Attitude is about how you behave towards everyone else on the road: patience, courtesy and taking responsibility for the danger your car can cause. In the theory test it covers following distances, crossings, emergency vehicles, horn and headlight use and how to deal with other drivers’ mistakes. On the road, a calm and considerate attitude prevents far more collisions than quick reactions ever will.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Checked against the Highway Code and GOV.UK.
What this topic covers in the theory test
Attitude questions usually describe a situation and ask what a responsible driver would do. Common themes include:
- the hierarchy of road users introduced in the 2022 Highway Code
- keeping a safe gap and why tailgating is dangerous
- behaving well when someone overtakes you, cuts in or makes a mistake
- pedestrian crossings: zebra, pelican and the rules for each
- when you may use your horn and headlights, and when you mustn’t
- emergency vehicles and how to let them through safely
- giving priority to buses and being patient with learners and slower drivers
The “right” answer is almost always the one that is calm, patient and reduces risk to others, even if it costs you a few seconds.
The hierarchy of road users
Since January 2022 the Highway Code has started with three rules, H1 to H3, that set the tone for everything else. Rule H1 introduces the hierarchy of road users: those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others. As a car driver, that puts more responsibility on you than on a cyclist or pedestrian.
Rule H2 says that at a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road that you are turning into or out of. You must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
Rule H3 says you should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction. Don’t turn if doing so would make them stop or swerve. Wait for a safe gap instead.
The hierarchy doesn’t remove everyone else’s responsibility: all road users should behave responsibly. But it does mean your attitude as a driver should start from “how do I keep others safe?” Rule 204 repeats the same principle in the section on road users requiring extra care.
Considerate driving and dealing with mistakes
Rule 144 says you must not drive dangerously, drive without due care and attention, or drive without reasonable consideration for other road users. These are offences, not just bad manners.
Rule 147 asks you to be considerate to all road users. It says you should:
- try to be understanding if other road users cause problems, for example if they are inexperienced
- be patient, and remember that anyone can make a mistake
- not become agitated or get involved if someone is behaving badly
- slow down and hold back if a road user pulls out into your path, giving them room rather than reacting aggressively
It also says you must not throw anything out of a vehicle. Under rule 217, you should be particularly patient with learner drivers and young drivers, and remember that older drivers may take longer to react (rule 216).
If another driver is holding you up, the answer is patience. If you are the one holding others up, rule 169 says not to hold up a long queue of traffic. Check your mirrors and pull in where it is safe to let traffic pass.
Following distance and tailgating
Driving too close to the vehicle in front is one of the clearest signs of poor attitude. Rule 126 says you should leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance.
On faster roads and in tunnels where visibility is reduced, leave at least a two-second gap. That gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased up to ten times on icy roads. The Highway Code states that tailgating is dangerous and illegal. It intimidates the driver in front and leaves you no time to react.
If someone overtakes you and pulls into the gap in front, rule 168 tells you to drop back to restore a two-second gap. When you are being overtaken, keep a steady course and speed, and slow down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Speeding up to stop someone overtaking is dangerous and aggressive.
For the numbers behind these gaps, see our safety margins guide.
Pedestrian crossings
Crossings test both your knowledge and your patience.
- Zebra crossings: rule 195 says look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop. You must give way once a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing. Don’t wave people across or flash your lights, because another vehicle might not stop.
- Pelican crossings: rule 196 says you must stop when the red light shows. When the amber light is flashing, you must give way to any pedestrians on the crossing.
- Near crossings: rule 165 says you must not overtake the vehicle nearest to a pedestrian crossing.
Pedestrians may be slow, elderly, disabled or distracted. A good attitude means giving them time rather than creeping forward or revving the engine.
Horn and headlights
Horns and headlights are warnings, not ways of expressing annoyance.
Rule 112 says the horn should only be used while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound it aggressively. You must not use it while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, unless another road user poses a danger.
Rule 110 says flash your headlights only to let other road users know you are there. Don’t flash them to convey any other message, or to intimidate other road users. Rule 111 adds that you should never assume flashing headlights from someone else are an invitation to proceed.
Emergency vehicles, buses and trams
Rule 219 tells you to look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, and for traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches:
- consider the route it is taking and take appropriate action to let it pass
- if necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try not to do this on a hill, bend or narrow section
- don’t endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians
- don’t brake harshly on the approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not be able to stop
- obey all traffic signs
Buses also deserve courtesy. Rule 223 says you should give priority to buses and coaches signalling to pull away from stops, if you can do so safely. Trams move quickly and quietly and can’t steer to avoid you (rule 224).
Common mistakes learners make
- Thinking the pedestrian priority at junctions only applies at zebra crossings. Under Rule H2 you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the side road you are turning into.
- Following too closely in slow traffic, then having no space when the vehicle ahead brakes.
- Speeding up when someone tries to overtake.
- Waving pedestrians across at a zebra crossing.
- Using the horn to show frustration.
- Braking harshly at a junction or roundabout to let an emergency vehicle past.
- Reacting to another driver’s mistake with anger instead of creating space.
Quick-reference table
| Situation | Considerate response | Highway Code |
|---|---|---|
| Turning into a side road with pedestrians waiting | Give way to them | rule H2 |
| Turning across a cyclist going ahead | Wait; don’t cut across | rule H3 |
| Following another vehicle | At least a two-second gap in good conditions | rule 126 |
| Someone overtakes and cuts in | Drop back to restore a two-second gap | rule 168 |
| Pelican crossing, flashing amber | Give way to pedestrians on the crossing | rule 196 |
| Horn in a built-up area at night | Not between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am unless someone poses a danger | rule 112 |
| Emergency vehicle behind you | Let it pass safely, without harsh braking or breaking the law | rule 219 |
Practice questions
These practice questions are written by Get Driving Test Ready to help you revise. They are not official DVSA questions.
Q1. Under the hierarchy of road users, who has the greatest responsibility to reduce danger?
A) Cyclists, because they are hardest to see
B) Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm
C) Pedestrians, because they are most at risk
D) Everyone has exactly the same responsibility
Answer: B. Rule H1 says those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others. (Highway Code rule H1)
Practise this on the road: On a drive, point out vulnerable road users you see and discuss with your instructor how you gave them extra space and care.
Q2. You're turning left into a side road. A pedestrian is waiting to cross it. What should you do?
A) Sound your horn so they stay on the kerb
B) Flash your headlights to hurry them across
C) Give way to the pedestrian
D) Carry on, because you are already signalling
Answer: C. At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into. (Highway Code rule H2)
Practise this on the road: On left turns, practise scanning the side road for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down and give way.
Q3. A driver overtakes you and pulls into the gap in front of you. What should you do?
A) Overtake them back when you can
B) Stay close to discourage it happening again
C) Drop back to restore a safe gap
D) Flash your headlights to show you're annoyed
Answer: C. If someone pulls into the gap in front, drop back to maintain a two-second gap. (Highway Code rule 168)
Practise this on the road: On a busier road, practise easing back calmly to rebuild a two-second gap when someone pulls in ahead of you.
Q4. When may you use your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am?
A) To let a slow driver know they're holding you up
B) Never, under any circumstances
C) To greet a friend
D) When another road user poses a danger
Answer: D. You must not use your horn in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another road user poses a danger. (Highway Code rule 112)
Practise this on the road: Discuss with your instructor when the horn is actually needed, and notice how rarely you use it during a lesson.
Q5. At a pelican crossing the amber light is flashing and a pedestrian is still crossing. What must you do?
A) Edge forward slowly
B) Move off, because amber means go
C) Sound your horn to hurry them up
D) Give way to the pedestrian
Answer: D. When the amber light is flashing, you must give way to any pedestrians on the crossing. (Highway Code rule 196)
Practise this on the road: At pelican crossings, practise waiting patiently on the flashing amber until the crossing is clear before moving off.
Q6. You're driving in good weather on a dry, fast road. What is the minimum gap you should leave to the vehicle in front?
A) At least one second
B) At least two seconds
C) At least half a second
D) At least ten seconds
Answer: B. Leave at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads. Rule 126 says the gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and may need to be up to ten times greater on icy roads. (Highway Code rule 126)
Practise this on the road: On a dual carriageway, practise the two-second rule by counting from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point.
Q7. An ambulance with flashing blue lights is approaching from behind at a busy roundabout. What should you avoid?
A) Checking your mirrors
B) Braking harshly on the approach
C) Considering the route it is taking
D) Obeying traffic signs
Answer: B. Avoid braking harshly on the approach to a junction or roundabout, because a following vehicle may not be able to stop. (Highway Code rule 219)
Practise this on the road: Discuss with your instructor where you could safely pull over for an emergency vehicle on your usual routes, without braking harshly.
Q8. Why should you not wave a pedestrian across at a zebra crossing?
A) It is rude
B) It isn't allowed in 20 mph zones
C) Another vehicle might not stop, putting them in danger
D) Waving is only allowed at pelican crossings
Answer: C. Don't wave people across or flash your lights, as there could be another vehicle coming. (Highway Code rule 195)
Practise this on the road: At zebra crossings, practise stopping smoothly and waiting without waving, flashing or signalling pedestrians to cross.
Q9. A bus is signalling to pull out from a bus stop ahead. What should you do if it's safe?
A) Give way and let it pull out
B) Accelerate past before it moves
C) Sound your horn to warn the driver
D) Flash your headlights so it waits
Answer: A. Give priority to buses and coaches signalling to pull away from stops, if you can do so safely. (Highway Code rule 223)
Practise this on the road: Around bus stops, practise spotting buses signalling to pull out and slowing to let them go when it is safe.
Q10. A learner driver ahead stalls at a junction. What should you do?
A) Overtake them at the junction
B) Drive close behind so they concentrate
C) Sound your horn to hurry them
D) Be patient and give them time
Answer: D. Be particularly patient with learner drivers and young drivers, who are still developing their skills. (Highway Code rule 217)
Practise this on the road: Talk with your supervisor about how it felt when you stalled, and practise staying calm and patient when others make mistakes.
Next steps
Go back to the theory test hub for all 14 topics and how the test works. Related topics: alertness, for the observation habits behind good attitude, and vulnerable road users, which goes deeper into pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. For crossings and priority markings, see our road markings guide.