Sharjah Theory Test cheat sheet

Red-bordered circles prohibit or restrict: maximum speed, no entry, no overtaking, no U-turn.

Blue circles give mandatory instructions: turn left, keep right, minimum speed, direction to follow.

Red-bordered triangles warn of hazards ahead: bends, junctions, pedestrian crossings, schools, slippery road.

A red octagon means a complete stop at the line; an inverted red triangle means give way to traffic on the priority road.

Continuous white lines must not be crossed; broken white lines may be crossed only when the manoeuvre is safe and legal.

A yellow box junction may be entered only when the exit beyond it is clear, so cross traffic is never blocked.

Green light = proceed only if the junction is clear; amber = stop unless stopping would be unsafe; red = stop behind the stop line.

Flashing amber signals mean proceed with caution after giving way to traffic already in the junction.

Zig-zag markings and yellow kerb lines near crossings prohibit both parking and overtaking.

Traffic keeps to the right in the UAE; overtaking is normally performed on the left.

Seat belts are compulsory for every occupant, front and rear; children under four must be in an approved child restraint.

Children under ten years are not permitted to travel in the front passenger seat.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is a punishable offence carrying a fine and black points.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, junctions, bends, hill crests and wherever visibility is restricted or a sign forbids it.

Every vehicle on the road must carry at least valid third-party insurance.

Headlights must be used at night and whenever visibility is reduced by fog, dust or heavy rain.

Driving the wrong way on a one-way road, reversing on a highway and driving on the hard shoulder are prohibited.

Loads must not obstruct lights, number plates or the driver's field of view.

Maintain at least a two-second gap in good conditions; double it in rain, at night or when following a heavy vehicle.

At 100 km/h a vehicle covers about 28 metres per second, so a two-second gap equals roughly 56 metres.

With ABS, brake firmly and hold the pedal down; pumping defeats the anti-lock system.

In a skid, release the accelerator and steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding; do not brake hard.

Sequence for every lane change: mirror, signal, blind-spot check, manoeuvre.

After a tyre blowout, grip the wheel, ease off the throttle and let speed fall gradually rather than braking sharply.

Check the mirrors roughly every five to eight seconds and always before braking or changing speed.

Avoid travelling in other drivers' blind spots and keep an escape route on at least one side.

Hazard lights are for breakdowns and warnings only, not for driving in rain or for parking illegally.

Scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead and keep the eyes moving between mirrors, instruments and the road.

A hazard is any feature that requires a change of speed or direction, including parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

Watch the brake lights of the second or third vehicle ahead, not only the car directly in front.

Stopped buses, school gates, parked vans and roadworks conceal pedestrians who may step out without warning.

In fog or dust: low beam, reduced speed, increased following gap, no sudden braking.

Low sun at dawn and dusk causes glare; use the visor, slow down and keep the windscreen clean.

At night drive within the range of the headlights and dip the beam for oncoming traffic.

Yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting lanes and missed signs are fatigue signals requiring a stop and rest.

Phone use, eating and adjusting navigation devices are the main sources of driver distraction.

At a roundabout, vehicles already circulating have priority; entering drivers give way, normally to traffic from the left.

When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic; when turning right, check for cyclists and pedestrians before completing the turn.

On a slip road, use the acceleration lane to match main-road speed and merge into a gap without forcing others to brake.

Keep to the right except when overtaking; the left lane is reserved for overtaking and emergency vehicles.

Never enter a yellow box junction unless the exit ahead is clear.

Parking is banned on pavements, at fire hydrants, on pedestrian crossings, across driveways and in disabled bays without a permit.

Park within the bay markings, facing the direction of traffic, with the handbrake applied and the engine off.

Stopping or parking on a yellow kerb line or in a marked no-parking area is an offence.

Give way and pull over for emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights.

Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold, because driving heats them and raises the reading.

Legal minimum tread is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width, around the full circumference.

Check engine oil on level ground with the engine off: withdraw the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert fully, then read the level.

Never open a radiator or coolant cap while the engine is hot; pressurised coolant can erupt and cause severe burns.

Before a trip verify headlights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, wipers and washer fluid.

A spongy or long-travel brake pedal, or a lit brake warning light, indicates a hydraulic fault; the vehicle should not be driven.

Adjust the seat, mirrors and head restraint (top at about ear level) before moving off.

Battery terminals should be clean and tight; a charging warning light means the alternator circuit needs attention.

Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption, heat buildup and the risk of a blowout.

Accumulating 24 black points results in the driving licence being suspended or withdrawn until reinstatement conditions are met.

Black points stay on the record for twelve months from the date of the offence and are cancelled if no new offence occurs in that period.

Black points are recorded against the driver's licence, not the vehicle, so they follow the person between vehicles.

Outstanding traffic fines must be settled before vehicle registration or driving licence renewal is processed.

Running a red light is among the highest-point offences, carrying 12 black points along with a fine and possible impoundment.

Reckless driving, racing on the road and driving without a valid licence can lead to vehicle impoundment and licence withdrawal.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs leads to heavy fines, licence cancellation and possible imprisonment.

Repeating the same serious offence within a short period attracts escalated penalties rather than the base fine.

Fines and impound fees are recorded against the vehicle's registration file as well as the driver where identified.

The minimum age for a light-vehicle licence in the UAE is 17; heavier categories require higher minimum ages.

Learner drivers must hold a valid learning permit and train through an approved driving school.

The driving licence and the vehicle registration card (mulkiya) must be carried whenever the vehicle is used.

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum cover; the policy must be valid for the whole registration period.

A technical inspection is required before registration renewal, and the vehicle must pass for renewal to proceed.

Driving with an expired licence, expired registration or expired insurance is an offence in each case.

Licences held by expatriates are linked to residency validity and must be renewed before expiry.

Holders of licences from approved countries may exchange them without a test; other foreign licences require training and testing.

Changes of vehicle ownership or address must be recorded with the licensing authority.

Emergency numbers in the UAE: police 999, ambulance 998, fire 997.

At a crash scene: switch off engines, switch on hazard lights and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle before assisting.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire, fuel leakage or moving traffic.

Control severe bleeding with firm direct pressure using a clean cloth or dressing; do not remove a dressing that has soaked through.

An unconscious casualty who is breathing is placed in the recovery position with the head tilted back to keep the airway open.

For a casualty who is not breathing: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, 100 to 120 compressions per minute, depth 5 to 6 cm.

Cool burns with running water for at least 20 minutes; never burst blisters or apply ointments.

Treat for shock by lying the casualty down, raising the legs and keeping them warm, still and reassured.

Never give food or drink to a casualty who is unconscious, drowsy or vomiting.