MOST EXAMINED GENERAL QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1. Who is a driver?
• This is a person who has undergone training on how to handle a motor vehicle on the road
without causing accidents or collisions. He/she must have a valid driving license.

2. Define driving
• This is an act of handling a motor vehicle on the road without causing accidents or collisions.

3. Define the following terms

• M.T. B M
–Model T
–Town B
–Board
A simple representation of all road networks in East Africa (Kenya) on a board

• NTSA N-
National
T -Transport & S –
Safety
A –Authority

• PDL
P - Provisional D –
Driving
L –License

• DL
D –Driving L –
License

• MS
M –Mechanical S –
Signals

• IDL
I –Interim D –
Driving L –
License
 • TIMS account
T –Transport
I –Integrated
M –Management S –
System

Clutch riding
• This is driving for a long distance with the clutch pressed in. (at this time, the vehicle is at
neutral gear)

Creeping
• This is the movement of a vehicle without the driver's knowledge and it mostly occurs when
a vehicle is parked on a slope and the handbrake is not working.

• KENHA KE
–Kenya N –
National H –
Highways A
–Authority

• MSM technique
This is the technique used by drivers on highways M –
Mirrors
S –Signal
M –maneuvers

Roundabout
• This is a circular junction where the traffic moves from different directions to
different destinations without causing accidents/collisions.

Junction
• A section of road where more than two roads meet going to different destinations.

Skidding
• This is moving a vehicle without its wheels rotating.

Cat eyes
• These are small reflectors with power at the middle or road to show the width of a lane at
night.

Chevrons
• These are two metallic reflectors found in every commercial vehicle/gates to show
their width.

Coasting/freewheeling
• This is driving a vehicle for a long distance with one gear.
• This happens when vehicles are at high speeds.
 • Remember that this is not freewheeling as people say.

• Freewheeling is driving of a vehicle without any gear (at neutral)

Life savers
• These are two metallic reflectors with stands carried by drivers in their vehicles and are
used when vehicles develop mechanical problems or during accidents.
• They are placed 50 to 70m behind and in front of disabled vehicles along two-way traffic and
100m from each, behind disabled vehicles on one-way traffic roads.

Hazard sign.
• This is a sign with an exclamation mark or a black dot to show a black spot area.

Caravan.
• This is a vehicle without an engine pulled by other vehicles and are used for
accommodation i.e. Hearse vehicles and dog vehicles by security companies.

4. Write 10 causes of accidents

• Over–speeding
• Overtaking
• Overloading
• Poor roads
• Bad weather
• Use of drugs either prescribed or otherwise
• Driving of non -roadworthy vehicles
• Careless driving
• Ignorance of traffic signs and rules
• Level of emotions i.e. stress

5. Write 15 features of M.T. B

• Roundabout
• One-way traffic
• Two-way traffic/ single carriage traffic
• Dual carriageway
• Parking
• Give way sign
• Green field
• Pedestrian crossing
• Yellow kerbs
• Central reserve/ pavement
• Central line
• U turn
• Entry to the parking
• Exit from main road markings i.e. arrows
• Stop sign
• Junction

6. Write down rules of a yellow kerb

• No stopping
• No waiting
• No parking

7. Write Rules of a roundabout

• No stopping
• No waiting
• No parking
• No changing lanes/overtaking

8. Write rules of MTB

• Use the shortest and most correct route without using parking
• Use the longest and most correct route without using parking
• Use parking as the last option, (if there is no any other route possible)

9. Write 5 mistakes made at the roundabout

• Approaching roundabout in the wrong lane
• Wrong observation of traffic lights
• Exiting roundabout in the wrong lane
• Stopping at the roundabout
• Changing lane at the roundabout

10. Describe halt sign

• This is the red octagon red sign with white letters "STOP" Halt Sign is the other name
for stop sign.

11. Describe yield sign

• This is a red triangular sign with the apex facing downwards. It's the other name for a
give way sign.

12. What is one-way traffic

• This is a type of road where the traffic moves in the same direction.

13. What is single carriage traffic

• This is a road with a single lane per side where the traffic moves in the opposite direction.
It's also called the two-way traffic.

14. What is dual carriage traffic

• A road with two lanes per side, moving in opposite direction

15. What is parking

• A place set aside by the government or individuals where the vehicles are placed stationary.
 16. What is pedestrian crossing
• A place set aside by the government for pedestrians to cross the road safely.

17. What is the green field along the road made for?
• Green field is made for the future expansion

18. 2nd option of 3rd lane major road exits to 2nd lane. Why?
• Because we add an imaginary lane to the minor road only when driving from major to
minor road so as to balance the lanes.

19. What is a lane?

• A path that vehicles follow

20. Give 3 parts of a roundabout

• Spaces (1,2 and 3)
• The innermost lane (lane 4)
• The traffic island

21. What is the function of the traffic island?

• It is to regulate the movement of traffic at the roundabout from different directions
to different destinations clockwise.

22. Give 5 rules of parallel parking

• Park from the furthest end
• Park all types of vehicles except trailers and tractors
• Park at an angle of 90°
• Park by reversing exit by forwarding
• Park at your own risk

23. Give 4 rules of ample parking

• Park from the furthest end
• Park saloon vehicles only.
• Park at an angle of 45°
• Park by forward exit by reversing

24. Where do we park trailers and tractors?

• At the green field along two-way traffic

25. What is the speed of the following vehicles on the highway?

• Tractors - 45kph
• Pickups - 80kph
• Nissan - 80kph
• Saloon vehicle - 110kph
• Bus - 80kph
• Lorry - 80kph
• Trailers - 65kph
 26. Name 3 groups of traffic signs
• Regulatory signs
• Warning Signs
• Informatory sign

27. Which signs are circled?

• Regulatory signs

28. Which sign are blue circled

• Compulsory signs

29. Which term do we use for the circled red signs

• No entry

30. What are the major traffic signs in Tanzania?

• Stop sign
• Give way sign

31. Name three types of hooting

• Once - warning
• Twice - greeting
• Thrice - Abusive

32. Explain warning signs

• They are red triangle signs

33. Informatory signs are divided into 3 main groups. Name them.
• Route informatory signs
• Cautionary signs
• Public facility signs

34. What is the starting a vehicle procedure?

• After switching on the vehicle:
• Fasten your belt
• Adjust your sit if you are not comfortable
• clutch completely in
• Put the starting gear No.1
• Pull the handbrake down
• Indicate on the direction you want to take while checking on the mirror if the road is clear.
• Press the accelerator slowly and gradually
• Release the clutch slowly and gradually

35. How do we shift gears?

• We shift the gears when the clutch is completely pressed in
 36. What is the stopping procedure?
• We slow down gradually by pressing in the clutch first then followed by brake pedal
• We indicate to the direction we want to stop
• We check mirrors to see the oncoming traffic
• We stop with clutch and brake (on manual engines)
• We shift to neutral gear
• We put the handbrake on
• We switch off the ignition and get out of the vehicle with the key in our hands.

37. What is the function of a steering wheel?

• This is used to change direction of the vehicle or maintain the one we are driving.

38. What is the function of accelerator?

• This is to make the vehicle move faster

39. What is a gear

• This is machinery that makes vehicles move at different speeds.

40. What is the rule of roads in Kenya?

• Always keep left unless overtaking.

41. Which side do we overtake from?

• Right side

42. When do we overtake from the left?

• When instructed by a police officer in uniform.
• When on a highway with cars moving in the same direction.
• When the vehicle in front is turning right and there is space on the left.
• On a highway where traffic is going in the same direction.
• When there is an accident and the only place you can overtake is on the left.

43. Where/when are we not allowed to overtake?

• At a junction.
• When approaching a railway crossing.
• At a sharp bend.
• Where the road is narrow.
• When approaching a pedestrian crossing.
• When approaching a bridge.
• When approaching the brow of a hill.
• When a road is marked single or double continuous lines in the center of the road.

44. When is one required to stop by law?

• At STOP signs.
• When a traffic light shows red.
• At an accident spots.
• When signaled by a school warden.
• When a pedestrian is crossing at a pedestrian crossing.
• When signaled by a uniformed police officer

45. When is one allowed to dim light at night?

• When meeting /approaching an oncoming traffic/vehicle from the opposite direction.
• When driving close behind another vehicle.
• Driving in a street area with light.
• When meeting oncoming pedestrians.

46. Where are we not allowed to park

• On a bridge.
• On or near a roundabout
• On a bend.
• Below a hill.
• On or near a junction or crossroad.
• On or near a pedestrian crossing.
• On or near a railway crossing.
• On or near a bus stop.
• In the middle of the road.
• On entrance used by other vehicles.
• At a No parking, No stopping, No waiting sign.

47. Where should we not stop?

• On a roundabout.
• On a railway crossing.
• On a pedestrian crossing.
• On a brow of a hill.

48. What is the speed limit in populated areas?

• 50km/h

49. Name vehicles that deserve right of way on the road.

• Presidential escorts.
• Ambulances.
• Police on emergencies.
• Fire brigade.

50. Name 4 documents that one should have when driving.

• A valid driving license.
• A valid road license.
• A valid inspection certificate.
• A valid insurance certificate.
 51. How many legs does a saloon car have?
• Vehicles don't have legs but wheels

52. How many eyes does the driver have?

• Three eyes. His/her two natural plus mirrors which is driver's 3rd eye

53. How many vehicles does a driver drive?

• Three. His, the front and behind vehicle

54. Name 5 tools a driver should have when driving?

• Jack.
• Wheel spanner.
• Spare wheel.
• Lifesaver and torch in case of darkness.

55. What should you not do when being overtaken?

• Accelerate

56. When do we dim the lights at night?

• At a well-lit area.
• When another driver is approaching.
• When approaching oncoming pedestrians.
• When following another vehicle closely.

57. Why do we look right twice when approaching a junction?

• Because it's where the accident is likely to occur most from

58. When do we drive with lights on during the day?

• When the weather is foggy
• When the weather is misty
• When its dusty
• During heavy rainfall

59. At what time do we switch lights of a vehicle in the evening?

• Between 6:45 in the evening and 6:45 in the morning depending with the weather

60. When is one not allowed to drive?

• When drunk
• When sick.
• When on medication.
• When the driving license expires.
• When ordered by the court of law

61. How do we park a vehicle on a hill?

• We park by forward gear
 62. Which is the strongest gear in a vehicle?
• Reverse gear because it can travel for a long distance without engaging any other gear

63. What should you do in case of an accident

• Stop/ run to police station

64. Name places you are not allowed to hoot?

• At pedestrian crossing
• Where no hooting sign is designated
• Near hospitals
• Near army barracks
• Near government offices
• Near religious buildings
• Near schools
• Near police
• Near game parks
• Near embassies

65. Which is the lowest gear in a vehicle? Where do we use it?

• Its number 2 in a saloon vehicle Its
• Used in a slow moving traffic
• It's used on a bump
• Used to start Lorries and buses

66. What distance do we place lifesavers on single carriage and one-way traffic? Explain.
• Life savers are placed 50m to 70m behind and in front a disabled vehicle on single
carriage roads and 100m from each on a one-way traffic road behind disabled vehicles.

67. When do we use mirrors when driving?

• When stopping
• When we start moving a vehicle
• When changing lanes
• When overtaking
• When reversing

68. How many lights does a saloon car have? Name them.
8 lights
• Full lights
• Dim lights.
• Parking lights.
• Brake lights.
• Number plate lights.
• Indicator lights.
• Lights.
• Fog lights
• Reverse Interior lights
• Fog lights

69. Green colour on the traffic light means, go except when?

• There is oncoming traffic
• You are stopped by a police officer in uniform.

70. Name people with right of way

• Pedestrians
• Disabled
• Children
• Elderly
• Expectant mothers
• Drunk pedestrians
• Mentally impaired

71. What should one not do when being overtaken?

• Accelerate

72. What should you do when another vehicle overtakes you at night?
• Stop accelerating

73. What is the meaning of a yellow continuous or broken line down the road?
• Yellow continuous line means that one can’t overtake and yellow broken line means we
can overtake when the road is clear only.

74. What is the meaning of white continuous or broken line down the road?
• White continuous line means one is not allowed to change lane while white broken line
allows us to change lane towards the direction of one's choice only when it’s safe to do
so.

75. State 5 ways to keep your vehicle road worthy

• Wheels
• Steering wheel
• Mirrors Brakes
• Lights

76. Within what period should an accident be reported at a police station?

• Immediately or within 24 hours

77. Name the signs to be observed.

• Regulatory signs

78. Describe your approach at a pedestrian crossing (1mk)

• I will slow down and stop if possible and check the passing pedestrians.
 79. Describe overtaking procedure.
• Check if the road is clear ahead.
• By using mirrors, check the road behind if it's clear.
• When ahead and behind is clear, indicate/signal right and hoot to alert the vehicles ahead.
• Move out and accelerate as you overtake quickly leaving plenty of room,
• Indicate left and return on your left as soon as possible without cutting in.

80. When the traffic light shows green and you are stopped by a police officer, who do
you obey?
• Police because he is the authority

81. What do you do when receiving your driving license for the first time?
• Confirm the details and sign

82. What vehicles should be taken for inspection?

• Lorries
• Pick-ups
• Commercial vehicles

83. What should you do when involved in an accident?

• Stop

84. What is the Highway Code?

• A booklet discussed and passed by parliament with guidelines for road users and fines for
law offenders

85. What is the difference between a motel and a hotel?

• A motel is found both in town and outside the town while hotels are found in towns only

86. What is the heaviest gear in a vehicle?

• Its gear no 1 used to start the vehicles

87. What is a line?

• It’s a line that divides path of a vehicle

88. What are hazard demarcations

• These are metallic reflectors that are placed to show where the bridges are and their width at
large

89. On which road do we overtake on?

• Two-way traffic

90. What is the traffic light sequence?

• Red, Red and amber, Green, Amber
 91. What do you look for when driving past stationary vehicles?
• Alighting passengers
• Open doors

92. What are 4 important parts to be maintained in a vehicle?

• Wheel
• Brakes
• Engine
• Lights

93. Which gear do we start a vehicle with? (Saloon or lorry)

• Saloon vehicle is started by gear no 1
• Lorry is started by gear no 2

94. Which gear do we engage when crossing a bump?

• No 2 mostly or the lower gear than the one you were driving at

95. Which is the appropriate gear to use in slow moving traffic and why?
• Gear no 2 because it is the lowest gear hence economical in terms of fuel consumption

96. How do we hold a steering wheel clockwise?

• 10 to 2 or quarter to 3

97. What do you do if the traffic light turns to amber when crossing at GREEN?
• Proceed to the indicated direction

98. What are dim lights?

• These are normal lights at night

99. What are parking dim lights?

• These are lights that drivers put on at night to show the vehicle is stationary at parking

100. What are full lights?

• Full lights are the lights put on to show the driver furthest at night.
• These lights normally affect other driver’s vision when approaching and a good driver
should switch them to dim lights.

101. What are hazard lights?

• These are mechanical lights put on when a vehicle develops a problem on the road by
pressing the hazard sign on the dashboard

102. What are indicator lights?

• These are lights put on to show the direction that one intends to take (either left
or right)
103. What are brake lights?
• These are lights in a vehicle that light up to show when brakes are being applied.

104. What is a vehicle?

• A thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car,
lorry, or cart

105. What is the difference between a street and an avenue?

• Street is surrounded by vegetation while an avenue is surrounded by buildings

106. Which mechanical signal should we put on when involved in an accident?

• Hazard

107. Which gear should be used to start a loaded lorry?

• No 1 because it’s more powerful than no 2

108. When do we dim our lights at night?

• When we see another vehicle approaching to avoid affecting his/vision

109. What do you do before getting out of a vehicle?

• Check for the oncoming vehicles

110. Write 4 don'ts of holding a steering wheel?

• Don’t drive with one hand
• Don't use the heel of your palm to turn the wheel.
• Don't hook your hand through the heel, or hold it with the back of your hand
facing forward and with your fingers pointing back at you.
• Don't Rest your arm on the gearstick

111. What is a hard shoulder way?

• This is a road where bumps are put closely together

112. Which is the biggest roundabout in East Africa?

• Globe Cinema's roundabout in Nairobi Kenya

113. Explain why the headlight of a motorcycle should be kept on always even
during day time.
• For them to be visible by other road users

114. What is the difference between railway crossing and level crossing?
• Railway crossing is found at urban areas while level crossing is found at rural areas.

115. Define the term "horn" in a vehicle.

• An instrument in a vehicle used to warn other road users.
116. What is hooting?
• A sound produced by horn

117. What distance should one keep a life saver?

• 50 meters ahead and 50 meters behind the car

118. How many wheels does saloon vehicle have

• Five (four plus one spare)
 TRAFFIC SIGNS

BEND TO THE LEFT BEND TO THE RIGHT SUCCESSIVE BENDS SUCCESSIVE BENDS
AHEAD AHEAD TO THE LEFT AHEAD TO THE RIGHT AHEAD

STEEP ASCENT ROAD NARROWS

STEEP DESCENT ROAD NARROWS FROM
AHEAD AHEAD
AHEAD RIGHT AHEAD

RIVER BANK WITHOUT UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE

ROAD NARROWS FROM
SEVERE BUMPS
BARRIER AHEAD AHEAD
LEFT AHEAD
AHEAD

SEVERE DIP RIVER BEND CROSSING SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE LOOSE ROAD SURFACE

AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD

 | 33)

DANGER OF FALLING AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CHILDREN CROSSING CYCLISTS

FALLEN ROCKS AHEAD
AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD

YOUTUBE

CATTLE CROSSING WILD ANIMALS CROSSING MEN AT WORK TRAFFIC LIGHTS

AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD

LOW FLYING AIRCRAFTS TWO WAY TRAFFIC JUNCTION

HAZARD/BLACK SPOT
AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD
AHEAD

JUNCTION AHEAD JUNCTION WITH A ROAD JUNCTION WITH ACCELERATING ROUNDABOUT

STOP AND GIVE WAY ENTERING FROM RIGHT AHEAD LANE FROM RIGHT AHEAD AHEAD
 RAILWAY CROSSING WITH RAILWAY CROSSING STOP SIGN
GIVE WAY SIGN
BARRIER AHEAD WITHOUT BARRIER AHEAD (HALT SIGN)
(YIELD SIGN)

COMPULSORY COMPULSORY
COMPULSORY COMPULSORY GO STRAIGHT
DIRECTION TO BE FOLLOWED
GO STRAIGHT
TURN RIGHT OR TURN RIGHT

COMPULSORY
COMPULSORY COMPULSORY COMPULSORY
PASS TO THE LEFT CYCLIST TRACK PEDESTRIAN FOOT PATH CATTLE TRACK

END OF COMPULSORY
COMPULSORY
NO ENTRY ROAD CLOSED
MINIMUM SPEED
MINIMUM SPEED
NO ENTRY NO ENTRY NO ENTRY NO ENTRY

FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR MOTORCYCLES FOR BICYCLES FOR PEDESTRIANS

NO ENTRY NO ENTRY NO ENTRY FOR HEAVY

NO ENTRY
FOR HAND DRIVEN CARTS FOR FARM COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
VEHICLES
FOR ANIMAL DRIVEN CARTS

NO ENTRY FOR BOTH NO ENTRY FOR NO ENTRY FOR

NO ENTRY
POWER AND ANIMAL VEHICLES EXCEEDING VEHICLES EXCEEDING
FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES
DRIVEN VEHICLES WIDTH SHOWN HEIGHT SHOWN

NO ENTRY FOR NO ENTRY FOR NO ENTRY FOR

DISTANCE TO BE KEPT APART
VEHICLESEXCEEDING VEHICLES EXCEEDING VEHICLES EXCEEDING

WEIGHT SHOWN WEIGHT SHOWN PER AXLE LENGTH SHOWN

NO LEFT TURN NO RIGHT TURN NO U-TURN NO OVERTAKING

STOP AT CONTROL
NO OVERTAKING FORHEAVY SPEED LIMIT NO HOOTING
POST
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OR SIREN

END OF ALL END OF SPEED

STOP FOR CHILDREN
PRIORITY FOR
PROHIBITIONS LIMIT
CROSSING
ONCOMING

NO PARKING CONTROLLED
NO PARKING ADDITIONAL
PARKING
NO STOPING
PANELS

NO WAITING ZONE
 KITALE
ELDORET A 104

KONGONI
NJORO C 56

TRUNK ROAD NON-TRUNK ROAD PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ONE WAY TRAFFIC

PRIORITY OVER ONCOMING

NO THROUGH ROAD BICYCLE TRACK PLACE IDENTIFICATION
TRAFFIC

TELEPHONE SERVICES
CHEVRONS FIRST AID SERVICES BREAKDOWN SERVICES

REFUELLING SERVICES HOTEL OR MOTEL RESTAURANT REFRESHMENTS

PICNIC SITE PUBLIC FOOT PATH CAMPING SITE CARAVAN SITE

CAMPING & CARAVAN SITE YOUTH HOSTEL FERRY SERVICES LIFE SAVER

STREET NAMES

SINGLE TRACK CROSSING MULTIPLE TRACK CROSSING ARROW DIRECTION EXIT FROM HAZARD
MARKINGS SHOWING DEMARCATION
FOR TRAIN FOR TRAIN
EXTREME MAIN ROAD
DANNGEROUS CHANGE
OF DIRECTION