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Rules of the road · part 14 of 45

K53 rules of the road questions and answers (part 14)

15 practice questions for the South African K53 learner's licence test. Try each one first, then open the answer to see why it is correct.

196 When must the headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps of a light or heavy vehicle be lit?

  1. Only from one hour after sunset until sunrise
  2. Between sunset and sunrise and when persons or vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 m
  3. Only when visibility is below 45 metres
Show the answer

Answer B: Between sunset and sunrise and when persons or vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 m

They must be lit between sunset and sunrise, and any other time when visibility is under 150 metres.

Memory tip: Dark or murky: lights on.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

197 At what visibility distance must lights be switched on in poor daytime weather?

  1. When persons and vehicles are not clearly seen at 150 metres
  2. When they cannot be seen at 45 metres
  3. When they cannot be seen at 100 metres
Show the answer

Answer A: When persons and vehicles are not clearly seen at 150 metres

Lights must be on when due to poor light or weather they are not clearly discernible at 150 m.

Memory tip: Can't see 150? Lights on.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

198 Which lamps must be kept lit during the periods stated in the manual?

  1. Headlamps only
  2. Parking lamps only
  3. Headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps
Show the answer

Answer C: Headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps

The manual lists headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps.

Memory tip: Front, back and number plate.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

199 Which of these vehicles is NOT required to have its lamps lit between sunset and sunrise?

  1. One parked on the roadway with no street lamp nearby
  2. One driving slowly on a quiet road
  3. One parked within 12 metres of a lit street lamp illuminating the road
Show the answer

Answer C: One parked within 12 metres of a lit street lamp illuminating the road

A vehicle parked within 12 m of a lighted street lamp that illuminates the road is exempt.

Memory tip: Parked near a lit lamp is exempt.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

200 A vehicle is parked off the roadway of a public road at night. What does the manual say about its lamps?

  1. It must keep its headlamps on
  2. It must keep its fog lamps on
  3. The lighting requirement does not apply to it
Show the answer

Answer C: The lighting requirement does not apply to it

The lighting rules do not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road.

Memory tip: Off the road, exempt.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

201 What distance from a lighted street lamp allows a parked vehicle to be unlit?

  1. 5 metres
  2. 12 metres
  3. 45 metres
Show the answer

Answer B: 12 metres

A parked vehicle within 12 m of a lighted street lamp illuminating the road is exempt.

Memory tip: Twelve metres from the lamp.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

202 Which parking situation exempts a vehicle from the lighting rule?

  1. A parking place demarcated by an appropriate road traffic sign
  2. A parking place with no signs near a bend
  3. The edge of a freeway
Show the answer

Answer A: A parking place demarcated by an appropriate road traffic sign

Vehicles parked in a parking place demarcated by a road traffic sign are exempt.

Memory tip: Sign-marked bay is exempt.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

203 Which of these is a requirement for all lamps on a light or heavy vehicle?

  1. Fitted only with approved bulbs
  2. Undamaged, unobscured, properly secured and able to be lit at all times
  3. Dimmed to save power
Show the answer

Answer B: Undamaged, unobscured, properly secured and able to be lit at all times

All lamps must be undamaged, unobscured, properly secured, and capable of being lit.

Memory tip: Intact, clear, secure.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

204 A driver covers a rear lamp with mud and a sticker so it is hard to see. What rule does this break?

  1. Lamps must be painted white
  2. Lamps must be unobscured
  3. Lamps must be lit by day only
Show the answer

Answer B: Lamps must be unobscured

The manual requires lamps to be unobscured, among other conditions.

Memory tip: Keep lamps clear.

Light vehicle (code 2) · Heavy vehicle (code 3)

205 At what minimum distance must the main beam (brights) let you see a person, vehicle or substantial object?

  1. 100 metres
  2. 150 metres
  3. 45 metres
Show the answer

Answer A: 100 metres

Main-beam headlamps must illuminate the area ahead to at least 100 metres.

Memory tip: Brights see 100.

All vehicle codes

206 What should you do with your main beam when oncoming traffic approaches?

  1. Keep it on to be seen
  2. Dip it
  3. Switch to parking lamps
Show the answer

Answer B: Dip it

The manual says to dip the main beam for oncoming traffic.

Memory tip: Dip for oncoming.

All vehicle codes

207 What should you do with your main beam when following another vehicle?

  1. Keep it on to see further
  2. Flash it repeatedly
  3. Dip it
Show the answer

Answer C: Dip it

You must dip the main beam when following another vehicle.

Memory tip: Dip behind other cars.

All vehicle codes

208 Which of these is NOT a time to dip your main beam?

  1. Following close behind another vehicle
  2. Driving alone on an empty road with no oncoming traffic
  3. Meeting an oncoming vehicle
Show the answer

Answer B: Driving alone on an empty road with no oncoming traffic

The manual says to dip for oncoming traffic and when following, so an empty road does not require dipping.

Memory tip: Dip for oncoming or following.

All vehicle codes

209 How far ahead must a main-beam headlamp be adjusted to illuminate?

  1. At least 45 metres
  2. At least 100 metres
  3. At least 12 metres
Show the answer

Answer B: At least 100 metres

Headlamps emitting main beam must be adjusted to let the driver see objects at least 100 metres ahead.

Memory tip: One hundred for brights.

All vehicle codes

210 A truck is ahead of you on a dark road. Which setting should your headlamps use?

  1. Main beam
  2. Fog lamps only
  3. Dipped beam
Show the answer

Answer C: Dipped beam

You should dip the main beam when following another vehicle.

Memory tip: Follow? Dip.

All vehicle codes

These are original practice questions, not official test questions. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.