What the exam asks here: Many students reason: the higher the speed, the greater the distance must be — so on the motorway somewhere between 50 and 100 metres, further than on a regular road.
Many learners think: On the motorway you must place the warning triangle further away than on a regular road — somewhere between 50 and 100 metres.
The rule is: The photo caption says: 'Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car', with no separate rule for the motorway. Keeping a larger distance is often sensible in practice, but for the exam the book's own text applies
Many students reason: the higher the speed, the greater the distance must be — so on the motorway somewhere between 50 and 100 metres, further than on a regular road. For this precise situation the book gives only one figure, with no separate distinction by road type. Anyone who knows the book sees through the 'faster road, further triangle' instinct immediately.
Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car (Book p.169) — that applies here, with no separate figure for the motorway. If your car does not form an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot see in time — for example because the hazard lights are blinking and the car is clearly visible — the triangle is not mandatory (but it is wise).
The rule from Book p.169 has two parts. First the distance: about 30 metres behind the car, one flat figure, not tied to road type — so on the motorway too it is simply 30 metres, no more. Then the exception: the duty only applies if your car forms an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot notice in time. If your hazard lights are blinking and the car already stands clearly visible, the triangle is not mandatory — but it is wise, since the extra warning costs you nothing. Some driving instructors advise keeping a larger distance on the motorway itself, because of the higher speed of the surrounding traffic — a sensible practical tip, but the book gives no separate, larger figure for this exact situation. For the exam, the book's own text applies: about 30 metres. For the rest of the procedure — where you stop, the safety vest, waiting behind the crash barrier, and calling roadside assistance with your location via the hectometre marker — the same approach applies as for a breakdown during a traffic jam; that is taught in the lesson on traffic-jam behaviour and breakdowns.
As soon as you call roadside assistance, you report exactly where you are. You read that location off the hectometre marker along the road: the road number (for example A44), the hectometre reading (for example 21.8), and whether you are on the left or right of the road (Li/Re). That is faster and more precise than a description by feel.
A car on the hard shoulder is hard for oncoming traffic to spot in time, especially at dusk or in the rain; the triangle gives exactly that bit of extra warning time that prevents a collision.
You break down on the hard shoulder of the A1, no fog, no rain. According to the book, how many metres behind your car do you place the warning triangle?
Explain: at what distance do you place the warning triangle according to the book, and in which case is placing it not mandatory?
About 30 m behind the car — on the motorway too. Not mandatory when hazard lights blink and the car is clearly visible, but wise.
A1
A2On the A1 near Deventer, around dinnertime, one of your tyres blows out. You roll to a stop on the hard shoulder and switch on the hazard lights. How many metres behind your car do you place the warning triangle?
Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car (Book p.169) — that applies here, with no separate figure for the motorway. If your car does not form an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot see in time — for example because the hazard lights are blinking and the car is clearly visible — the triangle is not mandatory (but it is wise).
Correct answer: About 30 metres
About 30 metres, no separate figure for the motorway
Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway you must place the warning triangle further away than on a regular road — somewhere between 50 and 100 metres.
Correct answer: The warning triangle is always mandatory when you break down on the hard shoulder, even when your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible.
'If your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible, that is not mandatory (but it is wise).' The duty only applies if the car forms an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot see in time
Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway you must place the warning triangle further away than on a regular road — somewhere between 50 and 100 metres.
Correct answer: False
'If your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible, that is not mandatory (but it is wise).' The duty only applies if the car forms an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot see in time
Why learners get this wrong: The warning triangle is always mandatory when you break down on the hard shoulder, even when your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible.
Correct answer: The hectometre marker along the motorway also shows your licence plate, which you report to roadside assistance.
The hectometre marker only shows the road number, the hectometre reading and left/right; the licence plate is not on it and is not part of this location report
Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway you must place the warning triangle further away than on a regular road — somewhere between 50 and 100 metres.
Correct answer: True
The hectometre marker only shows the road number, the hectometre reading and left/right; the licence plate is not on it and is not part of this location report
Why learners get this wrong: The hectometre marker along the motorway also shows your licence plate, which you report to roadside assistance.
Correct answer: To report your location to roadside assistance, you read off the nearest place name on a road sign.
The location information for roadside assistance is on the hectometre marker: road number, hectometre reading and left/right — not on a place-name sign, which is often far away or absent
Why learners get this wrong: If the hazard lights are already on, the warning triangle no longer has any use — you might as well leave it in the boot.
Correct answer: True
The location information for roadside assistance is on the hectometre marker: road number, hectometre reading and left/right — not on a place-name sign, which is often far away or absent
Why learners get this wrong: To report your location to roadside assistance, you read off the nearest place name on a road sign.
Correct answer: 30 m
Correct: 30.0 m (±5.0).
Correct answer: Not mandatory — but wise to place it anyway
Why learners get this wrong: The warning triangle is always mandatory when you break down on the hard shoulder, even when your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible.
Correct answer: False
Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway you must place the warning triangle further away than on a regular road — somewhere between 50 and 100 metres.
No. The photo caption says: 'Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car', with no separate rule for the motorway. Keeping a larger distance is often sensible in practice, but for the exam the book's own text applies
No. 'If your hazard lights are blinking and your car is clearly visible, that is not mandatory (but it is wise).' The duty only applies if the car forms an obstacle that approaching drivers cannot see in time
No. The sentence explicitly ends with '(but it is wise)'. No duty is not the same as no use: the extra warning costs nothing and helps approaching traffic react sooner
No. The location information for roadside assistance is on the hectometre marker: road number, hectometre reading and left/right — not on a place-name sign, which is often far away or absent
No. The hectometre marker only shows the road number, the hectometre reading and left/right; the licence plate is not on it and is not part of this location report