At a ford, the road passes through a stream at a place where the water is normally shallow. When you've gone through the water, you should test your brakes and if necessary dry them out. To do this, first check that you won't cause danger to traffic behind. Then apply a light brake pressure while moving slowly. Make sure your brakes are working properly before resuming normal driving.

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.

When parking at night, park in the direction of the traffic flow. This will enable other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle. You must also use parking lights where the speed limit is more than 30 mph.

Potential driving instructors (PDIs) will have their eyesight tested at the start of their Part 2 examination. A number plate, where the letters and figures are 79 mm tall and 50 mm wide, must be read at a minimum distance of 26.5 metres (87 feet). If a PDI can't pass this test, their Part 2 examination will go no further. This won't, however, affect their licence to drive, as the ADI eyesight test standard exceeds the legal eyesight requirement.

If you're involved 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.

Always switch off the engine, remove the key and lock your car, even if you're only leaving it for a few minutes.

When driving a motor car, a learner driver who holds a provisional driving licence must
- display red L plates (or D plates in Wales) to the front and rear of the vehicle
- be insured to drive the vehicle
- be accompanied by someone who's at least 21 years old and who has held for at least three years (and still holds) a full licence for the category of vehicle being driven.

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.

If you wish to carry a heavy load on your vehicle, it's your responsibility to ensure that the load is secure and the vehicle isn't overloaded.

Approved driving instructors and trainee driving instructors are issued with an identification certificate. This must be displayed on the windscreen of a vehicle that's being used for a driving lesson.

When parking on a road at night, all vehicles must display parking lights when the road has a speed limit greater than 30 mph.

Only use front fog lights when adverse weather conditions mean you can't see more than 100 metres (328 feet). Remember: to avoid dazzling other drivers, turn off your fog lights when the visibility improves.

It's illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Using a hands-free system doesn't mean that you can hold a conversation and drive safely at the same time; it will still distract your attention from the road. Act responsibly and wait until you've parked before using your mobile phone.

A driver who's been drinking alcohol should go home by public transport or taxi. Alcohol takes time to leave the body and someone might remain unfit to drive even the day after drinking it.

A person who's colour-blind will have to take exactly the same practical driving test as any other candidate. No restriction will be placed on their driving licence when they pass their test.

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.

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.

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.

Where there are extra hazards such as roadworks, it's often necessary to slow traffic down by imposing a temporary speed limit. The speed-limit sign will be circular and edged with a red ring. This tells you that the sign is an order and you must obey it.

A 60 mph speed limit applies to a vehicle towing a trailer on a motorway; such a vehicle is also not allowed in the right-hand lane of a motorway that has more than two lanes.