PK Driving Theory (Car) cheat sheet

Sign shapes carry meaning independent of text: octagon = STOP, inverted triangle = GIVE WAY/YIELD, circle = mandatory order or prohibition, diamond = warning on many national systems.

Sign colour families: red = prohibition or stop, blue = mandatory instruction or information, yellow = warning, green = direction/distance information on major routes.

A flashing amber traffic light means proceed only if the way is clear and give way to pedestrians already crossing; a steady amber means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

A flashing red signal is treated as a STOP sign: come to a full stop, then proceed when safe.

Broken white centre line = overtaking permitted when safe; solid white line on your side = do not cross or straddle it.

Double solid white lines in the centre mean neither direction may cross; a solid line paired with a broken line binds only the side carrying the solid line.

A yellow box junction: do not enter unless your exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Zig-zag lines near pedestrian crossings mean no parking and no overtaking the leading vehicle approaching the crossing.

Direction arrows painted in a lane commit you to that movement; a lane marked with a straight-ahead arrow does not permit turning.

Default priority at an unmarked equal junction: give way to traffic approaching from your right (right-hand-drive/left-hand-traffic systems) or from your left where traffic keeps right.

At a T-junction the road ending must give way to traffic on the through road, regardless of which arm looks busier.

Turning across oncoming traffic: the vehicle turning right (or left where traffic keeps right) yields to straight-through oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians crossing that road.

Entering a roundabout: give way to traffic already circulating, approaching from your right in left-hand-traffic countries; indicate left/right to signal exit.

Four-way STOP: first vehicle to stop proceeds first; simultaneous arrival resolves to the vehicle on the right.

Never enter a junction unless you can clear it; blocking the box is an offence even on a green light.

Overtaking a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing is prohibited; that vehicle may be yielding to a pedestrian you cannot see.

Emergency vehicles with sirens/lights have priority: do not break the law to clear a path; move aside only when it is safe and legal.

Two-second following rule in dry conditions; double to four seconds in rain, and at least ten times normal distance on ice or snow.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; braking distance rises with the square of speed, so doubling speed quadruples braking distance.

Observation cycle: mirrors, signal, manoeuvre; check the blind spot over the shoulder before changing lane or pulling out.

Hazard perception scanning: look 12-15 seconds ahead in urban areas and further on open roads; keep eyes moving rather than fixating.

Alcohol, fatigue and some medicines slow reaction time and impair judgement; fatigue countermeasure is a break or sleep, not fresh air or coffee.

In fog use dipped headlights (never main beam, which reflects back); slow down so you can stop within the visible distance.

Aquaplaning: ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady, avoid braking hard; grip returns as speed drops.

Skids: release the brake, steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go, and avoid sudden inputs.

Defensive driving assumes other road users will err: cover the brake near junctions, schools, parked cars and cyclists.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; you must drive slower when visibility, weather, road surface or traffic require it.

Built-up areas typically default to 50 km/h (30 mph in the UK); rural single carriageways commonly 80-90 km/h, motorways 110-130 km/h depending on country.

A street-lit road with no repeater signs generally carries the built-up area limit; check local signage because defaults vary by jurisdiction.

Keep left (or right where traffic keeps right) except when overtaking; return to the normal lane as soon as it is safe.

Overtake only when you can see far enough to complete the manoeuvre and no one is already overtaking you.

Never overtake at pedestrian crossings, on blind bends, at hill crests, at junctions or where a solid line forbids it.

Passing a stationary bus, tram or school vehicle: slow down and leave extra room for pedestrians stepping out.

Variable speed signs and gantries on motorways are mandatory; an illuminated red X closes that lane.

Minimum speed limits exist on some motorways and are shown in a blue circle; driving below them without cause is an offence.

Tyre legal minimum tread depth is commonly 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference.

Check tyre pressures when cold; under-inflation increases heat, wear and fuel use and worsens handling.

Minimum tread and pressure checks should be done monthly and before long journeys; also check the spare.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic; it absorbs water and should be replaced at the manufacturer's interval (commonly every two years).

Coolant level is checked cold at the reservoir; never open a hot pressurised radiator cap.

Oil level is checked with the engine off and level ground; the dipstick reading should sit between min and max marks.

Dashboard warning lights: red = stop safely and investigate; amber = fault, get it checked; green/blue = system active.

Lights, indicators, brake lights and horn must all work; a failed bulb is a roadworthiness defect and often an offence.

ABS prevents wheel lock under heavy braking; it does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces and does not replace safe following distance.

Carry or be able to produce: driving licence, vehicle registration document, certificate of insurance and, where required, a roadworthiness/MOT-type certificate.

Learner/provisional drivers must display L or P plates as required and be accompanied by a qualified driver where the jurisdiction mandates it.

Penalty points accumulate on the licence; reaching the threshold (commonly 12 points in three years, lower for novices) triggers disqualification.

Serious offences such as drink-driving, dangerous driving or driving while disqualified carry immediate court penalties including imprisonment.

Insurance must cover at least third-party liability; driving uninsured is an offence and can lead to vehicle seizure.

The registered keeper is responsible for taxing/registering the vehicle and for responding to official notices, even if someone else drives.

New drivers often face lower point thresholds and longer probation periods; check the specific national novice rules.

A vehicle used for hire or reward needs appropriate commercial insurance; ordinary private cover does not apply.

At a crash: stop, make the scene safe, switch on hazard lights, warn other traffic, then call emergency services with location and casualty count.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - check and act in that order.

Unconscious but breathing casualty: recovery position on the side; unconscious and not breathing: start CPR, 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.

Do not remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless the airway is obstructed and it is essential.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure and, if available, a clean dressing; do not remove an embedded object.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or further traffic.

Never leave the scene of an accident you were involved in; exchange names, addresses, insurance details and report to police if required.

Warning triangle placement is typically 50 m behind the vehicle on ordinary roads and further on motorways where permitted.

First-aid kit, fire extinguisher, reflective vest and warning triangle are recommended/required equipment depending on country.

Pedestrians already on a zebra/pedestrian crossing have absolute priority; approach prepared to stop.

At junctions, give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into.

Motorcyclists and cyclists are small in the mirror and easily lost in the blind spot; look twice, especially at junctions.

Give cyclists at least 1.0-1.5 m clearance when overtaking at low speed and more at higher speeds.

Large trucks and buses have wide blind spots and long stopping distances; never cut in front of one after overtaking.

A truck turning can swing its rear wheels inside the turning arc (off-tracking); do not sit alongside a turning heavy vehicle.

Horses and riders: slow down, do not sound the horn or rev, pass wide and at low speed.

Livestock on the road: reduce speed, be ready to stop, do not herd or startle animals; follow any drover's signals.

Trams run on fixed rails and cannot steer around you; never obstruct tram tracks or overtake a stopped tram where passengers are alighting.