Quick Test #1

If there is no-one on the crossing when the amber light is flashing, you may proceed over the crossing. You don’t need to wait for the green light to show.

Windscreen pillars can completely block your view of pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. You should particularly watch out for these road users; don’t just rely on a quick glance. Where possible make eye contact with them so you can be sure they have seen you too.

If you are in a collision that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, by law you MUST STOP. Give your name, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the vehicle’s registration number to anyone who has reasonable grounds for requiring them.

This distance is the equivalent of 18 car lengths. Try pacing out 73 metres and then look back. It’s probably further than you think.

If the wheels of your vehicle lock they will not grip the road and you will lose steering control. In good conditions the anti-lock system will prevent the wheels locking and allow you to retain steering control.

Fitting a stabiliser to your tow bar will help to reduce snaking by the caravan especially where there are crosswinds. However, this does not take away your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle/caravan combination is loaded correctly.

Learners might not have confidence when they first start to drive. Allow them plenty of room and don’t react adversely to their hesitation. We all learn from experience, but new drivers will have had less practice in dealing with all the situations that might occur.

Pedestrians and riders on two wheels can be harder to see than other road users. Make sure you look for them, especially at junctions. Good effective observation, coupled with appropriate action, can save lives.

Before overtaking assess the situation. Look well ahead to see if the cyclist will need to change direction. Be especially aware of the cyclist approaching parked vehicles as they will need to alter course. Do not pass too closely or cut in sharply.

Check the vehicle handbook. This should give you guidance on the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle and when you may need to adjust them. If you are carrying a heavy load you may need to adjust the headlights as well. Most cars have a switch on the dashboard to do this.

It is a serious offence to drive without insurance. As well as a heavy fine you may be disqualified or incur penalty points.

Red rear reflectors show up when headlights shine on them. These are useful when you are 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.

When you want to go straight on at a roundabout, don’t signal as you approach it, but indicate left just after you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

In windy weather, watch out for motorcyclists and also cyclists as they can be blown sideways into your path. When you pass them, leave plenty of room and check their position in your mirror before pulling back in.

If you’re waiting to emerge from a side road watch out for motorcycles: they’re small and can be difficult to see. Be especially careful if there are parked vehicles restricting your view, there might be a motorcycle approaching. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, DON’T GO.

Although a convex mirror gives a wide view of the scene behind, you should be aware that it will not show you everything behind or to the side of the vehicle. Before you move off you will need to check over your shoulder to look for anything not visible in the mirrors.

Don’t be tempted to drive if you’ve lost or forgotten your glasses. You must be able to see clearly when driving.

Sometimes you may not be able to see that the road is icy. Black ice makes a road look damp. The signs that you’re travelling on black ice can be that the steering feels light or that the noise from your tyres suddenly goes quiet.

Too much oil in the engine will create excess pressure and could damage engine seals and cause oil leaks. Any excess oil should be drained off.