Country and single-track roads: theory test
Updated •8 min read
What should you do on a single-track road if a vehicle comes towards you? Pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right. That is Highway Code rule 155 (gov.uk), and rule 156 says never to park in a passing place.
On any country road, rule 154 says to slow down for bends and hidden junctions, and to be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
This page sets out the country road rules, how to pass horses, animals and people walking in the road, and the warning signs you will meet. Every rule is from the Highway Code on gov.uk, and the rule numbers are given so you can check them.
Country roads (rule 154)
Rule 154 says to take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed:
- at approaches to bends, "which can be sharper than they appear";
- at junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden;
- where country roads enter villages.
It also says to be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow-moving farm vehicles or mud on the road surface. The rule ends with the test most questions turn on: "Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear."
Single-track roads and passing places (rules 155 and 156)
Rule 155 says single-track roads "are only wide enough for one vehicle" and may have special passing places.
| Situation | What to do (rule 155 or 156) |
|---|---|
| A vehicle is coming towards you and the passing place is on your left | Pull into it |
| A vehicle is coming towards you and the passing place is on your right | Wait opposite it |
| The driver behind wants to overtake | The same: pull in on your left, or wait opposite on your right |
| You meet on a hill | Give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can |
| Neither of you can reach a passing place | If necessary, reverse until you reach one |
| You pass pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders | Slow down |
| You want to stop for a break or a view | Do not park in a passing place (rule 156) |
Source: gov.uk: The Highway Code, rules 103 to 158, read on 30 October 2026.
Rule 155 covers the driver behind as well as oncoming traffic. Rule 169 makes the same point for any road: do not hold up a long queue of traffic, and if necessary pull in where it is safe to let traffic pass (gov.uk: rules 159 to 203).
Speed on country roads (rules 124 and 125)
Many country roads are single carriageways. Rule 124 sets the national limit for cars and motorcycles on a single carriageway at 60 mph, or 50 mph if you are towing a caravan or trailer. The "National speed limit applies" sign tells you that limit is in force.
60 mph is a maximum, not a target. Rule 125 says "The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions." It says to reduce your speed for hazards such as bends, when sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, in bad weather, and at night. Our speed limits guide has the full table.
Horse riders (rules 163 and 215)
Rule 215 says that when you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. When it is safe, pass wide and slow, allowing at least 2 metres of space. Do not sound your horn or rev your engine (gov.uk: rules 204 to 225).
Rule 215 also says:
- feral or semi-feral ponies, such as those in the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor, need the same care as ridden horses;
- riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider;
- look out for riders' signals, and heed a request to slow down or stop.
Rule 213 says that on narrow sections of road, horse riders may ride in the centre of the lane for their own safety. Rule 163 repeats the overtaking guide: pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres (gov.uk: rules 159 to 203).
Animals on the road (rule 214)
Rule 214 says to drive slowly when passing animals, give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not scare them by sounding your horn, revving your engine or accelerating rapidly once you have passed.
If a herd of animals blocks the road, rule 214 says to stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road. It also says to watch out for animals on unfenced roads, and to keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads.
People walking in the road (rules 2, 163 and 206)
Many country lanes have no pavement. Rule 2 tells pedestrians on such roads to keep to the right-hand side, facing oncoming traffic, and to walk in single file on narrow roads or in poor light (gov.uk: rules 1 to 35). So expect walkers coming towards you on your side of the road.
Rule 206 says to always slow down on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath, and be prepared to stop, giving pedestrians plenty of room. Rule 163 says to allow at least 2 metres and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian walking in the road. Our vulnerable road users guide covers rules 204 to 225 in full.
Country road warning signs
The Highway Code's traffic signs page includes these warning signs, which you are likely to meet on country roads, and the rules they link to:
| Sign | The rule it points to |
|---|---|
| Cattle | Rule 214: drive slowly past animals and be ready to stop |
| Wild animals | Rule 214: watch out for animals, especially on unfenced roads |
| Wild horses or ponies | Rule 215: feral ponies need the same care as ridden horses |
| Accompanied horses or ponies | Rule 215: slow to 10 mph and pass wide, at least 2 metres |
| Bend to right (or left if symbol reversed) | Rule 154: reduce speed on the approach |
| Double bend first to left (symbol may be reversed) | Rule 154: bends can be sharper than they appear |
| Steep hill upwards or downwards | Rule 155: on a single-track road, give way to traffic coming uphill |
The double bend and frail pedestrians guide explains more warning signs, and the climbing lane guide covers slow lanes on hills.
Practise country road questions
These free practice questions on theorytest.ai test the rules on this page:
- A single-track road with a vehicle coming towards you, which tests rule 155.
- An emergency vehicle behind you on a narrow road with passing places, which tests how to use passing places.
- A horse and rider ahead on a narrow road, which tests rule 215.
gov.uk does not publish how many theory test questions are about country roads. To see whether these rules are a weak area for you, take the free theorytest.ai diagnostic. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do on a single-track road if a vehicle comes towards you?
Pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right (rule 155). If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place.
There's a passing place on your right. What should you do?
Wait opposite it. Rule 155 says to pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right.
Who has priority on a single-track road on a hill?
Rule 155 says to give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can.
Can you park in a passing place?
No. Rule 156 says "Do not park in passing places."
How fast should you pass a horse?
Slow down to a maximum of 10 mph, and pass wide and slow, allowing at least 2 metres of space (rule 215).
What should you do if a herd of animals blocks the road?
Stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road (rule 214).
What is the speed limit on a country road?
The national limit for a car on a single carriageway is 60 mph (rule 124), unless signs show a lower limit. Rule 125 says the limit is the absolute maximum, not a safe speed in all conditions.