Theory test 14

Explanation

One-way trafficE16

“The sign indicates that vehicle traffic on the road is one-way in the direction of the arrow. An arrow pointing up indicates that the traffic is one-way in a forward direction.”

Explanation

“Many accidents take place near the home, when you relax because of the familiar surroundings”

Mikael Höög, press officer at Motormännen

“The distance to your destination – being close to the destination relaxes you, which leads to tiredness.”

VTI

Explanation

“Where do the accidents occur? The most serious accidents occur outside of built-up areas, where the speed limits are higher.”

Du och jag i trafiken [You and me in traffic], 28th Edition, page 71

There is also a question regarding where the most accidents take place.

Explanation

“Environmental class 1 has been the predominant diesel fuel on the Swedish market since 1995: all diesel sold in regular petrol stations is environmental class 1.”

Swedish Transport Agency

Explanation

Normally overtaking is prohibited. “Two-wheeled vehicles without a sidecar may however be overtaken.” (Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance)

If the road is wide and visibility is good, it would not be safe or efficient if you were forced to break abruptly and drive at a snail’s pace behind the cyclist (and thus pass the hazardous railway crossing at a very low speed).

However, if the road is narrow and visibility is obstructed, you may not overtake according to other rules. But this question asks if it is generally prohibited, which it is not.

Explanation

Vehicle parking is prohibitedC35

Time indicationT6

“The panel indicates when the directions on the road sign applies. If times are used in combination with other conditions, the panel also indicates when these conditions apply.”

On Wednesdays, parking is prohibited 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., as the panel has an indication of “when the directions on the road sign applies.”

Explanation

”Skattevikt” = Taxable weight

”Tjänstevikt” = Unladen weight

“For private cars, the taxable weight is the same as the vehicle’s unladen weight.”

Swedish Transport Agency

Explanation

“The car will be very heavy to steer if the power steering breaks”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 136

The steering column is in most cases directly connected to the rack, which is in turn connected to the wheels.

Explanation

“The right-hand rule also applies when the paths of two vehicles meet [...] in a parking area”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 41

Explanation

Year Deaths

1960 1,036

1980 848

1990 772

2000 591

2019 223

Also note that there are significantly more cars in traffic today than there were in the 1960s.

Explanation

There is no exact answer for what the best way to change lanes is. The marked option is however recommended according to many.

Explanation

“There are guarded and unguarded pedestrian crossings. At guarded crossings, traffic is regulated by traffic signals or by a police officer.”

Swedish Transport Agency

Explanation

Restricted vehicle widthC16

“The sign indicates that traffic with vehicles over a certain width is prohibited. The greatest permitted width is indicated on the sign.”

Explanation

“Vision Zero constitutes the basis for the traffic safety work in Sweden. It was established through a parliamentary decision.”

Swedish Transport Administration

Explanation

“If [...] the vehicle’s width, including load, exceeds 260 centimetres, [...] the vehicle or a vehicle coupled to this may only be driven on a private road.”

Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance

Explanation

Sometimes you receive several messages simultaneously in traffic. You then must choose which to adhere to. This is the order you should follow:

1. Police signals
2. Traffic signals
3. Road signs
4. Rules (the right hand rule)

Police signals thus take priority over the stop sign and prohibition sign.

Explanation

“Consider that the tread depth should be at least 3 mm to provide good friction on a wet road.”

Swedish Transport Agency

The tread depth of a new tyre is around 8–9 mm. 2.7 mm is therefore rather shallow. In normal road conditions, a tyre with a 2.7 mm tread depth will not differ significantly from a new one, but in wet conditions, the risk of aquaplaning increases as the water is not pushed aside as well by the pattern of the tyre.

But the law only requires 1.6 mm?

– That is true, but this question is not asking about the smallest tread depth possible, but the recommended one. The grip deterioration happens gradually; it is not that a tyre with a tread depth of 1.61 mm is really good and one with 1.59 mm is really bad. They probably provide the same amount of grip, but the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Therefore:

• Should you change summer tyres if their tread depth is 2.7 mm? – Yes.
• Do you have to change summer tyres if their tread depth is 2.7 mm? – No.

Explanation

Maximum speed for light lorries: “The speed limit applicable to the road.” (Swedish Transport Agency)

Explanation

New cars use the fuel more efficiently. In 1975, a new car would consume 0.11 litres/km. A new car in 2010 only used 0.065 litres/km (Swedish Transport Administration).

Explanation

CPedestrian warningA14

Do not A and D also warn me of pedestrians?

– A is Pedestrian crossing ahead and D is Children. Indirectly, they can be said to warn you of pedestrians, but you should choose the best/”most correct” answer, which is C, as its literal meaning is Pedestrian warning.

APedestrian crossing aheadA13

DChildrenA15

Explanation

“The driver of a vehicle that is to be equipped with a warning triangle shall put out the triangle when the vehicle, as a result of an accident, engine failure or similar situation, has become stationary on the carriageway or hard shoulder where the maximum permitted speed is higher than 50 kilometres an hour and where the vehicle is not allowed to stop or park”

Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance

Since the car is allowed to stop and park at A, the requirement for a warning triangle does not apply.

Explanation

The reaction time depends solely on the human driver and has nothing to do with the properties of the car.

Explanation

“To indicate to you that the bus is going to stop, the bus driver turns on the flashing lights on the sign 100 metres before the bus stop.”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 37

Explanation

“Right of recourse is an entitlement to reclaim a disbursed amount or part thereof from the tortfeasor in certain situations.”

Trygg-Hansa

For example, if you have driven very recklessly and caused an accident.

Explanation

Oil and dirt from tyres has gathered on the road undisturbed by water. When the rain comes, the oil and dirt begins to wash away and may become slippery before it is gone. “It gets especially slippery on paving stone just as the rain starts to fall.” (Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 168).

Explanation

No U-turnC26

“This prohibition applies to the junction or similar location before or in which the sign is erected. The sign may relate to several junctions. In that case the distance is indicated on an additional panel. The symbol is specific to the conditions at the location.”

Explanation

“The vehicle may not be fitted with both studded and non-studded tyres.”

Swedish Transport Agency

The reason being that the car would act strangely or unpredictably if the grip varied greatly between different tyres.

Explanation

Reserved lane or carriageway for vehicles operating a regular service, etc.D10

“The sign also indicates that vehicles specified in Chapter 8, Section 2 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) are permitted to use the lane or carriageway, unless otherwise stated on an additional panel. If other vehicles are permitted to use the lane or carriageway, this is indicated through an additional panel.”

Time indicationT6

“The panel indicates when the directions on the road sign apply.”

“An additional panel underneath two or more road signs posted one on top of the other applies to all of these signs.”

Traffic Sign Ordinance

Explanation

Explanation

The windshield washer fluid is almost always blue and found in the largest container. For this reason, you can be fairly certain that B is the correct answer.

Explanation

Parking is prohibited 30 metres before and after, but not stopping. There is often a prohibition to overtake, but two-wheeled vehicles may be overtaken. In most cases, there is only an obligation to stop where there are no gates or signals, not otherwise.

Of course it is always possible to say that something “may” happen. However, in this case it is particularly important for you to be aware of the risk of the signal system being out of order.

Explanation

Review of the options:

• Repeatedly tap the brake pedal in order to activate the brake lights.
  – Not good, this is an aggressive behaviour that may cause an accident.
• Turn on the hazard warning lights.
  – Not good, creates confusion. The car behind will think that there is something wrong with your car and be even more eager to pass.
• Decrease the distance to the vehicle in front of you.
  – Not good, you decrease your margin of safety and increase the risk of a multiple collision.
• Increase the distance to the vehicle in front of you.
  – Good, you increase your margin of safety and decrease the risk of a multiple collision.
• Ignore the car behind and only focus on what is in front of me.
  – Not good, even if you cannot control other drivers, you must take their actions into account. In this case by increasing you margin of safety.

“Look behind you. If a vehicle is too close behind you in a que, you should increase the distance to the vehicle in front of you. Then you get a higher margin of safety.”

Trafikens grunder, page 171

Explanation

Review of the options:

• An exit from the right.
  – Seems reasonable given the short distance encompassed by the broken lines.
• A temporary overtaking zone.
  – Completely unreasonable. The area is hardly the length of a car, so how could you start and complete an overtaking manoeuvre in a few metres?
• A reversible lane.
  – Completely unreasonable. A reversible lane is longer than a few metres.

Explanation

Nationalencyklopedin: ”car sharing.”

Explanation

Whether you use a handsfree or not is of little importance: “It is not safe to be on your mobile even if you are using a handsfree device. It is more or less just as dangerous as holding the mobile in your hand.” (Swedish Transport Administration)

The reason being that the conversation itself is the disturbance. The fact that your hands are free helps with the mechanical side of driving, but it may also increase the risk because it gives you a false sense of security, which may make you spend more time talking on the phone.

Explanation

“Turn off your engine when waiting at stop lights, railway crossings and similar”

Folksam

The question implies that you will be waiting for a while (a long freight train that is also approaching slowly).

Explanation

“Mopeds class I [EU mopeds] may [...] not be driven on a motorway.”

Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance

Explanation

“A three-point seat belt reduces the risk of being severely injured in a collision by approximately 50 per cent.”

NTF

The three-point seat belt is by far the most common type of seat belt. The name refers to the belt’s three attachment points.

Explanation

“Always drive as straight as possible through a curve.”

Du och jag i trafiken [You and me in traffic], 28th Edition, page 182

This method reduces the risk of skidding (this risk increases when you turn the wheel sharply). However, remember not to pass into the oncoming lane if your visibility is limited!

Explanation

Restricted vehicle heightC17

“The sign indicates that traffic with vehicles over a certain height is prohibited if the free height is lower than 4.5 metres. The greatest permitted vehicle height is indicated on the sign.”

DistanceT2

“The panel indicates the distance to what the sign relates to.”

Should the correct answer not include 4.4 metres?

– No, not necessarily, it is forbidden to drive anything over 4.4 metres. In other words, it is forbidden to drive a vehicle over 5, 7, 10 (…) metres.

Explanation

No motorcycles or class I mopedsC5

A class I moped is an EU moped. A class II moped is classed more as a bicycle: “The traffic regulations for class II mopeds are the same as for bicycles. You shall therefore driver your class II moped on the cycle path.” (Swedish Transport Agency). As a result of this, class II mopeds are not subject to the prohibitory sign C5.

Explanation

AGive way lineM14

“This marking indicates the line that a vehicle should not pass when the driver is observing the obligation to give way.”

BSpeed bumpM17

“This marking indicates a speed bump, gutter or similar obstacle.”

CPreparatory information regarding the obligation to give way or to stopM18

“This marking indicates that there is an obligation to give way or to stop further down the road.”

DBicycle passage or bicycle crossingM16

Explanation

Total weight: “The sum of the vehicle’s unladen weight and the calculated weight of the largest number of passengers, not including the driver, and the greatest quantity of goods that the vehicle is equipped for.” (Road Traffic Definitions Act)

Explanation

Reaction formation: ”These people are unobtrusive and reserved in everyday life, but in other contexts […] they display another type of behavior with high risk taking.” (Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 187)

Explanation

“The speed affects how much we are able to perceive of what is to either side of the car. The faster we drive, the less we have time to see. In other words, we concentrate on a more narrow area.”

Du och jag i trafiken [You and me in traffic], 28th Edition, page 173

Explanation

“Checking the brakes […] Push down on the brake pedal with as much force as possible.”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 131

But could the brakes not break from too much pressure?

– They can, but it is better if they break while you are testing them standing still than when you need to brake suddenly to avoid an accident! A sound brake system should be able to handle any pressure a human being can create.

Explanation

There is generally a parking prohibition on priority roads. If there is a parking sign, however, it overrides this rule since signs take priority over rules (think of a junction; if a stop sign has been posted, it takes priority over the right-hand rule).

Explanation

On 20 May 2018, the old system with the last digit in the registration number was discontinued.

New inspection rules as of 20 May 2018:

• A new car must be inspected for the first time no later than 3 years (36 months) after the month when it was first used.
• The second inspection no later than 2 years (24 months) after the month when the first inspection was made.
• Then no later than 14 months after the month when the most recent inspection was made.

To simplify, a car older than 5 years must be inspected every year. It is recommended to schedule an inspection the same month every year and treat the 2 extra months as a margin of safety.

Please note that the last day for inspection is always the last day of the month. This is because you start counting the month after the most recent inspection.

Explanation

“It is a common misconception that a vehicle is automatically laid up if it is given a driving ban after missing a roadworthiness test, for example. That is not the case! A vehicle is never automatically laid up – you have to report it for deregistration with us yourself.”

Swedish Transport Agency

Explanation

Nationalencyklopedin: “friction […], resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.”

Review of the options:

• Smooth asphalt
  – Correct, the tyres will get a good grip since there is great resistance to the road surface = a lot of friction.
• Gravel
  – Wrong, the tyres will get a poor grip since there is little resistance to the road surface (the tyres slip on the gravel) = limited friction.
• Icy road conditions
  – Wrong, the tyres will get a poor grip since there is little resistance to the road surface (the tyres slip on the ice) = limited friction.
• Wet road conditions
  – Wrong, the tyres will get a poor grip since there is little resistance to the road surface (the tyres slip on the wet road) = limited friction.

Explanation

“The battery is not charging properly.”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 146

Explanation

Cyclists will often cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, which is what the question refers to. The function of the priority rules is irrelevant in this question.

Explanation

If, for example, you have a TV on the trailer weighing 30 kg, the straps (the cargo fastenings) must be able to withstand a pressure of at least 24 kg (30 * 0.8) to the front and 15 kg to the back (30 * 0.5). If this is not the case, the straps could snap when you brake hard.

Explanation

“When diverting traffic in connection to roadworks, it is common to use yellow road markings. These markings take priority over other markings.”

STR’s Vägmärken & vägmarkeringar [Road Signs & Markings], 6th Edition, page 30

The first alternative is true in the sense of a general statement, but not as the answer to this question. “Obstacle” refers to a crashed car or dropped cargo, not diversions that have been planned and carried out by road workers (which appears to be the case here).

Explanation

The problem is that the traffic signal appears to be not working (otherwise there would be some colour showing). It is then the road sign that applies. Stopping and waiting for the signal to start working may take several days!

The last option sounds good, but you are indirectly saying that you can drive out without stopping first, which is wrong.

Explanation

AGuide lineM4

“The marking indicates the appropriate route for traffic in complicated junctions. The marking is also used in other cases where there is a need for guidance. The marking has a distance ratio of 1:1 between the dashes and spaces.”

BSolid lineM8

“A solid line indicates that the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 11 or Section 12, paragraph 3 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276), or provisions stipulated pursuant to that ordinance apply. A solid centre line can appear in both single and double form. In case of a double solid line, the distance between the lines may vary.”

CLine for vehicles operating a regular service, etc.M6

“The marking indicates the boundary between a lane for vehicles operating a regular service, etc. and another lane. The marking has a distance ratio of 1:1 between the dashes and spaces.”

DWarning lineM3

“A warning line is used to indicate that it is inappropriate to cross over it due to the traffic conditions. The marking indicates the boundary between lanes intended for travel in opposite directions. The marking has a distance ratio of 3:1 between the dashes and spaces.”

Explanation

A pedestrian crossing shall be crossed “without undue delay”. (Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance)

Examples of how this should be interpreted:

• A young and healthy person clears the pedestrian crossing in 10 seconds.
  – “Undue delay”, as the person could cross much faster.
• An elderly person with a cane clears the pedestrian crossing in 10 seconds.
  – No “undue delay”, as the person is unable to walk any faster.

Explanation

“Underneath the red lights, there may be another circular light which emanates a flashing white light in order to make the crossing more visible.”

Traffic Sign Ordinance

Explanation

“Drivers who are clearing a passage shall stop if necessary.”

Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance

This means that if it is not necessary to stop, you do not have to.

Explanation

World heritageI4

“The sign indicates world heritage as decided by UNESCO. The sign may be incorporated in a location sign for direction.”

Explanation

“In the dark it is difficult to identify obstructions along the roadside, therefore you should position your car at a safe distance from the side of the road.”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 79

Explanation

“If an animal of the species bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx, moose, deer, row deer, otter, wild boar, mouflon or eagle has been involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, the driver of that vehicle is obligated to promptly mark the site of the accident and notify the local police.”

Swedish Game Ordinance

Explanation

“We also conduct an environmental check [...] When we check petrol cars, we measure the levels of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons at idle speed, as well as the carbon monoxide level and lambda value during elevated idle speed.”

Bilprovningen

Explanation

There are no clear rules stating exactly what you can and cannot do in this situation. However, there are strong indications that it was appropriate to pass the cyclist:

• Cyclists may always be overtaken in junctions. “Two-wheeled vehicles without a sidecar may [...] be overtaken.” (Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance).
• It looks like there are wide enough margins to pass safely.
• The alternative would be to drive at a snail’s pace behind the bicycle, which would disrupt the rhythm of the traffic. The motorists would become stressed and the cyclist would become stressed in a negative way = increased risk of accidents.

But is a roundabout really a “junction”?

– There is no clear answer to this. “The term ‘junction’ is not defined [...] but classifying a roundabout as a junction is not ruled out.” (Supreme Court). When there are no clear rules, it is appropriate to refer to rules for similar situations. Overtaking in a junction and overtaking in a roundabout can be viewed as similar situations.

Explanation

Tourist routeI1

“The sign indicates a road or stretch of road that is of interest to tourists. The sign may be incorporated in a location sign for direction.”

National heritageH22

“The sign indicates heritage of national interest. The nature of the national heritage is indicated adjacent to the sign.”

Explanation

“A vehicle may not be driven by a person who, due to illness, fatigue, intoxication by alcohol, other stimulants or sedatives, or for other reasons is incapable of driving the vehicle in a safe manner.” (Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance). The broken arm can be considered one of the “other reasons”

The doctor can give a recommendation but you alone are responsible for making the final judgement.

Explanation

“When travelling by road, the driver of a two-wheeled motorcycle may not allow the motorcycle to be towed or propelled by another vehicle”

Swedish Road Traffic Ordinance

It would not be safe since a two-wheeled vehicle is unsteady and sensitive to jolts, bumps and speed variations.

Explanation

Direction to be followedD1

“The signs indicate that the vehicle may only be driven in the direction of the arrow or, in the case of two arrows, in either arrow’s direction. The symbol is adapted to the conditions of the location.”

Therefore, you may not turn right directly in the junction, which rules out the first two options.

Explanation

With a regular category B licence, you are only allowed to tow a light trailer. The following counts as a light trailer:

• Trailer with a maximum total weight of 750 kg.

or

• Trailer where the maximum total weight for car + trailer is 3.5 tonnes.

Does the combined total weight exceed 3.5 tonnes?

2000 kg + 1400 kg = 3400 kg = Under 3.5 tonnes

Explanation

“An ‘LGF’ sign […] means that the vehicle is constructed for a maximum speed of 30, 40 or 45 km/h”

Driving Licence Book, 19th Edition, page 89

LGF = Långsamtgående fordon (SMV = slow-moving vehicle)