Highway Code: Incident Response
Rules 275-287: Breakdowns & Incidents | Free DVSA Practice Test
Master Emergency Protocols, Hard Shoulder Rules & Legal Crash Duties
Test Coverage
Rules 275–287 of The Highway Code
Core Focus
Hazard positioning & marker posts
Key Value
Dangerous goods protocols & documentation
💡 Critical Incident Blueprint:
Managing an emergency requires rapid, logical execution to prevent secondary collisions. This module tests critical positioning, safety gear, and documentation requirements following an event:
🔺 Warning triangle safety
⚠️ Hazard lights deployment
🔥 Dangerous goods hazards
📋 Post-crash legal duties
- Questions are based on the ‘Breakdowns and Incidents’ section (Rules 275–287) of The Highway Code.
- Topics include handling vehicle breakdowns, dealing with motorway incidents, and managing obstructions safely.
- This section also features questions about emergency procedures, including incidents involving dangerous goods and required documentation.
- Covers real-life scenarios such as using hard shoulders, reporting accidents, and understanding your legal obligations after an incident.
When exiting your vehicle after a breakdown, which method ensures your safety?
Exit from the driver’s door regardless of traffic
Exit through any door as fast as possible
Exit on the side nearest to traffic if visibility is good
Exit on the side furthest from traffic if safe and possible
Always exit the vehicle on the side farthest from moving traffic. This reduces the risk of being hit. Only exit if it's safe to do so. Keep all passengers, especially children, well away from traffic. Highway Code Rule 277: Exit safely from the side furthest from traffic when possible.
If you fail to provide your details after a collision, what is your responsibility?
Report it to the police within 48 hours
Report it to the police within 24 hours
Only report to the police if requested by the other driver
No need to report if the incident didn’t cause serious harm
According to Highway Code Rule 286, if you fail to provide your details after a collision, you must report it to the police within 24 hours. This ensures the authorities are notified in time to handle the incident properly, ensuring accountability and legal compliance.
While you're unable to reach an exit after breaking down, how should you position your vehicle for maximum safety?
Move to the right lane and stop with hazard lights on
Pull slightly left but stay in the driving lane
Move to the left lane and stop with wheels turned right
Move to the left lane and stop fully left with wheels turned left
If you break down, move fully to the left and turn your wheels left. This helps prevent your car rolling back into traffic. It also creates safer space to exit. Highway Code Rule 277: Stop as far left as possible, wheels turned left, for maximum safety.
Which of the following is NOT true when helping at the scene of an incident?
Move injured people immediately to safety
Ask drivers and passengers to stop smoking
Ask drivers to switch off their engines
Contact emergency services with full incident details
Highway Code Rule 283 advises not to move injured individuals unless they are in immediate danger. Moving them without proper training can cause further harm. Instead, provide assistance by calling emergency services, keeping the scene safe, and ensuring professionals manage the injured person's relocation and care.
If you have a disability and your vehicle breaks down, what is the safest action to take?
Leave your vehicle and signal for help from other drivers
Walk to the nearest service station for assistance
Stay in your vehicle, turn on hazard lights, and call for help
Try to fix the vehicle yourself while on the road
If you have a disability, Highway Code Rule 279 advises staying inside your vehicle with hazard lights on and seatbelt fastened. Call 999 for assistance or use your vehicle’s SOS button. This minimizes the risk of injury from moving traffic.
You've broken down and can't exit your vehicle safely. Which action is safest to take?
Exit the vehicle on the traffic side as quickly as possible
Stay inside with seatbelt on and hazards off
Stay inside with seatbelt and hazard lights on, and call 999
Attempt to push the car yourself to the hard shoulder
If stuck and unsafe to exit, stay inside with your seatbelt on and hazard lights flashing. Call 999 or use your SOS button. This increases visibility and avoids exposing yourself to danger. Highway Code Rule 277: Remain inside with seatbelt and hazards; call for emergency help.
When passing the scene of an incident, what should you do to stay safe?
Slow down to observe the situation carefully
Focus on the road ahead and avoid distractions
Increase speed to quickly clear the area
Stop and offer assistance to those involved
When passing an incident, it’s crucial to remain focused on the road ahead. Slowing down unnecessarily can cause distractions, accidents, or congestion. Stay alert to hazards, but don’t allow the scene to divert your attention from driving safely. Highway Code Rule 282: Remain alert for hazards but focus on the road ahead when passing an incident.
Which action is strictly forbidden after breaking down on a motorway?
Return to your vehicle if it starts raining
Stay outside the safety barrier
Keep children near the vehicle to stay warm
Attempt simple repairs like changing a tyre
Never try to fix your vehicle on the motorway, no matter how minor the issue. The risk of being struck by traffic is too high. Stay well away and call for help. Highway Code Rule 277: Do not attempt any vehicle repairs while on the carriageway.
In your judgment, what’s the safest way to rejoin from the hard shoulder after a breakdown?
Slowly ease into the left lane without checking mirrors
Merge quickly before another car closes the gap
Indicate, build up speed on the shoulder, and join when safe
Drive straight onto the lane to avoid delaying traffic
To rejoin safely from a hard shoulder, you must build up speed while on the shoulder, use your indicators, and wait for a clear gap. Rushing or moving slowly creates serious risks. Highway Code Rule 278: Build speed, indicate clearly, and rejoin only when it's safe to do so.
It has been reported that emergency vehicles are displaying flashing lights ahead. What is the best action to take?
Continue driving at the same speed
Move into another lane and speed up to pass quickly
Slow down, prepare to stop, or change lanes as needed
Stop in your current lane and wait for further instructions
You must understand that when you see flashing lights, it’s crucial to slow down, prepare to stop, or change lanes. This keeps the road clear for emergency workers and ensures everyone’s safety. Moving too quickly can interfere with their operations and increase the risk of accidents. Highway Code Rule 281: Slow down, move to another lane, or stop when you see flashing lights from emergency vehicles.
Before you leave the scene of an incident, what should you do?
Wait for the emergency services to arrive before leaving
Exchange details with other drivers, even if no injuries occurred
Ensure all people are safely moved away from the scene
Take photos of the incident for insurance purposes
You must understand that staying at the scene until emergency services arrive ensures proper management of the incident. Highway Code Rule 283 emphasizes not leaving until help arrives, as this allows for clear communication, proper handling of the situation, and avoids any confusion or additional hazards for responders.
If you encounter an incident involving a vehicle carrying dangerous goods, what is the most important action to take?
Stand near the vehicle
Call emergency services with vehicle markings
Wait for the fire department
Try to extinguish flames
You must understand that Highway Code Rule 285 stresses calling emergency services and providing vehicle marking details. This ensures responders can take appropriate action. Standing near the vehicle or trying to extinguish flames could put you in danger, especially with hazardous materials involved.
Why are hard shoulders considered less safe compared to other stopping areas on motorways?
They’re too short
They lack emergency phones
They’re too far from the main carriageway
They’re close to fast-moving traffic
Hard shoulders offer less protection as they’re directly next to high-speed lanes. This makes you more vulnerable to collisions from passing vehicles. Use them only when no safer place is available. Highway Code Rule 275: Hard shoulders provide less protection than other places of relative safety.
If something falls from your vehicle onto a motorway or high-speed road, what should you do?
Stop, remove the obstruction yourself, and drive off quickly
Stop in a safe area and call emergency services on 999
Wait for other drivers to clear the obstruction
Continue driving and hope no accidents happen
Highway Code Rule 280 emphasizes that removing an obstruction on high-speed roads can be dangerous. Instead, stop in a safe area, such as a lay-by or hard shoulder, and immediately call 999. Emergency services will handle the situation, reducing the risk of accidents or injury.
What is the recommended action for passengers after stopping due to a breakdown?
Stay inside the vehicle with seatbelts on
Stand behind the crash barrier, away from traffic
Sit on the hard shoulder
Walk along the carriageway for help
You must get yourself and passengers away from the vehicle and traffic. Stand behind the barrier if possible. Remaining near the car increases the risk of serious injury if it is struck. Highway Code Rule 275: You and your passengers should keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic.
Following too closely behind a vehicle at the scene of an incident can cause what risk?
Prevents others from reaching the incident
Increases visibility for emergency services
Blocks the incident area, hindering assistance
Helps clear the scene more quickly
You must understand that following too closely blocks emergency responders from accessing the scene. Highway Code Rule 283 advises maintaining a safe distance to allow emergency vehicles and personnel to arrive and perform their duties without obstruction, ensuring quicker and safer handling of the incident.
Do you know what you MUST do before exiting an emergency area after a breakdown?
Look for a safe gap and merge when ready
Wait for another driver to guide you out
Use the emergency phone and follow operator advice
Rejoin quickly if the road looks clear
Before leaving an emergency area, you must call using the emergency phone. The operator may coordinate a lane closure to allow you to rejoin safely. Never exit without permission. Highway Code Rule 278: You MUST use the emergency telephone and follow official instructions before rejoining.
What should you do if you fail to produce your insurance certificate after an injury-causing crash?
Report to the police and provide the certificate within 48 hours
Report to the police and provide the certificate within 7 days
Ignore the situation if no one asks for the certificate
Only provide the certificate if requested by the insurance company
Highway Code Rule 287 requires you to report the incident to the police within 24 hours if you fail to produce your insurance certificate. You must then provide the certificate within 7 days to comply with legal obligations under RTA 1988 Sect 170.
How can you identify vehicles carrying dangerous goods on the road?
By the blue reflective plates on the vehicle
By the yellow hazard warning signs on the vehicle
By the special red lights attached to the vehicle
By the orange reflective plates on the vehicle
You must understand that vehicles carrying dangerous goods are marked with plain orange reflective plates. Highway Code Rule 284 specifies that road tankers and vehicles carrying tank containers of dangerous goods will display hazard warning plates to alert others to potential hazards on the road.
When observing a collision, what is the most important action to take?
Move the vehicles immediately to clear the road
Ignore the incident if no one seems seriously injured
Stop in a place of relative safety and use hazard lights
Continue driving at your normal speed to avoid delays
You must understand that stopping in a place of relative safety allows you to manage the situation while keeping yourself and others safe. Highway Code Rule 283 advises using hazard warning lights to alert other drivers while ensuring you're in a safe area to assist and wait for emergency services.
What could happen if you ignore flashing lights or warning signs from emergency vehicles?
You could cause an accident or hinder emergency services
You may pass the incident without needing to stop
You may not need to slow down or change lanes
You will be able to continue driving without issue
Ignoring flashing lights can obstruct emergency workers and hinder their response efforts. This can increase the risk of collisions and delay crucial assistance. Always slow down and be prepared to change lanes or stop safely. Highway Code Rule 281: Always slow down and be prepared to move lanes or stop if emergency vehicles display flashing lights.
As you wait for help after breaking down in poor visibility, how should you make yourself more visible to others?
Wear fluorescent clothing during daylight and reflective at night
Wear reflective clothing at all times, even in daylight
Wear fluorescent clothing at night and reflective during the day
Wear bright clothing and stay close to your vehicle
You must wear fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility to help others see you. Wearing the wrong type of clothing for the time of day reduces visibility and increases risk. Highway Code Rule 276: Wear fluorescent in daylight, reflective at night or in poor visibility.
Where is the safest place to stop your vehicle during a breakdown on a motorway?
In a lay-by
On the hard shoulder
In a service area
Just off the central reservation
You must stop in a place of relative safety during a breakdown. On motorways, a service area is the safest option because it’s fully separated from live traffic and designed for stopping. Highway Code Rule 275: The safest place to stop is a service area.
If you break down on a motorway, what must you never do with a warning triangle?
Place it 45 metres behind your car
Place it less than 45 metres behind your car
Place it behind the vehicle only in poor visibility
Use it at night with your hazard lights on
You must never use a warning triangle on motorways, regardless of distance or conditions. Though placing it 45 metres behind the car is correct for other roads, it is unsafe and banned on motorways. Highway Code Rule 276: Never use warning triangles on motorways.
What must you do if involved in a collision causing damage or injury?
Stop, but only if the other party requests it
Stop in a safe place and provide your details to anyone who requires them
Leave the scene if no one is injured
Wait for the police to arrive before providing your details
You must understand that if you're involved in a collision causing damage or injury, Highway Code Rule 286 mandates you stop and provide your details to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask for them. This is essential for legal and safety reasons.