When should you use your hazard warning lights?

Why that is the answer

Hazard warning lights should be used when your vehicle has broken down and is causing an obstruction, or on high-speed roads to warn traffic behind of sudden slowdowns ahead. You must never use them while driving in normal traffic, nor as an excuse for unsafe or illegal parking, such as double-parking. Turning on hazard lights does not give you permission to stop where it is unsafe or prohibited.

How this comes up in the real test

Questions from hazard awareness 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 hazard awareness questions

• A friend has given you some cough medicine. You take some and wish to drive your car, what should you do first?
• A motorcyclist has just overtaken you. What should you do if the motorcyclist sharply cuts in front of you?
• A police officer is making this signal to oncoming traffic. What does this mean?
• Before taking any medicine you should always check the leaflet. Why is this?
• Certain two-way streets have three lanes on them. Why do they pose a special risk?
• Do you need to plan rest stops when you’re planning a long journey?