A flashing amber light is shown at pelican crossings, but not at puffin crossings. Puffin crossings are controlled electronically and detect when pedestrians are on the crossing. The red light will remain showing to drivers until the system detects that the crossing is clear. The sequence of lights is then the same as for normal traffic lights.

Reverse or parallel parking on the side of the road is a skill you need to learn as you prepare for your practical driving test. It will also help you to park safely and conveniently throughout your driving career. Once mastered, you should be able to park between two vehicles in a gap that would normally be about one-and-a-half times the length of your own vehicle.

Learners might not have confidence when they first start to drive. Allow them plenty of room and make allowances for their hesitation. We all learn from experience, but new drivers will have had less practice in dealing with all the situations that they meet.

Engines burning fossil fuels produce harmful gases. We need to be concerned about the effect this has on our environment. A catalytic converter acts like a filter, removing most of the harmful compounds from the exhaust gas.

If possible, lay the casualty down. Once you're sure there are no objects in the wound, apply firm pressure using clean material. Raising the arm above the level of the heart will also help to stem the flow of blood.

You must always obey red flashing stop lights. If a train passes but the lights continue to flash, another train will be passing soon. Cross only when the lights go off and the barriers open.

If there are no speed-limit signs, street lights usually indicate a 30 mph speed limit.

The lights that control the crossing show to both directions of traffic. If a pedestrian from either side is still crossing when the amber light is flashing, you must wait.

Sometimes an insurance company will issue a temporary insurance certificate called a cover note. It gives you the same insurance cover as your certificate, but lasts for a limited period, usually one month.

The motorcyclist is in a vulnerable position, exposed to further danger from traffic. You need to warn approaching traffic without putting yourself or anyone else at risk. Use your hazard warning lights and, if you have one, a warning triangle to alert other road users.

'Coasting' is the term used when the clutch is held down or the gear lever is in neutral and the vehicle is allowed to freewheel. This reduces the driver's control of the vehicle because the engine isn't connected to the driven wheels. This removes the assistance of engine braking and the stability of a powered drive train.

You can't deal safely with a hazard by looking solely ahead. You'll also need to consider how your actions will affect any drivers behind. As soon as you recognise a hazard, use the mirrors to assess how other road users will affect your planning.

Don't park within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction (unless in an authorised parking place). This is to allow drivers emerging from, or turning into, the junction a clear view of the road they're joining. It also allows them to see hazards such as pedestrians or cyclists at the junction.

Loose gravel or chippings can easily be thrown up by vehicles' tyres. At roadworks or on newly surfaced roads, check your speed and keep a good distance away from vehicles ahead to avoid any flying chippings.

Usually, a road is constructed with a camber: the road surface slopes to assist with drainage. Some bends have an 'adverse camber'. This is where the road slopes towards the outside of the bend. When going around a bend that has adverse camber, you need to take extra care. The forces acting on your vehicle could cause it to leave the road more easily than normal.

You're responsible for making sure that anything you carry on your vehicle is fastened securely. The safest way to carry items on the roof is in a specially designed roof box. This will help to keep luggage secure and dry. Roof boxes also have less wind resistance than exposed loads carried on a roof rack, and this helps to reduce fuel consumption.

Use hazard warning lights when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it's temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them to excuse dangerous or illegal parking. You may also use hazard warning lights while you're driving on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway if you need to warn traffic behind of a hazard ahead.

If you're following a cyclist who's signalling to turn right at a roundabout, leave plenty of room. Give them space and time to get into the correct lane.

At a road traffic incident, there's a real danger of further collisions and fire, so only approach if it's safe. Get someone to call the emergency services and, if there's an injured casualty, first check if they're breathing. If they're not breathing, you may need to give chest compressions until the ambulance arrives.

Most power steering systems only work when the engine is running. If the power steering system fails (or the engine cuts out), much more effort will be needed to steer the vehicle.

Normally, you should place your warning triangle on the same side of the road as your vehicle, and at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind it. On a very narrow road, the triangle itself could be a hazard and is best placed off the road but in a clearly visible position. Don't place a warning triangle on a motorway.

The wheels of a bicycle can become stuck in tram rails, causing the cyclist to stop suddenly, wobble or fall off. Tram rails also offer less grip than the road surface. This could cause a cyclist to skid, especially when it's wet.

The flashing amber lights are switched on to warn you that children may be crossing near a school. Slow down and take extra care, as you may have to stop.

At the scene of a crash, don't move a casualty from their vehicle unless they're in danger; for example, from fire.

The sign warning of loose chippings is often accompanied by a plate showing an advisory maximum speed. Stone chippings thrown up by tyres can damage vehicles, and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are more vulnerable. The loose surface will increase your vehicle's stopping distance and there's an additional risk of skidding.

In a one-way street, all the traffic will be travelling in the same direction. When going ahead, you should choose the most appropriate lane for your destination and move into it in good time. Remember that traffic may be passing you on either side.

If you realise you've taken a wrong turn when you're driving in a one-way street, don't reverse or turn your vehicle around. Drive on and find another route.

The flashing amber light allows pedestrians who are already on the crossing to get to the other side before the green light shows to traffic. Give way to them and only proceed when the crossing is clear.

Red rear reflectors show up when headlights shine on them. These are useful when you're parked at night but will only reflect if you park in the same direction as the traffic flow. Normally you should park on the left, but if you're in a one-way street you may also park on the right-hand side.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce toxic exhaust emissions by up to 90%. They have a high normal working temperature and for this reason are inefficient when the engine is cold.