If you can't restart your engine before the warning bells ring, stay calm, especially if you have passengers on board. Leave the vehicle and get yourself and any passengers well clear of the crossing without delay.

Driving a vehicle with a brake defect could be dangerous and may constitute an offence. Check the brake-fluid level regularly, using the high/low markers on the reservoir. If the fluid level is too low, it could result in loss of braking efficiency.

If you're following a large vehicle but are so close to it that you can't see its exterior mirrors, the driver can't see you. Keeping well back will also allow you to see the road ahead by looking past either side of the large vehicle.

When a candidate passes a practical driving test, their full licence is normally issued directly by the licensing authority. However, if this doesn't happen, successful candidates should apply for a full licence as soon as possible. The driving-test pass certificate is valid for two years; if a full licence isn't applied for within that time, the driver will need to retake their test.

Normally, an overtaking manoeuvre is carried out by passing the slower vehicle on its right. However, on a congested motorway where traffic on your right is moving more slowly than you are, it's acceptable to continue in the same lane and pass vehicles on their left.

You mustn't stop on the hard shoulder, except in an emergency. Never use it to have a rest or a picnic, to pick up hitchhikers, to answer a mobile phone or to check a road map. You mustn't drive back along the hard shoulder if you go past the exit you wanted.

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.

This sign on the overhead gantry will be accompanied by flashing amber lights. The arrow directs you to move into the next lane. There might not be any visible signs of a problem ahead, but there might be queuing traffic or another hazard that you can't yet see.

The right-hand lane of the motorway is for overtaking. Once overtaking is completed, you should return to the lane on your left. Sometimes you may be directed into a right-hand lane as a result of roadworks or an incident. This will be indicated by signs or officers directing the traffic.

If you have to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway, you should park as far to the left as you can and leave the vehicle by the nearside door. If you're on a smart motorway you should stop in an emergency refuge area. Don't attempt even simple repairs. Use the emergency telephone and phone for assistance. While waiting for assistance to arrive, wait near your car, keeping well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder.

Keeping a safe distance behind a large vehicle will increase your view of the road ahead and allow the other driver to see you in their mirrors. This will help you both to see, and act safely on, any hazards that might occur.

At a pelican crossing, the green light means you may proceed as long as the crossing is clear. If someone hasn't finished crossing, be patient and wait for them.

The differential mechanism enables the inside wheel to turn at a slower rate than the outer wheel when the car is being driven on a curve. This helps both stability and grip while the car is cornering or turning.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking, so you can continue to steer the vehicle during heavy braking. ABS doesn't replace the need to plan well ahead and brake smoothly and progressively.

Routine checks, particularly before a long journey, can help to save trouble and expense. Check the operation of all lights, including the brake lights, each time you use the vehicle.

You may only stop on the carriageway of a motorway
- when told to do so by the police
- when a red cross with flashing red lights shows above every lane - in a traffic jam
- in an emergency or breakdown.

A candidate should tell DVSA of any special needs or circumstances when they book their driving test. No matter how serious the disability might be, the candidate will still take the same driving test as any other person. However, more time is allowed for the examiner to discuss the candidate's needs and talk about any adaptations fitted to the vehicle.

At night or in poor visibility, reflective studs in the road help you to judge your position on the carriageway; the colour of the stud will assist you further. Where slip roads join or leave the motorway, green studs are used.

Where there are extra hazards such as roadworks, it's often necessary to slow traffic down by imposing a temporary speed limit. The speed-limit sign will be circular and edged with a red ring. This tells you that the sign is an order and you must obey it.

Check there are no objects in the wound and then apply a firm pressure with a pad of clean material, such as a bandage or a length of cloth. Raising the leg will lessen the flow of blood. Avoid tying anything tightly round the leg, as any restriction to blood circulation for more than a short period of time can result in long-term injury.

Give way to traffic already on the motorway. If you've matched the speed of traffic in the left-hand lane, you should be able to join where there's a suitable gap in the traffic. Try to avoid stopping at the end of the slip road - but you might have to do so if the motorway is very busy and there isn't a safe gap in the traffi

If a horse is frightened, it may bolt or shy unpredictably, and the rider may lose control. To reduce the risk of frightening the horse, you should not make any unnecessary noise. Pass it slowly and give it plenty of room.

High-intensity rear fog lights are to be used when fog has seriously reduced visibility. Using them at any other time runs the risk of dazzling drivers behind. A warning light will show on the dashboard to indicate when your rear fog lights are on. You should know the meaning of all the lights on your dashboard and check them before you move off and as you drive.

The brakes on your vehicle must be effective and properly adjusted. If your vehicle pulls to one side when braking, take it to be checked by a qualified mechanic. Don't take risks.

In some situations, you may feel that your indicators can't be seen by other road users. If you think you need to make your intention more clearly seen, give the appropriate arm signal.

You may use hazard warning lights when you slow suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway, to warn traffic behind of a hazard ahead. Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking.

It's against the law to drive on or over a footpath, except to gain access to a property. If you need to cross a pavement, watch for pedestrians in both directions.

In queuing traffic, motorcyclists and cyclists often filter past the stationary vehicles. Before you turn right in a traffic queue, check your mirrors for passing vehicles. Motorcyclists and cyclists are smaller than other vehicles and can be difficult to see, so look for them before turning.

A new car in Great Britain doesn't require an MOT test certificate until it's three years old. At all times, it's the driver's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle they're driving is roadworthy.

In heavy rain, the road will be wet and there may be pooling surface water. This will reduce the grip the tyres have on the road and will at least double the distance it takes to stop. Take this increased stopping distance into account while driving. Double the separation distance you'd leave in dry conditions.