New Zealand Car Driving Test Lane Usage and Positioning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are approaching an intersection to go straight ahead. There are two lanes. Which do you choose?
- Either lane marked 'straight ahead' or 'all traffic' (Correct answer)
- Always the left lane
- Always the right lane
- The lane with the least traffic regardless of markings
Correct answer: Either lane marked 'straight ahead' or 'all traffic'
Choose any lane that is marked for going straight ahead or for all directions.
Question 2: After overtaking another vehicle on a two-lane road, when should you move back to the left lane?
- Immediately after passing the vehicle's front bumper
- Once you can see the overtaken vehicle in your rear-view mirror with a safe gap (Correct answer)
- Only after travelling 100 m in the right lane
- When the next vehicle behind flashes its lights
Correct answer: Once you can see the overtaken vehicle in your rear-view mirror with a safe gap
Return to the left lane once you can see the overtaken vehicle in your mirror, indicating a safe gap.
Question 3: What should you do if you miss your intended lane at a multi-lane intersection?
- Swerve across lanes immediately to correct course
- Complete the turn in the wrong lane and correct your position safely afterwards (Correct answer)
- Stop in the intersection to let other vehicles pass first
- Reverse back to take the correct lane
Correct answer: Complete the turn in the wrong lane and correct your position safely afterwards
Complete the manoeuvre safely in whichever lane you are in, then correct your position once it is safe.
Question 4: When driving past a line of parked cars, how far from the cars should you position your vehicle in New Zealand?
- As close as possible to stay within your lane
- About one metre to avoid doors opening suddenly (Correct answer)
- At least two metres to allow cyclists to pass
- Right against the centre line
Correct answer: About one metre to avoid doors opening suddenly
Leave about one metre from parked cars to avoid being hit by doors that open suddenly.
Question 5: Which of the following is a legal reason to cross a continuous (unbroken) centre line in New Zealand?
- To overtake a slow-moving vehicle
- To avoid a hazard in your lane when safe (Correct answer)
- To travel faster than the vehicle in front
- To use the right lane on a downhill stretch
Correct answer: To avoid a hazard in your lane when safe
You may cross a continuous centre line only to avoid an obstruction or hazard when safe to do so.
Question 6: On a one-way street with three lanes, you intend to turn left at the next intersection. Which lane should you be in?
- The right lane
- The middle lane
- The left lane (Correct answer)
- Any lane — you can turn left from any lane on a one-way street
Correct answer: The left lane
Turn left from the left lane on a one-way street unless road markings indicate otherwise.
Question 7: What is the purpose of lane arrows painted on the road surface approaching an intersection in New Zealand?
- To indicate the speed limit for that lane
- To show which movements are permitted from each lane (Correct answer)
- To mark where pedestrians should cross
- To indicate the priority of vehicles in each lane
Correct answer: To show which movements are permitted from each lane
Lane arrows show which directions (straight, left, right) are permitted from each lane.
New Zealand Car Driving Test Lane Usage and Positioning 5
You are approaching an intersection to go straight ahead.
There are two lanes.
Which do you choose?