Rules of the road · part 4 of 45
K53 rules of the road questions and answers (part 4)
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.
46 How far from a bridge must you avoid a voluntary stop?
- Within 2 metres
- Within 1 metre
- Within 6 metres
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Answer C: Within 6 metres
A voluntary stop must not obstruct or endanger traffic. Do not stop in a tunnel, on a bridge, within a railway reserve at a level crossing, or within 6 metres of a tunnel, subway or bridge. Exceptions include avoiding a collision or following a traffic officer’s direction.
Memory tip: Stopping briefly can still create a serious hazard.
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47 May you stop where your vehicle obstructs traffic beside an excavation?
- No, if the stop obstructs or endangers traffic
- Yes, with the engine running
- Yes, for loading passengers
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Answer A: No, if the stop obstructs or endangers traffic
A voluntary stop must not obstruct or endanger traffic. Do not stop in a tunnel, on a bridge, within a railway reserve at a level crossing, or within 6 metres of a tunnel, subway or bridge. Exceptions include avoiding a collision or following a traffic officer’s direction.
Memory tip: Stopping briefly can still create a serious hazard.
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48 When should you signal a turn?
- Only after beginning the turn
- In good time so other road users can react
- Only if a vehicle is behind you
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Answer B: In good time so other road users can react
Signal in good time before stopping or turning. Use direction indicators when turning or changing lanes. A signal must be visible long enough to warn others. Do not move between lanes if doing so obstructs or endangers traffic.
Memory tip: Signal early, but move only when safe.
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49 Does using an indicator give you priority to change lanes?
- Yes, on a freeway
- Yes, after three flashes
- No, the move must still be safe
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Answer C: No, the move must still be safe
Signal in good time before stopping or turning. Use direction indicators when turning or changing lanes. A signal must be visible long enough to warn others. Do not move between lanes if doing so obstructs or endangers traffic.
Memory tip: Signal early, but move only when safe.
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50 Must you use direction indicators when changing lanes?
- Yes, indicate your intention
- Only at night
- Only when travelling above 60 km/h
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Answer A: Yes, indicate your intention
Signal in good time before stopping or turning. Use direction indicators when turning or changing lanes. A signal must be visible long enough to warn others. Do not move between lanes if doing so obstructs or endangers traffic.
Memory tip: Signal early, but move only when safe.
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51 A lane change would force another driver to brake suddenly. What should you do?
- Sound your horn and move
- Wait for a safe gap
- Move anyway because you signalled
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Answer B: Wait for a safe gap
Signal in good time before stopping or turning. Use direction indicators when turning or changing lanes. A signal must be visible long enough to warn others. Do not move between lanes if doing so obstructs or endangers traffic.
Memory tip: Signal early, but move only when safe.
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52 What minimum following gap does the manual recommend for a heavy vehicle in good conditions?
- Exactly one vehicle length
- At least 1 second
- At least 3 seconds
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Answer C: At least 3 seconds
Maintain at least two seconds of following distance in good conditions for light vehicles and motorcycles, and at least three seconds for heavy vehicles. Increase the gap in rain, poor visibility, slippery conditions or when followed too closely.
Memory tip: More risk means more space.
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53 What should happen to your following gap in poor visibility?
- Keep it unchanged at every speed
- Increase it
- Reduce it to see the vehicle ahead
Show the answer
Answer B: Increase it
Maintain at least two seconds of following distance in good conditions for light vehicles and motorcycles, and at least three seconds for heavy vehicles. Increase the gap in rain, poor visibility, slippery conditions or when followed too closely.
Memory tip: More risk means more space.
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54 What following gap is recommended for a motorcycle in good conditions?
- At least 2 seconds
- One metre
- Half a second
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Answer A: At least 2 seconds
Maintain at least two seconds of following distance in good conditions for light vehicles and motorcycles, and at least three seconds for heavy vehicles. Increase the gap in rain, poor visibility, slippery conditions or when followed too closely.
Memory tip: More risk means more space.
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55 Someone follows you too closely. What should you do with your gap ahead?
- Increase it so you have more room to react smoothly
- Reduce it and brake sharply
- Ignore the distance ahead
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Answer A: Increase it so you have more room to react smoothly
Maintain at least two seconds of following distance in good conditions for light vehicles and motorcycles, and at least three seconds for heavy vehicles. Increase the gap in rain, poor visibility, slippery conditions or when followed too closely.
Memory tip: More risk means more space.
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56 What must you do before leaving a vehicle unattended?
- Leave it in neutral with no brake
- Leave the engine running
- Secure it so it cannot move
Show the answer
Answer C: Secure it so it cannot move
An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.
Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.
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57 May an unattended vehicle’s engine be left running?
- Yes, if the door is locked
- Yes, for less than ten minutes
- No
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Answer C: No
An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.
Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.
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58 What should you check before pulling away from a parked position?
- Only traffic immediately behind
- Only the speedometer
- Traffic approaching from all relevant directions
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Answer C: Traffic approaching from all relevant directions
An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.
Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.
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59 May a driver reverse when it cannot be done safely?
- Yes, with the horn sounding
- Yes, if hazard lights are on
- No, reverse only when safe
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Answer C: No, reverse only when safe
An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.
Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.
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60 When following another vehicle, what should you do with main beams?
- Dip them to avoid dazzling the driver
- Flash them every few seconds
- Keep them on continuously
Show the answer
Answer A: Dip them to avoid dazzling the driver
Dip main beams for approaching traffic and when following another vehicle. Do not drive using only parking lights. Fog lamps are for poor visibility caused by fog, mist, snow, dust or smoke, not for ordinary clear-weather driving.
Memory tip: Use the right lights without dazzling others.
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These are original practice questions, not official test questions. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.