DVSA - UK Driving Theory Vehicle Safety and Documents Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth for a car in the UK?
- 1.0 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- 1.6 mm across the entire width of the tyre.
- 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. (Correct answer)
- 2.0 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
Correct answer: 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
UK law requires that car tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Question 2: You have just bought a brand-new car. When will it need its first MOT test?
- On the first anniversary of its registration.
- After it has been driven 12,000 miles.
- On the third anniversary of its registration. (Correct answer)
- When the manufacturer's warranty expires.
Correct answer: On the third anniversary of its registration.
A new car in the UK does not require an MOT test until the third anniversary of its first registration date. After this, it must be tested annually.
Question 3: Which of these documents is primarily used to prove who is the registered keeper of a vehicle, but not necessarily the legal owner?
- MOT Certificate (VT20)
- Certificate of Motor Insurance
- Driving Licence
- V5C Registration Certificate (Log Book) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: V5C Registration Certificate (Log Book)
The V5C Registration Certificate, often called the log book, is issued by the DVLA and records the details of the vehicle and its registered keeper. It is important to note that the registered keeper is not always the legal owner.
Question 4: You will not be using your car for several months and plan to keep it in your garage. To avoid paying for vehicle tax and insurance, what must you officially do?
- Inform your local council.
- Cancel your direct debits for tax and insurance.
- Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to the DVLA. (Correct answer)
- Return the number plates to the DVLA.
Correct answer: Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to the DVLA.
To legally keep an untaxed and uninsured vehicle off a public road, you must make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to the DVLA. This declares that the vehicle is not in use.
Question 5: A police officer stops you and asks to see your Certificate of Motor Insurance. You do not have it with you. What is the most likely outcome?
- Your vehicle will be impounded immediately.
- You will be given a verbal warning and allowed to proceed.
- You will be required to produce the document at a police station within 7 days. (Correct answer)
- You will receive an automatic fine and penalty points.
Correct answer: You will be required to produce the document at a police station within 7 days.
If you are stopped by the police and cannot produce your insurance certificate, you will typically be issued with a form (a 'producer') requiring you to present the document at a police station of your choice within 7 days.
Question 6: During a 'show me' question on a practical driving test, the examiner asks you to demonstrate how you would check that the brake lights are working. What is the correct procedure?
- Switch on the ignition, turn on the hazard lights, and walk around the car.
- Operate the brake pedal and check for a warning light on the dashboard.
- Operate the brake pedal and use reflections in windows or ask someone to help check. (Correct answer)
- Pump the brake pedal several times to see if the pressure feels correct.
Correct answer: Operate the brake pedal and use reflections in windows or ask someone to help check.
The correct way to check the brake lights is to operate the brake pedal while making use of reflections in windows, garage doors, or other vehicles, or by asking another person to stand at the rear of the vehicle to confirm they are lit.
DVSA - UK Driving Theory Vehicle Safety and Documents Questions and Answers
What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth for a car in the UK?