Safe Driving & Hazards
43 practice questions for the BTT, FTT & RTT
Defensive driving is the heart of the Final Theory Test. Instead of asking what a rule says, these questions ask what a careful driver does: how much gap to keep, how to react when the car starts to slide, and how to spot the road users who are easiest to miss.
Singapore's sudden tropical downpours make wet-weather questions especially important. On a wet road your stopping distance can roughly double, and at speed a film of water can lift the tyres off the road surface, which is called aquaplaning. The Traffic Police recommend at least a three-second gap to the vehicle in front in normal conditions, and more when the road is wet or you are behind a large vehicle.
Vulnerable road users are the other big theme. Give cyclists at least 1.5 metres when passing where you can, check your blind spots for motorcyclists before every lane change, and remember that e-scooters are banned from roads entirely. Night driving, dazzle from oncoming headlights, and emergencies such as a tyre blow-out round out the topic.
Safe Driving & Hazards quiz
Unofficial practice questions written by coeprice.com. We are not affiliated with the Singapore Police Force, the LTA or any driving centre. Study the official handbook for your test. Read the official BTT handbook › Read the official FTT handbook › Read the official RTT handbook ›
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All safe driving & hazards questions and answers
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Using the Traffic Police's rule of thumb, how much time gap should you keep behind the vehicle in front?
Show answer
At least 3 seconds
Singapore now teaches a three-second rule, replacing the older two-second rule. When the car ahead passes a fixed point, you should not reach that point for at least three seconds.
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Compared with a dry road, roughly how far does a vehicle take to stop on a wet road?
Show answer
About twice the distance
Wet roads give the tyres less grip, so stopping distance can roughly double. Slow down and leave a bigger gap whenever it rains.
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Driving fast through heavy rain, your steering suddenly feels light as the tyres ride on a film of water. How should you regain control?
Show answer
Ease off and slow down with gentle on-off braking until the tyres grip again
This is aquaplaning, and it takes away both steering and braking. Slow down gradually with intermittent braking; locking the wheels would make things worse.
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The rear of your car starts sliding sideways. What is the correct response?
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Take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid, without braking
In a rear-wheel skid, lift off the accelerator straight away and steer into the skid. Braking during the correction can make the skid worse.
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How should you check the blind spot before changing lanes?
Show answer
Turn your head and look over your shoulder
Blind spots are the areas your mirrors cannot show. A quick look over the shoulder is the only reliable way to spot a motorcyclist or car there before you move across.
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At night, the headlights of an oncoming car dazzle you. What should you do?
Show answer
Look towards the left edge of the road, slow down, and stop if you can't see
Shift your gaze to the left side of the road and use the road edge as a guide. If the glare is blinding, slow down and stop at the side.
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Where practicable, what minimum side gap should you leave when passing a cyclist?
Show answer
1.5 metres
Give cyclists at least 1.5 metres, as you would another vehicle. If there isn't room, slow down and wait behind until it is safe to pass.
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A pedestrian is walking along a road with no footpath, with their back to traffic. What is the minimum gap to leave as you pass?
Show answer
1.5 metres
Allow at least 1.5 metres for pedestrians facing away from you, because they cannot see you coming. For pedestrians facing the traffic, the minimum is 1 metre.
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You have just driven through a flooded stretch of road. What should you do next?
Show answer
Press the brake pedal gently several times to dry the brakes
Wet brakes work poorly. Pump the brake pedal repeatedly until normal braking returns, and avoid driving through floods in the first place where you can.
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A long lorry ahead is signalling left but first swings slightly to the right. What should you do?
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Hang back and don't try to pass on the side it is turning towards
Long vehicles often need to swing out the opposite way before turning. Stay back and give them room; trying to pass on the turning side can leave you trapped against the kerb.
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A front tyre bursts while you are driving. What is the right reaction?
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Hold the wheel firmly, steer against the pull, and brake gently to a stop at the side
A blow-out pulls the car towards the damaged side, more strongly when it is a front tyre. Keep a firm grip, steer to hold your line, and slow down progressively.
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According to the official guidance, how far ahead should you be looking while driving?
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At least three times your speed: in metres for each km/h, for example 150 m at 50 km/h
Looking further ahead gives you time to spot hazards. The FTT handbook suggests scanning at least three times your speed in km/h, measured in metres.
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Where may e-scooters be ridden in Singapore?
Show answer
Only on cycling paths, not on footpaths or roads
E-scooters are banned from roads and footpaths and may only use cycling paths. If you see one on the road, the rider is breaking the law, so give them plenty of room.
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You feel tired and drowsy before a drive. What should you do?
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Not drive until you have rested
Tiredness and feeling unwell reduce concentration and slow your reactions. The official advice is simple: if you are tired, don't drive.
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On a long, steep downhill road, what is the best way to control your speed?
Show answer
Use a lower gear for engine braking and use the footbrake only as needed
Relying on the footbrake over a long descent overheats the brakes and they can fade. A lower gear lets the engine hold the car back.
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As the car ahead passes a lamp post, you count to yourself: 'one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two, one-thousand-and-three'. You reach the lamp post before you finish. What does that mean?
Show answer
You are following too closely and should slow down
Counting those words takes about three seconds. Reaching the same point before you finish shows your gap is less than three seconds, so drop back.
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Does the three-second following-distance rule change with the type of vehicle or your speed?
Show answer
No, it applies to all types of vehicles at any speed
Because the gap is measured in time, it grows on its own as speed rises. The official guidance applies it to every vehicle at every speed.
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Your stopping distance is roughly the sum of which two distances?
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Reaction distance and braking distance
Before the brakes act, the car travels while you react; then it travels further while braking. Together these make up the stopping distance, and both grow with speed.
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Which of these makes your braking distance longer?
Show answer
A fully loaded car
Braking distance increases on wet roads, with worn tyre treads, and when the car is fully loaded. Reaction time increases when the driver is tired or has drunk alcohol.
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Braking on a wet road, you press too hard and the wheels lock. What should you do?
Show answer
Release the brake pedal quickly, then brake on and off until you stop
Locked wheels on a wet road can make the car skid or spin. Releasing the brake lets the tyres grip again, and on/off braking brings you to a controlled stop.
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The rain is so heavy that you cannot see the road clearly. What should you do?
Show answer
Move to a safe spot, stop at the side of the road with hazard lights on, and wait until it clears
Never drive further than you can see clearly. If visibility is too poor, pull over safely with your hazard lights on and continue when conditions improve.
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About how far ahead does an average headlight on high beam light up the road?
Show answer
About 100 metres
At night you should be able to stop within the distance your lights show. With high beam reaching only about 100 m, out-driving your headlights is dangerous.
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A stretch of road is flooded but still passable to vehicles. How should you drive through it?
Show answer
Engage a lower gear to drive through it
A lower gear keeps the car moving steadily through the water. Afterwards, remember that wet brakes are weak until you dry them.
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It is night and you come to a flooded road. You are not sure how deep the water is. What should you do?
Show answer
Take another route
Flood water can look shallower than it is, especially at night. If in doubt, do not risk it; use an alternative route.
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You are driving along an open stretch of highway on a very windy day. What should you do?
Show answer
Slow down and drive cautiously
Strong side winds can push your car into the path of other traffic. A lower speed gives you more control and more time to correct.
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You are driving over a sandy or pebbled road surface. What should you avoid?
Show answer
Hard acceleration, hard braking and sharp steering
Loose surfaces offer little grip, so the tyres can slip sideways. Smooth, gentle control inputs reduce the risk of side-slipping.
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At unfinished road works, you must drive over steel plates laid on the road. Why should you take extra care?
Show answer
Steel plates can be extremely slippery, especially when wet
Steel plates give your tyres far less grip than the road surface, and even less in the rain. Slow down and take extra care when crossing them.
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You take a sharp bend too fast. What does centrifugal force do to your car?
Show answer
Pushes it outwards, away from your intended path
The faster you go, and the sharper the curve, the more your car is pushed outwards. That is why you should slow down before a bend.
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While driving, how often should you glance at your rear-view mirrors?
Show answer
About every 5 to 10 seconds
Regular mirror checks keep you aware of what is happening around you. You should also keep your eyes moving rather than fixing them on one object.
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How does your field of vision change as your speed increases?
Show answer
It narrows
At higher speeds you see less to the sides, so hazards at the edges of the road are easier to miss. This is another reason to keep your speed suited to the conditions.
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Your doctor has prescribed you a new medicine. What should you do before driving?
Show answer
Ask your doctor whether it will affect your driving, and do not drive if it will
Some medicines affect judgement, concentration and reaction time, just as alcohol does. Check with your doctor, and do not drive if the medicine impairs you.
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A parked car ahead has a driver inside and smoke coming from its exhaust. What should you expect?
Show answer
It may pull out into your path, so be ready to slow down or stop
A driver in the seat and a running engine are signs that the car may move off at any moment. Anticipate it and be ready to react.
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When passing a line of parked cars, what gap should you try to leave?
Show answer
About 1 metre, in case a door opens
Drivers and passengers may open their doors without looking. Keeping about a metre away gives you room if a door swings open.
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You are passing a bus that has stopped at a bus stop. What hazard should you watch for most?
Show answer
Pedestrians, especially children, dashing out from in front of the bus
People getting off a bus may cross in front of it, hidden from your view. Be alert and ready to stop, especially for school children.
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A cyclist ahead of you glances over their shoulder. What does this often mean?
Show answer
They may be about to change direction, so be ready to slow down or stop
A cyclist looking back is often checking before moving out or turning. Give them space and be ready to react.
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You are slowing down to stop, and a motorcyclist is following closely behind you. What should you do?
Show answer
Signal your intention early so the rider is not caught by surprise
Motorcyclists who tailgate risk hitting you if you stop suddenly. An early signal gives them time to slow down safely.
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On a bend, a motorcyclist is coming towards you from the opposite direction. What should you do?
Show answer
Keep further to your left to give the rider plenty of room
Riders taking a bend may drift wide into your side of the road. Moving left gives them the space they may need.
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Why should you keep a longer following distance behind a lorry than behind a car?
Show answer
It blocks your view ahead, and you need time to react if goods fall off
A large vehicle hides the road ahead from you, and loose loads can fall off. A bigger gap lets you see more and react in time.
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A stone hits your windscreen and it shatters while you are driving. Which of these is correct?
Show answer
Switch on hazard lights, slow down and stop at the side, then clear the glass using a cloth, not bare hands
Stay calm and get off the road safely before dealing with the glass. Use a rag or cloth to remove it, then drive slowly to a workshop.
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At speed, your bonnet suddenly flies up and blocks your view. What should you do?
Show answer
Stay calm, brake smoothly and progressively, and stop at the side of the road
Harsh braking or sudden steering when you cannot see could cause a crash. Slow down steadily, pull over and close the bonnet securely.
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An animal runs onto the road right in front of you and a collision cannot be avoided. What should you do?
Show answer
Brake firmly and stay in your lane
Swerving can put you into the path of other traffic or off the road. The safer response is to brake firmly and keep to your lane.
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An ambulance with its siren on has just passed you. What should you avoid doing?
Show answer
Following closely behind it to get through the traffic
The official code of conduct says not to follow closely behind an emergency vehicle responding to a call. Stay alert too, because more than one emergency vehicle may be passing.
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You are driving through a residential area and see an ice-cream seller at the roadside. What should you do?
Show answer
Slow down and look out for children who may dash across the road
Children are impulsive and may not notice traffic when something attracts them. Near roadside vendors, slow down and be ready to stop.
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