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General Police Duties

Road Policing Practice Questions

Free NPPF Step 2 Road Policing questions with full answers, for Sergeant and Inspector candidates.

50+ questions in the full bankType A format

About this topic

Road policing is now part of the General Police Duties volume and is one of the largest areas in the exam. Questions test driving offences, drink and drug driving, and police powers on the road.

Expect preliminary tests, causing death by driving offences, duties after an accident, and insurance, licensing and disqualification.

Key legislation and cases

  • Road Traffic Act 1988, ss.1-7A, 163, 165 and 170
  • Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

Worked examples

Try each question before opening the answer. Every option is explained, because the exam usually turns on why the near-miss answers are wrong.

Worked question 1 of 2Standard

PC Webb stops a vehicle and suspects the driver has been drinking. The driver provides a roadside breath sample which gives a negative result. PC Webb still believes the driver is impaired. Which of the following correctly states the position?

  1. AThe negative breath test result closes the matter - any further investigation would require the driver to consent to voluntary testing
  2. BPC Webb may arrest the driver on suspicion of impairment and require an evidential blood or urine sample at a police station without taking any further roadside steps
  3. CPC Webb may administer a second roadside breath test using a different approved device where the first result is disputed
  4. DA negative preliminary breath test does not prevent PC Webb from requiring a preliminary impairment test where there are grounds to suspect impairment from alcohol or drugs
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by the Road Safety Act 2006 there are three types of preliminary test: a breath test, an impairment test and a drug test. These are independent of each other. A negative breath test rules out excess alcohol above the legal limit but does not prevent the officer from requiring an impairment test where there are reasonable grounds to suspect impairment. The three tests serve distinct purposes and a negative result on one does not foreclose the others.

s.6 Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Road Safety Act 2006
s.6(1): a constable may require a person to co-operate with any one or more preliminary tests. The three preliminary tests are a breath test, an impairment test and a drug test.
  • A: A negative breath test addresses alcohol above the legal limit only. It does not conclude the investigation into impairment more broadly. The officer retains the power to use the other preliminary tests where grounds exist.
  • B: Arrest on suspicion of impairment without first using the preliminary impairment test route would be premature on these facts. The preliminary impairment test is the appropriate next step which may then provide grounds for further action.
  • C: There is no provision for a second preliminary breath test simply because the officer disputes the result. The route where impairment is still suspected after a negative breath test is the preliminary impairment test - not a repeat breath test.
Worked question 2 of 2Standard

Following the death of a pedestrian struck by Watts's vehicle DC Patel is considering the appropriate charge. The driving was agreed to be dangerous. Which of the following correctly states the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving?

  1. AThe maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 is 10 years imprisonment
  2. BThe maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 is 14 years imprisonment
  3. CThe maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 is life imprisonment following the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
  4. DThe maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 is 5 years imprisonment - higher sentences for road deaths require a manslaughter charge
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C

The Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 increased the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 from 14 years to life imprisonment. This came into force in June 2022 and is sometimes referred to as Harper's Law. The offence does not require a manslaughter charge to attract a life sentence.

s.1 Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by PCSC Act 2022
s.1: a person who causes the death of another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place is guilty of an offence. Maximum sentence: life imprisonment following the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
  • A: The maximum was 10 years before 2012 when it was increased to 14 years. It has since been increased again to life imprisonment by the PCSC Act 2022. A candidate who has not kept up with the 2022 change may recall the 10-year figure.
  • B: 14 years was the maximum before the PCSC Act 2022 and is the most plausible wrong answer as it was the correct position for many years and will still appear in older revision materials.
  • D: Causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum of life imprisonment in its own right following the 2022 Act. A manslaughter charge is not required to access the life imprisonment maximum for road deaths.

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