Always use your headlights, even on motorways that are lit. Use dipped beam where necessary, to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Provided they're breathing, unconscious casualties shouldn't usually be moved. The exception to this is when there's further danger; for example, from other traffic or from fire. Moving a person unnecessarily could cause further injury.

After ensuring the scene is safe, your priorities are to cool the burns with a clean, cool, non-toxic liquid and then to check the casualty for shock. Don't remove anything sticking to the burns, as this could cause further injury and infection.

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.

The names of towns and cities may be painted on the road at busy junctions and complex road systems. Their purpose is to let you move into the correct lane in good time, and so help traffic to flow more freely.

A security-coded radio can deter thieves, as it's likely to be of little use when removed from the vehicle.

If you feel drowsy while driving on a motorway, find a safe and legal place to park as soon as you can. This will mean either leaving the motorway at the next exit or pulling in at the next service area.

Normally, you should place your warning triangle on the same side of the road as your vehicle, and at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind it. On a very narrow road, the triangle itself could be a hazard and is best placed off the road but in a clearly visible position. Don't place a warning triangle on a motorway.

By keeping well back from the large vehicle, you'll increase your view past it. This will allow you to see further down the road and be prepared for any hazards.

You must use headlights at night, except on a road that's lit by street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit. However, it's advisable to use headlights at all times when driving at night or in poor visibility, to help other road users to see you.

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.

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 driving along a main road and find you need to turn around and drive in the opposite direction, you'll have to find a safe place to turn. Don't attempt to turn around on the main road but find a quiet side road. Choose a place where you won't obstruct an entrance or exit. Look out for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as other traffic.

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.

Motorcyclists, drivers of high-sided vehicles and those towing caravans are likely to have difficulty in windy weather. You should keep well back, as the motorcyclist could be blown off course - especially as they emerge from the shelter of the large vehicle.

If you see a bus ahead, watch out for pedestrians. They may not be able to see you if they're crossing behind the bus.

Many large goods vehicles are fitted with spray-suppression equipment, but in heavy rain their tyres will still throw up a lot of spray. This spray can severely reduce your view ahead, even with your windscreen wipers on their high-speed setting. If you stay further back than normal, you'll be out of the spray thrown up by the lorry tyres and give yourself more time to stop if you have to.

In good conditions, one useful method of checking that you've allowed enough room between you and the vehicle in front is the two-second rule. To check for a two-second time gap, choose a stationary object ahead, such as a bridge or road sign. When the car in front passes the object, say, 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'. If you reach the object before you finish saying this, you're too close.

If you follow another vehicle with your headlights on full beam, they could dazzle the driver. Leave a safe distance and ensure that the light from your dipped beam falls short of the vehicle in front.

Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. If someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to maintain a two-second gap.

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.

If another driver wishes to travel faster than you, it isn't your role to try and stop them. Move to the left when it's safe and let them pass, even if they appear to be breaking the speed limit.

Normally, an overtaking manoeuvre is carried out by passing the slower vehicle on its right. However, on a congested motorway where traffic on your right is moving more slowly than you are, it's acceptable to continue in the same lane and pass vehicles on their left.

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 there's no pavement, The Highway Code advises pedestrians to walk on the right-hand side of the road, which means they may be walking towards you on your side of the road. At night or in poor visibility, they may be very difficult to see, so where there are no pavements, be mindful that pedestrians may be in the road ahead.

If you're waiting at a junction and a vehicle is approaching from your right, signalling to turn left into your road, wait until you're sure it's turning before emerging. It may be that the driver intends to stop on the left beyond your road, or they may have forgotten to cancel the signal from a previous manoeuvre.

It's more difficult to judge speed and distance in conditions of poor visibility, when shapes or outlines can become less distinct and potentially more confusing. You must always be able to stop in the distance that you can see to be clear.

All motor vehicles are fitted with a horn; its purpose is to warn other road users of the vehicle's presence. You mustn't sound the horn between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am in a built-up area or when you're stationary, except when another road user poses a danger.

On a three-lane motorway, you should travel in the left-hand lane unless you're overtaking. This applies regardless of the speed at which you're travelling.

You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of elderly drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don't lose patience or show your annoyance.

In fog, you won't be able to see as far ahead as you can on a clear day. You'll need to reduce your speed so that, if a hazard develops, you have the time and space to take avoiding action. If you can, try to delay your journey until the fog has cleared.

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.

The hard shoulder of a motorway that's not subject to smart motorway technology is only to be used in an emergency or if you break down. Roadside emergency telephones are placed about one mile apart and they connect directly to a control centre. The control centre will know your exact location from the telephone you're using and will inform the appropriate emergency services for you. Never cross the carriageway to use a telephone on the other side.

You should stay in the left-hand lane of a motorway unless overtaking. The right-hand lane of a motorway is an overtaking lane and not a 'fast lane'. After overtaking, move back to the left when it's safe to do so.

You should normally overtake on the right, but there are some occasions when you may overtake on the left. These include when you're driving on a dual carriageway or motorway and the traffic is moving slowly in queues, or when a vehicle ahead is positioned to turn right and there's room to pass on the left. On dual carriageways or motorways, don't overtake on the left if traffic is flowing freely.

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.

You should keep to the left and only use the centre or right-hand lanes if you're passing slower-moving traffic.

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.

It takes more time to overtake a long vehicle than a small one, such as a car. Before overtaking, you need to be able to see far enough ahead to know that you have the space and time to complete the manoeuvre safely. Hazards to watch for include oncoming traffic, junctions, bends or dips (which could restrict your view), and any signs or road markings prohibiting overtaking.

A long vehicle, such as a lorry, a coach or a vehicle towing a trailer, may swing out to the right as it approaches a left turn. This allows the rear wheels to clear the kerb. Don't try to filter through if you see a gap on the nearside.

The 'stop' sign is the only road sign that's octagonal. This is so that it can be recognised and obeyed even if it's obscured; for example, by snow.

Look all around before and during any manoeuvre. Always stop and give way to any pedestrians who wish to cross the road behind your vehicle. The shape and size of your vehicle can restrict visibility; be aware that there may be a small child or a low obstruction hidden from view.

In a left-hand-drive vehicle, use of the mirrors and awareness of blind areas is very important. Being seated on the car's left makes the blind area on your right more difficult to overcome. For example, when joining a dual carriageway or motorway from a slip road, traffic on the carriageway will be approaching in the blind area on your right and could easily be overlooked.

When brakes are applied on a car moving in a straight line, they slow the rotation of the wheels but the rest of the car tries to continue moving forward. This shifts more of the car's weight onto the front wheels, making steering more difficult. If the car is cornering when the brakes are applied, the weight shifts both forward and towards the outside of the bend, thus the weight is loaded onto one front wheel. In severe cases, this can lead to skidding or even cause the car to roll over.

If you operate the brakes when air is in the hydraulic system, they'll have a spongy feel and braking efficiency will be reduced. This is because the air in the system is being compressed as you brake; hydraulic brake fluid alone can't be compressed. If you notice there's a fault with your brakes, have them checked as soon as possible. Don't drive with faulty brakes.

This curved arrow on the road indicates the direction that traffic should pass solid double white lines that are coming up. These arrows are also used on the approach to hatch markings and low arched bridges. Sometimes the arrow may curve to the right.

This sign reminds all road users that they're entering an area where cameras will monitor traffic regulations. This could include traffic-light cameras and bus-lane cameras, as well as the more common speed cameras.

The entry sign to a controlled parking zone will show the times of operation. Inside the zone, yellow lines indicate where waiting is prohibited. Yellow time plates are provided where a yellow-line restriction operates at different times from those shown on the entry sign.

The level of electrolyte in a battery may fall below the level of the plates. If this happens, you'll need to top up the electrolyte with distilled water. Make sure that the plates in each battery cell are covered, but don't overfill the cells.

In general, the vehicle handbook will recommend higher tyre pressures for continuous high-speed driving; for example, on long motorway trips. Increased tyre pressures may also be recommended when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load or when towing a trailer.

You should carry out frequent checks on all fluid levels. The brake-fluid level will fall as the friction material on your brake shoes or pads wears down. If it falls below the minimum mark on the fluid reservoir, air could enter the hydraulic system, and this will lead to loss of braking efficiency.

Chevrons are painted on the road surface to help you to judge a safe following distance. In good weather, at least two chevrons should be visible on the road surface between your vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead in your lane. Where there are no chevrons, you should use the two-second rule.

Carrying a heavy load in a vehicle will change its centre of gravity. This will affect the vehicle's handling on bends, compared with when it's lightly loaded. It's your responsibility to make sure that your vehicle isn't overloaded and that any load is secure.

A driver flashing their headlights has the same meaning as sounding the horn - it's a warning of their presence.

You mustn't park in spaces designated or marked for specific users, such as registered disabled drivers (whose vehicle will display a blue disabled badge), or in places reserved for local residents.

A clearway is a section of road where no stopping is allowed on the main carriageway. However, a driver can stop on an urban clearway, during its times of operation, to set down or pick up passengers.

Hazard warning lights mustn't be switched on in normal driving. The exception is when driving on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and there's a need to warn drivers behind of a hazard or obstruction ahead.

Driving in neutral or with the clutch down for long periods is known as 'coasting'. If you do this on a steep downhill gradient, there will be no engine braking to help check your speed.

Holding the clutch down or staying in neutral for too long will cause your vehicle to freewheel. This is known as 'coasting' and it's dangerous, because it reduces your control of the vehicle.

If the steering feels light when you're driving in heavy rain, it's probably due to water that has built up between your tyres and the road surface. Easing off the accelerator should allow your tyres to displace the film of water and they should then regain their grip on the road.

Check the vehicle handbook: this should give you guidance on the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle. There may be recommendations to increase the tyre pressure when carrying heavy loads or when travelling continuously at higher speeds, such as when using a motorway.

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.

Spilled fuel wastes money, damages the environment and makes the road surface slippery. This can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Ensuring that you replace the fuel filler cap securely will prevent fuel spilling from your vehicle's fuel tank.

Selecting a low gear when travelling downhill will help you to control your speed. The engine will assist the brakes and help prevent your vehicle from gathering speed.

The flashing amber light allows pedestrians who are already on the crossing to get to the other side before the green light shows to traffic. Give way to them and only proceed when the crossing is clear.

To test your suspension, press down sharply on the bodywork above each wheel and release it. If the vehicle bounces more than once, take it to be checked by a qualified mechanic. A good shock absorber will dampen the movement immediately.

If any warning light shows while you're driving, it indicates a fault that needs prompt attention. If the warning light for the anti-lock brake system shows, have the braking system checked before driving further.

You may use hazard warning lights when you slow suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway, to warn traffic behind of a hazard ahead. Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking.

When parking a vehicle with automatic transmission, the gear selector should be moved to the 'P' (Park) position. This locks the transmission and prevents the vehicle from moving forwards or backwards. This will stop it from rolling away should the parking brake fail.

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.

Exterior mirrors are designed to be convex. This gives a wide angle of view and helps to reduce blind areas. However, a vehicle behind will appear smaller and further away in a convex mirror, so it could be closer than you think.

Automatic transmission sometimes changes up as you approach a bend, due to reduced pressure on the accelerator. To avoid this, slow down before you reach the bend, then accelerate gently as you turn.

Most power steering systems only work when the engine is running. If the power steering system fails (or the engine cuts out), much more effort will be needed to steer the vehicle.

You may only stop on the carriageway of a motorway
- when told to do so by the police
- when a red cross with flashing red lights shows above every lane - in a traffic jam
- in an emergency or breakdown.

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.

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 toucan crossing is designed to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time. Look out for cyclists approaching the crossing at speed.

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.

At night or in poor visibility, reflective studs in the road help you to judge your position on the carriageway; the colour of the stud will assist you further. Where slip roads join or leave the motorway, green studs are used.

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.

Knowing the sequence of traffic lights allows you to plan your approach. This can help prevent excessive braking or hesitation at the junction.

The purpose of this road marking is to keep the junction clear of queuing traffic. You may only wait in the marked area when you're turning right and your exit lane is clear but you can't complete the turn because of oncoming traffic.

Although cars are the least likely to be affected, side winds can affect anyone, especially
- after overtaking a large vehicle
- when passing gaps between hedges or buildings
- on exposed sections of road.

Diamond-shaped signs apply to tram drivers. You should know their meaning so that you're aware of the priorities and are able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

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.

Clearways are in place so that traffic can flow without the obstruction of parked vehicles. Just one parked vehicle can cause an obstruction for all other traffic. Don't stop where a clearway is in force - not even to set down or pick up passengers.

When renewing your vehicle tax, you must have valid insurance cover for the vehicle. It's illegal to drive or keep a vehicle on public roads without insurance cover.

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

Anyone wishing to accompany a learner driver must be at least 21 years old and must have held (and still hold) a full licence for the category of vehicle being driven for at least three years.

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.

Drivers must be able to read a modern vehicle number plate from a distance of 20 metres. If you need glasses to do this, then you must wear them at all times when you're driving.

Bright fog lights can dazzle other drivers, so you must remember to turn them off when the fog lifts and visibility improves. Be prepared for patchy fog: you may need to turn the fog lights on again.

If your vehicle requires an MOT certificate, it's illegal to drive it without one. As well as being illegal, the vehicle may be unsafe for use on the road and your insurance may be invalid.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you think that the drugs you're taking are likely to make you feel drowsy or impair your judgement.

Double white lines along the centre of the road are usually found in places where there's a poor view ahead, usually caused by bends in the road. When the line nearest to you is solid, you may cross it to pass a stationary vehicle, providing that it's safe to do so.

Driving instructors who always display L plates on a training vehicle are exempt from having to remove them when a full licence holder is driving the car.

Photocard licences are valid for a maximum of 10 years. This is to allow the photographic likeness to be updated when the licence is renewed. However, the licence entitlement usually lasts until age 70.

When a candidate passes a practical driving test, their full licence is normally issued directly by the licensing authority. However, if this doesn't happen, successful candidates should apply for a full licence as soon as possible. The driving-test pass certificate is valid for two years; if a full licence isn't applied for within that time, the driver will need to retake their 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.

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.

If a pupil is to make effective progress, they must have an accurate idea of how well they're doing. It would be dangerous if they moved on to a more complex driving task before mastering all the competencies required to perform that task successfully. Ideally, the process should start with you encouraging the pupil to identify their own weaknesses.

At junctions where the view is restricted, you need to make sure your pupil has time to assess the situation. Teach them to approach slowly and get a good look at the traffic situation before making a decision.

At the correct stage in a pupil's development, it's beneficial to practise steering the vehicle with one hand. They should then find it easier to change gear, operate another control or give arm signals as and when appropriate. Any tendency to drive with one hand without good reason should be strongly discouraged.

Learning targets should be realistic and attainable; reaching a learning target will reinforce a pupil's progress. Setting objectives that are too ambitious or too complex is more likely to demotivate pupils.

If you need to use the dual controls, you must make sure the pupil understands why you've done so. If you need to use the dual controls often, it suggests that you've overestimated your pupil's ability and are asking too much of them. If you don't recognise this, your pupil may lose confidence and the trust between you may begin to break down.

This is important because, when a learner encounters something on the road for the first time, they may not be able to decide whether it represents a risk. So they might not take the right action. With experience, they'll use the information available and get better at assessing risk.

When stopping a car, a gear change is often not needed. Modern cars have powerful brakes and tyres with good grip. This makes it generally unnecessary to select a lower gear before stopping.