Large vehicles can throw up a lot of spray when the roads are wet. This will make it difficult for you to see ahead. Dropping back will move you out of the spray and let you see more of the road ahead.

Following too closely behind another vehicle at night may dazzle the driver. If you drop back, your headlight beam will fall short of the vehicle and so avoid dazzle.

Treat an unmarked crossroads with great caution, since neither road has priority. Never assume priority if there are no road markings - other drivers may do the same and a collision could result. Look, assess, decide and only proceed when you're sure it's safe.

If someone's been injured, the sooner proper medical attention is given, the better. Either ask someone to phone for help or do so yourself. Only move an injured person if there's a risk of further danger. Don't remove an injured motorcyclist's helmet unless it's essential.

When your vehicle is too big to fit into the central reservation, you should treat a dual carriageway as one road and wait until the road is clear in both directions before emerging to turn right. If you try to treat it as two separate roads and wait in the middle, your vehicle will overhang the central reservation and could cause a collision.

Seat belts should be worn at all times, unless you're carrying out a manoeuvre that involves reversing. The seat belt should be put back on when you've finished the manoeuvre.

When a driver is following you too closely, gradually increase the gap between your vehicle and the one in front. This will create a buffer, giving you more time to react if traffic suddenly slows down or stops.

If your vehicle breaks down, be aware of the danger to, and from, other traffic. Get your vehicle off the road if possible. Use a warning triangle to alert other road users to the obstruction, unless you're on a motorway.

It's not easy to see cyclists and motorcyclists, due to their small size when compared with other vehicles. At junctions, it's important that you look for these small vehicles; they're easy to overlook and riders are very vulnerable to injury in a collision.

Always use your headlights at night on a motorway unless you've stopped on the hard shoulder. If you have to use the hard shoulder, switch off the headlights but leave the parking lights switched on to help other road users see your vehicle.

In wet weather, visibility on the motorway is made worse by the spray thrown up from vehicles' tyres. Using dipped headlights will help other drivers to see you more easily.

High-intensity rear fog lights are to be used when fog has seriously reduced visibility. Using them at any other time runs the risk of dazzling drivers behind. A warning light will show on the dashboard to indicate when your rear fog lights are on. You should know the meaning of all the lights on your dashboard and check them before you move off and as you drive.

If you're on the motorway and have to call the emergency services, the operator will need to know your exact location. Look for a number on the nearest marker post beside the hard shoulder. Give this number to the operator and be ready to describe where you are. For example, tell the operator the last junction or service area you passed. This will help the emergency services to reach you as quickly as possible.

Make sure that you don't swing out into the centre of the road just before turning left. Stay in your normal driving position, so that other road users don't misunderstand your intentions.

It's against the law to drive on or over a footpath, except to gain access to a property. If you need to cross a pavement, watch for pedestrians in both directions.

You need to allow extra room in case the side wind blows the rider across the lane and into your path. Additionally, the draught from your vehicle could further buffet and unbalance the rider.

Before you change lane in a traffic queue, look for motorcyclists who may be filtering between the lanes of traffic. Make sure you look properly, as a motorcycle is small and easy to overlook.

A pupil should be advised to seek assistance if they can't see clearly behind when they're reversing. During the driving test, however, the examiner will select a corner where this won't be necessary.

There are times when other drivers make incorrect or ill-judged decisions. Stay calm and don't retaliate or react aggressively. Always consider the safety of other road users, your passengers and yourself.

In good, dry conditions, an alert driver who's driving a vehicle with tyres and brakes in good condition needs to keep a gap of at least two seconds from the car in front. When the road surface is wet, the gap needs to be increased to four seconds - and if it's icy, then the gap needs to increase to as much as 20 seconds.

The thinking distance is the distance that the vehicle travels from the moment the driver realises there's a need to brake, until they actually begin to apply the brakes. This reaction time can increase if a driver is tired or unwell.

The right-hand lane of the motorway is for overtaking. Once overtaking is completed, you should return to the lane on your left. Sometimes you may be directed into a right-hand lane as a result of roadworks or an incident. This will be indicated by signs or officers directing the traffic.

Properly timed signals tell other road users what you intend to do. When you're turning right at a roundabout, signal left just after passing the exit before the one you wish to take. This helps drivers behind and also those waiting to join the roundabout.

Usually, a road is constructed with a camber: the road surface slopes to assist with drainage. Some bends have an 'adverse camber'. This is where the road slopes towards the outside of the bend. When going around a bend that has adverse camber, you need to take extra care. The forces acting on your vehicle could cause it to leave the road more easily than normal.

If there are no speed-limit signs, street lights usually indicate a 30 mph speed limit.

You need to understand how your headlights are designed to operate. The main beam is aimed far ahead and to the left, while the dipped beam is aimed a short distance ahead and to the left. On the road, this means that on left-hand bends your headlights are aimed directly at the approaching driver, so you need to dip early to avoid dazzling them. Similarly, if you stop on the offside at night, even your dipped beam will dazzle oncoming drivers, as it's now aimed directly at them; using parking lights will avoid any dazzle.

If traffic is moving slowly in queues on a motorway, stay in your lane. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than the queue you're in, you may pass on the left.

Hazard warning lights are an important safety feature. Use them if your vehicle has broken down and is causing an obstruction. You can also use them to warn traffic behind of danger ahead when you're driving on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway.

Should the parking brake fail, the use of first gear will help to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. By turning the front wheels to the right, they'll travel the shortest distance before running against the kerb. This will reduce the potential for the vehicle to move any further.

Always carry an advance warning triangle, or other permitted warning device, in your vehicle. Use it to warn other road users if your vehicle has broken down or there's been an incident. You're advised to place it about 45 metres (147 feet) behind the vehicle, on the same side of the road. You may need to place it further back if the vehicle is hidden by, for example, a bend, hill or dip in the road. Never attempt to place any warning device on a motorway.

On motorways, the higher speed of traffic requires direction signs to be placed well before junctions. The first sign will usually be found one mile before the exit, then another sign half a mile before the exit. Where junctions are close together, this distance may be reduced to two-thirds and one-third of a mile.

Learners might not have confidence when they first start to drive. Allow them plenty of room and make allowances for their hesitation. We all learn from experience, but new drivers will have had less practice in dealing with all the situations that they meet.

Try to plan your journey so that you can take rest stops. It's recommended that you take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. This should help to maintain your concentration.

You can overtake other traffic on either side when travelling in a one-way street. Make full use of your mirrors and ensure that it's clear all around before you attempt to overtake. Look for signs and road markings and use the most suitable lane for your destination.

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.

Large vehicles can hide other vehicles that are overtaking, especially motorcycles. You need to be aware of the possibility of hidden vehicles and not assume that it's safe to emerge.

hen a vehicle is travelling slowly, the driver or rider is probably looking for a turning or entrance. Be patient and stay behind them. They're quite likely to change direction or stop, suddenly and without signalling.

If you're waiting to emerge from a side road, watch out for motorcycles. They're narrower than cars and can be difficult to see. Be especially careful if there are parked vehicles restricting your view. A motorcycle might be approaching. If you don't know, don't go.

Signals should be cancelled soon after use. If a driver is unsure of the location of a junction or destination, they may signal earlier than normal while looking for their turn. Don't attempt to overtake, as they may turn suddenly.

The flashing amber lights are switched on to warn you that children may be crossing near a school. Slow down and take extra care, as you may have to stop.

A properly adjusted head restraint can help to prevent whiplash injury to the neck and spine. You're most likely to suffer this type of injury if you're hit from behind by another vehicle.

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.

Try not to panic if a tyre bursts while you're driving. Take your foot off the accelerator and avoid braking suddenly. Try to steer a straight course while holding the wheel firmly.

Before you test the brakes, don't forget to check for traffic behind. If it's safe, drive slowly and gently apply the brakes until they dry out and work properly again.

The approach to and exit from a pedestrian crossing is marked with zigzag lines. You mustn't park in this area, as it would block the view for pedestrians and traffic. Overtaking the leading vehicle on approach to a crossing is also illegal.

Where it's necessary to temporarily close a motorway or other main road, signs will be displayed advising drivers to follow a particular symbol in order to rejoin their route. These symbols are often permanently displayed on direction signs.

You must always obey red flashing stop lights. If a train passes but the lights continue to flash, another train will be passing soon. Cross only when the lights go off and the barriers open.

If you drive at speed in very wet conditions, your steering may suddenly feel lighter than usual. This means that the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are skating on the surface of the water. This is known as aquaplaning. Reduce speed by easing off the accelerator, but don't brake until your steering feels normal again.

If your car is fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), this will activate when you brake so hard that the tyres start to lose their grip on the road surface. At this point, the wheels would normally lock up and a skid would start. The ABS senses the wheel locking and releases the brake pressure just enough to avoid the skid. It then cycles through applying and releasing the brake pressure many times per second. This ensures maximum braking for the available grip is constantly applied without the wheels locking.

In very wet weather, water can build up between the tyre and the road surface. As a result, your vehicle rides on a thin film of water and your tyres won't grip the road. Gravel or shingle surfaces also offer less grip and can cause problems when braking. An anti-lock braking system may be ineffective in these conditions.

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) activates automatically when the brakes are applied. It prevents the wheels from locking, so reducing the likelihood of a skid developing. ABS doesn't remove the need for good driving practices such as anticipation and driving at the correct speed for the conditions.

The diesel you use to run a vehicle is a form of oil and, as such, is very slippery when spilt on the road. The usual places to find diesel spillage are near filling stations and on bends or roundabouts. Overfilled fuel tanks and poorly fitting or missing fuel filler caps are often the cause of diesel spillage, so make sure you replace your fuel filler cap securely after refuelling.

If you don't have your vehicle serviced regularly, the engine will steadily become less efficient. This loss of efficiency will progressively cause an increase in fuel consumption, engine running problems and increased risk of the vehicle breaking down.

Make sure you know what the different warning lights mean. An illuminated warning light could mean that your car is unsafe to drive. Don't take risks. If you're not sure about the problem, get a qualified mechanic to check it.

A continuous white line is used on many roads to indicate the edge of the carriageway. This can be useful when visibility is restricted. The line is discontinued at junctions, lay-bys, and entrances and exits from private drives.

Before starting any journey, make sure your windows and mirrors are clean and your lights are working. You need to be able to see clearly and be seen by other road users. This is especially important when visibility is reduced, as in fog or heavy rain.

When all four wheels are driven, there's less chance of the tyres losing their grip, compared with a two-wheel-drive vehicle. But this doesn't replace the skills you need to drive safely. The extra grip helps to prevent skidding when travelling on slippery or uneven roads.

It's recommended that you check all the lights on your vehicle on a daily basis and replace any faulty bulbs. Carrying spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle will ensure you can replace a bulb as soon as you find it has failed.

Most pedestrian crossings are for pedestrians only, but the toucan crossing has been designed to be shared by both pedestrians and cyclists. You can expect to find a toucan crossing where a cycle route and a footpath cross a road at the same point.

Normally, a driver shouldn't stop or park on a road that has double white lines along the centre. However, you may stop for long enough to set down or pick up passengers, or to load or unload goods.

The lane under a gantry signal showing a red cross with flashing red lights is closed to traffic. You shouldn't proceed past that point in that lane. Should other lanes be open, move to a different lane and proceed with care. If red signals are shown above all lanes, then all lanes are closed: you must stop and wait for the lights to change or until you're directed to move.

A spongy footbrake normally indicates that air has entered the hydraulic system. This may be caused by allowing the fluid level to fall too far, a fluid leak, or moisture ingress. If the brakes feel spongy or slack, have them checked by a qualified mechanic. Test your brakes before the start of every journey. Check the brake fluid regularly but don't overfill it.

At the start of their training, a pupil needs to understand why the seating adjustment is important. They should familiarise themselves with all seat adjustment controls; without assistance, pupils should be able to move the seat into a position where they can reach all of the important controls comfortably.

Routine checks, particularly before a long journey, can help to save trouble and expense. Check the operation of all lights, including the brake lights, each time you use the vehicle.

If you see a vehicle with a flashing green beacon approaching, it means the driver or passenger is a doctor on an emergency call. Allow it to pass when you can do so safely. Someone's life could depend on the driver making good progress through the traffic.

If your tyre pressures are lower than those recommended by the manufacturer, there will be increased rolling resistance. To overcome this, the engine will have to work harder, resulting in increased fuel consumption. Check your tyre pressures at least once a week.

If a bus is signalling to move off, give it priority as long as it's safe to do so. Look for pedestrians who have left the bus and may be trying to cross the road.

Reflective studs on the motorway are there to help you in poor visibility. Different colours are used so that you'll know which lane you're in. These are
- red on the left-hand side of the road
- white between lanes
- amber on the right-hand edge of the carriageway
- green between the carriageway and slip roads.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce toxic exhaust emissions by up to 90%. They have a high normal working temperature and for this reason are inefficient when the engine is cold.

You must stop if there's a red cross with red lights flashing above every lane on the motorway. However, if the signs over any of the other lanes don't show this signal, you may move into one of those lanes and continue, if it's safe to do so.

When traffic lights are out of order, you should treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be cautious, as you may need to give way or stop. Keep a lookout for traffic attempting to cross the junction at speed.

The speed limit on a dual carriageway or motorway is 70 mph for cars and motorcycles, unless there are signs to indicate otherwise. If your car or motorcycle is towing a trailer, then a lower national speed limit applies. The speed limits for different types of vehicle are listed in The Highway Code.

Red flashing lights above every lane mean you mustn't go on any further. You'll also see a red cross illuminated. Stop and wait. Don't
- change lanes
- continue
- stop on the hard shoulder (unless in an emergency).

The speed limit for a car on the motorway is 70 mph. Drive in the left-hand lane whenever possible. Only move to the right to overtake, even if you're travelling at the national speed limit.

Give way to buses if you can do so safely, especially when they signal to move off from a bus stop. Look out for people who've just got off the bus, as they may try to cross the road. Don't try to accelerate past before the bus starts moving, and don't flash your headlights; other road users may be misled by this signal.

If someone is deaf as well as blind, they may be carrying a white stick with a red reflective band. You can't know whether a pedestrian is deaf. Don't assume that everyone can hear you approaching.

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.

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.

It must be appreciated that the examiner's decision can't be changed. However, if the candidate believes that the test wasn't conducted properly, they have the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court in England and Wales or the Sheriff's Court in Scotland.

A candidate must be able to read a modern-style number plate (made after 1 September 2001) from 20 metres. If the candidate's eyesight isn't up to the required standard, the test will go no further and they'll have failed.

If a disabled driver passes their driving test in a specifically adapted motor car, the driving licence issued will restrict them to driving vehicles fitted with the necessary adaptations.

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.

If you're involved in a collision that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you must stop and exchange details with anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them. If you don't give your details at the time, report the incident to the police as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours.

A pedestrian who's carrying a white cane with a red band or bands is both blind and deaf. This makes them very vulnerable, since they can neither see nor hear you approaching.

When parking, all ancillary controls should be switched off and the engine stopped. Make sure that the handbrake is applied firmly before leaving the vehicle.

The national speed limit for a car or motorcycle on a single carriageway is 60 mph. You don't have to drive at the speed limit. Use your judgement and keep within the speed limit while driving at a speed that suits the road, weather and traffic conditions.

A person with only one eye isn't considered to have a disability for the purpose of driving and will be issued with an unrestricted driving licence.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will need to know that your pupil is profoundly deaf to make the appropriate booking arrangements. This should be recorded when booking the test. Approved driving instructors should be able to help any pupil with their application for a theory test or a practical driving test.

The extended test takes about 70 minutes and is assessed to the same level as the standard driving test for learner drivers.

Dual accelerators aren't normally fitted to training vehicles. If one is fitted, it must be removed while the vehicle is being used for a driving test.

Vehicles towing trailers are subject to a speed limit of 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways. In addition, any vehicle towing a trailer may not use the right-hand lane of a motorway that has three or more lanes.

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.

The lights that control the crossing show to both directions of traffic. If a pedestrian from either side is still crossing when the amber light is flashing, you must wait.

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.

Overtaking on the approach to a junction is fraught with danger and shouldn't be attempted. Particular guidance needs to be given about the unusual course a large goods vehicle may need to take in order to negotiate the junction safely.

You may need to check your pupil's understanding by asking questions. If they offer a partially correct answer, you should confirm the correct parts and, to complete their understanding, give them feedback on where they went wrong.

A pupil needs time to react to an instructor's directions. It's recommended that an instructor uses the Alert - Direct - Identify procedure. For example, 'At the roundabout' (alert them and gain their attention); 'take the road off to the right, it's the third exit' (direct them); 'it's signposted to Bristol' (identify).

The fuel in your vehicle can be a dangerous fire hazard. A strong smell of petrol may indicate a fuel leak and needs investigating. Don't use a naked flame near the vehicle if you can smell fuel, and don't smoke when refuelling your vehicle.

Only drive if you're fit to do so. Some medication can affect your concentration, your ability to stay awake and your judgement when dealing with hazards. Driving while taking such medication is highly dangerous.

If you're taking medication that's likely to affect your driving, don't drive. You mustn't put other road users, your passengers or yourself at risk.

If a medicine you need to take is making you feel drowsy, get advice from your doctor before driving.

The key attitude to develop in driving is active responsibility. For most pupils, and adolescents in particular, responsibility needs to be learnt. You should encourage learners to practise taking responsibility at the earliest opportunity.

Regardless of a driver's experience, the Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre (MSM) routine should be an integral part of their driving. The Manoeuvre part is broken down into P - Position - Position your vehicle correctly and in good time. S - Speed - Adjust your speed as necessary for the manoeuvre. L - Look - Look for other traffic or road users when you reach a point from which you can see. Assess the situation, then decide whether it's safe to proceed and act accordingly.

You should agree a plan with your pupil at the start of a lesson. However, as the lesson progresses it may become clear that the plan needs to be adapted - for example, if there's a gap in the pupil's knowledge that needs to be filled before they can proceed. You should agree with your pupil how to deal with that gap, even if it means changing the original lesson plan.

Simply telling a pupil that they're driving too fast isn't sufficient. Explanations need to be given, highlighting what may occur if they repeat the fault. More importantly, they need to know what to do to prevent it from happening again.

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.

Learning is far more effective when a pupil can identify for themselves the reason why something has gone wrong. If they can't work it out, you can help them to understand with an explanation or a diagram. When they understand the problem, the pupil should then practise this manoeuvre.