CBR Car Theory B common mistakes
CBR Car Theory B · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
At an uncontrolled equal-priority intersection, the candidate proceeds without yielding to a vehicle approaching from the right, assuming that the wider road or the more direct route has priority.
Candidates transfer habits from countries where priority is given to the larger road or to the vehicle going straight, and they do not apply the Dutch right-priority rule consistently. They also misjudge approach speed and think they can clear the junction first.
What to do instead
Before every equal-priority junction, consciously scan right first and treat any vehicle approaching from the right as having priority unless a sign or marking says otherwise. Practise by naming the priority rule out loud at each junction during lessons and on practice routes.
The candidate misreads a priority road sign or a yield sign and applies the wrong rule at the next junction, for example treating a priority road as ending when it continues, or giving way to traffic from the left on a priority road.
Dutch priority signs are shape- and colour-coded and are often combined with a supplementary plate showing the layout of the priority road. Candidates learn the sign in isolation but do not read the supplementary plate or the end-of-priority sign, and they confuse the yellow diamond with warning signs.
What to do instead
Learn each priority sign together with its supplementary plate and its end variant, and practise reading the junction layout from the plate before reaching the junction. On the road, point out the sign and state its meaning and the resulting right-of-way before entering the junction.
The candidate fails to recognise a mandatory cycle path or a cycle street and does not give way to cyclists when turning across it, or blocks the cycle path while waiting to turn.
Cycle paths are often physically separated from the carriageway, so candidates focus on motor traffic and forget to check the parallel cycle path. They also do not know that cyclists on a mandatory cycle path generally have priority when the driver turns across it.
What to do instead
Before every turn, check the mirror and blind spot specifically for cyclists and moped riders on the cycle path, and stop before the cycle path rather than on it. Learn to identify the round blue mandatory cycle path sign and the cycle street sign, and practise turning at junctions with separated cycle paths.
The candidate follows the vehicle ahead too closely on the motorway or outside built-up areas, leaving less than the recommended two-second gap and not increasing it in rain or darkness.
Candidates copy the following distance of surrounding traffic and underestimate stopping distance at higher speeds. They also do not adjust the gap for wet roads, reduced visibility, or a heavy load, and they rely on the brake lights of the car ahead rather than on a fixed time gap.
What to do instead
Use the two-second rule in dry conditions and at least double it in rain or at night. Pick a fixed roadside object and count the time between the car ahead passing it and your own vehicle reaching it, and practise this on every motorway drive until it becomes automatic.
The candidate does not look over the shoulder before changing lanes or merging, relying only on the mirrors, and misses a vehicle in the blind spot.
Mirrors leave a blind spot, especially on the right side, and candidates are used to checking only the interior mirror. They also check the mirror too early and then steer without a final direct glance, or they indicate and move in one movement.
What to do instead
Adopt a fixed sequence: mirror, indicate, mirror again, shoulder check, then move. Practise the shoulder check until it is a habit, and adjust the mirrors correctly first so the blind spot is as small as possible. In the exam, make the shoulder check clearly visible.
The candidate enters a roundabout without adjusting speed and without giving way to traffic already on the roundabout, especially from the left, and then changes lane on the roundabout without checking.
Candidates treat the roundabout as a simple junction and focus on their exit rather than on circulating traffic. They misjudge the speed of vehicles already on the roundabout and do not know which lane to choose for their exit.
What to do instead
Approach every roundabout by reducing speed early, checking the left for circulating traffic, and choosing the correct lane before entering. Learn the lane rules for the first, straight-ahead, and last exit, and stay in lane once on the roundabout. Practise on multi-lane roundabouts until lane choice is automatic.
The candidate misses a change in the speed limit because they do not scan for the round white sign with the red border, or they continue at the old limit after passing a built-up area boundary sign.
Speed limit signs are frequent and candidates stop actively looking for them after the first few minutes. They also confuse the start and end of the built-up area sign with a general speed limit and do not know that the built-up area limit applies until the end sign.
What to do instead
Scan the roadside continuously for speed signs and treat the place-name sign as a speed limit sign in itself. Say the current limit out loud when it changes, and check the speedometer at each change. Learn the default limits inside and outside built-up areas and on motorways.
The candidate does not anticipate a pedestrian stepping out from between parked cars or a child near a school, and maintains speed instead of slowing and covering the brake.
Candidates scan only the road directly ahead and do not read the environment, such as parked cars, bus stops, schools, and play areas. They also assume that a pedestrian who has not yet stepped onto the road is not a hazard.
What to do instead
Practise scanning far ahead and to both sides, and name potential hazards as you drive. In built-up areas with parked cars, schools, or bus stops, reduce speed and cover the brake. Treat any pedestrian near the kerb as likely to cross until you have passed.
The candidate ignores a dashboard warning light, such as the tyre pressure warning or the engine management light, or drives with visibly under-inflated tyres because they do not check pressures regularly.
Candidates see the warning light as a minor issue and do not know what each symbol means. They also rely on the annual service for tyre checks and do not know the correct pressure for a loaded vehicle.
What to do instead
Learn the meaning of the main dashboard warning lights and the action each requires. Check tyre pressures at least monthly and before long trips, using the pressures for the actual load from the vehicle handbook or the sticker in the door frame. Check tread depth and condition at the same time.
The candidate leaves the engine running while stationary for a long wait, or uses the air conditioning and electrical accessories unnecessarily, and does not plan routes to avoid congested areas.
Candidates do not connect idling and unnecessary accessory use to fuel consumption and emissions, and they follow the same route every time without considering traffic. They also think that switching off and restarting the engine uses more fuel than idling.
What to do instead
Switch off the engine during waits of more than about a minute when safe, and use air conditioning and heated screens only when needed. Plan the route before departure, combine trips, and check traffic information. Learn that a modern engine uses very little fuel to restart compared with prolonged idling.