Free Practice Questions for DRTSS Learner Knowledge

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Sample DRTSS Learner Knowledge Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DRTSS Learner Knowledge exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Unless directed otherwise by signs or an officer, on which side of the road must you drive in Malawi?

A.The left-hand side

B.The right-hand side

C.The centre of the carriageway

D.Either side, depending on traffic density

Explanation: Malawi drives on the left under the Road Traffic Act. Keep left except when overtaking, turning right, or when lawfully directed otherwise.

2What is the general urban speed limit in Malawi unless signs show otherwise?

A.40 km/h

B.50 km/h

C.60 km/h

D.80 km/h

Explanation: Regulation 4 of the Road Traffic Regulations and the DRTSS Driver Training Handbook both set a general limit of 50 km/h on a public road inside an urban or built-up area. A posted sign can set a different limit, and you must drive slower still when conditions demand it.

3Under the Road Traffic Regulations, what is the general speed limit on a public road outside an urban or built-up area, other than a highway?

A.50 km/h

B.60 km/h

C.80 km/h

D.100 km/h

Explanation: Regulation 4 sets three general limits: 50 km/h inside an urban or built-up area, 80 km/h on roads outside urban areas other than highways, and 100 km/h on a highway outside an urban area. Signed limits and prevailing conditions can require a lower speed.

4Under the Road Traffic Act, what is the blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in Malawi?

A.0.02 g/100 ml blood

B.0.05 g/100 ml blood

C.0.10 g/100 ml blood

D.0.08 g/100 ml blood

Explanation: The Road Traffic Act sets the legal blood alcohol limit at 0.08 g/100 ml of blood. The handbook also notes research showing raised crash risk above about 0.05, so the safest choice is not to drink and drive.

5The DRTSS Driver Training Handbook builds every road manoeuvre on the Driver’s Code. What are its three elements, in order?

A.Observe – Decide – Act

B.Signal – Manoeuvre – Mirror

C.Decide – Observe – Act

D.Act – Observe – Decide

Explanation: The Driver’s Code is Observe, Decide and Act: read the road with good looking habits, assess the risk and predict what will happen next, then act by signalling, adjusting speed and positioning the vehicle. Observe and decide are the mental parts and act is the visible part, which is why every manoeuvre in the handbook is written as ‘Observe and Decide’ followed by ‘Act’.

6What are the ‘Four C’s’ of the driver’s attitude described in Malawi driver training material?

A.Calm, Clever, Competitive, Confident

B.Careful, Cautious, Courteous, Considerate

C.Correct, Consistent, Critical, Controlled

D.Capable, Certified, Compliant, Composed

Explanation: The Four C’s are Careful, Cautious, Courteous and Considerate. They summarise the safe, cooperative attitude expected of every driver.

7Under normal dry conditions, what minimum following-time gap does the Malawi handbook recommend?

A.One second

B.Four seconds

C.Two seconds

D.Five seconds

Explanation: The two-second following-distance rule gives a basic safety buffer in normal conditions. Pick a fixed roadside point, count ‘one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two’ after the vehicle ahead passes it, and if you reach it sooner, drop back.

8On a slippery road, what following-time gap should you allow at least?

A.One second

B.Two seconds

C.The same gap as on dry roads

D.Three seconds

Explanation: On slippery roads you need a longer cushion because braking distances increase. The handbook says allow at least three seconds.

9About how long is a typical driver’s reaction (response) time used in Malawi stopping-distance teaching?

A.About 1 second

B.About 0.2 seconds

C.About 3 seconds

D.About 5 seconds

Explanation: Training material uses a normal reaction time of about one second. In that second the vehicle continues to travel; that distance is the response (thinking) distance before braking begins.

10At 40 km/h, approximately how far does a vehicle travel in one second of reaction time?

A.5 metres

B.11 metres

C.22 metres

D.40 metres

Explanation: The handbook gives a response distance of about 11 metres at 40 km/h in one second. That distance is covered before braking even starts.

About the DRTSS Learner Knowledge Exam

The Malawi DRTSS learner's licence knowledge test (also called the learner aptitude test) is the mandatory knowledge assessment for applicants seeking a learner's licence. Under the Road Traffic (Regulation and Licensing) Regulations, an examiner must confirm that the applicant knows the rules of the road, road traffic signs, and motor-vehicle controls, and must pass a knowledge test in written or oral form by correctly answering at least 85% of the questions. MalTIS also supports a computerized aptitude test. Applicants must enrol on MalTIS, complete prescribed lessons at a registered driving school, pass an eye test, and pay via an NBS Bank deposit slip. A learner's licence is valid for 6 months and authorizes driving only when accompanied by a licensed driver of that class seated next to the learner. This free English-language four-option MCQ bank is a study adaptation covering topics from the official scope and the DRTSS Driver Training Handbook — it is not an official translation, oral simulation, or copy of MalTIS items.

Exam sponsor: Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS), Malawi Ministry of Transport and Public Works. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Knowledge/aptitude assessment on (1) rules of the road, (2) road traffic signs, and (3) controls of a motor vehicle, taken at a DRTSS testing centre after MalTIS enrolment, prescribed driving-school lessons, and an eye test. Passing leads to a learner's licence valid for 6 months; practical driving assessment follows later for a full driver's licence.

Time Limit

Not officially published

Passing Score

85%

Exam / Certification Fees

Confirm current learner's licence and aptitude-test fees on the MalTIS/DRTSS NBS Bank deposit slip (payment at NBS Bank only)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~40%

Rules of the Road

Left-hand traffic, general speed limits of 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h outside urban areas and 100 km/h on highways, junctions and roundabouts, overtaking, the 2-second following rule, alcohol limit 0.08 g/100 ml, emergency vehicles, and vulnerable road users.

~35%

Road Traffic Signs and Markings

Danger warning, priority, prohibitory, mandatory and informative signs, traffic-light sequences, stop and give-way lines, and centre-line restrictions.

~15%

Vehicle Controls and Pre-Trip Checks

Pedals, gear lever, parking brake, lights, mirrors, seat belts, tyres and brakes, steering and brake free-play checks, and the OBSERVE–DECIDE–ACT driver's code.

~10%

Licensing and MalTIS Procedures

MalTIS enrolment, Traffic Register Card, lesson minima, eye/medical certificates, NBS Bank payment, 6-month learner licence validity, and accompanied-driving rules.

Preparing for the DRTSS Learner Knowledge Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 85%
Assessment: Knowledge/aptitude assessment on (1) rules of the road, (2) road traffic signs, and (3) controls of a motor vehicle, taken at a DRTSS testing centre after MalTIS enrolment, prescribed driving-school lessons, and an eye test. Passing leads to a learner's licence valid for 6 months; practical driving assessment follows later for a full driver's licence.
Time limit: Not officially published
Exam / certification fees: Confirm current learner's licence and aptitude-test fees on the MalTIS/DRTSS NBS Bank deposit slip (payment at NBS Bank only) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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DRTSS Learner Knowledge: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize the three regulation topics: rules of the road, road traffic signs, and vehicle controls — every aptitude question maps to one of these.

2Know Malawi's defaults: drive on the left; general speed limits of 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h outside urban areas and 100 km/h on a highway outside an urban area; and a 0.08 g/100 ml blood alcohol limit.

3Drill the 2-second following rule (3 seconds on slippery roads) and remember stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance.

4Learn sign families by purpose — warning, priority/stop/give-way, prohibitory, mandatory, and informative — before memorizing individual pictures.

5Review MalTIS logistics: 20 lessons/7 days first time, eye test, NBS Bank deposit slip, and the 6-month learner licence — process questions appear on study banks even when the live test focuses on knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark for the Malawi DRTSS learner's licence knowledge test?

Road Traffic Regulations define satisfactory completion as correctly answering eighty-five per cent (85%) or more of the questions contained in the knowledge test.

What topics does the DRTSS learner knowledge test cover?

Regulation 9 requires the examiner to confirm that the applicant knows and understands the rules of the road, road traffic signs, and the controls of a motor vehicle of the class applied for.

How long is a Malawi learner's licence valid?

According to the official DRTSS learner-licence procedure, the learner licence is valid for 6 (six) months after the date of issue.

What must I complete before booking the learner aptitude test?

You must be enrolled on MalTIS, hold a Traffic Register Card, complete the minimum driving-school lessons recorded on MalTIS (20 lessons in at least 7 days for first-time applicants), and pass an eye test or submit a Vision Certificate. Applicants who are disabled or over 65 need a medical certificate.

Is this practice bank the official DRTSS or MalTIS test?

No. This is a free English-language four-option MCQ study aid covering topics from the official regulation topics and the DRTSS Driver Training Handbook. The official assessment may be written, oral, or computerized (historically with three choices) and is not reproduced here.