Category: United Kingdom

Photo: Gotta Be Worth It / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

The car hazard perception test in Great Britain and Northern Ireland has 14 video clips with 15 scoreable developing hazards. Each hazard is worth up to 5 points, so the maximum is 75 and the pass mark is 44. The earlier you click once a hazard starts to develop, the more you score. Click continuously or in a pattern and that clip scores zero. Here is how the marking works and how to use it.

Key facts

• Clips: 14, each with at least one developing hazard. One clip has two.
• Scoreable hazards: 15 in total (13 clips with one, one clip with two).
• Points: up to 5 per developing hazard, 75 in total.
• Pass mark: 44 out of 75 for car and motorcycle candidates.
• Wrong clicks: do not lose points, but continuous or pattern clicking scores zero for that clip.
• One go: you cannot review or change your responses.

What is a developing hazard?

A developing hazard is something that would make you take action, such as changing speed or direction. DVSA’s example:

• A car parked at the side of the road is not a developing hazard while it is doing nothing.
• When its indicator starts flashing and it begins to pull out, it becomes a developing hazard: you would need to slow down.

So the test is not about spotting everything that could be a risk. It rewards you for noticing the moment a situation starts to need a response from you.

How the 5 point scoring works

Each developing hazard has a scoring window: a stretch of the clip that starts when the hazard begins to develop. DVSA confirms the clips have scoring windows and that responding earlier scores more, up to 5 points. It does not publish the exact length of each window or the timing of each point band.

When you click	What you score
Before the hazard starts developing (the parked car doing nothing)	Nothing, but nothing is lost
Early in the scoring window (the indicator starts flashing)	Highest score, up to 5
Later in the window	Fewer points
After the window closes	Zero for that hazard
Clicking continuously or in a pattern	Zero for the whole clip

Why clicking more than once can help

Because an early click before the window opens scores nothing and costs nothing, a second click as the hazard clearly develops makes sure you land inside the window. A short series of clicks tied to what you see is fine. Rhythmic clicking all the way through a clip is what triggers a zero.

How zero scores happen

• Pattern or continuous clicking. The whole clip scores zero. DVA’s guidance says a message appears at the end of the clip to tell you it scored zero.
• Clicking too late. If you only react once the hazard is right in front of you, the window may have closed.
• Missing the second hazard in the clip that has two. Keep watching after your first response.

What a good response looks like

1. Scan the whole scene: mirrors and side roads, pavements, parked cars, the road far ahead.
2. Notice clues: an indicator, a pedestrian looking to cross, brake lights ahead, a ball rolling out.
3. Click when the clue shows the situation is starting to change.
4. Click again if it keeps developing.
5. Keep watching to the end of the clip.

Clips include fog, rain, snow, ice, wind, night and low light at dawn or dusk, so expect hazards that are harder to see.

Common questions

How many hazards are in the hazard perception test?

15 scoreable developing hazards across 14 clips. One clip has two.

Do you lose points for clicking at the wrong time?

No. Wrong clicks do not cost points. Only continuous or pattern clicking zeroes a clip.

Is the maximum score 75?

Yes: 15 hazards at up to 5 points each.

Can I go back and rewatch a clip?

No. You get one attempt per clip and cannot review your responses.

What happens if I pass hazard perception but fail the questions?

You fail the theory test and retake both parts.

Is the test different in Northern Ireland?

No. The car pass mark is also 44 out of 75 in NI, and the same scoring applies.

Practise with our hazard perception test guide and the hazard awareness topic. Booking and test day: booking your theory test. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: Hazard perception test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: Pass mark and test result” (gov.uk)
• DVSA, “Make and sell driving theory test revision products” (gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Preparing for the theory test” (nidirect.gov.uk)

Photo: https://kaboompics.com/ / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

To book the car theory test in England, Wales or Scotland you need a provisional driving licence, an email address and a debit or credit card. The test costs £23 (as of November 2026), and you must give at least 3 full working days’ notice to change or cancel, or you pay again. This guide covers booking, ID, rescheduling and what happens at the test centre.

Key facts

• Fee: £23 for the car theory test (GOV.UK, as of November 2026).
• Who can book: provisional licence holders who have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.
• Change or cancel: at least 3 full working days’ notice. Monday to Saturday count; Sundays and public holidays do not.
• ID on the day: your UK photocard driving licence.
• Arrive: 15 minutes early. Late arrivals lose the test and the fee.
• Pass marks: 43 out of 50 questions and 44 out of 75 in hazard perception.

How to book the theory test

1. Get your provisional licence first. You cannot book without one.
2. Have ready your licence number, email address and card.
3. Book on the official GOV.UK theory test service.
4. Say when booking if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition, so support can be arranged. See extra support for the theory and driving tests.

Booking help: DVSA theory customer services, 0300 200 1122, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Learning in Northern Ireland? The NI theory test is booked through DVA on nidirect. See Learning to Drive in Northern Ireland.

Changing or cancelling your theory test

Situation	What happens
3 or more full working days’ notice	Change or cancel without paying again
Less notice	You lose the fee and pay again
Short notice because of illness or injury, bereavement, a school or college exam at the same time, or a stolen licence	You may get a refund. Email DVSA with the subject “Unavoidable short notice cancellation” and attach proof

Worked example

Your test is on a Friday. Count back 3 full working days: Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday. You need to change it by the end of Monday. If a public holiday falls in between, it does not count, so allow an extra day.

To change online you need your licence number. By phone or email, give your full name as on your licence, date of birth, address and postcode, licence number and booking reference.

Proof for a refund

• Illness: a fit note or medical certificate. For illness of 7 days or fewer you may have to pay for a private medical certificate.
• Exam clash: a letter from the school or college.
• Stolen licence: a police crime number and officer contact.

What ID do you need for the theory test?

• Your UK photocard driving licence.
• Paper licence only? Bring a valid passport too. No passport means you need a photocard licence first.
• Northern Ireland licence: bring the photocard and paper counterpart.
• Changed your name: bring a marriage certificate or deed poll. Without proof, cancel and rebook in your new name.
• Lost licence: a replacement can take up to 15 days. Rearrange if it will not arrive in time.

The wrong ID means the test is cancelled and you lose the fee.

What happens at the theory test centre

1. Arrive 15 minutes early.
2. Lock away your things. Bags, coats, hats, phones, watches, earphones, wallets, pens and anything in your pockets go in a locker, or a clear plastic box if there are no lockers. Only items DVSA approved at booking go into the test room.
3. Switch off devices before you enter, including smart watches and fitness trackers.
4. Security check. Staff may ask you to empty pockets, roll up sleeves or show your ears. Refuse and you cannot sit the test.
5. Multiple choice part: 50 questions in 57 minutes, with a practice question first. Three questions are based on a short video you can replay. See case study questions.
6. Break of up to 3 minutes.
7. Hazard perception: 14 clips. See hazard perception scoring explained.
8. Result at the centre. You must pass both parts.

After the theory test

• Pass: you get a letter with a pass certificate number. You need it to book the practical test, and it lasts 2 years.
• Fail: retake the whole test, even if you passed one part. Wait at least 3 working days.

Next step: driving test booking rules 2026.

Common questions

How much is the theory test in 2026?

£23 for a car in Great Britain, as of November 2026.

Can I book the theory test without a provisional licence?

No. You need the provisional licence number to book.

How late can I change my theory test?

Up to 3 full working days before. Inside that, you pay again unless a refund reason applies.

Can I bring my phone into the test room?

No. Phones go in the locker, switched off.

Do I need to pass both parts on the same day?

Yes. Fail either part and you retake the whole test.

How long is the theory pass valid?

2 years. Pass the practical test within that time or take the theory test again.

Revise with the theory test guide, the hazard perception guide and practice questions. Test format in numbers: the car theory test in numbers. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Book your theory test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Change your theory test appointment” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Cancel your theory test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: What to take to your test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: When you arrive at the test centre” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: Multiple-choice questions” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Theory test: cars: Pass mark and test result” (gov.uk)

Photo: Antoni Shkraba / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

For a car driving test in Great Britain you need three things: a car that meets DVSA’s rules, your UK photocard driving licence, and (only if you passed your theory test in Northern Ireland) your theory test certificate. Bring the wrong things and the test is cancelled and you lose the fee. This checklist covers the documents, the car rules and what happens from the eyesight check to the result.

Driving test checklist (Great Britain)

• Your UK photocard driving licence. You must be recognisable from the photo.
• No photocard? Bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
• Northern Ireland licence? Bring the photocard and the paper counterpart.
• Theory test certificate: only if you passed the theory test in Northern Ireland. For a GB theory pass the examiner checks it for you.
• Proof of a name change (marriage certificate or deed poll) if your name differs from the booking.
• A suitable car, usually your instructor’s (see the rules below).
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to read a number plate at 20 metres.

What ID do you need for the driving test?

Your licence is your ID. Small changes in how you look, such as dyed hair or a new beard, are fine. If you cannot be recognised from the photo, for example after plastic surgery, you must update the photo before the test.

Lost your licence?

Apply for a replacement. GOV.UK warns it can take up to 15 days to arrive. If it will not arrive in time, rearrange the test rather than turning up without it.

Changed your name?

Bring proof. Without it, you have to cancel and book a new test in your new name using your new licence number.

Car rules if you use your own car

Most learners use their instructor’s car, which already meets the rules. If you use your own, check every line. If the car fails any of them, the test is cancelled and you pay again.

Requirement	What DVSA says
Tax, insurance, MOT	Taxed, insured for a driving test (check with your insurer), and a current MOT if over 3 years old
Warning lights	None on that show a safety issue
Tyres	No damage, legal tread on every tyre, no space saver spare fitted
Condition	Roadworthy
Examiner’s mirror	An extra interior rear view mirror
Passenger seat	Seat belt and a proper head restraint (slip-on types not allowed)
Speed	Able to reach at least 62 mph
Speedometer	A fitted mph speedometer, not an add-on display or phone app
L plates	Front and rear (L or D plates in Wales)
Size	4 wheels, maximum authorised mass up to 3,500 kg
Dual controls	Not needed in your own car. A hire car must have them.

Cars you cannot use

• Panel vans (no rear seats or rear side windows).
• Models DVSA lists as unsuitable, including the BMW 218 convertible, BMW Mini convertible, Ford KA convertible, Polestar 4, Polestar 5, Smart Fortwo (2 door), Toyota iQ and VW Beetle convertible.
• Check coupes and other convertibles with the test centre first. A convertible’s roof must stay up for the whole test.

Dashcams

An insurance dashcam is allowed if it faces out of the car and does not film or record audio inside.

What happens on driving test day

1. Licence check. The examiner checks your licence.
2. Who sits in. You are asked if you want someone in the back for the drive and the result. This is usually your instructor but can be a friend or relative over 16. They cannot take part. The examiner’s supervisor may also sit in; if you refuse, the test can be cancelled and you pay again.
3. Eyesight check. Read a number plate from 20 metres (20.5 metres for an old style plate). Fail this and the test ends as a fail. Practise on our eyesight practice page.
4. “Tell me” question before you drive, then a “show me” question while driving. See the current show me, tell me questions.
5. About 35 minutes of driving on varied roads, not motorways, including 20 to 35 minutes of independent driving by sat nav or signs. See independent driving.
6. One reversing exercise: parallel park, park in a bay, or pull up on the right, reverse about 2 car lengths and rejoin traffic. See test manoeuvres.
7. Result and feedback back at the centre.

The test is the same in a manual or automatic. If you make a mistake, carry on: a minor fault may not affect the result. The examiner only stops the test if your driving is a danger to other road users.

Official rules versus test-day rumours

Only DVSA sets the documents, the car rules and how faults are marked. Tips from friends or social media about “automatic fails” or secret routes are not rules, so check anything surprising against the GOV.UK pages listed below. A few things that do help on the day:

• Sit in the test car in your last lesson and set the seat, mirrors and controls the way you will use them.
• Check the route to the test centre and how long it takes at that time of day.
• If you have a disability, health condition or need any support, say so when you book rather than on arrival.
• If you do not hear or understand an instruction during the drive, ask the examiner to repeat it.

After the result

• Pass: no serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 driving faults. You get a pass certificate and can drive straight away. The examiner can send off for your full licence if you hand over your provisional; otherwise apply within 2 years. Contact DVLA if the licence has not arrived 3 weeks after you applied.
• Fail: the examiner tells you the faults. You book and pay again, choosing a date at least 10 working days away.

More on marking: driving, serious and dangerous faults.

Common questions

Do I need my theory certificate for the driving test?

Not if you passed the theory test in Great Britain; the examiner checks your pass. Bring it only if you passed in Northern Ireland.

Can I use a paper licence or passport on its own?

No. Without a photocard, you need both the paper licence and a valid passport.

Can my instructor sit in?

Yes, if you want. They sit in the back and cannot help. A parent or friend over 16 can do the same.

Does my own car need dual controls?

No. Only a hire car needs them.

What if the weather is bad on the day?

Tests do not go ahead in icy, flooded, foggy or very windy conditions. Call the test centre; DVSA books the next date automatically. See when a test is cancelled.

What if I fail the eyesight check?

The test stops there and counts as a fail. Check your eyesight well before the day: driving eyesight rules.

Taking the test in Northern Ireland?

DVA runs NI tests with its own booking and rules. See booking the DVA practical test.

Related: driving test booking rules 2026, top reasons people fail and the practical test guide. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: What to take to your test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: Using your own car for your test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: What happens during the test” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: Driving test faults and your result” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: If your test is cancelled or there’s bad weather” (gov.uk)

Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

On the car driving test in Great Britain, you drive independently for 20 to 35 minutes, following a sat nav, traffic signs or both. Since 24 November 2025, examiners can run independent driving for the whole test. Taking a wrong turn is not a fault in itself. This guide explains how the independent section works, how the sat nav is set up and what the examiner is really marking.

Key facts

• Length: 20 to 35 minutes of independent driving, within about 35 minutes of driving in total (GOV.UK).
• From 24 November 2025: examiners may use independent driving for the full test or mix it with directed driving (DVSA).
• Method: sat nav, traffic signs, or both. The examiner tells you which.
• Sat nav: the examiner provides and sets it up. You cannot use your own. DVSA uses the TomTom Start 52.
• Wrong turn: not a fault. The examiner helps you get back on route.
• Emergency stop: about 1 in 7 tests since 24 November 2025 (previously 1 in 3).

How the independent driving section works

1. The examiner asks you to pull up on the left.
2. They brief you clearly on the method: follow the sat nav, follow signs to a place, or both.
3. If it is a sat nav route, the examiner’s device is preloaded with the test routes. Just follow its directions.
4. You drive, making your own decisions on lanes, speed and positioning.
5. When the section ends, the examiner goes back to turn-by-turn directions, or keeps you independent for the rest of the test.

Test routes are not published, so you cannot learn them in advance.

Sat nav or traffic signs: what to expect

	Sat nav	Traffic signs
What you do	Follow directions from the examiner’s sat nav	Follow direction signs to a named place
How often	After the December 2017 changes, DVSA reported sat nav was used in 4 out of 5 tests	The other 1 in 5 at that time. Current GOV.UK pages give no split.
If you cannot see	If unsure, ask the examiner. Examiners should not leave you in doubt about the route.	If a sign is hidden, the examiner gives directions until you can see the next one

Practising with a sat nav

• Practise with the sat nav mounted, set up before you move, and never hand-held. Use it the way the law allows: see mobile phones and sat navs.
• Listen to the voice and glance at the screen only briefly. Your eyes belong on the road and mirrors.
• Treat the sat nav as advice. If it says “turn left” but the turn is a no entry, follow the signs.
• Practise following signs to towns and places too, including on roundabouts and multi-lane approaches.

What happens if you go the wrong way?

DVSA examiner guidance is clear: going off route, or needing reminders of where to go, is not a fault in itself. The examiner helps you get back on route.

What can be marked is unsafe driving while you go wrong, for example:

• swerving across lanes at the last moment to make the turn
• stopping or braking hard without need
• missing or ignoring a road sign, such as a no entry or a lane arrow
• cutting across another vehicle’s path

If you realise you are in the wrong lane, carry on safely in that lane and let the sat nav or examiner reroute you. A missed exit costs nothing; an unsafe lane change can fail you. Fault types: driving, serious and dangerous faults.

What the examiner is looking for

Independent driving tests whether you can make decisions on your own. Examiners record faults under the normal headings, such as response to signs and signals and awareness and planning. They want to see you:

• read signs early and plan your lane
• keep to the speed limit and drive at a suitable speed while working out the route
• use mirrors, signal correctly and change lanes safely
• keep your attention on the road rather than the screen

You will also be asked to pull up at the side of the road, pull out from behind a parked vehicle and do a hill start. These can happen during the independent section.

Common questions

How long is independent driving on the test?

GOV.UK says 20 to 35 minutes. Since 24 November 2025, DVSA examiners can use independent driving for the full test.

Can I use my own sat nav on the test?

No. The examiner provides the sat nav and sets it up.

Is going the wrong way a fail?

No. A wrong turn is not a fault. Only unsafe driving while correcting it, or ignoring signs, would be marked.

Can I ask the examiner where to go?

If you are unsure, ask. DVSA examiner guidance says candidates must not be left in doubt about the route.

What if I forget which place I was following signs to?

Ask the examiner to remind you. Needing reminders is not a fault in itself.

Will the test include a motorway?

No. The test includes various roads and traffic conditions, but not motorways.

Related: driving test manoeuvres, top reasons people fail, what to bring on test day and the practical test guide. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Driving test: cars: What happens during the test” (gov.uk)
• DVSA, “Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance: 1. Car driving test” (gov.uk)
• DVSA, “Making adjustments to the driving test” (despatch.blog.gov.uk)
• DVSA, “Driving test changes in 2017: impact summary” (gov.uk)

Photo: Helena Jankovičová Kováčová / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Since 16 December 2021, anyone in Great Britain who has passed a car (category B) test can tow a trailer or caravan up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) without taking a separate car and trailer test. So the test you are preparing for now is the only one most drivers will ever need to tow. That makes the towing rules worth learning properly: they come up in theory test questions on vehicle loading and speed limits, and you will be expected to know them the day you pass. This guide covers what a car test pass lets you tow, the weights, the towing speed limits and the Highway Code rules.

Key facts to remember

• Car test passed from 1 January 1997: you can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM (category BE). No extra test since 16 December 2021.
• Car test passed before 1 January 1997: you can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined MAM of up to 8,250 kg.
• BE not on your photocard? DVLA updates your record automatically and adds BE to the card when you next renew.
• Towing speed limits: 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways (Rule 124).
• Motorways with three or more lanes: do not use the right-hand lane when towing.

What your car test pass lets you tow

When you passed your car test	What you can tow
Before 1 January 1997	Usually a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg MAM (shown as C1E (107) on the licence). Also a minibus with a trailer over 750 kg.
On or after 1 January 1997	Category BE: a car up to 3,500 kg MAM with a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM. You gained this automatically from 16 December 2021.
Need more?	Combinations heavier than your licence allows need a further test, category C1+E: a provisional licence, the lorry theory test and the C1+E driving test. That covers combinations up to 12,000 kg MAM.

GOV.UK’s licence categories page now describes this as part of category B: a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM, with the combined MAM of car and trailer not over 7,000 kg. More on categories: UK driving licence categories.

Northern Ireland: a separate test may still apply

The 2021 change applies in Great Britain. nidirect still describes a separate B+E test for drivers in Northern Ireland. Check the current rules with DVA before towing on an NI licence.

Weights you need to understand: MAM and train weight

• MAM (maximum authorised mass): the most a vehicle or trailer can weigh when fully loaded. It is in the owner’s manual and usually on a plate or sticker on the vehicle or trailer.
• Gross train weight: the most the fully loaded car and fully loaded trailer can weigh together. It is in the handbook or on the VIN plate (often under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door).
• If the VIN plate gives no train weight, the car should not be used for towing.
• Do not exceed the car maker’s recommended towing weight, even if your licence would allow more.

Trailer size limits

Limit	Figure (towing vehicle up to 3,500 kg MAM)
Maximum trailer width	2.55 metres
Maximum trailer length	7 metres, not counting the A-frame

Towing speed limits (Rule 124): a common theory test topic

Road	Car alone	Car towing a caravan or trailer
Built-up area (England and Scotland)	30 mph	30 mph
Built-up area (Wales)	20 mph	20 mph
Single carriageway	60 mph	50 mph
Dual carriageway	70 mph	60 mph
Motorway	70 mph	60 mph

These are maximums where no lower limit is signed. Learn both columns: questions about the lower limits for vehicles towing trailers are a classic theory test trap.

Loading and checks before you set off (Rule 98)

• Do not tow more than your licence allows.
• Check the car and trailer are roadworthy, including tyres, trailer brakes and trailer lights.
• Do not overload. Spread the load evenly, with heavy items over the axles and a downward load on the tow ball, to reduce swaying.
• Secure the load so nothing sticks out dangerously.
• Fit towing mirrors if the trailer or load is wider than the car or blocks your view behind.
• Fit a secondary coupling, such as a safety chain.
• Adjust your headlights if the load changes their aim.

Towing on the road after you pass

• Stopping distances can increase significantly. Leave more space.
• On a motorway with three or more lanes, do not use the right-hand lane.
• If the trailer starts to snake or swerve, ease off the accelerator and slow down gently. Do not brake harshly.
• Towing a broken-down car on a rope is potentially dangerous. Rule 98 suggests a solid tow bar or professional recovery instead, and warns that a towed vehicle takes longer to build up speed when rejoining the road.
• Check weight, width and length limit signs on your route: see less common UK road signs.

Training is not compulsory for car and trailer, but GOV.UK points to providers through the Safe Towing Scheme, the National Register of LGV Instructors and Skills for Logistics.

Common questions

Do I need a B+E test to tow a caravan?

Not in Great Britain since 16 December 2021. If you have passed your car test, you can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM.

Why is BE not on my licence?

DVLA updated driving records automatically. The BE category will appear on your photocard when you next renew it.

What is the speed limit when towing on a motorway?

60 mph, and you must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

Can I tow with any car?

Only if the car is rated to tow. If the VIN plate shows no train weight, the car should not tow, and you must stay within the maker’s towing limits.

Is towing part of the car practical test?

No. The car practical test does not include towing, and no separate car and trailer test is needed in Great Britain since 16 December 2021. The rules can still come up in the theory test.

Can learner drivers tow a trailer?

GOV.UK’s towing pages describe what full licence holders can tow and do not set out a learner entitlement. Check with DVLA before a learner tows anything.

Does towing affect my insurance?

Ask your insurer before you tow. See car insurance after passing.

Looking for lessons or an instructor? Our sister site Compare Driving Instructors covers lesson prices and choosing an instructor.

Related: UK speed limits and vehicle loading (theory test). Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Towing with a car: What you can tow” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Towing with a car: Towing weight and width limits” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “New rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car from 16 December 2021” (gov.uk)
• DVLA, “INF30: Requirements for towing trailers in Great Britain” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving licence categories” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Speed limits” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)” and “General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• nidirect, “Driving licence to tow a caravan or trailer” (nidirect.gov.uk)

Photo: Sebastian Schuster / Unsplash. Illustrative photograph.

The basic car maintenance checks every new driver in Great Britain should do are tyres, fluids, lights and warning lights. Highway Code Annex 6 sets the legal tyre tread minimum for cars at 1.6 mm, and illegal tyres can cost a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. This checklist shows what to check, how often, and what the law requires.

Key facts

• Tyre tread: at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round.
• Tyre pressures: check weekly, when tyres are cold.
• Fluid levels: check at least weekly.
• Illegal tyres: £2,500 fine and 3 points per tyre if stopped by police (THINK!).
• Warning lights: should go out once the engine starts, apart from the handbrake light.

Weekly checklist

Check	What to look for	How often
Tyre pressures	Match the manufacturer’s figure in the handbook or vehicle data for the load you carry. Check cold.	Weekly and before a long trip
Tyre tread and condition	At least 1.6 mm tread, and no visible damage	Weekly
Engine oil	Level between the dipstick marks	Weekly
Coolant	Between the marks on the reservoir. Never open a hot cooling system.	Weekly
Brake fluid	Between the marks. Low brake fluid can lead to brake failure.	Weekly
Screen wash	Topped up, with anti-freeze added before winter	Weekly
Lights and indicators	All working and clean, including brake lights and number plate light	Weekly and before setting off at night
Wipers	Clear the screen without smearing	Weekly
Fuel	THINK! advises keeping at least a quarter of a tank	Before each journey

Many of these are also show me, tell me questions on the driving test.

Tyres: the law in Great Britain

• Cars, light vans and light trailers need at least 1.6 mm tread across the central three-quarters of the tread width and around the whole circumference.
• Tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer’s figure for the load. Under- or over-inflated tyres affect braking, steering, fuel use and tyre life.
• Check pressures when tyres are cold. Warm tyres give a misleading reading.
• If the car pulls to one side when braking, have it checked by a garage straight away.
• Tyres must also be free of certain cuts and other defects. Look for cuts, bulges, objects stuck in the tread and uneven wear, and measure the tread in several places with a gauge; one good reading does not prove the whole tyre is legal.
• Use the pressure figure in the handbook or on the car’s label, not the maximum printed on the tyre wall. If you are carrying passengers and luggage, use the loaded figure.
• A tyre that keeps losing pressure needs a garage to find the cause. Topping it up or resetting the pressure warning light does not fix it.

Flat tyre or tyre burst

• Burst while driving: grip the steering wheel firmly, try to keep control and let the car roll to a stop at the side of the road. Avoid sudden braking or steering.
• Flat tyre: stop as soon as it is safe. Only change the wheel if you can do it without putting yourself or anyone else at risk; otherwise call a breakdown service. Having a jack and a spare does not make a roadside next to fast traffic a safe place to work.
• On a motorway: never change a wheel yourself. Follow the motorway steps in what to do if your car breaks down.
• Spare wheels and repair kits: space-saver spares and sealant kits come with speed and distance limits set by the maker. Find out which your car has, and read its limits in the handbook, while you are parked at home.
• Afterwards: have the tyre and wheel checked so the cause is found, rather than just putting air back in.

Penalty: if police stop you with illegal tyres, you could get a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. Two bad tyres could mean 6 points, which is enough for a new driver to lose their licence under the New Drivers Act.

Warning lights on the dashboard

• When you start the engine, the warning lights should go out, except the handbrake light. If one stays on, or comes on while driving, stop safely and find out why.
• A battery (charge) warning light while driving may mean the battery is not charging. Get it checked as soon as possible.
• Learn what your car’s low fluid warning lights mean. The handbook shows every symbol.

Before winter

• Have the battery checked.
• Add anti-freeze to the radiator and the windscreen washer bottle.
• Check demisters, wipers and lights. Clear all windows before driving: see driving in bad weather.

If the engine overheats or catches fire

• Overheating: let the engine cool naturally before you take off the coolant filler cap and add water or coolant.
• Fire: get everyone out to a safe place and call the fire brigade. Do not try to tackle a fire in the engine compartment: opening the bonnet can make it flare up.

Fuel and security

• Do not overfill the tank. Check the cap is secure and its seal is not damaged.
• Do not smoke or use a mobile phone on a petrol station forecourt.
• When you leave the car: take the key, engage the steering lock, lock it even for a short time and close the windows fully.
• Never leave children or pets in an unventilated car.
• Do not leave the car’s documents inside it.

What else the law expects

Brakes, steering, exhaust, seat belts, demisters, wipers, washers and horn must all work, and exhaust emissions must stay within legal levels. Some vehicle defects can bring penalty points. Over-dark tints on the windscreen and front side windows are not allowed: see modifying your first car. Your car will also need an MOT, tax and insurance: see car documents explained.

Common questions

What is the minimum legal tyre tread in the UK?

1.6 mm for cars, across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole tyre.

How often should I check tyre pressures?

The Highway Code says weekly, before a journey, with the tyres cold.

Can I get points for bald tyres?

Yes. Police can issue a £2,500 fine and 3 points for each illegal tyre.

A warning light came on while I was driving. What should I do?

Stop when it is safe and check the handbook. Annex 6 says if a warning light comes on while driving, stop and investigate.

Can I be fined for running out of fuel?

THINK! says a fixed penalty can be issued in some places for a breakdown you could have foreseen, such as running out of fuel.

Related: before you drive: vehicle checks, if your car breaks down and safety and your vehicle (theory test). Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security” (gov.uk)
• THINK!, “Vehicle safety checks” (think.gov.uk)

Photo: Max W / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Trams cannot steer round you. Highway Code Rules 300 to 307 set out what drivers in Great Britain must do: keep out of tram-only lanes, never block the track, always give way to trams, and cross rails at a right angle. This guide covers those rules, the tram signs and markings to know, and where in Britain you will meet trams.

Where are there trams in Great Britain?

System	Area
Manchester Metrolink	Greater Manchester
West Midlands Metro	West Midlands
Nottingham Express Transit	Nottingham
Sheffield Supertram	Sheffield
Blackpool Tramway	Blackpool
London Trams	South London (Croydon)
Edinburgh Trams	Edinburgh

The English systems are those listed in the Department for Transport’s light rail and tram statistics. Northern Ireland has no street trams, and its Highway Code has no tramways section.

The rules for drivers (Rules 300 to 307)

Rule	What it says
300	You MUST NOT enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams. Avoid driving directly on the rails.
301	Always give way to trams. Take extra care where the track crosses from one side of the road to the other, and where the road narrows and the rails come close to the kerb. Trams have their own signals and may be allowed to move when you are not. Do not race, overtake or pass them on the inside, unless they are at a stop or stopped by tram signals and there is a designated lane for you to pass.
302	You MUST NOT park where you would obstruct trams or force others to. Do not stop on the track except in a designated bay with all of your car clear of the tram’s path.
303	At a tram stop with a platform, follow the signed route. At a stop with no platform, you MUST NOT drive between a stopped tram and the left-hand kerb. If no other route is signed, wait until the tram moves off.
304	Look out for pedestrians, especially children, running to catch a tram.
305	Give priority to trams, especially when they signal to pull away, unless it would be unsafe. Watch for people crossing after getting off.
306	Take extra care near rails, especially when wet. Cross them directly at a right angle. Give cyclists and motorcyclists more room to do the same.
307	Overhead wires are normally 5.8 metres above the road but can be lower. Lower wires have height clearance plates. Obey them.

Why trams always get priority

• A tram cannot steer round an obstruction. If you stop on the track, it has to stop.
• Many passengers stand, so a tram emergency stop can injure them. That is why Rule 305 says to give priority, especially when a tram signals to move off.
• Trams are quiet. Look properly, especially at junctions where tracks cross the road.

Tram signs and road markings

• Blue circle with a tram symbol: route for trams only. It may add bus, cycle or “taxi” symbols if those vehicles may also use it.
• No entry except trams: used where the route is unsuitable for other vehicles.
• Red triangle with a tram: trams crossing the road ahead.
• Swept path: the part of the road the tram uses. It may be a different colour or texture, or edged with white lines or yellow dots. Keep it clear.
• Road marking at the start of a tram-only route: do not follow the tram past it.
• Give way sign with a tram plate: at a tram crossing without barriers or lights, you must give way to trams.
• Diamond-shaped signs and white light signals: for tram drivers only. Follow the normal traffic lights for your lane.

See all sign types in the UK road signs guide.

Tram tracks and two wheels

Rule 306 warns that cyclists and motorcyclists can be caught by rails, particularly at shallow angles, on bends and at junctions. Expect a cyclist to swing out to cross the rails at a right angle, and leave them room to do it. More: Highway Code rules for cyclists.

Scenario: turning right across tram tracks

You are waiting to turn right at a junction in Manchester. Tram lines run along the middle of the road you are turning across.

1. Wait behind the stop line, not on the rails, until you can clear the track in one go.
2. Check both directions for trams as well as for cars. Tram signals can give trams different instructions from your traffic lights.
3. Do not stop on the track in a queue. If the exit is not clear, wait.

Common questions

Can I drive in a tram lane?

Not if it is reserved for trams. Rule 300 says you MUST NOT enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams. Some tram routes allow buses, cycles or taxis, and the sign shows this.

Do trams have right of way?

The Highway Code says always give way to trams. At a crossing without barriers or lights, the give way sign with a tram plate makes this a legal requirement.

Can I overtake a tram?

Do not overtake or pass a tram on the inside, unless it is at a stop or stopped by tram signals and has its own lane.

Can I pass a tram at a stop?

At a stop with no platform, you MUST NOT drive between the tram and the left-hand kerb. If no alternative route is signed, wait until it pulls away.

Are tram tracks slippery?

Yes, especially when wet. Take extra care, and cross them at a right angle where you can.

Related: level crossings explained, road junctions and turning right and bus lanes and cycle lanes. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), section: Tram signs, signals and road markings
• Department for Transport, “Light rail and tram statistics, England: year ending March 2026” (gov.uk)
• Scottish Government, FOI release on Edinburgh Trams operation (gov.scot)

Photo: Max W / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Double yellow lines in Great Britain mean no waiting at any time, all year, even if there is no sign. Single yellow lines, yellow kerb marks, red lines and zone signs each add their own rules. This guide explains how to read each marking and its plate, so you know where you can stop, load or park in England, Scotland and Wales.

Key facts

• Double yellow line: no waiting at any time. Usually no time plate.
• Single yellow line: no waiting during the times on the nearby yellow plate.
• Yellow kerb marks: loading restrictions. One mark means at the times shown; two marks mean no loading at any time.
• Red lines (red routes): no stopping at all, not even to drop someone off, except licensed taxis.
• Blue Badge holders: can usually park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours (no time limit in Scotland), but not where loading restrictions apply.

Yellow lines: what single and double lines mean

Marking	Meaning	Where the times are shown
Double yellow line	No waiting at any time, all year	Normally no plate. A plate only appears where an older double line applies for part of the year.
Single yellow line	No waiting during the times shown	Small yellow plate next to the road
Single or double yellow line in a controlled parking zone	No waiting during the zone times	The zone entry sign (no plates unless the times differ)
Short transverse mark across the line	The point where the restriction changes	Read the plates either side

Restrictions usually cover the whole highway, including verges and footways, not just the road surface.

Reading a yellow plate

• No days shown: the times apply every day, including Sunday.
• Bank holidays: the restriction still applies unless the plate says it does not.
• Event days: some plates near stadiums or arenas add special event-day restrictions.

What you can still do on yellow lines

Know Your Traffic Signs (DfT) says you may stop on yellow lines to pick up or set down passengers and, where it is not prohibited, to load and unload. You cannot wait there.

Yellow kerb marks: loading restrictions

Short yellow marks on the kerb mean loading (and unloading) is restricted as well as waiting. A white plate at the first mark gives the times and may have an arrow showing which way along the road it applies.

Kerb marks	Meaning
Single mark	No loading during the times on the white plate
Double mark	No loading at any time

Blue Badge holders may not park while loading restrictions are in force.

Red routes: no stopping at all

Red routes replace yellow lines with red ones. They mean no stopping for any purpose, not even to drop off or pick up passengers. Only licensed taxis are exempt. A vehicle showing a Blue Badge may stop to pick up or set down a disabled person, but must not park.

• Double red lines: no stopping at any time (upright signs may not be provided).
• Single red line: no stopping during the times on the upright sign.
• Red-lined bay: usable only for part of the time the red route applies. Check the sign.
• White-lined bay on a red route: usable at all times the red route applies, for the users shown on the sign.
• Red route clearway: signs but no road markings. No stopping at any time, on the road, verge or footway, except in marked lay-bys.

The ban covers the whole road, including the verge and footway.

Loading bays

• A bay marked “LOADING ONLY” is for loading and unloading. Leave once you have finished.
• Bays open to all vehicles (for example outside shops) are for collecting heavy, already-paid-for items, not for parking while you shop.
• Some bays change use through the day, such as disabled badge holders at midday and loading at peak times. These are not marked “LOADING ONLY”, so read the upright sign.
• A single yellow line through a bay, with single kerb marks, means no loading at the times shown.

Controlled parking zones and restricted parking zones

At a controlled parking zone (CPZ), the entry sign gives the times when waiting is banned on all yellow lines inside. The lines usually have no plates of their own, so note the times as you drive in. Parking is then only in marked bays, and bay times may differ from the zone times. The sign may say “Pay and Display ZONE”, “Meter ZONE” or “Disc ZONE” instead.

A restricted parking zone, used in some sensitive areas, has no yellow lines at all. The entry sign and repeater signs carry the restrictions.

Clearways and school zig-zags

Sign or marking	Rule
Red cross on a blue circle (24-hour clearway)	No stopping on the main carriageway at any time, not even to drop off. Lay-bys are allowed unless signed otherwise.
Urban clearway	No stopping during the hours shown, except to pick up or set down passengers.
Yellow zig-zags outside schools, hospitals, fire, police or ambulance stations	Do not stop, not even to drop off. With an upright sign, the ban is mandatory during the times shown.

Blue Badge holders and yellow lines

• England and Wales: Know Your Traffic Signs says Blue Badge holders can usually park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours (it gives Scotland as the exception).
• Scotland: usually without a time limit.
• Not allowed where loading restrictions (kerb marks) are in force, or on red routes except to pick up or set down.

Check the local council’s rules, because some central areas run their own schemes.

Common questions

Can I stop on double yellow lines for a minute?

Only to pick up or set down passengers, or to load or unload where kerb marks do not ban it. Waiting, even briefly, is not allowed.

Do single yellow lines apply on Sundays?

Yes, if the plate shows no days. A plate that does not list days applies every day, including Sunday.

Can I drop someone off on a red route?

No. Red lines mean no stopping for any purpose. Licensed taxis are exempt, and Blue Badge vehicles may stop to pick up or set down a disabled person.

There is no sign next to the yellow line. Can I park?

Check whether you passed a controlled parking zone entry sign. Inside a CPZ, the zone sign sets the times. A double yellow line needs no sign at all.

How much is a parking fine?

Councils set penalty charge levels. In London, boroughs’ higher-level parking charges rose to £160 (£80 if paid within 14 days) from 7 April 2025, according to London Councils. Elsewhere, the amount is on the notice and on the council’s website.

Related: where you must never park, parking at night and EV cables, bus lanes and cycle lanes and the road markings guide. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), section: On-street parking control signs and road markings
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Waiting and parking (238 to 252)” (gov.uk)
• London Councils, “London boroughs raise parking and traffic PCN levels for first time since 2011” (londoncouncils.gov.uk)

Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Lorries, buses and coaches need more road space than you, and their drivers may not be able to see you in their mirrors. The Highway Code for Great Britain (Rules 164, 187 and 221 to 225) tells you to hang back, give them room to turn and give buses priority when it is safe. This guide covers each situation a learner meets, plus the markings that tell you a vehicle is long or slow.

Key facts

• If you are following a bus or articulated lorry, the driver may not see you in their mirrors (Rule 221).
• Drop back to see past a large vehicle and so its driver can see you (Rules 164 and 222).
• Many large vehicles have speed limiters set to 56 mph (90 km/h), even on motorways (Rule 222).
• Large goods vehicles and long combinations carry rear and side markings: vertical rear markings are required on commercial vehicles or combinations longer than 13 metres.

Blind spots: where the driver cannot see you

Rule 221 says the driver of a bus or articulated lorry may not see you in their mirrors when you follow. Hanging back is the single most useful thing you can do: it lets you see further ahead, plan earlier and stay where the driver can see you.

Rule 222 adds that large vehicles can block your view. Pulling back increases your separation distance and improves your view of the road ahead.

Situations and what to do

Situation	What to do	Rule
Following a lorry or bus	Drop back so you can see ahead and the driver can see you	164, 221, 222
Lorry turning at a junction	Expect it to need extra road space, including your side of the road. Be ready to stop and wait	170, 221
Long vehicle at a roundabout	Give it plenty of room. It may take a different course or straddle lanes, so watch its signals	187
Vehicle approaching from your right and signalling left	Do not assume it will turn. Wait and make sure before you emerge	170
Bus signalling to pull away from a stop	Give way when it is safe	223
Bus or tram at a stop	Do not overtake between the kerb and the bus or tram. Watch for passengers crossing	167, 223
Wanting to overtake a lorry	Make sure there is room to finish. It takes longer to pass. If in doubt, do not overtake	164
Vehicle ahead overtaking a lorry	Do not assume you can follow it. It may abandon the overtake and pull back in	164
Vehicle with a flashing amber beacon	Approach with caution: it is slow, stopped or an abnormal load	225

More on overtaking: overtaking rules in the Highway Code.

Why lorries swing wide when turning

A long vehicle may need the whole width of the road to get round a corner. Rule 170 tells you to watch for long vehicles that may need the full road width to turn, and Rule 221 to be ready to stop and wait. Hold back rather than trying to pass a turning lorry on its inside.

Trams and quiet vehicles (Rule 224)

Take care around electric vehicles such as milk floats and trams. Trams move quickly and silently and cannot steer round you. The tram rules are in driving alongside trams.

Slow vehicles with amber beacons (Rule 225)

A flashing amber beacon warns of a slow-moving or stationary vehicle, such as a traffic officer vehicle, salt spreader, snow plough or recovery vehicle, or of an abnormal load. On unrestricted dual carriageways, slow vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or less, such as tractors, MUST use one. Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters (top speed 8 mph) MUST use one on a dual carriageway with a limit over 50 mph (Rule 220): see mobility scooters on the road.

Reading the markings on large vehicles

Marking	Where you see it
Rear markings for large goods vehicles	Motor vehicles over 7,500 kg maximum gross weight and trailers over 3,500 kg
Vertical rear markings	Required on commercial vehicles or combinations longer than 13 metres; optional between 11 and 13 metres; also on builders’ skips in the road
Projection markers (side and end)	Loads or equipment, such as a crane jib, overhanging the front or rear by more than 2 metres
Hazard warning plates	Tankers and vehicles carrying dangerous goods
School Bus sign	Front or rear window of a bus or coach

Pictures and meanings: vehicle markings explained.

Common questions

How do I know if a lorry driver can see me?

The Highway Code’s point is that you often cannot be sure. Rule 164 says dropping back should allow the driver to see you in their mirrors, so hang back rather than sitting close behind or alongside.

Do I have to let a bus out?

Rule 223 says give buses, coaches and trams priority when it is safe, especially when they signal to pull away from stops. It is advice, not a MUST rule.

Why are lorries so slow on the motorway?

Large vehicles have lower speed limits than cars, and many have speed limiters set to 56 mph (90 km/h), even on a motorway (Rule 222).

Can I overtake a bus at a bus stop?

Only with great care, watching for people stepping out in front of it (Rule 223). Rule 167 says do not overtake between the kerb and a bus or tram at a stop.

What is a long vehicle marker?

The vertical rear markings shown on commercial vehicles or combinations longer than 13 metres. They warn you the vehicle is long and may need extra room.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain. Related: road users requiring extra care, mini and double roundabouts, other types of vehicle topic guide.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Vehicle markings” (gov.uk)

Photo: Mathias Reding / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Rules 204 to 218 of the Highway Code for Great Britain list the people drivers must take most care around: children, older and disabled pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders, older drivers and learners. The principle in Rule 204 is that those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose. This guide covers what each rule asks of you, with the speed facts and the MUST rules picked out.

Why speed matters most near pedestrians (Rule 207)

Speed	What the Highway Code says
40 mph (64 km/h)	You will probably kill any pedestrian you hit
20 mph (32 km/h)	There is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed

So the Code’s advice is simple: where children or older people may step out, slow down.

Where to drive carefully and slowly (Rule 206)

• Crowded shopping streets, Home Zones, Quiet Lanes and residential areas
• Past bus and tram stops, where people may step out suddenly
• Past parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans, where children may run out
• Crossing a pavement, cycle lane or track to reach a driveway: give way to pedestrians and cyclists
• Reversing into a side road: look all round and give way to pedestrians crossing
• Turning at junctions: give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross
• Through road works and past roadside recovery vehicles, where people may be working
• Where a closed pavement sends pedestrians into the road
• Narrow rural roads with no footway: slow down, be ready to stop and leave plenty of room
• At zebra and parallel crossings: you MUST give way to pedestrians and cyclists on the crossing

Pedestrians who need extra time or may not see you (Rule 207)

Who	Why	What to do
Children	May not judge your speed and could step out	Reduce speed
Older pedestrians	May need more time to cross	Be patient; do not rev your engine or edge forward
People with hearing impairments	May not hear your vehicle	Do not rely on them hearing you
People with walking difficulties	Need more time	Wait
Blind or partially sighted people	May carry a white cane or use a guide dog	Assume they cannot see you
Deafblind people	May carry a white cane with a red band, or use a dog with a red and white harness	Assume they can neither see nor hear signals

Plan for the person you cannot see yet

A clear view is not proof of a clear road. Someone on foot or on a bike can be hidden by a parked van, a bus, a pillar or bad weather, so adjust your speed before they appear rather than after.

• A wave is not a check. If another driver flashes or waves you on, they can only see their own side. Check every part of your own path yourself.
• Do not wave people across. You cannot control traffic in the other lanes, so inviting someone into the road can put them in danger.
• Check again while you turn. As the car swings, the area beside and behind it changes, and someone can move into a blind spot.
• Outside school hours still needs care. A school warning light that is off does not mean children are absent, so judge the actual street.

Schools, school buses and crossing patrols (Rules 208 to 210)

• Rule 208: near schools, drive slowly and watch for children on foot and on bikes. A flashing amber light under a “School” sign means children may be crossing ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.
• Rule 209: a stationary bus showing a “School Bus” sign in its front or rear window may have children getting on or off. Drive carefully and slowly past it.
• Rule 210: you MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a “Stop for children” sign.

The School Bus sign is pictured in the Highway Code’s vehicle markings section: see vehicle markings explained. Crossing patrol signals: signals by police and crossing patrols.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders (Rules 211 to 215)

These have their own guides, so here is only the short version:

• They are hard to see, especially at junctions, when filtering and when coming up behind you. Look for them before you emerge (Rule 211).
• Give them at least as much room as you would a car when overtaking, and more at night and in bad weather (Rule 212).
• Cyclists may ride in the middle of the lane on narrow roads and at junctions, and may ride two abreast (Rule 213).
• Horses: slow to a maximum of 10 mph and pass at least 2 metres wide (Rule 215).

Full detail: cyclists, motorcycles, horses, and animals and livestock (Rule 214).

Older drivers and learners (Rules 216 and 217)

• Older drivers: their reactions may be slower. Make allowance for this.
• Learners and inexperienced drivers: may be less skilled at anticipating and responding to events. Be particularly patient with learner and young drivers. Newly qualified drivers may display a “new driver” plate or sticker (Annex 8).

On L plates yourself? Rule 217 is the reason other drivers are asked to give you space. Do not let a driver behind push you into going faster than you are comfortable with: see tailgating and driving under pressure.

Home Zones and Quiet Lanes (Rule 218)

In these streets people may use the whole road, for example children playing or community events. Drive slowly and carefully, and be ready to stop to give them time to make room. More in traffic calming and quiet lanes.

Common questions

Do I have to stop for a school bus in the UK?

The Highway Code for Great Britain does not tell you to stop for a stationary school bus, unlike the rules in some other countries. Rule 209 says drive carefully and slowly past a bus showing a School Bus sign. You MUST stop for a school crossing patrol showing a “Stop for children” sign.

What does a flashing amber light under a School sign mean?

Children may be crossing ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area (Rule 208).

What does a white cane with a red band mean?

The person may be deafblind. A dog with a red and white harness means the same (Rule 207).

What is the chance of killing a pedestrian at 20 mph?

The Highway Code says there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed at 20 mph, while at 40 mph you will probably kill any pedestrian you hit.

Do other drivers have to give way to learners?

No special priority applies, but Rule 217 asks drivers to be particularly patient with learner and young drivers.

Is this on the theory test?

Yes, under vulnerable road users: see the vulnerable road users topic guide.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain. Related: Highway Code rules for pedestrians, driving near lorries and buses, the hierarchy of road users.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Vehicle markings” (gov.uk)