Northern General Directorate of Traffic - Bahrain Safe Driving Practice Test

Q: How many questions is the Northern General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle theory test?

The official General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle theory test in Northern has 35 questions and you need 26 correct (75%) to pass. This practice test has 22 questions.

Q: Is this the real exam?

These are original practice questions to help you revise. They are not the official Bahrain exam and the real question bank, format, fees and pass mark are set by the General Directorate of Traffic (Ministry of Interior), and can change. Always confirm the current requirements with your driving school or the traffic department.

Q: Is this practice test free?

Yes. It is completely free, with no signup or payment, and you can retake it as many times as you like.

Q: What does the Northern light vehicle theory test cover?

Road signs, traffic signals, right of way, roundabouts, speed limits, seat belts, penalties and safe-driving rules, plus the handling and safety topics specific to your vehicle.

Question 1

In dense fog with visibility below 50 metres, you should increase your following distance to at least what time gap?

Accepted Answer

At least 6 to 8 seconds, or more. When visibility is severely restricted by fog, you should be driving slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see. Your following distance must be extended considerably, to 6 seconds or more, because both your own vision and the visibility of your brake lights to following drivers are dramatically reduced. Drive no faster than a speed at which you can stop within your field of vision. Confirm recommendations with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

The standard 2 to 3 seconds is sufficient because you are driving slowly

Answer

4 seconds is always adequate regardless of visibility

Answer

Following distance is irrelevant in fog because you should stop

Question 2

Which of the following factors increases a driver's reaction time?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue, alcohol, certain medications, and distraction. Reaction time is the delay between perceiving a hazard and beginning to respond. It is increased by fatigue, alcohol or drug impairment, distraction (such as phone use or loud conversation), certain medications, and illness. A longer reaction time means more distance covered before braking begins, significantly increasing total stopping distance.

Answer

Listening to calm music through the vehicle's stereo system

Answer

Wearing prescription glasses while driving

Answer

Driving a newer vehicle with electronic stability control

Question 3

At 60 km/h on a dry road, which figure best approximates total stopping distance for an alert driver?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 35 to 45 metres. At 60 km/h an alert driver's thinking distance is roughly 15 to 18 metres (at average reaction time), and braking distance on a dry road is approximately 20 to 25 metres, giving a total of around 35 to 45 metres. This figure increases significantly with higher speed, wet roads, worn tyres, or a slower reaction time. Always confirm guidance with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

Less than 10 metres

Answer

Approximately 100 metres

Answer

Total stopping distance depends only on tyre brand, not speed

Question 4

Why should you NOT use high-beam (full-beam) headlights when driving in fog?

Accepted Answer

The light reflects off the fog particles and creates glare that reduces your own visibility. Fog is composed of tiny water droplets that scatter and reflect light. High-beam headlights project light at a shallow upward angle which hits the fog droplets directly in front of you and bounces back, creating a bright white wall of reflected light. Low beams aim downward and reduce this reflection effect, giving you a better view of the road surface.

Answer

High beams drain the battery faster than low beams

Answer

High beams are reserved for rural roads and are illegal in city fog

Answer

High beams have the same effect as low beams in foggy conditions

Question 5

When should rear fog lights be switched off after driving through fog?

Accepted Answer

As soon as visibility improves sufficiently so the lights no longer dazzle following drivers. Rear fog lights are much brighter than standard tail lights and help drivers behind see you in dense fog. However, once visibility improves, leaving them on is dangerous because they dazzle following drivers and can mask your actual brake lights, removing a key warning signal. Switch them off when they are no longer needed.

Answer

Only when you have completely left the foggy area and reached your destination

Answer

Rear fog lights should remain on whenever headlights are in use

Answer

They switch off automatically when visibility improves

Question 6

At what age or weight threshold should a child transition from a rear-facing to a forward-facing child seat?

Accepted Answer

When the child exceeds the maximum weight or height for the rear-facing seat, as specified by the seat manufacturer. Rear-facing seats are generally the safest position for young children because they spread crash forces across the whole back, shoulders, and head. Children should remain in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, up to the maximum weight or height limit of that seat. Confirm Bahrain's specific legal requirements with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

At exactly 12 months of age regardless of the child's size

Answer

When the child can walk unaided

Answer

Rear-facing seats are only needed for newborns and can be removed after leaving hospital

Question 7

Why does wearing a seat belt remain essential even in vehicles fitted with airbags?

Accepted Answer

Airbags are designed to work alongside seat belts, not as a replacement; an unbelted occupant can be fatally injured by a deploying airbag. Airbags deploy at extremely high speed (up to 300 km/h) and are designed to cushion a belted occupant who is held in position by the seat belt. An unbelted occupant slides forward before the airbag inflates and is then struck by the deploying airbag at full force, which can cause severe head and chest injuries. Seat belt and airbag work as a system.

Answer

Airbags alone provide complete protection; seat belts are a backup for older vehicles

Answer

Seat belts only matter in rear-end collisions; airbags cover all other crash types

Answer

Modern airbags detect whether a seat belt is worn and do not deploy unless the belt is off

Question 8

What is the generally recommended minimum tyre tread depth, and why does tread depth matter in wet conditions?

Accepted Answer

1.6 mm is a common minimum; tread channels water away from under the tyre to maintain contact with the road. Most countries set 1.6 mm as the legal minimum tread depth, though many safety experts recommend replacing tyres well before this point. Tread grooves are channels that expel water from under the tyre contact patch. Below the minimum, the tyre cannot move water fast enough at speed, dramatically increasing the risk of aquaplaning. In Bahrain, where occasional heavy rain hits hot roads, adequate tread is crucial. Confirm the legal minimum with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

5 mm is the minimum; tread is only important in snowy conditions

Answer

There is no minimum; modern tyre compounds provide grip even with zero tread

Answer

0.5 mm is sufficient; tread depth only affects tyre noise

Question 9

Before a long journey in Bahrain's summer heat, which tyre check is most important?

Accepted Answer

Check tyre pressure when cold, inspect tread for wear, and look for sidewall cracks or bulges. Before any journey, especially a long one in extreme heat, check tyre pressures when cold (use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure, not the maximum marked on the tyre), inspect for adequate tread depth, and look for sidewall damage, bulges, or embedded objects. Under-inflated tyres in heat can overheat and fail. Over-inflated tyres reduce the contact patch and handling.

Answer

Inflate tyres to maximum possible pressure to handle the heat expansion

Answer

Reduce tyre pressure slightly to give a larger contact patch in hot conditions

Answer

Tyres only need checking before motorway journeys, not city driving

Question 10

In which of the following locations is overtaking generally forbidden?

Accepted Answer

At intersections, pedestrian crossings, and where there are solid white centre lines forbidding crossing. Overtaking is prohibited at intersections, pedestrian crossings, on bends or hilltops where visibility is limited, and wherever a solid white centre line indicates no crossing. These locations have increased risk of encountering oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. Always confirm prohibited overtaking zones under Bahrain's traffic law with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

Only on two-lane roads outside of cities

Answer

Only when the road is wet

Answer

Overtaking is only forbidden at night

Question 11

On a Bahrain expressway with a speed limit of 120 km/h, what following distance in time is safest?

Accepted Answer

At least 3 seconds in dry conditions, increasing to 6 or more seconds in rain or poor visibility. At 120 km/h your vehicle travels approximately 33 metres per second. A 3-second gap gives around 100 metres of space in dry conditions. In rain, darkness, or reduced visibility this must increase to at least 6 seconds to give adequate time to perceive and react to a hazard ahead. Always confirm minimum legal distances with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Answer

One second per 10 km/h of speed (12 seconds at 120 km/h) is required by law

Answer

A fixed gap of 50 metres regardless of speed

Answer

The 2-second rule only applies in cities; there is no rule on expressways

Question 12

A vehicle travelling at 100 km/h has how much more kinetic energy than the same vehicle travelling at 50 km/h?

Accepted Answer

Four times as much kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of speed. Doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h quadruples the kinetic energy that must be absorbed in a crash or dissipated by braking. This is why crashes at high speed cause vastly more damage and injury than identical crashes at lower speeds, and why even small speed reductions have a large safety benefit.

Answer

Twice as much kinetic energy

Answer

Ten times as much kinetic energy

Answer

The same kinetic energy, because it is the same vehicle

Question 13

During an ABS-assisted emergency stop, what physical sensation should the driver expect from the brake pedal?

Accepted Answer

A rapid pulsing or vibration under the foot as the system modulates brake pressure. ABS rapidly applies and releases brake pressure dozens of times per second, preventing wheel lock. This modulation is felt as a pulsing or buzzing vibration through the brake pedal. Many drivers who have never experienced ABS before are startled and mistakenly release the pedal. It is important to maintain firm pedal pressure and keep steering toward safety until the vehicle stops.

Answer

The pedal going completely to the floor with no resistance

Answer

The pedal becoming very stiff and hard to press

Answer

No unusual sensation; ABS operates silently with no pedal feedback

Question 14

A noisy argument among passengers significantly affects driving because it:

Accepted Answer

Diverts mental attention from the road and can cause the driver to miss hazards. Cognitive distraction, including emotionally charged conversations or arguments, reduces the mental resources available for driving. Research shows that emotionally disturbing conversations impair hazard detection even when the driver's eyes remain on the road. If a situation in the vehicle becomes distracting, pull over safely before addressing it.

Answer

Only affects driving if the driver participates in the argument

Answer

Has no measurable effect on driving performance in research studies

Answer

Is only dangerous at night when the driver needs to concentrate more

Question 15

Research compares drowsy driving to which other well-known impairment in terms of reaction time and crash risk?

Accepted Answer

Driving at the legal alcohol limit. Studies have found that 18 to 24 hours without sleep produces driving impairment comparable to a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal driving limit in many countries. Drowsy driving affects reaction time, decision-making, lane keeping, and hazard perception. The only effective solution is sleep; caffeine provides only a short-term and incomplete benefit.

Answer

Driving with a minor headache

Answer

Driving while listening to a podcast through headphones

Answer

Driving with slightly low tyre pressure

Question 16

At a crash scene in Bahrain, a person is unconscious but breathing normally. What position should you place them in while waiting for emergency services?

Accepted Answer

The recovery position (on their side) to keep the airway open, unless a spinal injury is suspected. An unconscious person breathing normally should be placed in the recovery position (on their side) to prevent the tongue or vomit from blocking the airway. However, if a spinal injury is suspected (for example after a high-speed crash or fall), do not move the person unless there is an immediate life threat such as fire. Call 999 and follow dispatcher guidance.

Answer

Flat on their back with their legs elevated

Answer

Seated upright against the vehicle to keep them comfortable

Answer

Do not move them under any circumstances; wait for paramedics

Question 17

Your vehicle breaks down on a road at night. What is the first thing you should do once you have stopped safely?

Accepted Answer

Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately. Once stationary in a safe position, activate hazard warning lights immediately to alert other road users to your presence. This is especially important at night or in poor visibility. Then place your warning triangle, if you have one, before calling for assistance. Never stand on the road side of the vehicle if live traffic is passing.

Answer

Call your insurance company before doing anything else

Answer

Get out and inspect the engine to diagnose the problem

Answer

Wait for another driver to notice and stop to help

Question 18

You are transporting bags of sand on the roof rack of your SUV. What is the key risk of a roof-mounted load?

Accepted Answer

It raises the vehicle's centre of gravity, increasing the risk of rollover during sharp turns or sudden swerves. Any load placed on the roof raises the vehicle's centre of gravity. A higher centre of gravity makes the vehicle more prone to rolling over during sudden steering movements, emergency swerves, or when taking bends at speed. The load must also be securely strapped down in case of sudden braking, as a loose roof load can slide forward and become a projectile.

Answer

A roof load only affects the vehicle's aerodynamics and fuel economy

Answer

The main risk is that roof loads reduce ground clearance

Answer

Roof loads have no effect on handling if they are evenly distributed

Question 19

What is the correct sequence of checks before changing lanes?

Accepted Answer

Signal, check interior mirror, check door mirror, glance over the appropriate shoulder for the blind spot, then move. The safe lane-change sequence is: signal your intention first so other drivers are warned, check the interior mirror, check the relevant door mirror, then perform a shoulder check to cover the blind spot. Only after confirming it is clear should you move into the new lane. Checking mirrors first without signalling means other drivers have no warning of your intended move.

Answer

Move into the gap, then check mirrors to see if it is clear

Answer

Sound the horn to warn other drivers, then move

Answer

Check the interior mirror only, then signal and move

Question 20

The head restraint (headrest) in your vehicle should be positioned so that:

Accepted Answer

The top of the restraint is level with the top of your head or above, and the restraint is close to the back of your head. A head restraint is a whiplash protection device, not just a comfort feature. It must be positioned so the top is at or above the top of your head, and ideally within a few centimetres of the back of your head. If it sits too low (at neck level) or too far away, it will not prevent the violent rearward snapping of the head in a rear-end collision and may even worsen the injury.

Answer

It rests comfortably at the back of your neck for maximum support

Answer

The restraint is as far from your head as possible to avoid discomfort

Answer

Headrest position does not affect crash protection

Question 21

It is raining heavily in Bahrain. Compared to a dry road, how should you adjust your following distance?

Accepted Answer

At least double the dry-weather following distance, to a minimum of 4 to 6 seconds. Wet roads significantly reduce tyre grip and increase braking distances. In heavy rain, vision is also reduced by spray, rain on the windscreen, and steamed glass. Doubling your following distance to at least 4 to 6 seconds compensates for the longer stopping distance and reduced reaction time. Moving closer to see another vehicle's brake lights removes all your safety margin.

Answer

Reduce speed by 10 km/h but keep the same following distance

Answer

No change is needed if your tyres are in good condition

Answer

Move closer to the vehicle ahead so you can see their brake lights through the spray

Question 22

At night in Bahrain, a pedestrian dressed in dark clothing is walking along an unlit road. At what approximate distance can most drivers first see such a pedestrian using low-beam headlights?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 30 to 50 metres, which at 80 km/h leaves very little time to react and stop. Dark-clothed pedestrians on unlit roads are extremely hard to see at night. Low-beam headlights typically illuminate only 40 to 60 metres ahead clearly. At 80 km/h a vehicle covers roughly 22 metres per second, meaning a driver has only 1.5 to 2 seconds from first seeing the pedestrian to a potential collision. Reducing speed on unlit roads at night is critical.

Answer

At least 200 metres, the same as in daylight

Answer

Headlights illuminate the road uniformly regardless of clothing colour

Answer

Around 150 metres, leaving comfortable stopping time at normal speeds

Northern General Directorate of Traffic - Bahrain Safe Driving Practice Test

Northern General Directorate of Traffic - Bahrain Safe Driving Practice Test

What this test covers

Frequently asked questions