Theory Test #9

It is your legal responsibility to keep the details of your Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) up to date. You should tell the licensing authority of any changes. These include your name, address, or vehicle details. If you don’t do this you may have problems when you sell your vehicle.

When it’s foggy use dipped headlights. This will help you see and be seen by other road users. If visibility is seriously reduced consider using front and rear fog lights if you have them. Keep a sensible speed and don’t follow the vehicle in front too closely. If the road is wet and slippery you’ll need to allow twice the normal stopping distance.

Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways.

Windscreen pillars can block your view, particularly at junctions. Those road users most at risk of not being seen are cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Never rely on just a quick glance.

Be especially careful if you’re on a motorway in fog. Reflective studs are used to help you in poor visibility. Different colours are used so that you’ll know which lane you are 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

Briefly using your hazard warning lights will warn the traffic travelling behind you that there's a hazard ahead. This can reduce the chance of vehicles crashing into the back of each other.

On busy roads traffic may still travel at high speeds despite being close together. Don’t follow too closely to the vehicle in front. If a driver behind seems to be ‘pushing’ you, gradually increase your distance from the vehicle in front by slowing down gently. This will give you more space in front if you have to brake, and lessen the risk of a collision involving several vehicles.

Every vehicle used on the road has a registration document. It shows vehicle details including date of first registration, registration number, previous keeper, registered keeper, make of vehicle, engine size, chassis number, year of manufacture and colour.

You should only flash your headlights to warn others of your presence. Don’t use them to, greet others, show impatience or give priority to other road users. They could misunderstand your signal.

You'll generally see this sign at the approach to a pedestrian-only zone.

A vehicle with a trailer is restricted to 60 mph. For this reason it isn’t allowed in the right-hand lane as it might hold up the faster-moving traffic that wishes to overtake in that lane.

No one likes to spend time in traffic queues. Try to avoid busy times related to school or work travel. As well as moving vehicles you should also consider congestion caused by parked cars, buses and coaches around schools.

Try not to brake or steer heavily as this will only make matters worse and you could lose control altogether. Keep calm and regain control by easing off the accelerator.

The driver may be unsure of the location of a junction and turn suddenly. Be cautious and don’t attempt to overtake.

You must obey these signs even if there appear to be no problems ahead.

Don’t travel in icy or snowy weather unless your journey is necessary. Drive extremely carefully when roads are or may be icy. Stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.

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

You shouldn’t use rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. If you forget to turn them off when the weather improves they can
• be confused with brake lamps
• dazzle following drivers.
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.

Pull over in a place where the ambulance can pass safely. Check that there are no bollards or obstructions in the road that will prevent it from doing so.

It’s easy to lose your way in an unfamiliar area. If you need to check a map or ask for directions, first find a safe place to stop.

Try to be ready for the unexpected. Plan ahead and learn to anticipate hazards. You’ll then give yourself more time to react to any problems that might occur. Be tolerant of the behaviour of other road users who don’t behave correctly.

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

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

If possible, lay the casualty down. Protect yourself from exposure to blood and, when you're sure there's nothing in the wound, apply firm pressure to it using clean material.

If the driver behind is following too closely there’s a danger they will collide with back of your car if you stop suddenly. You can reduce this risk by slowing down and increasing your safety margin ahead. This reduces the chance that you will have to stop suddenly and you can spread you braking out over a greater distance. This is an example of defensive driving.

When driving on downhill stretches of road selecting a lower gear gives increased engine braking. This will prevent excess use of the brakes, which become less effective if they overheat.

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 it you're too close.

A vehicle towing trailer must not

• use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway unless directed to do so, for example, at roadworks or due to lane closure
• exceed 60 mph

DO NOT remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it is essential. Remember they may be suffering from shock. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink but do reassure them confidently.

The right-hand lane of the motorway is for overtaking. Sometimes you may be directed into a right-hand lane as a result of roadworks or a traffic incident. This will be indicated by signs or officers directing the traffic.

Before moving off you should use both the interior and exterior mirrors to check if the road is clear. Look around to check the blind spots and give a signal if it’s necessary to warn other road users of your intentions.

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 aren’t sure about the problem get a qualified mechanic to check it.

As you approach the vehicle, assess the situation. Due to its slow progress you will need to judge whether it is safe to overtake.

At the scene of an incident, always be aware of danger from further collisions or fire. The first priority when dealing with an unconscious person is to ensure they're breathing normally. If they’re having difficulty breathing, follow the DR ABC code.

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 or riding. This should help to maintain your concentration.

These signs apply only to tram drivers, but you should know their meaning so that you're aware of the priorities and are able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

Older people may have impaired hearing, vision, concentration and judgement. They may also walk slowly and so could take a long time to cross the road.

The road ahead is at risk from falling rocks and you may also come across fallen rocks in the road

Helping someone to drive is a responsible task. Before learning to drive you’re advised to find a qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to teach you. This will ensure that you’re taught the correct procedures from the start.

In the event of a towbar failure the cable activates the trailer brakes, then snaps. This allows the towing vehicle to get free of the trailer and out of danger.

You will have additional hazards to deal with at night. Visibility may be very limited and the lights of oncoming vehicles can often dazzle you. When this happens don’t close your eyes, swerve or flash your headlights, as this will also distract other drivers. It may help to focus on the left kerb, verge or lane line.

A red cross above the hard shoulder means that it's closed as a running lane and should only be used for emergencies or breakdowns. At busy times, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane; the red cross will then be replaced by a mandatory speed-limit sign.

A casualty suffering from shock may have injuries that aren't immediately obvious. Call the emergency services then stay with the person in shock, offering reassurance until the experts arrive.