DTT Give Way Rules and Junctions 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'filtering' mean for motorcyclists at junctions in Ireland?
- Moving slowly through stationary or slow traffic between lanes (Correct answer)
- Merging onto a motorway from the hard shoulder
- Using a bus lane during permitted hours
- Signalling a lane change at speed
Correct answer: Moving slowly through stationary or slow traffic between lanes
Filtering refers to motorcyclists moving slowly through stationary or very slow-moving queued traffic. While not explicitly illegal, it must be done at very low speed and with great caution.
Question 2: You are waiting to turn right from a major road into a minor road. A car behind you also wants to turn right. What should you do?
- Wait in the correct position, signal clearly, and do not block the main flow unnecessarily (Correct answer)
- Wave the car behind to overtake you on the left
- Turn immediately to clear the road
- Move onto the hard shoulder to wait
Correct answer: Wait in the correct position, signal clearly, and do not block the main flow unnecessarily
Position yourself correctly for the right turn, signal clearly, and wait for a safe gap. If your vehicle is blocking other traffic, the vehicle behind should wait — you must not rush a potentially dangerous manoeuvre.
Question 3: When is it permissible to cross a solid white centre line to overtake in Ireland?
- Only to pass a stationary obstruction, cyclist, or horse at low speed (Correct answer)
- Whenever your side is clear
- Never under any circumstances
- If the overtake can be completed within 5 seconds
Correct answer: Only to pass a stationary obstruction, cyclist, or horse at low speed
A solid white centre line must not be crossed for overtaking purposes. The only permitted crossing is to pass a stationary obstruction, a cyclist, a horse, or a road maintenance vehicle at low speed.
Question 4: What is the 'open road' rule for following distance at 100 km/h?
- At least a 2-second gap — roughly 55 metres (Correct answer)
- At least 1 second — the width of 2 cars
- 10 metres per 10 km/h of speed
- Maintain 100 metres at all times on national roads
Correct answer: At least a 2-second gap — roughly 55 metres
At 100 km/h, a 2-second time gap equates to approximately 55 metres of following distance. In poor conditions this should be extended to at least 4 seconds.
Question 5: A large vehicle is approaching on a narrow road. You see a passing place to your left. What should you do?
- Pull into the passing place to allow the larger vehicle to pass (Correct answer)
- Flash your lights and maintain position — larger vehicles must yield
- Reverse to a wider section of road
- Stop with hazard lights on and wait
Correct answer: Pull into the passing place to allow the larger vehicle to pass
On a narrow road, the vehicle closest to a passing place should use it. It is safer and more practical for a smaller vehicle to use the passing place than for a large vehicle to attempt it.
Question 6: What should you do when you see an amber traffic light?
- Stop before the stop line if it is safe to do so (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to pass before the light turns red
- Continue if you are already past the stop line
- Stop abruptly regardless of following traffic
Correct answer: Stop before the stop line if it is safe to do so
An amber light means stop before the stop line unless you are so close that stopping would be dangerous. Do not accelerate to 'beat' the light — this is dangerous and illegal.
DTT Give Way Rules and Junctions 4
What does 'filtering' mean for motorcyclists at junctions in Ireland?