When an emergency vehicle is on its way to a call, seconds can save a life. The law gives these vehicles absolute right of way, and the K53 test checks that you know which vehicles they are and how to let them through.
The rule
You must give immediate and absolute right of way to any emergency vehicle sounding a siren and showing emergency warning lights. Failing to give way to an official vehicle sounding a warning device is an offence.
Which vehicles count
| Vehicle | Warning light |
|---|---|
| Fire-fighting and fire response vehicles | Red |
| Rescue vehicles | Red |
| Ambulances and emergency medical response vehicles | Red |
| Vehicles driven by traffic officers on duty | Blue |
| Vehicles used for civil protection | Green |
How to give way
- Check your mirrors as soon as you hear a siren, and work out where the vehicle is coming from.
- Move to the left and slow down or stop where it is safe. Do not brake suddenly in front of other traffic.
- Do not mount the pavement or drive through a red robot to make space, unless a traffic officer directs you to.
- At an intersection, stay where you are if moving would put you in the emergency vehicle’s path.
- Once it has passed, check for a second emergency vehicle before you move off.
What not to do
- Do not follow closely behind an emergency vehicle to get through traffic faster.
- Do not park in bays reserved for ambulances or other emergency vehicles.
- Do not stop to watch where it is going.
Test yourself
These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.
What is the correct procedure when you hear an emergency vehicle siren:
Practise more rules of the road questionsWhich of the following vehicles are regarded as emergency vehicles?
(i) A fire-fighting vehicle (red warning light).
(ii) An ambulance (red warning light).
(iii) A vehicle driven by a traffic officer in the carrying out of duties (blue warning light).
(iv) A vehicle driven by a person while engaged in civil protection (green warning light).