New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You see a 'Temporary Speed Limit' sign at a roadwork site showing 30 km/h. Must you obey it?
- Only if workers are visibly present
- Yes, it is legally enforceable (Correct answer)
- No, temporary signs are advisory
- Only during daylight hours
Correct answer: Yes, it is legally enforceable
Temporary speed limit signs at roadwork sites are legally enforceable and must be obeyed at all times.
Question 2: When driving in heavy rain with reduced visibility, how should you adjust your following distance?
- Keep the standard 2-second gap
- Double it to at least 4 seconds (Correct answer)
- Reduce it so you can see the tail-lights of the car ahead
- Triple it to 6 seconds minimum
Correct answer: Double it to at least 4 seconds
In heavy rain you should increase your following distance to at least 4 seconds to allow for reduced braking performance and visibility.
Question 3: A speed camera is located in a 100 km/h zone. At what speed would you first be committing an offence?
- 101 km/h (Correct answer)
- 111 km/h
- 106 km/h
- 116 km/h
Correct answer: 101 km/h
Any speed above the posted limit is an offence; 101 km/h in a 100 km/h zone exceeds the legal maximum.
Question 4: What is the recommended approach when you cannot see the road ahead clearly enough to stop within your range of vision?
- Maintain speed and use your horn as a warning
- Increase speed to clear the hazard quickly
- Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see (Correct answer)
- Switch on hazard lights and maintain speed
Correct answer: Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see
You must always travel at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can clearly see to be safe.
Question 5: When following a motorcyclist, why is it important to give extra following distance?
- Motorcycles always travel slower than the limit
- Motorcycles can stop much more quickly than cars in some conditions (Correct answer)
- Motorcycles are harder to see in your mirrors
- Motorcycles always ride on the left edge of the lane
Correct answer: Motorcycles can stop much more quickly than cars in some conditions
Motorcycles can brake more quickly than cars in good conditions, so extra distance ensures you do not run into them if they stop suddenly.
Question 6: What should you do when approaching a speed limit change from 100 km/h to 50 km/h?
- Begin braking immediately after you see the sign
- Start slowing well before the sign so you reach 50 km/h at the sign (Correct answer)
- Maintain 100 km/h until level with the sign, then brake hard
- Slow to 70 km/h at the sign and then gradually reach 50 km/h
Correct answer: Start slowing well before the sign so you reach 50 km/h at the sign
You must be at or below 50 km/h by the time you reach the sign, so you need to start slowing before it.
Question 7: On a long straight open road in fine weather, a driver decides to travel at 120 km/h to 'make up time'. Which statement is correct?
- This is acceptable because the road conditions are ideal
- This is an offence because the open road limit is 100 km/h (Correct answer)
- This is legal if no other vehicles are present
- This is permitted for short overtaking manoeuvres
Correct answer: This is an offence because the open road limit is 100 km/h
The 100 km/h open road limit applies regardless of road conditions, time pressure, or traffic volume.
New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 5
You see a 'Temporary Speed Limit' sign at a roadwork site showing 30 km/h.
Must you obey it?