The roads are shared with lorries, buses, trams, motorbikes, bicycles, tractors, mobility scooters and emergency vehicles, and each one behaves differently from a car. This theory test topic checks that you know how these vehicles move, where their drivers cannot see you, and how to give them the room they need.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Checked against the Highway Code and GOV.UK.
What this topic covers in the theory test
Questions here are about reading other vehicles and adapting your driving. You can expect questions on:
- large vehicles: blind spots, wide turns, straddling lanes and lower speed limits
- overtaking lorries and keeping back so you can see ahead
- buses pulling away from stops, and trams that cannot steer
- motorcycles and bicycles: how they are affected by wind and road surfaces, filtering, and why they are easy to miss
- slow vehicles such as tractors, and what a flashing amber beacon means
- powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the road
- emergency vehicles and how to let them through safely
This topic overlaps with vulnerable road users. The difference is that here the focus is on the vehicle itself: its size, speed, stability and the view its driver has.
Large vehicles: lorries, buses and coaches
Blind spots and “if you can’t see the mirrors”
Large vehicles have big blind spots, especially directly in front, alongside the passenger side and close behind. Rule 221 points out that the driver may not be able to see you in their mirrors. A simple way to think about it: if you cannot see the driver’s face in their mirror, they probably cannot see you. Avoid sitting alongside a lorry for longer than you need to.
Wide turns and straddling lanes
Rule 221 says large vehicles may need extra road space to turn, or to deal with a hazard that you cannot see, and that you should be prepared to stop and wait if one needs room or time to turn. In practice, a long vehicle turning left often has to move out to the right first so its rear wheels clear the kerb. Rule 170 in the Using the road section says to watch out for long vehicles that may need the whole width of the road, and rule 187 says long vehicles may need to take a different course or straddle lanes when approaching or going round a roundabout. The safe response is to hang back and not try to squeeze into the gap on the inside.
Following and overtaking
Rule 164 covers overtaking large vehicles. Drop back further than you would behind a car. This lets you see further ahead and lets the lorry driver see you in their mirrors. If you get too close, the lorry blocks your view of the road and of anything slow ahead of it. Make sure you have enough room to complete the overtake before you commit, and do not assume you can follow another vehicle that is overtaking a lorry.
Rule 222 adds that large vehicles can block your view ahead and to the side, and that many are fitted with speed limiters. Rule 265 on the motorways page says goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes with speed limiters, and vehicles towing trailers MUST NOT use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes, except in prescribed circumstances. That is why you will often see lorries stacked in the left and middle lanes.
Spray and wind
In wet weather, lorries throw up a lot of spray, which can make it hard to see when you overtake them. In windy weather, rule 232 in the adverse weather section notes that high-sided vehicles are most affected, but gusts can blow any vehicle off course, particularly on open stretches of road and bridges. Watch for a lorry being pushed across the lane, and give it extra room.
Speed limits for larger vehicles
Many larger vehicles have lower national speed limits than cars (rule 124). This matters because a lorry doing 50 mph on a single carriageway is usually driving at its legal limit, not holding you up on purpose.
| Vehicle | Single carriageway | Dual carriageway | Motorway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars and motorcycles | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Cars towing caravans or trailers | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (up to 12 m long) | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph (60 mph if over 12 m) |
| Goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph (60 mph if articulated or towing) |
| Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (England and Wales) | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (Scotland) | 40 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph |
Buses and trams
Buses pulling out
Rule 223 says to give priority to buses when it is safe to do so, especially when they signal to pull away from a stop. Also watch for people getting off a bus and crossing in front of or behind it, and be careful passing a stationary bus: rule 167 says you should not overtake between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop.
Bus lanes are for buses and any other vehicles shown on the signs. Rule 141 says you should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation unless the signs allow it.
Trams
Trams can move quickly and quietly, and they cannot steer around you (rule 224). The tramways rules (300 to 307) say you MUST NOT enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams. Take extra care where tram tracks cross the road, as they can be slippery. Cyclists and motorcyclists are especially at risk when they cross rails at a shallow angle, because a wheel can get trapped or slip, so give them extra room near tramways.
Motorcycles and bicycles
Two-wheelers are smaller, easier to miss and much more affected by the road and the weather than cars.
- They can be hidden by other vehicles, pillars and roadside objects, so look carefully at junctions (rule 211).
- Motorcyclists often filter through slow or stationary traffic. Rule 88 in the rules for motorcyclists asks them to take care and keep their speed low when filtering, and rule 160 asks drivers to be aware of filtering bikes before changing lanes.
- Motorcyclists may use dipped headlights in daylight to make themselves more visible (rule 86).
- Riders may change direction suddenly to avoid obstacles in the road, and cyclists may ride in the centre of the lane on narrow or quiet roads, at junctions and in slow traffic (rule 213).
- Cross winds can push a cyclist or motorcyclist sideways, so allow more room when passing them in windy weather (rule 232).
- Give cyclists at least 1.5 metres when overtaking at up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds (rule 163). Give motorcyclists at least as much room as you would give a car (rule 212).
Slow-moving vehicles, tractors and flashing amber beacons
Farm vehicles, road gritters, recovery trucks and other slow vehicles often show a flashing amber beacon. Rule 225 says this warns you of a slow-moving or stationary vehicle, and you should approach with care. It also says slow vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 mph, such as tractors, MUST use a flashing amber beacon on an unrestricted dual carriageway. Be patient behind them: they will often pull in when it is safe. Do not overtake unless you can see well ahead and there is plenty of room.
Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Some powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used on the road. Rule 220 says they have a maximum speed of 8 mph, and on a dual carriageway where the speed limit is over 50 mph they must use a flashing amber beacon. Because they are slow and low, treat them as you would any vulnerable road user: slow down and give plenty of room. The rules for their users are in rules 36 to 46.
Emergency vehicles
Rule 219 tells you to look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors and other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights. When one approaches, do not panic. Consider the route it is taking and take appropriate action to let it pass, while still complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try not to stop just before the brow of a hill, a bend or a narrow section of road. Avoid mounting the kerb, and do not brake harshly on the approach to a junction or roundabout, because the driver behind may not have seen what you have. The rule also mentions traffic officer and incident support vehicles, which use flashing amber lights.
Common mistakes learners make
- Getting impatient behind a lorry on a single carriageway without realising it may already be at its 50 mph limit.
- Following a lorry too closely, which blocks your view of the road ahead and hides you from its driver.
- Pulling into the gap on the inside of a long vehicle that is swinging out to turn left.
- Overtaking a lorry and cutting back in too soon, leaving it no safe gap.
- Forgetting that trams cannot steer or stop quickly.
- Passing cyclists and motorcyclists too closely in windy weather.
- Driving through a red light or mounting a pavement to get out of an ambulance’s way.
Quick-reference table
| Vehicle | Key risk | What you should do | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorry or long vehicle turning | Swings wide, may straddle lanes | Hang back, do not fill the gap | 170, 187, 221 |
| Lorry ahead on the road | Blocks your view, has blind spots | Drop back before overtaking | 164, 222 |
| Bus signalling to pull out | Moving off from a stop | Give way when safe | 223 |
| Tram | Cannot steer around you | Keep off tram-only routes, give way | 224, 300 to 307 |
| Motorcycle | Small, filters in traffic | Check mirrors and blind spot | 88, 211 |
| Tractor with amber beacon | Slow-moving | Be patient, overtake only when safe | 225 |
| Mobility scooter on road | Max 8 mph | Slow down, give plenty of room | 220 |
| Emergency vehicle | Needs a clear path | Help it pass safely, do not break the law | 219 |
Practice questions
These practice questions are written by Get Driving Test Ready to help you revise. They are not official DVSA questions.
Q1. You are following a large lorry on a two-lane road and want to overtake. Why should you stay well back first?
A) Because it is illegal to follow a lorry within 50 metres
B) Because lorries always brake suddenly
C) To save fuel by sitting in its slipstream
D) To get a better view of the road ahead and be seen in the lorry's mirrors
Answer: D. Keeping well back from a large vehicle lets you see further ahead and lets the driver see you in their mirrors. (Highway Code rule 164)
Practise this on the road: When following a lorry, practise dropping back until you can see its mirrors, and discuss how much more you can see.
Q2. You are approaching a roundabout. A long lorry ahead of you is straddling two lanes. What should you do?
A) Hold back and give it plenty of room
B) Overtake it on the left before the roundabout
C) Sound your horn so it moves into one lane
D) Drive alongside it through the roundabout
Answer: A. Long vehicles may need to take a different course or straddle lanes on the approach to and on a roundabout, so give them plenty of room. (Highway Code rule 187)
Practise this on the road: At roundabouts, watch how lorries and buses position themselves and practise keeping well back from them.
Q3. What is the national speed limit for a goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes on a motorway?
A) 60 mph
B) 56 mph
C) 50 mph
D) 70 mph
Answer: A. The Highway Code speed limit table gives 60 mph on motorways for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. Some lorries are also limited mechanically to a lower speed. (Highway Code rule 124)
Practise this on the road: On a dual carriageway, notice how lorry speeds differ from cars and discuss safe planning when overtaking them.
Q4. A bus lane is in operation and its signs do not allow cars. When may you enter it?
A) To stop, load or unload, where this is not prohibited
B) Whenever the traffic in your lane is queuing
C) To overtake a slow-moving vehicle
D) At any time if you have a passenger
Answer: A. You should not drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation, but you may enter it to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited. (Highway Code rule 141)
Practise this on the road: Next time you pass a bus lane, read its sign aloud and say whether you could use it at that moment.
Q5. Part of the road ahead is a route reserved for trams. What MUST you not do?
A) Cross the tram rails at a junction
B) Drive into the lane or route reserved for trams
C) Drive on a street where trams also run
D) Stop at traffic lights near tram lines
Answer: B. You MUST NOT enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams. You may cross tram rails with care, and many streets are shared with trams. (Highway Code rule 300)
Practise this on the road: If you drive where trams run, spot the reserved tram lanes and markings and keep out of them.
Q6. On an unrestricted dual carriageway, which of these MUST use a flashing amber beacon?
A) A car towing a caravan
B) A tractor with a top speed of 25 mph or less
C) A learner driver's car
D) A taxi carrying passengers
Answer: B. On unrestricted dual carriageways, motor vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 mph or less, such as tractors, MUST use a flashing amber beacon. (Highway Code rule 225)
Practise this on the road: On rural roads, look out for amber beacons early and practise slowing smoothly behind slow vehicles.
Q7. What is the maximum speed of a powered mobility scooter used on the road?
A) 12 mph
B) 15 mph
C) 8 mph
D) 4 mph
Answer: C. Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the road have a maximum speed of 8 mph. (Highway Code rule 220)
Practise this on the road: On town drives, look out for mobility scooters and practise giving them plenty of room and time.
Q8. It is very windy and you are about to overtake a cyclist on an open road. What should you do?
A) Wait until the cyclist stops before passing
B) Pass as closely as possible to be quick
C) Give the cyclist extra room in case they are blown into your path
D) Sound your horn as you pass
Answer: C. Cross winds can blow cyclists and motorcyclists off course, so give them extra room. (Highway Code rule 163; Highway Code rule 232)
Practise this on the road: On a windy day, practise giving cyclists and motorcyclists extra room and discuss exposed places like bridges and gaps in hedges.
Q9. An ambulance with flashing blue lights is behind you as you wait at a red traffic light. What should you do?
A) Drive through the red light to let it pass
B) Stay where you are unless you can move safely and legally
C) Mount the pavement to make room
D) Switch on your hazard warning lights and reverse
Answer: B. Help emergency vehicles through, but do not endanger others or break the law, for example by going through a red light or mounting the kerb. (Highway Code rule 219)
Practise this on the road: Talk through with your instructor how you would let an emergency vehicle pass at lights without breaking the law.
Q10. Which vehicle MUST NOT use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes, except in prescribed circumstances?
A) A car towing a trailer
B) A small van under 3.5 tonnes without a trailer
C) A motorcycle
D) A car with four passengers
Answer: A. On a motorway with three or more lanes, the right-hand lane must not be used (except in prescribed circumstances) by any vehicle towing a trailer, goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, goods vehicles of 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes that must have a speed limiter, and some large passenger vehicles. (Highway Code rule 265)
Practise this on the road: On a motorway lesson, discuss which vehicles can use the right-hand lane and practise returning to the left after overtaking.
Next steps
Head back to the theory test hub for more topics. Good follow-ons are vulnerable road users and motorway rules. Large vehicles and filtering motorbikes appear often in the hazard perception test, so practise spotting them early.
Read the full rules in the Road users requiring extra care section of the Highway Code.