Kiribati Driving Licence Written Test key terms

A red eight-sided sign marked STOP that requires you to bring the vehicle to a complete halt at the marked line or, if none, at the edge of the intersection, and give way before moving off.

An inverted triangular sign telling you to slow down and yield to traffic on the road you are joining or crossing, stopping only if necessary to let others pass safely.

A circular sign with a red border showing the maximum speed in kilometres per hour permitted on that stretch of road under normal conditions; it is an upper limit, not a target.

Any sign that imposes a legal requirement or prohibition, such as a stop sign, speed limit or no-entry sign. Ignoring one is an offence, unlike advisory warning signs.

A diamond or triangular sign with a symbol alerting you to a hazard ahead, such as a bend, narrow causeway, flood-prone section or pedestrian crossing, so you can slow down in good time.

A solid white line painted across your lane at a stop sign or traffic signal. You must stop before this line, not on or past it, so crossing traffic and pedestrians stay safe.

A line painted along the middle of the road separating opposing traffic flows. A solid centre line means no crossing to overtake; a broken line permits overtaking only when it is clearly safe.

Painted lines, arrows, hatched areas and words on the road surface that guide or restrict drivers. They carry the same legal force as signs and must be obeyed in the same way.

The sequence of red, amber and green lights controlling a junction. Green means proceed if clear, amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so, and red means stop and wait behind the line.

The priority one road user has over another at a junction, crossing or narrow section. Having right-of-way never removes your duty to slow down and avoid a collision if another driver errs.

A junction with no signs, signals or markings. Approach slowly, be ready to stop, and apply the standard give-way rules rather than assuming the other driver will yield.

When turning right or across a road, you must give way to vehicles coming towards you and to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering. Wait for a clear, safe gap before moving.

At a roundabout you give way to traffic already circulating on the roundabout, entering only when there is a safe gap, and signal your intended exit in good time.

The maximum legal speed for a road or area, set by signs. It applies in good conditions only; in rain, flooding, poor visibility or on rough surfaces you must drive slower than the posted figure.

The speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear, allowing for wet roads, potholes, sand, animals or pedestrians. It may be well below the posted limit.

The gap you keep behind the vehicle ahead so you can stop if it brakes suddenly. In good conditions use at least a two-second gap; double it in rain or on loose or flooded surfaces.

A simple method for judging following distance: watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed point and count two seconds before you reach it. If you arrive sooner, you are too close.

The total distance travelled from the moment you notice a hazard until the vehicle stops. It combines thinking distance and braking distance and grows quickly as speed and road wetness increase.

The distance covered while the brakes are actually slowing the vehicle. It increases with speed, load, worn tyres and slippery surfaces such as wet coral, mud or loose gravel.

Passing a slower road user travelling in the same direction. It is only permitted where sight lines and markings allow, and you must complete the manoeuvre and return to your lane safely.

A stretch marked by a solid centre line, a no-overtaking sign or restricted visibility, such as a crest, bend or narrow causeway, where passing another vehicle is unsafe and usually illegal.

The area around your vehicle that mirrors do not show. Always turn your head to check it before changing lanes, overtaking or pulling away, because a cyclist or motorcyclist may be hidden there.

A routine for every change of direction: check mirrors, signal your intention, check blind spots, then move. It gives other road users time to react to what you are about to do.

The flashing light showing you intend to turn or change lanes. Signal early enough to be useful, cancel it after the manoeuvre, and remember a signal does not give you priority.

The amount of alcohol in your blood, measured in milligrams per 100 millilitres. Even small amounts slow reactions and judgement; if you drink, do not drive at all.

Driving after consuming alcohol. Alcohol reduces coordination, reaction time and judgement of speed and distance, and the effects worsen with tiredness, heat and dehydration.

Tiredness that impairs attention and reaction time. On long, hot or monotonous drives, stop and rest before you feel sleepy; do not rely on music, fresh air or caffeine to keep you alert.

Your physical and mental ability to drive safely on a given day. Illness, medication, drugs, alcohol, exhaustion, stress or poor eyesight can all make you unfit and should keep you off the road.

A road user with little or no physical protection, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist or child. Give them extra space, slow down near them and expect unpredictable movement.

A marked place where pedestrians have priority. Approach at a speed that lets you stop, look both ways, and never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing.

The extra room you leave when riding behind or passing a cyclist or motorcyclist. Overtake only with a wide margin and never squeeze past on a narrow causeway or bridge.

The condition of a vehicle being safe to drive: brakes, tyres, lights, steering, wipers and horn all working. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle endangers you and everyone around you.

The grooved pattern on a tyre that clears water and grips the road. Worn tread lengthens braking distance and raises the risk of skidding on wet, sandy or flooded surfaces.

A periodic inspection certificate confirming a vehicle meets minimum safety standards. Driving without a current certificate may be an offence and can invalidate insurance cover.

The licence and vehicle paperwork you must carry or produce when required. Check they are current before driving; driving while unlicensed or disqualified is a serious offence.

The skill of spotting developing dangers early, such as a child near the road, a pothole, a stray animal or a flooded dip, and adjusting speed and position before the hazard becomes an emergency.

Driving so that you anticipate other people's mistakes and leave yourself room and time to react. It means planning ahead, avoiding assumptions and never relying on another driver to give way.

A raised, often single-lane road across water or reef flats. Slow down, check for oncoming traffic, give way where required, and avoid stopping where your vehicle blocks the only passage.

A road covered by water, common after heavy rain or high tides. Never drive into water of unknown depth; it can hide washouts, stall the engine and sweep a vehicle away.

Loss of tyre contact with the road because a layer of water lifts the vehicle. Steering and braking stop working; ease off the accelerator, keep the wheel steady and avoid sudden braking.

Conditions typical of island roads: sand, salt damage, loose coral, potholes, animals, pedestrians, high tides and washouts. Reduce speed and expect the surface to change without warning.