ADI Free Test #6

Letting your vehicle roll or coast in neutral reduces your control over steering and braking. This can be dangerous on downhill slopes, where your vehicle could pick up speed very quickly.

A new driver must hold a valid provisional driving licence before they drive on the road. When they receive their licence, they should check that the details are correct.

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.

A transfer of knowledge is when links are made between previous experience and the new skills to be learned. For example, a pedestrian who can judge appropriate gaps in the traffic to cross the road can link this skill to turning right into side roads when they learn to drive. A good instructor will identify these links.

There's an eyesight test for the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. The requirement is that an instructor must be able to read a number plate with letters and figures 79 mm high and 50 mm wide at a minimum distance of 26.5 metres (87 feet). This is a greater distance than the minimum legal requirement for car drivers.

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.

In icy and snowy weather, your stopping distance will be up to 10 times further than in good, dry conditions. To reduce the risk of skidding, take extra care when braking, accelerating and changing direction.

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.

To prevent your headlights from dazzling the driver of the car in front, wait until you've overtaken before switching to full beam.

When you park a vehicle facing uphill and on the left, turn the steering wheel to the right. If the parking brake fails, this will give the front wheels the least distance to travel before wedging against the kerb, preventing the vehicle from rolling further. It's also a good idea to leave the car in gear, or select 'P' on an automatic.

Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced. They must be switched off when visibility improves, to avoid dazzling other road users.

To reduce the risk of wheelspin when moving off on a slippery surface, use a higher gear than normal. This will reduce the amount of torque transmitted to the driven wheels. Gentle use of the accelerator will also make it easier for the tyres to keep their grip.

Before giving any signal, you need to use your mirrors to check what's behind and consider how other drivers may be affected by your signal. Sometimes a signal may not be necessary or you may feel it safer to give a signal earlier or later than normal.

Catalytic converters are exhaust-treatment systems that remove most of the harmful compounds from the exhaust gases. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. The converter only deals with toxic, polluting gases; carbon dioxide is still produced.

All your concentration should be on your driving. Any pain you feel will distract you, and you should avoid driving when drowsy. The safest course of action is to wait until you've rested and feel better.

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.

All-round observation is essential throughout any manoeuvre. Drivers should use their mirrors and pay particular attention to the direction in which they're moving, to vulnerable road users, and to what might be happening in any blind spots.

Any medical condition that would affect your driving must be reported to the DVLA Drivers Medical Group or, in Northern Ireland, the DVA Drivers Medical Section. If you have any condition or you have to take any medication that you think might affect your driving, it's worth checking the information available on www.gov.uk

Potholes and bumps in the road can unbalance a motorcyclist. For this reason, a rider may swerve to avoid an uneven road surface. Knowing what motorcyclists may do will help you to make allowances for them.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring the security of any load they carry. However, if something does fall from your vehicle onto the motorway, you must inform the authorities as soon as possible by using an emergency telephone. Never try to retrieve the item yourself.

In windy conditions, care must be taken on open, exposed roads. A strong gust of wind can blow you off course. Watch out for other road users who may be worse affected. These include cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers of high-sided lorries or vehicles towing trailers.

When someone is injured, any movement that isn't absolutely necessary should be avoided, as it could make injuries worse. Unless it's essential to remove it, it's generally safer to leave a motorcyclist's helmet in place.

Some junctions only have 'give way' lines. This is usually where there's relatively little traffic. 'Give way' signs, and/or road markings, show you that traffic on the road you want to enter has priority.

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.

When driving through shallow flood water or fords, drive through slowly, in a low gear, while keeping the engine speed high by slipping the clutch; this should prevent water from entering the exhaust system. Check for traffic behind you and, if it's safe to do so, try your brakes as soon as you're clear of the water. Don't attempt to drive through deep or fast-flowing flood water.

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.

An instructor must normally wear a seat belt during all practical training when there's one fitted to the vehicle, unless they're exempt. However, when a pupil is carrying out a manoeuvre that involves reversing, instructors may release the belt during the exercise; this gives them a little more freedom to teach the exercise safely.

An MOT certificate will normally be valid for one year. The certificate doesn't warrant the condition of the vehicle at a later date, but simply shows that at the time the certificate was issued the vehicle met the MOT requirements. It's the driver's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy whenever it's driven.

Vehicles that require an MOT certificate mustn't be driven on the road after the certificate has expired. Exceptionally, the vehicle may be driven to and from a pre-arranged MOT test appointment or to a garage for repairs required for the test.

Many modern cars have cruise control fitted; it automatically maintains a steady speed set by the driver. Setting the cruise control when you can see the road well ahead is clear can help keep fuel consumption down and reduce vehicle emissions.