Alertness: Observation, Distraction & Tiredness

What does the Alertness topic test in the theory test?

Alertness questions check whether you notice what is happening around you early enough to act safely. Expect questions on mirror and blind-spot checks, the Mirrors–Signal–Manoeuvre routine, phones and sat navs, dazzle and poor visibility, and tiredness. Most answers trace back to Highway Code rules 90 to 94, 148 to 150 and 159 to 161.

The theme running through every question is simple: your eyes and attention belong on the road. When an option lets you look away, rush, or carry on while impaired, it is almost always the wrong one.

Why should you check your mirrors before signalling?

You check your mirrors first so you know the position and speed of traffic behind and beside you before you signal or change speed or direction. Rule 161 sets out the Mirrors–Signal–Manoeuvre routine and warns that mirrors do not cover everything, so a look round into the blind spot is still needed.

Where the Highway Code asks for extra checks:

• Moving off (rule 159): use all mirrors, look round to check the blind spots, signal if necessary, then take a final look round before pulling away.
• Changing lanes (rule 133): use your mirrors and, if necessary, take a quick sideways glance so you do not force anyone to change course or speed.
• Overtaking on a motorway (rule 267): a sideways glance confirms where a vehicle has gone if it disappears from your mirror.

Alertness also means reading other people’s signals with suspicion. Rule 104 reminds you that an indicator may not have been cancelled, and rule 170 says never assume a vehicle signalling left will actually turn. Rule 211 adds that motorcyclists and cyclists are easy to miss, especially when filtering or coming up from behind.

When can you use a mobile phone while driving?

You must not hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any similar device while driving, even when stopped at lights or queuing in traffic. The main exception is calling 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. The Highway Code covers this in rule 149.

GOV.UK sets the penalty at 6 penalty points and a £200 fine. New drivers lose their licence, because 6 points within two years of passing triggers revocation. A court can also ban you and fine you up to £1,000. Separately, you can get 3 points for not having a full view of the road or proper control of the vehicle.

How should you deal with sat navs and other in-car distractions?

Set up your sat nav before you set off, and if you need to change it, find a safe place to stop first. Rule 150 says you must stay in proper control and not be distracted by maps or screen-based information, while rule 148 lists other distractions, including loud music, eating, drinking and arguing with passengers.

A mounted sat nav counts as hands-free, but GOV.UK says it must not block your view of the road. Rule 150 also covers driver assistance systems such as motorway assist and lane departure warnings: they are there to help, but you remain responsible for the vehicle and must not let your concentration drop.

Passengers matter too. The safety code for new drivers in Annex 8 tells you not to let passengers distract you or encourage you to take risks.

How long should you rest on a long drive?

The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Rule 91 also tells you not to start a journey tired, to avoid long journeys between midnight and 6 am, and to stop somewhere safe if you feel sleepy, which never means a motorway hard shoulder or emergency area.

On a motorway, rule 262 points you to service areas, or to rest facilities reached from an exit, because the monotony of high-speed roads makes drowsiness more likely. Rule 237 says to keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness, but fresh air only helps you reach a safe stopping place. It does not replace a proper rest.

What should you do if you are dazzled or cannot see clearly?

Slow down, and stop if necessary, whenever bright sunlight or oncoming headlights dazzle you, as rules 93 and 115 advise. At night or in poor visibility, rule 94 says not to wear tinted glasses, lenses or visors that restrict your vision, and Annex 6 requires windscreens and windows to be kept clean.

Related vision rules that turn up in this topic:

• Eyesight standard (rule 92): you must be able to read a number plate in good daylight from 20 metres. If you need glasses or contact lenses to do that, you must wear them every time you drive.
• Snow and ice (rule 229): clear all snow and ice from every window before you set off.
• Overtaking at night (rule 163): take extra care, because speed and distance are harder to judge.

What mistakes do learners make on alertness questions?

Most wrong answers in this topic sound reasonable because they save time or feel polite. The traps below come up again and again, so learn why each one fails rather than memorising the right option. In almost every case, the correct answer keeps your attention on the road and your vehicle fully under control.

• Resting on the hard shoulder. Rule 91 rules it out. Leave at the next exit or services instead.
• Treating a red light as “parked”. You are still driving, so hand-held use is banned.
• Assuming hands-free means safe. It can be legal and still distracting. Rule 149 says the safest choice is not to use a phone at all while driving.
• Relying on mirrors alone. Blind spots can hide a whole car or motorcycle.
• Trusting an indicator. It may have been left on by mistake.
• Winding the window down and carrying on. Fresh air is a stopgap, not a cure for tiredness.

Where should you go next?

Test yourself with the Alertness practice test, then move on to the closely linked Hazard Awareness and Attitude topics. To practise spotting hazards on video, go to our hazard perception guide. When you are ready, sit a full mock theory test or browse all 14 theory test topics.