Test Your Non- Primary Roads Knowledge

Test your understanding of speed, clearance, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, following distances, signalling and braking.

Test Your Non-Primary Roads Knowledge

Non-primary roads involve a wide range of everyday driving situations, including speed management, clearance, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, following distances and signalling.

This knowledge check is based on the techniques covered during your driving lessons. Answer all 10 questions to see how well you understand some of the key principles of driving safely on non-primary roads.

How the Knowledge Check Works

Choose the answer you think is correct. You’ll receive immediate feedback so you can identify anything you need to review.

Question 1 · Progress

What does progress mean?

A. Driving too fast B. Driving too slow C. Not sure D. Driving at the correct speed for the conditions

Correct. Progress means driving at an appropriate speed for the road, traffic, weather and conditions around you. Good progress doesn’t mean driving as fast as possible — it means avoiding unnecessary hesitation while remaining safe and in control.

Not quite. The correct answer is D — driving at the correct speed for the conditions.

Question 2 · Speed Limits

How do you know you are driving in a 30 mph zone?

A. Not sure B. Streetlights plus no speed limit signs equals 30 mph C. Carry on at the same speed as the rest of the traffic D. Ask the examiner

Correct. A road with a system of street lighting will normally have a 30 mph speed limit unless signs show a different limit. You should always look for signs and other clues rather than simply following the speed of surrounding traffic.

Not quite. The correct answer is B — streetlights plus no signs showing a different speed limit normally indicates a 30 mph limit.

Question 3 · Clearance

When is it safe to travel at 30 mph?

A. When your clearance is less than half a metre B. When your clearance is 1 metre C. When your clearance is 1.5 metres D. When your clearance is 2 metres

Correct. In the NSOM clearance system, around 1 metre of clearance gives you the space used to judge whether 30 mph is appropriate, provided the road, traffic and other conditions also make that speed safe.

Not quite. In the NSOM clearance system, the answer is B — around 1 metre of clearance, provided the conditions also make that speed safe.

Question 4 · Clearance

When should you slow down to 20 mph?

A. When your clearance is half a metre B. When your clearance is 1 metre C. When your clearance is 1.5 metres D. When your clearance is 2 metres

Correct. In the NSOM clearance system, when the available clearance reduces to around half a metre, reducing your speed to around 20 mph gives you more time to react and greater control if the available space changes.

Not quite. In the NSOM clearance system, the correct answer is A — around half a metre.

Question 5 · Traffic Light Junctions

How do you know you are approaching a traffic light-controlled junction?

A. There are no zig-zag lines on the approach B. All traffic lights are junctions C. Slow down at all traffic lights D. Don’t know

Correct. The absence of zig-zag markings helps you distinguish traffic lights controlling a junction from traffic lights associated with a pedestrian crossing. Look beyond the lights as you approach so you understand the road layout early.

Not quite. The correct answer is A — there are no zig-zag lines on the approach.

Question 6 · Pedestrian Crossings

How do you know you are approaching a traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing?

A. Not sure B. You can see zig-zag lines C. Traffic lights D. An island in the road

Correct. Zig-zag road markings are an important clue that you are approaching a pedestrian crossing. Recognising them early allows you to assess the crossing, pedestrians and traffic lights before you reach it.

Not quite. The correct answer is B — the zig-zag road markings identify the approach to the pedestrian crossing.

Question 7 · Following Distance

How far back should you stay from a high-sided vehicle, such as a bus?

A. At least two bus lengths B. Get close so you keep up with the traffic C. Not sure D. You can read the number plate

Correct. The NSOM method uses at least two bus lengths as a useful reference when following a high-sided vehicle. Staying further back improves your view of the road ahead and gives you more time to respond to changing traffic conditions.

Not quite. The correct answer is A — at least two bus lengths.

Question 8 · Giving Signals

When should you start to signal before turning at a junction?

A. 5 seconds from the junction B. 10 seconds from the junction C. 3 seconds from the junction D. Not sure

Correct. The NSOM method uses around 3 seconds as a reference for timing your signal before a turn. The aim is to signal early enough to help other road users without signalling so early that your intentions could become confusing.

Not quite. In the NSOM signalling method, the correct answer is C — around 3 seconds from the junction.

Question 9 · Giving Signals

What should you do when you see brake lights or indicators from the vehicle in front?

A. Cover the brake and clutch B. Carry on C. Not sure D. Slam on the brake

Correct. Brake lights and indicators are information that the situation ahead may be changing. Covering the brake and clutch prepares you to reduce speed or stop smoothly if necessary while you continue to assess what the vehicle ahead is doing.

Not quite. The correct answer is A — cover the brake and clutch and prepare to respond to the developing situation.

Question 10 · Braking

What two numbers on the NSOM braking scale should you try to avoid?

A. 1 and 2 B. 3 and 4 C. Not sure D. 4 and 5

Correct. On the NSOM braking scale, 4 and 5 represent the heavier levels of braking that you should normally aim to avoid by looking well ahead, anticipating developing situations and reducing speed progressively.

Not quite. The correct answer is D — 4 and 5 on the NSOM braking scale.

Review What You’ve Learned

If you answered any questions incorrectly, don’t just memorise the correct answer. Think about how the principle applies when you’re actually driving and why it helps you deal with the situation safely.

You can revisit speed management, clearance, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, following distances, signalling and braking in the NSOM Academy and then put them into practice during your next driving lesson.

Back to NSOM Academy