Highway Code: Vulnerable Road Users
Rules 1-35: Pedestrians | Free DVSA Theory Practice Test
Master Right of Way Laws, Complex Crossings & Safe Visibility Standards
Test Coverage
Rules 1–35 of The Highway Code
Core Focus
Zebra, Pelican & Toucan crossings
Key Value
Green Cross Code & low-visibility laws
💡 Pedestrian Integration Blueprint:
Safeguarding pedestrians requires a perfect understanding of smart traffic signals and shared public spaces. This module verifies knowledge of spatial priority and crossing behaviors:
🟢 Puffin sensor operations
🚲 Toucan multi-use layouts
🕶️ Low-visibility reflective rules
🚌 Transit zone hazard spacing
- Based on the ‘Rules for Pedestrians’ section (Rules 1–35) of The Highway Code.
- Covers where pedestrians can walk safely — footpaths, shared paths, and road margins.
- Includes zebra, pelican, puffin, toucan, and other types of pedestrian crossings.
- Revision questions about walking safely in poor visibility, near driveways, and when near buses or trams.
- Practice questions on how to cross roads safely using traffic signals and pedestrian lights.
What is a key feature of an equestrian crossing?
It has only one control panel at ground level
It is designed specifically for cyclists
It includes horse and rider figures in the light panels
It has narrower crossing spaces
Equestrian crossings are designed for horse riders, featuring wider crossing spaces, pavement barriers, and light panels with horse and rider figures. They may have two control panels, one of which is higher. Highway Code Rule 27: Equestrian crossings are tailored for horse riders.
How should you cross when directed by a school crossing patrol?
Only when traffic has fully stopped
After the patrol has left the road
In front of the patrol when signalled
Behind the patrol for safety
When a school crossing patrol or authorised person signals you to cross, do so only when instructed and always cross in front of them. This ensures you're visible to traffic and crossing safely. Highway Code Rule 29: Always follow signals and cross in front of the authorised person.
When should you cross at traffic lights with pedestrian signals?
Only when the green figure shows
When the red figure shows
When the traffic light turns yellow
Immediately after the green figure goes out
Always wait for the green pedestrian signal before crossing. If the signal turns off while crossing, you should still have time to reach the other side but avoid lingering.
Highway Code Rule 21: Wait for the green figure before crossing at traffic lights.
When are pedestrians allowed on motorways or slip roads?
During roadworks
If there is no alternative route
When walking to a nearby town
Only in an emergency
Pedestrians must not be on motorways or slip roads, except in an emergency. These roads are too dangerous for pedestrians under normal circumstances. Highway Code Rule 6: Pedestrians are only allowed on motorways in emergencies.
If the pavement is closed for repairs, how should you proceed?
Continue walking on the road without concern
Walk on the road carefully when directed
Ignore the closure and wait for the pavement to reopen
Walk across the road even if it's not safe
When the pavement is closed for repairs, proceed with caution. Follow any directions to walk on the road carefully. Avoid rushing and stay aware of traffic around you to ensure your safety. Highway Code Rule 35: Street and pavement repairs.
What should you never do when a vehicle is reversing?
Cross behind the vehicle if it’s moving slowly
Cross behind a vehicle showing white reversing lights
Wait until the vehicle has passed completely
Walk in front of the vehicle to avoid being in the way
Never cross behind a vehicle that is reversing, especially if it has white reversing lights on or is sounding a warning. The driver may not see you.
Highway Code Rule 15: Always avoid crossing behind reversing vehicles.
While crossing at a junction, what should you be especially aware of?
Only traffic coming from in front
Pedestrians crossing behind you
Parked vehicles on the side
Traffic turning in from behind
While crossing at a junction, watch for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. Drivers must give way if you’ve started crossing, but you must ensure you’re visible and alert. Highway Code Rule 8: Be cautious of turning traffic, especially from behind.
What should pedestrians keep in mind on fully shared routes with cyclists?
Cyclists must always give way to pedestrians
Pedestrians should avoid endangering or obstructing cyclists
Cyclists are required to stay behind pedestrians
Pedestrians have priority and can walk anywhere on the path
Even though cyclists must respect pedestrian safety, shared spaces require pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings and avoid obstructing or endangering others. Mutual respect and caution are essential. Highway Code Rule 13: Stay alert and share space considerately.
What is the purpose of a pelican crossing?
To control pedestrian crossing with traffic lights
To allow only cyclists to cross the road
To let pedestrians cross without any signal
To provide a crossing for emergency vehicles only
Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings that allow pedestrians to cross safely by activating traffic lights with a control button. They are designed to give pedestrians priority when crossing. Highway Code Rule 22: Pelican crossings use traffic signals for pedestrian safety.
What should pedestrians do if there is no pavement?
Walk on the left near the edge
Stay in the centre for space
Do not walk on the right side
Walk on the right to face traffic
Without a pavement, pedestrians must walk on the right-hand side to see oncoming traffic. On narrow roads or in low light, walk in single file and stay close to the edge for safety. Highway Code Rule 2: Walk on the right to see oncoming vehicles.
What is prohibited regarding moving vehicles?
You can hold onto a moving vehicle if it's slow
You must not get onto or hold onto a moving vehicle
You can hop onto a moving vehicle at a pedestrian crossing
You can hold onto a moving vehicle to cross the road
It is illegal to get onto or hold onto a moving vehicle, as doing so poses significant danger to your safety. You could lose control or be injured if the vehicle suddenly stops or changes direction. This action is prohibited under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 26. Highway Code Rule 16: Never get onto or hold onto a moving vehicle for your safety.
What is the purpose of tactile paving on pavements?
To improve road drainage
To mark bicycle lanes
To guide blind or partially sighted people
To prevent vehicles from parking
Tactile paving features raised surfaces that can be felt underfoot, helping blind or partially sighted individuals identify crossings, steps, and hazards. Common types include raised studs and rounded bars. Highway Code Rule 10: Tactile paving provides vital guidance for those with visual impairments.
What’s part of the Green Cross Code for safe crossing?
Look left on one-way streets
Cross only when the pedestrian light is green
Cross without looking after vehicles stop
Always look both ways before crossing
The Green Cross Code emphasizes looking both ways before crossing, even if the road seems clear, to ensure safety from hidden or fast-moving traffic. Highway Code Rule 7: Use the Green Cross Code for safe road crossing.
Do you move off the road when lights and sirens signal an emergency vehicle?
Yes, always step off immediately
No, just continue walking
No, wait until it’s very close
Yes, but only if traffic also stops
When lights or sirens are active, emergency vehicles need a clear route. Pedestrians must move off the road at once to avoid blocking them. Highway Code Rule 31: Make way immediately for emergency services.
What should you do before crossing at a zebra crossing?
Wait for vehicles to stop from both sides
Cross as soon as traffic slows down
Cross if traffic is clear from one side
Start crossing without checking the stopped vehicles
You must wait until traffic has fully stopped in both directions before crossing. Always stay alert for any vehicles trying to overtake those that have stopped. Highway Code Rule 19: Ensure both directions are clear before crossing.
What is the purpose of the bleeping or voice signal at some crossings?
To indicate when the steady green figure is showing
To alert pedestrians when traffic is moving
To warn cyclists of a crossing
To notify drivers of pedestrian crossings
At certain crossings, bleeping or voice signals help blind or partially sighted people know when it's safe to cross, as the steady green pedestrian figure is showing. Highway Code Rule 26: These signals assist visually impaired and deafblind people.
How does a puffin crossing differ from a pelican crossing?
It has a flashing green figure phase
The red and green figures are above the control box
It allows pedestrians to cross during a red light
It has a longer waiting time for pedestrians
Puffin crossings place the red and green pedestrian signals above the control box, offering clearer visibility. They do not feature a flashing green figure like pelican crossings. Pedestrians must press the button and wait for the green figure before crossing. Highway Code Rule 23: Puffin crossings have different signal placements for improved pedestrian safety.
How should pedestrians walk when pavements are provided?
Close to the traffic edge
On the pavement, away from the kerb
Facing traffic on the pavement
Along the side of the road if it's quiet
When pavements are available, pedestrians should use them and stay away from the kerb edge when possible. This offers greater safety from passing traffic. Always stay aware of surroundings and avoid distractions. Highway Code Rule 1: Use pavements and avoid walking near the kerb.
What’s the safest way to walk with a young child near traffic?
Let them walk ahead
Hold their hand, stay road side
Use reins, stay between child and road
Push buggy out to check traffic
Adults should stay between the child and traffic, hold their hand or use reins, and never push a buggy into the road while checking for traffic. This reduces the risk of sudden exposure to moving vehicles. Highway Code Rule 4: Stay between child and traffic, and use reins or hand-holding for safety.
Which clothing keeps you safest in poor daylight?
Dark jeans and jacket
Fluorescent or bright colours
Light grey hoodie
Reflective tape only at night
In poor daylight, wearing fluorescent or bright-coloured clothing helps drivers notice you sooner. Reflective materials are best for darkness, but bright colours improve visibility during the day. Highway Code Rule 3: Wear fluorescent colours in poor daylight for better visibility.
What should you do when a bus stops to let you off?
Wait for the bus to move before crossing
Cross right behind the bus
Rush across quickly to avoid holding up traffic
Wait for the bus driver’s signal
Always wait for the bus to move off so you can see clearly in both directions. Crossing directly behind or in front of a bus can block your view, making it unsafe.
Highway Code Rule 32: Always wait for a clear view before crossing after a bus has moved.
What is the safest way to cross where there's an island but no controlled crossing?
Cross the whole road without stopping
Wait in the middle of the road
Use the Green Cross Code in two stages
Cross quickly to avoid traffic
When no controlled crossing is available, it's safer to cross in two parts using an island. Follow the Green Cross Code before crossing each half of the road to ensure maximum visibility and safety.
Highway Code Rule 30: Use the island as a safe midway point and reassess before continuing.
What must you check before crossing a one-way street?
If vehicles are parked on both sides
The road markings only
Which way the traffic is moving
If the pavement is crowded
Always check the direction of traffic before crossing a one-way street. Be especially careful, as bus or cycle lanes may run in the opposite direction to other traffic. Highway Code Rule 11: Always confirm traffic direction before crossing.
What is unique about a toucan crossing?
It is only for pedestrians
Cyclists must dismount to cross
Pedestrians and cyclists cross at the same time
It does not have a signal for cyclists
Toucan crossings allow both pedestrians and cyclists to cross together, with a push-button system and a green signal for both. Cyclists are permitted to ride across. Highway Code Rule 25: Toucan crossings are shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.
What should you do at a staggered pelican or puffin crossing?
Cross after pressing once
Wait until both sides align
Press again at the island
Cross from island without waiting
At staggered crossings, each half is treated as a separate crossing. After reaching the central island, press the button again and wait for the green figure before continuing. Highway Code Rule 28: Each side of a staggered crossing must be crossed separately.