K53 rules of the road questions and answers — page 7

• Under no circumstances.
• If you are driving in an emergency situation.
• Only when directed to do so by a traffic officer. (correct answer)

Why: Only when directed to do so by a traffic officer. A traffic officer's direction overrides signs, signals and the ordinary rules.

• The vehicle in front of you wants to turn right and the road is wide enough to pass on the left side
• There is not enough space in the intersection to turn right without blocking other traffic. (correct answer)
• The robot (traffic signal) is yellow and you are already in the intersection.

Why: Do not enter an intersection unless there is room on the far side to clear it. Stopping in the intersection blocks cross-traffic.

• You already have a licence that authorizes the driving of the same vehicle class. (correct answer)
• You are declared unfit to obtain a driving licence for a certain period and that period still prevails. (correct answer)
• Your licence was suspended temporarily and the suspension has not yet expired. (correct answer)

Why: You cannot obtain a learner's licence if you already hold a licence for that class of vehicle, if you have been declared unfit for a period that is still running, or if your licence is under a suspension that has not yet expired.

• It is not the driver's responsibility to ensure a child is in a child restraint. (correct answer)
• The driver of a motor vehicle shall ensure that a child seated in a car wears a seatbelt, and where available use an appropriate child restraint.
• If a seat not equipped with a seatbelt is available the driver shall ensure that a child 14yrs and younger is seated on the rear seat.

Why: It is the driver's responsibility to see that a child is properly restrained. Saying otherwise is wrong — the duty rests with the driver, not the passenger.

• Swerve and pass.
• Swerve and stop next to it.
• Stop without swerving. (correct answer)

Why: A safe following distance is one that lets you stop without swerving if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly. Swerving to avoid a collision means you were following too closely.

• When you have stopped first at a four – way stop. (correct answer)
• When you want to turn right at an intersection in a two-way road.
• When you are within a traffic circle. (correct answer)

Why: You have right of way when you stopped first at a four-way stop, and when you are already within a traffic circle. Vehicles entering must yield to you.

• Switch on your indicator and change lanes.
• Give the necessary signal and after looking for other traffic, change lanes. (correct answer)
• Apply the brakes lightly and then 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.

• Slow down completely, stop and then turn.
• First move to the right to enable you to turn left easily.
• Give the necessary signal in good time. (correct answer)

Why: Give the necessary signal in good time, so that traffic behind and around you knows what you intend to do before you begin the turn.

• An extra heavy motor vehicle.
• An animal drawn vehicle. (correct answer)
• An articulated motor vehicle.

Why: Animal-drawn vehicles are prohibited on a freeway, along with pedal cycles, pedestrians and other slow-moving traffic.

• On a trailer.
• With a rope.
• With a tow-bar. (correct answer)

Why: A vehicle whose brakes are defective must be towed with a tow-bar, not a rope or chain, so the towing vehicle can control it.

• 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.

• For about 2 mins.
• For long enough to show vehicles or persons approaching you of your intentions (correct answer)
• For about 3 mins.

Why: Long enough for approaching vehicles and pedestrians to see it and understand what you intend to do. Signalling as you turn is too late.

• 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.
• Not more than 450mm from the edge of the roadway.

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.

• Use the mirrors of your vehicle to ensure that you know of other traffic around you. (correct answer)
• Only do it when it is safe to do so. (correct answer)
• Switch on your indicator in time to show what you are going to do. (correct answer)

Why: Check your mirrors so you know what is around you, signal in good time, and only move across when it is safe. All three steps are required, in that order.

• With a tow-bar. (correct answer)
• On a trailer.
• With a rope.

Why: A vehicle whose brakes are defective must be towed with a tow-bar, not a rope or chain, so the towing vehicle can control it.

• When you have stopped first at a four – way stop. (correct answer)
• When you are within a traffic circle. (correct answer)
• When you want to turn right at an intersection in a two-way road.

Why: You have right of way when you stopped first at a four-way stop, and when you are already within a traffic circle. Vehicles entering must yield to you.

• At least 45m (correct answer)
• At least 10m.
• At least 100m.

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.

• When it rains and you cannot see vehicles 100m in front of you. (correct answer)
• From sunset to sunrise. (correct answer)
• At any time of the day when you cannot see persons and vehicle's 150m in front of you. (correct answer)

Why: Headlights are required between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when persons and vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 metres — such as in rain, mist or smoke.

• The gear lever must be put in the neutral position.
• The parking brake must be applied. (correct answer)
• The driver must hold the service brake.

Why: Apply the parking brake. The footbrake stops the vehicle; the parking brake is what keeps it stationary.

• If a seat not equipped with a seatbelt is available the driver shall ensure that a child 14yrs and younger is seated on the rear seat.
• The driver of a motor vehicle shall ensure that a child seated in a car wears a seatbelt, and where available use an appropriate child restraint.
• It is not the driver's responsibility to ensure a child is in a child restraint. (correct answer)

Why: It is the driver's responsibility to see that a child is properly restrained. Saying otherwise is wrong — the duty rests with the driver, not the passenger.

• The battery and electrical wiring are properly installed.
• The fuel cap is effective and closed.
• The fuel tank is defective. (correct answer)

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.

• Protrude 450mm in front.
• Protrude 2,0m at the rear.
• If the width of the vehicle is 2,4m wide. (correct answer)

Why: A load may not make the vehicle wider than the prescribed overall width limit — 2,6 m for most vehicles, so a 2,4 m width is within the limit.

• In daytime when you want to allow another vehicle pass you and its safe. (correct answer)
• When you have a flat tyre and you want to park there to change it. (correct answer)
• When on a freeway with 4 lanes in both directions, you want to drive slower than 120 km/h.
• Any time if you want to let another vehicle to pass you.

Why: Only in daylight, on a road with one lane in each direction, while you are being overtaken, and only if it can be done safely — for example when you have a flat tyre and need to pull off.

• Is shown to you by signs next to the road (correct answer)
• Can be determined by yourself if you look at the number of lanes the road has.
• Is always 120km/h outside an urban area.

Why: The applicable limit is the one shown on the road traffic signs beside the road. Where no sign is displayed, the general speed limits apply.

• If the road is clear of traffic for a short distance.
• If the road is clear of traffic for a long distance and it can be done without obstructing traffic. (correct answer)
• 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.