Rules of the road are the biggest part of the learner licence test. Read each question, check the highlighted answer, then learn the reason so you can handle a variation in the real exam.
Correct answer: Left
Indian traffic keeps to the left, so the driver sits on the right. Slower vehicles stay in the left-most lane.
💡 Tip: India = drive left, overtake right.
Correct answer: Right
Overtake from the right of the vehicle ahead. The only exception is when that vehicle is turning right and has signalled, in which case you may pass on the left. Passing on the shoulder is not allowed.
💡 Tip: Pass on the right, then return left.
Correct answer: Stop behind the stop line
Red means stop behind the stop line (not on or past the zebra crossing). Wait until the light turns green, or the police direct you otherwise. Turning left on red is not permitted unless a signal or sign says so.
💡 Tip: Red = wheels stop behind the line.
Correct answer: The signal is about to change to red, so stop unless it is unsafe to do so
Amber is a warning, not a bonus to speed up. If you can stop safely, you must. If you are already so close that braking hard is dangerous, proceed carefully.
💡 Tip: Amber = get ready to stop.
Correct answer: You may proceed if the way is clear
Green allows you to proceed, but you still must give way to pedestrians and vehicles already in the junction. Check for jumpers before you move off.
💡 Tip: Green = go if clear.
Correct answer: Stop, then proceed when it is safe
A flashing red light is treated like a STOP sign: stop, check the junction, and move only when it is safe. Treating it as a yield or ignoring it is dangerous.
💡 Tip: Flashing red = stop sign.
Correct answer: Proceed with caution
A flashing amber is a caution signal. You do not have to stop, but you must slow down and be ready to give way.
💡 Tip: Flashing amber = careful.
Correct answer: Obey the police
Hand signals from a police officer override traffic lights and signs. They are directing traffic for a reason, such as an accident, VIP movement or a jam.
💡 Tip: Police > lights > signs.
Correct answer: Vehicles already on the roundabout
Traffic already moving on the roundabout has priority, and it comes from your right. Slow down at the entry, give way, and enter when there is a gap.
💡 Tip: Already inside = goes first.
Correct answer: The one going uphill
The downhill driver should give way, because it is harder to restart on a slope and the downhill vehicle can stop more easily. If there is no passing place on your side, stop in the safest spot and let it go by.
💡 Tip: Down gives way to up.
Correct answer: A sharp curve
You cannot see oncoming traffic on a curve. Never overtake on curves, bridges, near junctions or crossings, at the top of a hill, or when the road ahead is not clearly visible and free.
💡 Tip: No view = no overtaking.
Correct answer: Give way by pulling to the left and stopping if needed
Ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles on duty must be given a clear path. Move to the left, stop if needed, and do not follow closely behind.
💡 Tip: Let emergency vehicles through, always.
Correct answer: Slow down and stop to let them cross
Pedestrians on or waiting at a zebra crossing have priority. Stop behind the line so they can cross without having to dodge you.
💡 Tip: Stripes = they go first.
Correct answer: Near a pedestrian crossing
A pedestrian may step out from behind the vehicle you are passing. Overtaking near crossings, junctions, schools and bridges is prohibited.
💡 Tip: Never pass near crossings.
Correct answer: Near a bus stop, school or hospital entrance
Rules of the road prohibit parking near bus stops, school and hospital entrances, junctions and pedestrian crossings, and on footpaths, bridges and bends. These spots block vision or access.
💡 Tip: Park only where you do not block anyone.
Correct answer: Right arm extended horizontally, moved up and down with palm down
Hand signals matter when indicators fail. To slow down, extend your right arm and move it up and down with the palm facing down. Extending the arm straight, palm to the front, is a right turn.
💡 Tip: Up and down = slow down.
Correct answer: I am going to turn right
A right arm extended horizontally with the palm to the front signals a right turn or a change to the right. A left turn is shown with the arm rotated anticlockwise.
💡 Tip: Arm straight out = right.
Correct answer: Dipped (low) beam
High beam dazzles oncoming drivers and can cause a crash. Dip your lights when a vehicle approaches or when you follow closely behind another.
💡 Tip: See and be seen, do not blind.
Correct answer: Stop, look both ways, and cross only if no train is coming
A train needs a very long distance to stop. Stop, look both ways and listen, and cross only when you are sure there is no train. Do not stop on the tracks.
💡 Tip: Stop, look, listen.
Correct answer: Has the right of way
The vehicle on the main road has priority. Drivers entering from a minor road must slow, check, and give way.
💡 Tip: Minor gives way to major.
Correct answer: Move to the centre of the road, signal, and give way to oncoming traffic
Signal early, move toward the centre line (without crossing it), check mirrors and oncoming traffic, then turn when it is safe. Turning from the left lane cuts across other vehicles.
💡 Tip: Mirror, signal, position, turn.
Correct answer: Keep to the left side and signal
Stay close to the left kerb, signal in time, and check for two-wheelers and pedestrians on your left before you turn. Swinging wide leaves a gap that others may enter.
💡 Tip: Left turn = hug the left.
Correct answer: Prohibited
Footpaths belong to pedestrians. Driving or parking on them is an offence and puts people in danger, especially children and the elderly.
💡 Tip: Footpath = people only.
Correct answer: Where you must stop when the light is red
Your front wheels should stay behind the stop line. Crossing it blocks the crossing and the view of pedestrians.
💡 Tip: Wheels behind the line.
Correct answer: Pull to the left and signal
Move to the left, give a proper signal, and make sure you are not blocking traffic or standing in a no-stopping area.
💡 Tip: Park left, signal early.
Correct answer: Left lane
The left lane is for slower vehicles and the right lanes are for overtaking. Staying right while driving slowly obstructs faster traffic.
💡 Tip: Slow = left.
Correct answer: The road ahead is clear and visible and the vehicle in front has signalled it is safe
Overtake only after checking mirrors, signalling, and making sure the road ahead is free for the whole manoeuvre. Never at bends, bridges or junctions.
💡 Tip: Clear and visible, then go.
Correct answer: The other should wait until it has crossed
The vehicle that has entered the bridge first has the right of way. Waiting avoids a stand-off in the middle of the bridge.
💡 Tip: First on the bridge, first off.
Correct answer: To warn others of your approach where needed
Use the horn only when necessary to avoid an accident. Do not use it in silence zones or for no reason.
💡 Tip: Warn, do not annoy.
Correct answer: Use a lower gear and brake gently
Use the engine to help hold the speed by selecting a lower gear in good time. Coasting in neutral or with the engine off removes engine braking and power steering assist.
💡 Tip: Same gear down as you would go up.
Correct answer: An ambulance or fire engine
Emergency vehicles on duty are entitled to priority. Other vehicles do not have a right to jump the queue.
💡 Tip: Siren = clear the way.
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