Rules of the road is the largest section of the K53 learners test. These are real questions from the K53 Examiner bank, with the correct answer marked and explained.
Must immediately stop your vehicle. (correct answer)
May use a bit of alcohol for the shock.
Must see if someone is injured. (correct answer)
Why: Stop immediately, then establish what damage was caused and whether anyone was injured. You may not drive away, and you may not consume alcohol or a narcotic drug before reporting the accident.
Why: A motorcycle requires one number plate, fitted at the rear only. Motor vehicles with four wheels need a plate at the front and the rear.
6. You are in heavy traffic in the right-hand lane, the car in front wants to turn into his driveway and has stopped, waiting for heavy oncoming traffic, what do you do? #
Wait behind the car until you get the opportunity to pass, and when it's safe, proceed (correct answer)
Hoot, wave and pass
Switch on your left indicator and move to the left lane
Why: Wait behind that vehicle until it is safe to pass. You may not use the shoulder or squeeze past unsafely just because the car ahead is stationary.
Allow someone to ride on the bumper of your vehicle
Leave your vehicle's engine running without supervision
Put your arm out of the window only to give legal hand signals (correct answer)
Why: You may put your arm out of the window only to give a recognised hand signal. No other part of any person's body may project beyond the vehicle.
8. When driving a vehicle alone, what documents must you carry with you? #
Any person's valid driver’s licence if you only have a learner’s licence.
A certified copy of your driver’s licence and ID document.
Your original valid driver’s licence. (correct answer)
Why: You must carry your original valid driving licence. A copy is not sufficient, and a learner may not drive alone at all.
9. When may you not overtake another vehicle? When you: #
Are nearing a curve. (correct answer)
Can only see 100m in front of you because of dust/smoke over the road. (correct answer)
Are nearing the top of hill. (correct answer)
Why: You may not overtake when approaching a curve or the crest of a hill, or when dust, smoke or other conditions limit your view to about 100 metres — in each case you cannot see far enough to complete the manoeuvre safely.
10. When you ride your motorcycle, you are not allowed to? #
Carry a passenger on a 125cc motorcycle.
Have one wheel of the motorcycle off the ground. (correct answer)
Have only one hand on the handle bars.
Why: You may not ride with one wheel off the ground. Both wheels must stay in contact with the road surface.
On a freeway when directed to do so by a traffic officer (correct answer)
On a public road at the signal of a person driving sheep (correct answer)
On any road to avoid an accident. (correct answer)
Why: You must stop when a traffic officer directs you to on a freeway, at the signal of a person leading animals such as sheep, and on any road where stopping is necessary to avoid a collision.
12. Which of the following statements are correct, a silencer? #
Must be fitted to a vehicle to restrict the engine noise to a suitable noise level. (correct answer)
Need not be fitted only on heavy vehicles.
With a small hole in it is acceptable.
Why: An efficient exhaust silencer must be fitted so that the engine noise is kept to a reasonable level. Operating a vehicle causing excessive noise is an offence.
13. What is legal with regards to the towing of another vehicle? #
You may tow it with a 750cc motorcycle.
You may tow it with a tricycle.
You may not tow it with any motorcycle. (correct answer)
Why: A motorcycle may not be used to tow another vehicle. Towing must be done with a proper tow-bar, rope or chain within the prescribed limits.
May refuse to give your name and address to anyone except the police.
Must determine the damage to the vehicles. (correct answer)
Must immediately stop your vehicle. (correct answer)
Why: Stop immediately, then establish what damage was caused and whether anyone was injured. You may not drive away, and you may not consume alcohol or a narcotic drug before reporting the accident.
15. When are you allowed to drive your vehicle on the right -hand side of a road with traffic in both directions? #
When a traffic officer shows you to do so. (correct answer)
Under no circumstances.
When you switch the emergency lights of your vehicle on.
Why: When a traffic officer directs you to do so. Otherwise you must keep to the left-hand side of the roadway.
16. When is it an offence when you are the holder of a learner's licence for a motorcycle?
(i) you ride on your own motorcycle next to your instructor.
(ii) you keep only one hand on the handle bars.
(iii) you ride at 80 km/h outside built up areas. #
1) (i) and (ii) only are correct.
2) (i) is correct.
3) None of the above are correct. (correct answer)
Why: A code 1 learner may ride alone, so riding beside an instructor is not an offence in itself; keeping one hand on the handlebars is permitted when giving a hand signal; and 80 km/h is within the 100 km/h limit outside an urban area. None of the three is an offence as stated.
17. If you see that someone wants to overtake you, you must? #
Keep to the left as far as it is safe to do so. (correct answer)
Give hand signals to allow the person to pass safely
Not drive faster. (correct answer)
Why: Keep as far left as is safe and do not increase your speed. Making it harder for the other driver to complete the overtake is both dangerous and an offence.
18. In which case is it permitted to travel with only the parking lights of your vehicle switched on? #
When dusk is falling
When driving in heavy rain.
In none of the above cases (correct answer)
Why: Never. Parking lamps are for a stationary vehicle. When lights are required you must use headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps.
Your vision of the road and the traffic must be unobstructed (correct answer)
Why: Your view of the road and the traffic must be unobstructed at all times. Anything blocking your view — passengers, load or objects on the windscreen — is an offence.
20. When is it permissible to allow a portion of the body to project beyond the vehicle? #
Only passengers may allow a portion of their bodies to project, they don’t need 2 hands on the steering wheel.
When it is hot and the driver’s window is open
Only for the driver to give hand signals. (correct answer)
Why: Only for the driver to give a legal hand signal. No other part of any person's body may project beyond the vehicle.
21. Show the correct statement. A driver may not stop their vehicle on the roadway of a public road? #
In an intersection. (correct answer)
When indicated by a traffic officer.
In contravention with any road traffic sign.
Why: You may not stop in an intersection. Stopping there blocks the flow of traffic from every direction.
22. How far behind a vehicle must the warning triangle be placed if your car breaks down? #
At least 45m (correct answer)
At least 100m.
At least 10m.
Why: The emergency warning sign must be placed at least 45 metres behind the vehicle, measured along the road, so approaching drivers get enough warning.
Give the necessary signal and after looking for other traffic, change lanes. (correct answer)
Apply the brakes lightly and then change lanes.
Switch on your indicator and change lanes.
Why: Signal your intention, check for other traffic, and only then move across. You may not turn from one lane into another unless you can do so without obstructing or endangering other traffic.
Practise the whole bank free
K53 Examiner has every past paper, full timed mock exams and the complete study guide for Code 1, 2 and 3 — all free.
