Malawi DRTSS Practical Driving Test

How should you check the engine-oil level with a dipstick before driving?

• ARun the engine and read the dipstick while oil is circulating
• BPark on level ground, switch off the engine, wipe and reinsert the dipstick, then read th…
• CPark on a steep slope and read the dipstick without wiping it
• DRemove the oil filler cap and judge the level by looking into the engine

A pre-drive inspection reveals a bulge caused by separation in a tyre's structure. What should the driver do?

• AReduce the tyre pressure and continue at low speed
• BMove the tyre to a non-steering axle before driving
• CDo not use the vehicle on a public road until the defective tyre is replaced
• DIncrease the pressure to restore the tyre's shape

Why should a driver avoid removing a cooling-system pressure cap while the engine is hot?

• AThe coolant level can only be checked while the engine is accelerating
• BReleasing the cap can eject hot coolant and steam under pressure
• CRemoving the cap permanently changes the thermostat setting
• DOutside air immediately makes the coolant unusable

What is the main aim when adjusting the interior rear-view mirror?

• ATo frame the rear window and road behind with minimal head movement
• BTo show mainly the rear-seat passengers
• CTo cover the driver's right-side blind spot instead of using an exterior mirror
• DTo show the rear parcel shelf so loose items can be watched

Which exterior-mirror adjustment best supports observation of adjacent traffic while retaining a position reference?

• AAim both mirrors mainly at the vehicle's own rear doors
• BShow a small part of the vehicle at the inner edge and as much adjacent road as practical
• CAim both mirrors downward so only the road beside the rear wheels is visible
• DAim the mirrors upward so tall vehicles can be seen first

A red brake-system warning lamp remains on after the parking brake is fully released. What is the safest response?

• AContinue because a red lamp normally confirms the brakes are ready
• BStop safely and investigate the brake system before continuing
• CPump the accelerator until the lamp goes out
• DRely on the parking brake for the remainder of the journey

Before moving off, how can a driver check whether the hydraulic footbrake develops firm pressure?

• AApply steady pedal pressure while stationary and check that the pedal feels firm rather t…
• BTest the pedal for the first time after reaching normal road speed
• CRelease all brakes and see whether the vehicle rolls
• DHold the accelerator down while repeatedly applying the parking brake

How should a driver's head restraint be positioned for useful rear-impact protection?

• ALow behind the neck with a large gap to the head
• BWith its supportive area near head height and as close to the back of the head as practic…
• CFully removed so the driver can turn more easily
• DTilted far backward so it cannot touch the driver's hair

What does an illuminated ABS warning lamp normally mean when the base hydraulic brakes still feel normal?

• AThe parking brake cable has tightened automatically
• BThe anti-lock function has a fault, so wheels may lock under hard braking even though nor…
• CThe vehicle will apply its brakes without driver input
• DThe brake-fluid level is confirmed full

Before starting a manual-transmission vehicle, which setup best prevents an unintended lurch?

• AParking brake applied, gear lever in neutral, and clutch depressed
• BParking brake released, first gear selected, and clutch fully raised
• CReverse selected with the accelerator partly pressed
• DHighest gear selected so the starter turns the wheels slowly

How can one person efficiently check all direction-indicator lamps during a walkaround?

• ASwitch on the hazard warning lamps and inspect each exterior indicator
• BRely only on the dashboard indicator telltale
• CCheck only the front lamps because rear indicators share the brake circuit
• DTurn on the headlamps because they power every indicator

Why should wiper blades and washer operation be checked before driving?

• AThey must be able to clear rain, spray, or dirt so forward visibility can be maintained
• BThey regulate engine temperature when the radiator fan stops
• CThey prevent side mirrors from developing blind spots
• DThey measure whether the alternator is charging

What problem can heavy corrosion at a battery terminal cause?

• AIncreased resistance that leads to weak starting or unreliable charging
• BExcess hydraulic pressure in the service brakes
• CA falsely high engine-oil dipstick reading
• DPermanent overinflation of the tyres

What colour and relative intensity must a motor vehicle's rear stop lamps show under Malawi's Road Traffic Regulations?

• AWhite and dimmer than the rear position lamps
• BAmber and equal in brightness to the direction indicators
• CRed and brighter than the rear position lamps
• DRed and dimmer than the rear position lamps

When should tyre pressures normally be checked against the vehicle maker's specification?

• AAfter a long high-speed journey, while the tyres are hottest
• BBefore driving, when the tyres are cold
• COnly after reducing every tyre to the same visual shape
• DOnly when a tyre-pressure warning lamp is illuminated

Which sequence gives the driver the best control when moving off uphill in a manual vehicle?

• AHold the vehicle with the parking brake, select first gear, establish clutch drive, obser…
• BRelease every brake in neutral and use rollback to start the engine
• CSelect second gear, release the parking brake, and engage the clutch suddenly
• DHold the vehicle on the clutch alone while completing observations

What normally tells a driver that a manual clutch has reached its biting point while the parking brake holds the vehicle?

• AThe engine note and speed change slightly as drive begins to load the engine
• BThe speedometer immediately shows normal road speed
• CThe brake pedal starts pulsing because ABS has activated
• DThe gear lever moves itself back to neutral

Before beginning the reverse part of a parallel-parking exercise, how should the vehicle be positioned?

• AAlongside the parking space ahead, with enough side clearance to turn safely
• BAt right angles to the kerb with the rear already over the footway
• CSeveral vehicle lengths from the kerb with no reference to the target space
• DAcross the centre line so the parking space can be approached from the right

What should a driver do immediately before reversing and steering into a parallel-parking space?

• ASelect reverse, complete all-round observation, then move slowly only while the area rema…
• BWatch only the left mirror because it shows the kerb
• CBegin rolling in neutral, then select reverse after the turn starts
• DUse the horn instead of checking blind areas

Before turning a vehicle around by using forward and reverse movements, what must be established first?

• AThe road and surrounding blind areas are clear enough to begin safely
• BThe steering is already on full lock while the vehicle is stationary
• CThe vehicle behind has moved close enough to block other traffic
• DThe manoeuvre can be completed without looking through the rear window

During a straight reversing exercise, where should the driver's observation be directed?

• AMainly in the direction of travel through the rear window, supported by mirror and side c…
• BOnly at the steering wheel so small corrections can be seen
• COnly in the interior mirror, without turning the head
• DMainly through the windscreen because the front wheels steer

What is the appropriate speed for a reverse-parking exercise in a confined marked space?

• AA slow crawl that permits continuous observation and prompt stopping
• BA speed high enough to coast through after the clutch is depressed
• CThe same speed used for normal travel in first gear
• DA changing speed controlled mainly with the parking brake

While reversing and steering left into a parking space, which clearance also needs close attention?

• AThe right-front corner, because the front swings outward as the rear turns left
• BOnly the left-rear wheel, because the front cannot move sideways
• CThe roof centre, because steering shortens the vehicle
• DOnly the space directly behind, because mirrors show every side area

After completing a parking exercise in a manual vehicle, how should the driver secure it?

• AStop fully, apply the parking brake, select neutral as instructed, and cancel any signal
• BKeep the clutch and footbrake depressed indefinitely
• CLeave the parking brake off so the examiner can test free movement
• DHold the vehicle with accelerator and clutch balance

What does 'riding the clutch' mean?

• AResting a foot on the clutch so it remains partly disengaged while driving
• BDepressing the clutch fully for a normal gear change
• CRemoving the foot from the clutch after the gear is engaged
• DUsing clutch balance briefly for a controlled low-speed exercise

Why should a driver avoid coasting with the clutch depressed or the transmission in neutral?

• AIt reduces drivetrain control and removes engine braking
• BIt makes the parking brake apply automatically
• CIt increases the tread depth of the driven tyres
• DIt causes the direction indicators to cancel early

In the handbook's firm, quick-braking exercise, what result shows controlled braking?

• AThe vehicle stops in a short distance without wheel lock or engine stall
• BThe rear wheels lock while the vehicle changes direction
• CThe parking brake supplies most of the stopping force
• DThe driver selects neutral before applying the footbrake

A manual vehicle stalls during a low-speed manoeuvre. What is the safest recovery?

• ABrake and secure the vehicle, select neutral, observe, restart, and move off under control
• BRestart immediately without checking the selected gear
• CRelease the brakes and use the slope to restart by rolling
• DKeep turning the starter while holding the clutch at the biting point

In the DRTSS handbook's parallel-parking exercise, how close should the left pair of wheels finish to the kerb?

• ANo more than 30 centimetres from the kerb
• BNo more than 60 centimetres from the kerb
• CExactly one metre from the kerb
• DTouching the kerb with both left tyres

What is the key control principle in the handbook's exercise for turning a car on the road with forward and reverse gears?

• AUse slow speed with precise steering and gear selection
• BUse momentum so fewer observations are needed
• CKeep the steering fixed and control direction only with the pedals
• DReverse quickly so the vehicle spends less time across the road

What should a driver do first when approaching a roundabout?

• AIdentify the signs, markings, crossings, and positions and intentions of other road users
• BChoose an exit lane only after entering the roundabout
• CWatch only traffic directly ahead and ignore pedestrians near the exits
• DSignal left regardless of the intended exit

Unless a road sign imposes another limit, what general speed limit applies on a public road in a Malawi urban or built-up area?

• A40 km/h
• B50 km/h
• C80 km/h
• D100 km/h

Unless another limit applies, what general speed limit covers a public road outside an urban or built-up area that is not a highway?

• A50 km/h
• B70 km/h
• C80 km/h
• D100 km/h

How is the handbook's two-second following rule applied in good conditions?

• ABegin counting when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point and reach that point no sooner…
• BMaintain two vehicle lengths at every speed
• CCount two seconds from the moment the brake lamps ahead illuminate
• DRemain close enough that the leading vehicle fills the windscreen

What minimum following interval does the DRTSS handbook call for on a slippery road?

• AOne second
• BTwo seconds exactly
• CAt least three seconds
• DA fixed five metres

When turning left from a two-way road, which approach best protects cyclists and other traffic?

• AObserve, signal in good time, use an appropriate left position, control speed, and check…
• BMove right before the turn to create a wider swing
• CSignal only after the vehicle has entered the side road
• DApproach close to the left edge without checking for a cyclist alongside

When turning right across opposing traffic, what is the correct decision sequence?

• AObserve and signal, take an appropriate position near the centre line, give way to opposi…
• BMove onto the opposing side early so oncoming drivers can pass on the left
• CWait against the left kerb and turn across both lanes without repositioning
• DEnter the junction before checking whether the exit road is clear

According to the handbook, how should a driver prepare to turn right at a multi-lane roundabout?

• ASignal right and approach in the right lane or close to the centre line, then signal left…
• BSignal left and remain at the extreme left throughout every stage
• CUse hazard warning lamps to show that more than one exit will be passed
• DApproach without a lane choice and move right only at the exit

What does a continuous centre line mean when a driver is considering an overtake?

• ADo not cross or straddle it to carry out the overtake
• BCross it whenever the vehicle ahead is below the speed limit
• CTreat it like a broken line if no vehicle is immediately visible
• DUse the shoulder instead of crossing the line

Which complete check is needed before overtaking on a two-way road?

• AConfirm markings permit it, the road ahead is clear for the whole manoeuvre, no one is ov…
• BConfirm only that the vehicle ahead is moving below the posted limit
• CConfirm only that no vehicle is visible in the interior mirror
• DConfirm that the shoulder is wide enough if opposing traffic appears

When is it appropriate to return left after overtaking another vehicle?

• AAfter the overtaken vehicle is visible in the interior mirror and a safe gap has opened
• BAs soon as the front of your vehicle is level with the other driver's seat
• COnly after remaining in the opposing lane for a fixed distance
• DImmediately when an opposing vehicle first becomes visible

A pedestrian is crossing on the half of a pedestrian crossing where your vehicle is travelling. What does Malawi's Road Traffic Act require?

• AYield by slowing or stopping as needed
• BContinue if the pedestrian has not reached the lane centre
• CSound the horn so the pedestrian leaves the crossing
• DPass a vehicle that has stopped for the pedestrian

What is the safest way to join a faster road from an acceleration lane?

• AObserve traffic, build an appropriate matching speed, signal, identify a safe gap, and me…
• BStop at the end of the lane whenever traffic is visible
• CEnter at a much lower speed so other drivers have more time to pass
• DMove directly into the furthest lane to avoid vehicles near the edge

An oncoming vehicle's main beam causes glare at night. Which response best preserves control?

• AReduce speed, avoid staring at the lamps, use the left road edge as a guide, and be ready…
• BLook directly at the lamps so the vehicle's position remains obvious
• CUse your own main beam continuously in response
• DSwitch off all vehicle lights until the oncoming vehicle passes

How should a driver approach a railway crossing that has no barriers, flashing lights, or signals?

• AApproach cautiously, look and listen for a train, slow down, and stop at a safe position…
• BMaintain speed because the absence of equipment means trains must give way
• CStop with the front wheels on the nearest rail for the best view
• DFollow the vehicle ahead without making an independent check

At what blood-alcohol concentration does section 128 of Malawi's Road Traffic Act prohibit driving on a public road?

• A0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood
• B0.08 grams per 100 millilitres of blood
• C0.10 grams per 100 millilitres of blood
• D0.12 grams per 100 millilitres of blood

What is the normal validity period of a Malawi driver's licence for a holder under age 65?

• AOne year
• BTwo years
• CFive years
• DTen years

Who must provide the vehicle used for a Malawi driver's-licence practical test?

• AThe applicant must provide an appropriate vehicle for the requested licence class
• BThe examiner must provide a standard category B vehicle for every applicant
• CThe testing centre must supply a vehicle whenever the applicant has a learner's licence
• DThe applicant's driving school must provide a vehicle of any class