crossing, or stepping onto it, have priority; vehicles must stop before the crossing line and not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Default urban limit in built-up areas is 60 km/h unless signs show otherwise; rural highways generally post 100 km/h for light vehicles and motorways up to 120 km/h, but always obey the posted plate.

The two-second rule gives minimum dry-weather following distance: pick a fixed roadside object, and ensure at least two seconds elapse between the vehicle ahead and yours reaching it.

Double the gap to four seconds in rain, at night, on gravel, or when following a heavy vehicle that blocks forward vision; add more for loaded or towing vehicles.

Stopping distance = thinking distance (speed x reaction time) + braking distance; braking distance rises with the square of speed, so 120 km/h needs roughly four times the braking distance of 60 km/h.

Reduced limits apply near schools, hospitals, roadworks and checkpoints; temporary signs and police direction override permanent plates.

Hazard cues to scan for: brake lights two or three cars ahead, pedestrians near the kerb, animals at dusk, sand or gravel on bends, and oil patches at junctions after light rain.

Overtaking is prohibited on blind crests, bends with limited sight distance, at pedestrian crossings, at junctions, and where a solid line is on your side.

At night, dip headlights when a vehicle approaches from the front or when following within about 50 metres; use full beam only on unlit roads with no traffic ahead.

Cockpit drill before moving: seat position and head restraint, mirrors adjusted, seatbelt fastened, doors closed, gear in neutral or park, handbrake on, then start.

Daily walk-around check: tyres for pressure and damage, lights and indicators, windscreen and mirrors clean, fluid levels, no leaks under the vehicle, plates legible.

Tyre tread minimum for light vehicles is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check pressure cold and add roughly 0.2 bar for a fully loaded vehicle.

Engine oil is checked on level ground with the engine off and cool; level must sit between the min and max marks - overfilling damages seals as much as underfilling damages bearings.

Coolant is checked only when the engine is cold; never open a hot radiator cap because pressurised steam causes severe burns.

Brake fluid level drops as pads wear; a falling level or a spongy pedal means inspect immediately - do not top up and continue.

Dashboard warning lights: red oil pressure or brake warning means stop safely and switch off; amber engine or ABS light means drive cautiously to a workshop.

When parking on a slope, apply the handbrake, select a low gear or park, and turn the front wheels toward the kerb facing downhill, away from it facing uphill.

Jump-starting order: connect positive to positive, then negative to a metal earth point on the dead vehicle, not to the battery terminal; reverse the order on removal.

The defensive driving sequence is observe, anticipate, decide, act - maintain a space cushion on all four sides and always have an escape route planned.

Use the mirror–signal–manoeuvre routine for every lane change, turn and overtaking move; signal at least three seconds before acting and cancel afterwards.

Headlights must be used between dusk and dawn and in poor visibility; dipped beams are required in rain, dust storms and fog, never full beam in fog.

Tailgating, weaving, unnecessary horn use and aggressive gestures are offences and are the main triggers of road-rage escalation; disengage and let the other driver pass.

When being overtaken, hold speed and position, keep right, and do not accelerate; when overtaking, confirm the lane ahead is clear for the whole manoeuvre before pulling out.

Leave extra room around heavy vehicles, buses and motorcycles; if you cannot see a truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

In sandstorms or heavy dust, reduce speed, switch on dipped headlights and hazard lights only if stationary or in a genuine emergency, and increase following distance sharply.

At checkpoints, slow down, dim lights, keep hands visible on the wheel and follow the officer's directions without sudden movements.

Any amount of alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and lane-keeping; Iraqi traffic law penalises driving under the influence with fines, licence withdrawal and possible imprisonment.

Alcohol is eliminated at roughly one standard drink per hour, and nothing - coffee, food, cold air or a shower - speeds this up; time is the only remedy.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness; if the label warns against driving or operating machinery, do not drive.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, yawning, drifting out of lane, missing signs, and difficulty holding speed; the correct response is to stop in a safe place and rest.

Micro-sleeps of a few seconds at 100 km/h cover more than 25 metres of unguided travel; opening a window or turning up the radio does not reverse fatigue.

Distraction sources ranked among the highest risk: hand-held phone use, texting, adjusting navigation, eating and interacting with passengers; even hands-free calls reduce hazard detection.

Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; pull over to a legal stopping place before making or taking a call.

Plan long trips with a break at least every two hours, avoid driving during the early afternoon and pre-dawn low-alertness periods, and never start a long drive after a full working day.

Breakdown sequence: move as far off the carriageway as possible, switch on hazard lights, apply the handbrake, and exit on the side away from traffic.

Place a warning triangle about 50 metres behind the vehicle on a straight road, and further back before a bend or crest so approaching drivers get warning.

Occupants should stand behind the safety barrier or well clear of the carriageway, never inside or beside the vehicle, and call for assistance.

Skid control: ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go; do not slam the brakes, which worsens a locked-wheel skid.

Brake failure: pump the pedal, downshift through the gears, and use the handbrake progressively; if still failing, use a safe run-off area rather than a hard obstacle.

Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, keep straight, ease off the accelerator and let the vehicle slow before braking gently to the shoulder.

First aid priorities: protect the scene and call emergency services (Iraqi police 104, ambulance 122), then check responsiveness, breathing and severe bleeding.

Do not move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger; control bleeding with direct pressure, keep the casualty warm, and never give food or drink to an unconscious person.

A light vehicle (category B) licence requires the minimum age set by the traffic directorate, a medical fitness certificate, and passing theory and practical tests.

Documents to carry while driving: valid driving licence, vehicle registration (sanad), and proof of valid third-party insurance.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory; it covers injury and property damage caused to others but not damage to your own vehicle.

Vehicle registration must be renewed annually and the vehicle presented for periodic technical inspection covering brakes, lights, emissions, tyres and chassis condition.

Ownership transfer requires the sale contract, both parties' identification, clearance of fines and a re-registration of the vehicle in the buyer's name.

Traffic fines and violation points can lead to licence suspension or withdrawal; unpaid fines block registration renewal and ownership transfer.

Driving without a valid licence or with an expired registration can result in fine, vehicle impoundment and, in repeat cases, licence withdrawal.

Learner drivers must display the required learner plate and be accompanied by a fully licensed driver; learner permits are not valid for driving alone.

Police directions and temporary signs take precedence over permanent signals, signs and markings; obey the officer even if a green light shows.

A traffic officer may require documents at any time; failure to produce a licence, registration or insurance certificate is a separate offence from the original violation.

Hazard lights are for a stationary or disabled vehicle or a genuine emergency; using them while driving to justify illegal parking is an offence.

Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers; children must be restrained in an appropriate child seat in the rear where one is available.

Motorcycles and light vehicles must not carry passengers in excess of the registered seating capacity, and loads must be secured and not obscure lights or plates.

At a signalised junction, entering on amber when you can stop safely is an offence; only proceed on amber if stopping would cause a collision risk.

Accident procedure: stop, switch on hazard lights, render assistance, exchange details, and report to the nearest traffic police post; leaving the scene is an offence.

Driving licence categories are matched to vehicle type and weight; driving a vehicle outside your licensed category invalidates insurance cover.

Give-way line: a double broken line across your lane means yield; a solid white line across your lane means stop and give way.

Chevron or hatched areas bordered by solid lines are off-limits; those bordered by broken lines may be entered only if necessary and safe.

Lane arrows indicate the movement permitted from that lane; once in a turn-only lane you must follow the arrow.

A stop line is a single solid white line; stop with the front of the vehicle behind it, not on or over it.

Yellow zig-zag or solid yellow kerb markings near schools and bus stops prohibit parking and, in some cases, stopping.

At a roundabout, lane markings on approach indicate the exit each lane serves; keep to the lane matching your exit and do not change lanes inside the circulatory carriageway.

A broken white line with long dashes and short gaps is a hazard warning line - do not cross it unless overtaking a very slow vehicle is genuinely safe.

Box junctions, bus lanes and cycle lanes are marked with their own line and sign combinations; entering a bus lane during operating hours is an offence.

Choose speed by the stopping distance you can see to be clear, not by the posted limit alone; the limit is a maximum, not a target.

In urban areas, the most common serious hazards are pedestrians emerging between parked cars, children near schools, and vehicles pulling out of side roads.

At night, ride the limit of your headlights: do not drive faster than the distance you can stop within the illuminated beam.

In rain, the road is most slippery in the first ten minutes, when oil and dust mix with water; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Aquaplaning: if steering feels light and the engine note rises, ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel straight and do not brake until grip returns.

On gravel or sand-covered roads, reduce speed, avoid harsh braking and steering, and increase following distance to at least four seconds.

Before a blind crest or bend, lift off the accelerator and cover the brake; assume an obstruction may be present until you can see it is clear.

At night and in dust, look for the reflection of eyes, unlit vehicles and animals at the roadside, and slow before, not after, you see the hazard.

Hold the wheel at about nine and three o'clock with both hands; shuffle-steer rather than crossing arms, so you retain control through bends.

Progressive braking: apply pressure smoothly and increase it as weight transfers forward; release gently near the stop to avoid a jolt.

Engine braking assists on long descents - select a lower gear rather than riding the brakes, which can fade through overheating.

ABS prevents wheel lock and preserves steering under hard braking; keep firm pressure on the pedal and steer around the hazard rather than pumping.

Clutch control at low speed: use the biting point to move off smoothly on a slope, and avoid resting your foot on the clutch while driving.

Mirrors should be set so a sliver of your own vehicle is visible at the inner edge; check them before every manoeuvre and before opening a door.

Reversing: check all around, use mirrors and, where fitted, the reversing camera, and reverse slowly - most low-speed collisions happen in car parks and driveways.

On a manual vehicle, coasting in neutral or with the clutch down reduces control and engine braking and is not permitted during a driving test.

Check tyre pressures at least weekly and before long journeys, when cold; under-inflation increases fuel use, heat and the risk of a blowout.

Tread depth minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread around the entire circumference; replace tyres before reaching it.

Look for sidewall cracks, bulges and embedded objects; a bulge indicates internal cord damage and the tyre must be replaced, not repaired.

Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up with a screen-wash additive, not plain water, which freezes and leaves smears in dust.

Check all lights weekly: headlights, dip and full beam, indicators, brake lights, reversing lights and hazard lights; a failed brake light is a common stop by police.

Battery terminals should be clean and tight; a slow crank or dim lights at start-up signals a failing battery or charging system.

Wiper blades smear when worn; replace them at least annually in dusty climates, before the rainy season.

Keep a basic kit in the vehicle: spare tyre and jack, warning triangle, torch, first-aid kit, and a high-visibility vest.

Assume other drivers may not see you: position where you are visible, avoid sitting in blind spots, and make eye contact at junctions where possible.

The two-second gap is the minimum; if another driver cuts into it, ease off and rebuild the gap rather than holding your speed.

Signal your intentions early and clearly, and act predictably - unpredictable courtesy, such as waving another driver out, causes collisions.

When a driver behind is tailgating, increase the gap ahead of you so you can slow gradually, and let them pass at the first safe opportunity.

At night, dip your lights for oncoming traffic and for vehicles you are following; glare is a leading cause of night-time collisions.

Give cyclists and motorcyclists at least a metre of clearance when passing in town and more at higher speeds; check mirrors before opening a door.

Do not use the horn except to warn of danger; horn use near hospitals, schools and at night is restricted.

Patience at checkpoints, roadworks and congested junctions prevents the sudden lane changes and rear-end collisions that cause most urban injuries.

Alcohol reduces peripheral vision, slows reaction time and increases confidence - the combination that produces high-speed single-vehicle crashes.

A driver's judgement of their own impairment is unreliable; the only safe limit is zero alcohol before driving.

Cannabis, sedatives, antihistamines and some painkillers slow reaction and cause lane drift; combining them with alcohol multiplies the effect.

Fatigue is not cured by willpower; after the first signs, stop, take a short nap of 15–20 minutes in a safe place and resume only when alert.

Long drives should be broken with a stop every two hours; the highest risk periods are 02:00–06:00 and 14:00–16:00.

A phone conversation, hands-free or not, removes attention from the road; text messaging is worse because it takes eyes and hands off the task.

Set navigation and music before moving off; reaching for a dropped item at 100 km/h means covering more than 25 metres blind.

Passengers, children and pets are distractions; secure pets and address children's needs only when stopped in a safe place.

If a vehicle breaks down on a highway, get it onto the hard shoulder or as far right as possible, hazards on, and exit on the side away from traffic.

Warning triangle placement: about 50 metres behind on a straight road, further back before a bend or crest so drivers get advance warning.

Call emergency services with your location, direction of travel, number of casualties and any hazards such as fire or spilled fuel.

Do not open a bonnet that is emitting smoke or steam; switch off the engine, get everyone out and move well clear before calling for help.

For a casualty who is breathing but unconscious, place them in the recovery position and monitor breathing until help arrives.

For severe bleeding, apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth and do not remove it if it soaks through - add another layer on top.

Do not remove a motorcycle helmet unless the airway is obstructed; doing so can worsen a spinal injury.

After any collision, exchange names, licence, registration and insurance details, and report to the nearest traffic police post; leaving the scene is an offence.

Category B covers light vehicles up to the permitted weight and seating capacity; heavier vehicles or passenger transport need a higher category.

The theory test covers signs, markings, priority rules and hazard awareness; the practical test assesses control, observation and compliance.

A learner must display the learner plate and be accompanied by a fully licensed driver of the correct category; solo driving on a learner permit is an offence.

Carry at all times: driving licence, vehicle registration (sanad) and valid insurance certificate; police may demand them at any check.

Compulsory third-party insurance covers injury and property damage to others; comprehensive cover adds damage to your own vehicle and is optional.

Annual technical inspection checks brakes, lights, steering, tyres, emissions and chassis; a failed inspection blocks registration renewal.

Unpaid traffic fines block registration renewal and ownership transfer; settle them before starting any transfer procedure.

Selling a vehicle requires a sale contract, both parties' identification, fine clearance and re-registration in the buyer's name; the seller remains liable until transfer is recorded.