K53 rules of the road questions and answers — page 4
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.
With the front of your vehicle facing oncoming traffic. (correct answer)
Next to any obstruction in the road.
Why: You may not park or stop facing oncoming traffic. Your vehicle must stand on the left, facing the direction of travel for that side of the road.
81. The licence for your vehicle (clearance certificate) is valid for? #
21 days
90 days
12 months (correct answer)
Why: A motor vehicle licence is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.
82. Unless otherwise shown by a sign, the general speed limit in an urban area is km/h. #
100
80
60 (correct answer)
Why: The general speed limit inside an urban area is 60 km/h. Outside urban areas it is 100 km/h, and on a freeway 120 km/h, unless a sign shows otherwise.
83. When you are involved in an accident you? Choose the correct combination #
Must immediately stop your vehicle. (correct answer)
Must determine the damage to the vehicles. (correct answer)
May refuse to give your name and address to anyone except the police.
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.
84. If you come across an emergency vehicle on the road sounding a siren you must? #
Switch on your vehicles emergency light and blow your hooter.
Give right of way to the emergency vehicle (correct answer)
Flash your headlight to warn other traffic.
Why: Give right of way to the emergency vehicle. Move over safely and let it through — it is responding to an emergency.
85. Which statement is false? A vehicle may be used on a public road if? #
The fuel tank is defective. (correct answer)
The fuel cap is effective and closed.
The battery and electrical wiring are properly installed.
Why: A vehicle with a defective fuel tank may not be used on a public road. The fuel tank, electrical wiring and battery must all be sound.
Reverse your vehicle only if it is safe to do so. (correct answer)
Leave the engine of your vehicle idling when you put petrol in it.
Drive your vehicle on the sidewalk at night.
Why: You may only reverse when it is safe — a driver may not cause a vehicle to travel backwards unless it can be done without endangering or obstructing anyone.
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.
89. Which of the following statements are correct, a silencer? #
Need not be fitted only on heavy vehicles.
Must be fitted to a vehicle to restrict the engine noise to a suitable noise level. (correct answer)
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.
90. How far may you park from the left edge of a roadway outside an urban area? #
Not more than 450mm from the edge of the roadway.
Not more than 1m from the edge of the roadway. (correct answer)
A vehicle may not park on a public road unless in a parking bay.
Why: Outside an urban area you may not park with any part of the vehicle within 1 metre of the edge of the roadway — park no more than 1 metre from that edge, off the roadway itself.
91. When are you allowed to drive on the right-hand side of a freeway? #
At any time as long as I don’t stop in the right-hand lane.
When you are driving 120kph.
Only when overtaking another vehicle. (correct answer)
Why: Only while overtaking another vehicle. Once past, return to the left — the right-hand lane is not for cruising.
Pedestrians who are already crossing the road when the red man signal starts showing, have right of way. (correct answer)
You can pass another vehicle waiting to turn right on his left side by going off the road.
Why: Pedestrians who have already started crossing when the red man begins to show still have right of way. You must let them finish crossing before you proceed.
93. When driving a motor vehicle, the minimum safe following distance is? #
A driver may follow as close as they want so that overtaking is easier when the gap is there.
A distance determined by the 2 second rule. (correct answer)
12 meters at 120kph, (1meter for every 10 kph.)
Why: The two-second rule for light motor vehicles: pick a fixed point, and you should pass it no sooner than two seconds after the vehicle ahead. Heavy vehicles need three seconds, and both increase in poor conditions.
94. 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)
When you switch the emergency lights of your vehicle on.
Under no circumstances.
Why: When a traffic officer directs you to do so. Otherwise you must keep to the left-hand side of the roadway.
95. When you are involved in an accident you? Choose the correct combination #
Must immediately stop your vehicle. (correct answer)
Must see if someone is injured. (correct answer)
May use a bit of alcohol for the shock.
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.
96. The fastest speed at which you may tow a vehicle with a rope is. #
60kph
45kph
30kph (correct answer)
Why: A vehicle towed with a rope or chain may not exceed 30 km/h, unless the towing vehicle is connected by a tow-bar.
If the road is clear of traffic for a long distance and it can be done without obstructing traffic. (correct answer)
If the road is clear of traffic for a short distance.
In any manner as long as you use your indicator in time.
Why: Only when the road is clear far enough in both directions that you can complete the movement without obstructing traffic already on the road.
98. You may overtake another vehicle on the left-hand side? Choose the correct combination #
When that vehicle is going to turn right and the road is wide enough that it is not necessary to drive on the shoulder. (correct answer)
If a police officer instructs you to do so. (correct answer)
Where the road has 2 lanes for traffic in the same direction. (correct answer)
Why: Passing on the left is permitted where the road has two or more lanes in the same direction, when the vehicle ahead is turning right and there is room without using the shoulder, and when a traffic officer directs you to do so.
99. When is it permissible to allow a portion of the body to project beyond the vehicle? #
Only for the driver to give hand signals. (correct answer)
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
Why: Only for the driver to give a legal hand signal. No other part of any person's body may project beyond the vehicle.
100. A person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug? #
May not sit in the driver’s seat while the engine is running. (correct answer)
May sit in the driver seat of a vehicle of which the vehicle is running.
May sleep in the driver’s seat while the engine is running.
Why: It is an offence to occupy the driver's seat of a vehicle whose engine is running while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug with a narcotic effect. You do not have to be driving to be committing the offence.
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