The lane under a gantry signal showing a red cross with flashing red lights is closed to traffic. You shouldn't proceed past that point in that lane. Should other lanes be open, move to a different lane and proceed with care. If red signals are shown above all lanes, then all lanes are closed: you must stop and wait for the lights to change or until you're directed to move.

Watch out for emerging vehicles, as the driver's view may be obscured at some junctions. If a vehicle pulls out and you're not sure whether the driver has seen you, slow down and be prepared to stop. Be tolerant and don't sound the horn in anger.

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) activates automatically when the brakes are applied. It prevents the wheels from locking, so reducing the likelihood of a skid developing. ABS doesn't remove the need for good driving practices such as anticipation and driving at the correct speed for the conditions.

Where fitted, seat belts must be worn. It's the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under 14 years old wear a seat belt or use a suitable child restraint. Passengers aged 14 or over are responsible for wearing their seat belt. Exceptions to this law are made for people who hold a medical exemption certificate.

To design an effective programme of learning, it's important to understand what a pupil brings to the process. This will enable you to decide the level at which instruction can begin. It will also encourage the pupil to engage with the learning process if they're not forced to go over material they already know.

As you approach left-hand bends, keep to the middle of your lane. Don't move to the centre of the road to improve your view. This could put you too close to oncoming traffic. A vehicle coming the other way might be running close to or over the centre of the road as it comes around the bend.

The diesel you use to run a vehicle is a form of oil and, as such, is very slippery when spilt on the road. The usual places to find diesel spillage are near filling stations and on bends or roundabouts. Overfilled fuel tanks and poorly fitting or missing fuel filler caps are often the cause of diesel spillage, so make sure you replace your fuel filler cap securely after refuelling.

If you wish to overtake a long vehicle, stay well back so that you can see the road ahead. Don't
-get too close to the vehicle, as this will restrict your view of the road ahead
-get impatient; overtaking on a busy road calls for sound judgement
-take a gamble; only overtake when you can see that you can safely complete the manoeuvre.

Double white lines along the centre of the road are usually found in places where there's a poor view ahead, usually caused by bends in the road. When the line nearest to you is solid, you may cross it to pass a stationary vehicle, providing that it's safe to do so.

If you want to turn left and there's a cyclist in front of you, hold back. Wait until the cyclist has passed the junction and then turn left behind them.

During periods when ATM is in operation, the hard shoulder is used as an extra driving lane. When ATM isn't in operation, the hard shoulder resumes its normal role as a refuge for breakdowns or emergencies.

Always drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying fast traffic. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads.

If your vehicle catches fire, quickly get the occupants out of the vehicle and to a safe place. Don't attempt to put out a fire in the engine compartment. Opening the bonnet will give the fire more oxygen and make it flare up. Call the fire service.

Driving at speed for long distances can give you a false impression of how fast you're going. Check your speedometer: it will give you the accurate speed. This is particularly important after leaving a motorway and returning to roads with lower speed limits.

On a single carriageway road, the national speed limit will apply, unless signs indicate otherwise. For a car, the limit is 60 mph unless the car is towing a trailer - in which case the limit is reduced to 50 mph.

Only overtake the vehicle in front if it's really necessary. All manoeuvres need careful planning, but at night the risks are increased, due to reduced visibility. Can you see the road ahead clearly? Can you see whether pedestrians, cyclists or any obstructions are in the road ahead? Ask yourself these questions before committing to overtaking.

The cost of insurance varies with your age. Usually, the younger you are, the more expensive it is - especially if you're under 25. Some post-test training schemes are recognised by insurance companies, and new drivers who complete this form of extra training may benefit from a reduced first premium.

Curving direction arrows are often found painted on the road before solid double white lines and hatch markings; they indicate the direction you should pass them. They're also painted on the road on the approach to low arched bridges, to mark the route high vehicles should take.

It's illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, except in a genuine emergency. Make sure you park in a safe and convenient place before receiving or making a call or text message.

Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are all traffic-calming measures designed to keep vehicle speeds low. They're used to protect vulnerable road users near areas such as housing estates and shopping centres.

Electric trams run on rails and can't steer to avoid you. Keep a lookout for trams in areas where they operate, as they move very quietly and you might not hear them approaching.

Questions that require a simple 'yes' or 'no' are of limited value. To be effective, you should ask searching questions based on 'what', 'when', 'where', 'why' and 'how'. The power of effective questioning as an aid to learning is sometimes overlooked; it can help to motivate pupils.

Make sure you know what the different warning lights mean. An illuminated warning light could mean that your car is unsafe to drive. Don't take risks. If you're not sure about the problem, get a qualified mechanic to check it.

You must know the speed limits that apply to the vehicle you're driving. On a motorway, the speed limit for a car is 70 mph - but if it's towing a trailer, that limit is reduced to 60 mph.

Modern vehicles provide the driver with a good view of the road both ahead and behind, using well-positioned mirrors. However, the mirrors can't see every angle of the scene behind and to the sides of the vehicle. This is why it's essential that you know when and how to check your blind spots, so that you're aware of any hidden hazards.

Yellow lines are painted across the road on the approach to some roundabouts. The lines are usually found on dual carriageways, where traffic speeds are higher, or at the end of motorway exit slip roads. They provide a visual warning to remind drivers to check their speed.

There's usually a 30 mph speed limit where street lights are less than 185 metres (600 feet) apart.

Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. If someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to maintain a two-second gap.

After driving through flood water, it's important to make sure the brakes are working properly. Check for other traffic and, when it's safe, test your brakes. If necessary, dry them out by applying light pressure to the footbrake while driving along slowly.

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.