Four amber lights flash in alternate horizontal pairs to provide a warning and to draw the driver's attention to the message displayed.

Be cautious, especially if there's a bend in the road and you're unable to see well ahead. If you have to pass pedestrians, leave them plenty of room. You might have to use the right-hand side of the road, so look well ahead and in your mirrors before you pull out.

By planning your journey to avoid busy times, you'll avoid the build-up of traffic that often occurs.

Look well ahead and be ready to deal with any hazards you see coming up, such as animals in the road. Horses are easily scared by the noise of an engine and the size of your vehicle may also be intimidating. Approach them as slowly and quietly as you can.

Always look into the road you're entering. If pedestrians are already crossing, be considerate and give way to them. Don't wave or signal them to hurry; they have priority here.

Passenger safety is your main responsibility. Before you allow them to step down from the bus, you should always check your mirrors to make sure there's nothing approaching that could endanger them.

The endurance brake (retarder) usually operates by applying resistance, via the transmission, to the vehicle's driven wheels. If the road is slippery, the tyres may lose grip and the wheels will lock.

It's essential that the tyres on your vehicle are in good condition. You must never forget that you have passengers on board. Their safety must be your priority. At no time should the depth of the tread be less than 1 mm over three-quarters of the width of the tyre.

As soon as you detect a fault on your vehicle, you must take action. Where faulty brakes are concerned, you need to seek help immediately. Always report minor faults as soon as you detect them. Minor faults can become major ones if they aren't repaired quickly.

It's important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front at all times. This still applies in congested tunnels, even if you're moving very slowly or have stopped. If the vehicle in front breaks down, you may need room to manoeuvre past it.

The faster the traffic is moving, the greater the distance that needs to be kept between vehicles to maintain safety margins. If you find another vehicle driving too close behind you, gradually reduce your speed to increase your distance from the vehicle in front. You'll then be able to brake more gently when you need to, reducing the likelihood of the lorry behind running into the back of your vehicle.

Buffer lanes are often found in places that are frequently subjected to high winds. Examples include high-level bridges, high-level roads, exposed viaducts and exposed stretches of motorway. Listen to the weather forecast, which should tell you of any need to re-plan your route.

When traffic is heavy, plan well ahead so that you don't block crossings. Leave them clear so that pedestrians can cross safely.

Using cruise control can help save fuel. The sensitive electronics make continuous micro-adjustments that improve efficiency. It should only be used when you can see well ahead in good road conditions. Switch it off immediately if the traffic situation changes.

To lift a load manually, your feet should be apart, with one leg slightly forward to help you keep your balance. Place one foot alongside the load if it's on the ground. Be prepared to move your feet to keep a stable position.

Most speed limiters work by taking a speed signal from the tachograph and transmitting it to the engine management system. This reduces the fuel supply to the engine, and allows the speed of the vehicle to be controlled to specific limits. The speed at which a limiter is set must be shown on a plate clearly displayed in the cab. You should be aware of the effect a speed limiter will have on your vehicle, especially when overtaking.

Vehicles towing caravans or trailers on motorways are limited in two ways • the maximum speed is 60 mph • on motorways with more than two lanes, towing vehicles aren't allowed in the outside lane, unless other lanes are closed.

Every year, there are hundreds of incidents in the UK where vehicles hit railway or motorway bridges. Most involve buses, coaches and lorries. Make sure your route doesn't take you under a bridge that's too low for your vehicle. If you hit a bridge, you'll be putting yourself and any passengers at risk, and you could cause a major disruption to road and rail transport.

You need to know the length of your vehicle as well as its weight, height and width. Places where the length of your vehicle may be relevant are

• road tunnels
• level crossings
• ferries
• bridges.

The parking brake must always be set whenever you leave the vehicle. It's an offence not to leave your vehicle properly secured.

The horn shouldn't be used between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am in a built-up area. The only exception is when another road user is unaware of you and poses a danger.

It can be frustrating and worrying to find your planned route is blocked by roadworks or diversions. If you've planned an alternative, you'll feel less stressed and able to concentrate fully on your driving. If your original route is mostly on motorways, it's a good idea to plan an alternative using non-motorway roads. Always carry a map with you just in case you need to refer to it - but stop driving before you do so.