The answer options
- When a pedestrian signals you to stop
- When a traffic officer signals you to stopCorrect
- When a roadworks supervisor signals you to stop
- When you are signalled to stop by a driver who has broken down
Why the other options are wrong
- “When a pedestrian signals you to stop” is a distractor. It does not meet the standard the question is testing, which when a traffic officer signals you to stop does. Picking it in the real test costs a mark you cannot get back, and with a pass mark of 43 out of 50 you only have seven to spare.
- “When a roadworks supervisor signals you to stop” is a distractor. It does not meet the standard the question is testing, which when a traffic officer signals you to stop does. Picking it in the real test costs a mark you cannot get back, and with a pass mark of 43 out of 50 you only have seven to spare.
- “When you are signalled to stop by a driver who has broken down” is a distractor. It does not meet the standard the question is testing, which when a traffic officer signals you to stop does. Picking it in the real test costs a mark you cannot get back, and with a pass mark of 43 out of 50 you only have seven to spare.
Why that is the answer
You must only stop on the motorway when ordered by the police or National Highways traffic officers, when instructed by traffic signals, or in a genuine emergency. Traffic officers in England have the legal power to stop and direct traffic on motorways to manage incidents safely. Pedestrians, broken-down drivers, and roadworks supervisors do not have the legal authority to signal you to stop.
What rules of the road covers
- · National speed limits for cars, cars towing, and built-up areas
- · Priority at crossroads, roundabouts and unmarked junctions
- · Where waiting, loading and stopping are prohibited
- · One-way streets, bus lanes and contraflow systems
Mistakes learners repeat on this topic
- · Assuming street lighting always means 30mph without checking for repeater signs
- · Forgetting the reduced limits when towing on dual carriageways and motorways
- · Believing a roundabout always gives priority to the right regardless of markings
- · Parking within 10 metres of a junction because there were no yellow lines
Instructor tip: When a limit question names a vehicle type, answer for that vehicle — the trap is applying the car limit to everything.
How this comes up in the real test
Questions from rules of the road appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.
The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.
More rules of the road questions
- A single carriageway road has this sign. What’s the maximum permitted speed for a car towing a trailer?
- At a roundabout, how should you signal that you're going straight ahead?
- At an un-marked crossroads, who has priority?
- How else can you indicate to other drivers besides using direction indicators?
- How far are you allowed to reverse?
- How should you park at night on a road with a 40mph speed limit?