Theory Hub UK Theory Test

What should you do if your vehicle catches fire while you're driving through a tunnel?

Why this is the answer

If it’s possible, and you can do so without causing further danger, it may be safer to drive a vehicle that's on fire out of a tunnel. The greatest danger in a tunnel fire is smoke and suffocation.

Why the other answers don't fit

A
Leave it where it is, with the engine running — A running engine feeds the fire, and the smoke fills the tunnel.
B
Pull up, then walk to an emergency telephone — If you can drive it out, do that first. Smoke is the greatest danger in a tunnel fire.
C
Park it away from the carriageway — There is nowhere inside a tunnel that is away from the carriageway.

Where this comes from

  • Driving: the essential skills — section 16

Rule numbers link to The Highway Code on gov.uk.

Where this question comes from

The question, its options and the explanation are reproduced word for word from the DVSA revision question bank under licence. The licence requires them to appear unaltered, so we cannot reword them and neither can anyone else — that is why you will meet the same wording on other sites. Everything else on this page is written by Theory Hub: the explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong, the topic guide and the revision notes.

More about our sources and licence

Asked in: Car

More questions on Incidents, accidents and emergencies

Incidents, accidents and emergencies →