This is a method used by insurance companies to keep annual premiums down. When you agree to an excess, it means that, in the event of a claim, you'll pay the agreed amount before the benefits of the policy will apply. Generally, the higher the excess you choose to pay, the lower the annual premium you'll be charged.

As you approach traffic lights that have been on green for some time, anticipate that they'll soon change. Check your mirror so that you know what traffic is behind you and how far away it is. If the lights change to steady amber, you should stop behind the stop line. If you're so close to the stop line when the lights change that to stop may cause a collision, you should continue. You'll only know the risk from traffic behind if you use your mirrors as you approach the lights.

Before stopping, check the mirrors to see what's happening behind you. Also assess what's ahead and make sure you give the correct signal if it will help other road users. If you have to stop in an emergency, you may not always have time to use the mirrors.

Having your car registration number etched on all your windows is a cheap and effective way to deter car thieves.

If you want to make a U-turn, slow down or stop in a legal place. Make sure that the road is wide enough to carry out the manoeuvre safely. Check all around to ensure that the road is clear in both directions and that you're not going to endanger anyone as you turn.

Hatch markings are used to separate traffic and to protect traffic turning right. Where the boundary line is broken, you may enter the area only if necessary and provided you can see that it's safe. A continuous white line defining the hatched area means that you mustn't enter, except in an emergency. All other rules of the road apply as normal.

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.

A primary route is a road of national or regional importance and is the major route between larger towns and cities. The direction signs on these routes have green backgrounds. Many maps and road atlases show these routes in green.

Detailed instruction should decrease as the pupil's ability increases. An instructor shouldn't be controlling the pupil all of the time. This takes the initiative away from the pupil and could be considered over-instruction.

When you start to feel tired, it's vital to stop in a safe place as soon as you can. If there's no service area for several miles, leave the motorway at the next exit and find somewhere to rest. While finding somewhere to stop, keep the car well ventilated with fresh air. Don't stop on the hard shoulder to rest.

If you want to turn right from a junction but your view is restricted, you'll need to stop, then ease forward until you can see whether it's safe to move out. Don't commit to emerging until you've seen that it's safe to do so. If you don't know, don't go.

Progressive braking is a safe driving technique, which allows other drivers time to react and is more comfortable for your passengers. This will help to prevent skidding, and saves wear on brakes, tyres and suspension.

As you look through the rear of your vehicle, you may not be able to see a child because of their height. Be aware of this before you reverse. If you're uncertain whether a child is behind but hidden from view, get out and check it's clear before reversing.

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.

When driving on snow or frozen surfaces, your tyres will have very little grip. To avoid losing that grip, you'll need to accelerate, steer and brake very gently.

If the wheels of your vehicle lock, the tyres won't grip the road and then you'll have no control over the steering. The anti-lock braking system will prevent this from happening.

When driving in traffic, keep within your lane. Driving in the centre of your lane ensures there's as much space as possible between you and the traffic on either side. You should always follow the lane markings, which are there for two reasons: they make the best possible use of road space and they guide the traffic.

If the road surface is loose, it's possible for the loose surfaces to slide over each other. A vehicle's tyres may grip the surface layer but this may slide across a lower layer. An anti-lock braking system would be less effective in this situation.

Be sure that the gap in the central reservation is wide enough to protect your vehicle before moving into it. Once you're within the central reservation, wait for a safe opportunity to complete the crossing. Where the central reservation is narrow, treat a dual carriageway as one road. Wait until it's clear in both directions before emerging, otherwise your vehicle will cause an obstruction to one or more lanes of traffic.

Drivers and riders should proceed with caution at a junction where the traffic lights have failed. They should treat the situation as if it were an unmarked junction. As no-one has priority, everyone should be prepared to stop.

Before you set off, you should make sure that you can see clearly through all the windows. Don't just rely on the wipers to clear the front and rear, as this will leave dangerous blind spots. If you need to, pull up safely and clear the windows by hand.

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.

Take care to understand what the approaching driver intends, as this may determine your approach. Turning behind the approaching vehicle, wherever possible, will ensure that your view of the road ahead isn't blocked. At some junctions, the layout may make it difficult to turn this way; if this is the case, be prepared to pass in front of the other vehicle. At some junctions, the lane markings direct you to turn this way.

If an ADI is charging for a driving lesson, they must display their ADI certificate and appropriate L or D plates on the tuition car.

Wet weather will affect the time it takes for you to stop. If another vehicle pulls into the gap you've left, ease back until you've regained the stopping distance that's appropriate for the conditions.

If your indicators don't turn off automatically, you must cancel them. This might happen after a slight deviation, where the movement of the steering wheel hasn't been enough to activate the auto-cancel mechanism. A signal that continues to show after it should have cancelled can mislead other road users.

Long vehicles might have to take a slightly different position when approaching the roundabout or going around it. This is to stop the rear of the vehicle cutting in and mounting the kerb. Horse riders and cyclists might stay in the left-hand lane although they're turning right. Be aware of this and allow them room.

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.

By taking a position well to the left as you enter a right-hand bend, you'll improve your view around the bend. This will help you to see any hazards as soon as possible. Positioning well to the left also reduces the risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle that may have drifted over the centre line.

It's the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 14 years old wear a seat belt, or are fastened in an approved child restraint. However, it's good practice to ensure that all other passengers wear seat belts as well.