Theory test 4

Before you can legally drive on a public road, you must check that the vehicle tax has been paid on the vehicle you're driving, hold a valid driving licence, have a valid insurance cover and ensure the vehicle you're driving has a valid MOT certificate, if it requires one. 

You won't be able to tax your vehicle unless you have a valid MOT certificate (if required) and appropriate, current insurance documentation.

The vehicle registration certificate (V5C) contains details of the vehicle (make, model and engine size) and the registrated keeper. 

The registered keeper MUST notify the licensing authority when you change your vehicle, your name or your permanent address. If you buy a second-hand vehicle notify them immediately of the change of ownership. 

Vehicle tax must be paid on all motor vehicles used on public roads.

If your vehicle won't be used on public roads you do not have to pay vehicle tax as long as you advise DVLA in advance. This is called a statutory off-road notification (SORN) and lasts until you tax, sell or scrap your vehicle. 

Learners must have valid provisional licences.

You MUST notify the licensing authority if your health is likely to affect your driving or your eyesight doesn't meet the required standard

You MUST have at least third-party insurance cover before driving on public roads, which covers injury to another person, damage to someone else's property and damage to other vehicles. 

Driving without insurance is a criminal offence. It can lead to an unlimited fine and possibly disqualification. 

YOu'll need to show your insurance certificate when taxing your vehicle or if a police officer asks you for it. You may be issued with a temporary cover note until you receive your insurance certificate. 

Before driving another persons car make sure it is insured for your use. 

Insurance lowers when over 25 y/o and complete the pass plus scheme- helps newly qualified drivers gain experience and improve basic skills.

Your insurance policy may have an excess of £100. Meaning you will have to pay the first £100 of any claim for damage to your vehicle.

Cars MUST first have an MOT test when they're three years old. 

Trailers and caravans do not need an MOT, but they do need to be kept in good order. 

MOT certificates are valid for one year. You can drive your car without MOT certificate when you're driving to an appointment at an MOT centre. If your vehicle needs an MOT certificate and you don't have one

• you won't be able to renew your vehicle tax 
• it could invalidate your insurance

Pedestrians usually use a pavement or footpath. Take extra care if they have to walk in the road when the pavement is closed or on country roads wherehere is no pavement.

On country roads, pedestrians are advised to walk on the right-hand of the road so they're facing oncoming traffic. Signs may warn you of people walking in the road. 

Large groups of people may walk on the left-hand side of the road with people at the front and the back carrying bright lights. White at the front and red at the rear to warn others of presence. 

When turning into a side road watch out for pedestrians as it is their priority. 

Zebra crossings- slow down and prepare to stop if someone is waiting to cross

Pelican crossings- light controlled, amber- give way to pedestrians, wait for green and it to be clear

Puffin crossings- Have sensors to detect when people are crossing, they dont change until clear

Toucan crossings- cyclists can cross at the same time as pedestrians. There is no flashing amber phase.

Children are unpredictable. They are less likely to look before stepping out. 

Drive carefully near schools there may be flashing amber lights under a school warning sign, reduce your speed until your clear of the area and be prepared for a school crossing patrol to stop the traffic by stepping out into the road with a stop sign.

Don't wait or park on yellow zigzag lines outside a school. A clear view of the crossing area outside the school is needed by drivers on the road and pedestrians on the pavement.

Buses and coaches carrying schoolchildren show a special sign in the back. This indicates that they may stop frequently and not just at normal bus stops.

Be careful of elderly people crossing ahead of you as they may have misjudged your speed. Be patient with them and allow them to cross in their own time. 

Treat disabled pedestrians as you would able-bodied ones but be patient as they may need extra time to cross the road. 

A pedestrian with hearing difficulties may have a dog with a distinctive yellow or burgundy coloured coat or orange lead and collar. 

A person carrying a white stick with a red band, or walking with a dog wearing a red and white checked harness is both death and blind. 

Take extra care, as they may not be aware of vehicles approaching.

Cyclists should follow the same rules as drivers, but the're slower and more vunerable. Signs may indicate special cycle or shared cycle and pedestrian routes. 

Advanced stop lines are provided to allow cyclists to position themselves infront of other traffic. When the lights are red or about to become red, you should stop at the first white line. 

When overtaking a cyclist give them as much room as a car. They may need to swerve to avoid a drain or uneven road surface or if they're affected by the wind. 

A slow cyclist or glancing over their shoulder may be planning to turn right. GIVE LOTS OF ROOM

Never overtake a cyclist just before you turn left. Hold back and wait until they've passed the junction before you turn. 

When emerging look for cyclists and look for emerging cyclists when driving,

Cyclists at roundabouts may decide to stay in the left hand lane whatever direction they take. Hold back and give them plenty of room

Leave extra room while following/overtaking and look for indications. 

In traffic motorcyclists may filter between lanes, cut in just infront of you and pass very close to you

Before turning right, check for other traffic especially these as they may be overtaking. 

If there is a slow-moving cyclist ahead, stay behind in case they need to change direction suddenly

In order to improve their visibility they may wear bright clothing with dipped headlights

They also wear safety equipment such as a helmet to protect themselves. In an accident seek medical assistance and don't remove their helmet unless it is essential.

Always drive carefully if there are horses or other animals in the road. Go slowly and be ready to stop. 

When it is safe to overtake

• drive slowly
• leave plenty of room

Take particular care when approaching a roundabout. Horse riders may keep to the left even if they're signalling right. Stay well back.

Reactions of other drivers, especially inexperienced or older drivers, may be slower than yours. Learner drivers may make a mistake, such as stalling at a junction. Try to be patient. 

Statistics show that 17-25 year-olds are the most likely to be involved in a road incident. Newly qualified drivers can decrease their risk of incidents, particularly on the motorway, by taking further training. 

To join the motorway use the slip road to adjust your speed to that of traffic already on the motorway and always give way to traffic already on the motorway. 

Once joined keep in the left-hand lane unless overtaking-use middle or right. 

When overtaking normally you overtake on the right and you may overtake on the left if traffic is moving slowly in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than the one you're in.

Where there's a steep uphill gradient, a seperate crawler lane may be provided for slow-moving vehicles. This helps the faster-moving traffic to flow more easily. 

If you're travelling in the left-hand lane and traffic is joining from a slip road, move to another lane if you're able. This helps flow of traffic joining the motorway, especially at peak times. 

Countdown markers on the left-hand verge indicate that you're approaching the next exit. If you want to leave the motorway, try to get into the left-hand lane in good time. If, by mistake, you go past the exit you wanted, carry on to the next one never try stopping or reversing.

National speed limit for cars on motorway is 70mph. Applies to all lanes, obey signs showing lower

Vehicle towing a trailer is restricted to 60mph and isn't allowed to travel in the right-hand lane of a motorway unless there are lane closures. 

In Nothern Ireland they shouldn't use it at all. 

Hazard lights can be used to show traffic behind that the traffic ahead is slowing down or stopping suddenly. Switch them off as soon as a queue forms behind you. 

When approaching roadworks take extra care. There are usually lower speed limits, especially if there's a contraflow system. 

• Obey all speed limits 
• Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead

Active traffic management is in force on some motorways to reduce congestion. Mandatory speed limit signs will show on the gantries. If traffic can stay constant over a longer distance, bunching will be reduced and journey times will improve. Variable speed limits help with this. 

In ATM areas, hard should may be used as a running lane. You'll know when you can use this as a speed limit sign will be shown above all lanes including the hard shoulder. A red cross above the hard houlder indicates you shouldn't travel in this lane and it should be used only in an emergency or break down. 

Emergency refuge areas have been built incase of emergency or breakdown. 

Traffic officers operate in England, covering motorways and some 'A' Class roads. They are able to stop and direct anyone on a motorway or an 'A' road and respond to calls made on roadside emergency telephones

Reflective studs help you to identify your position on the carriageway, especially at night or in fog. The different colours are as follows. 

Red- between the hard shoulder and carriageway

Amber- between the edge of the carriageway and the central reservation

White- between the lanes

Green- between the carriageway and slip roads

Fluorescent green/yellow- at contraflow systems and roadworks

Only stop on the motorway if flashing red lights show above every lane, when told to by the police of traffic officers, in a traffic jam or in an emergency situation or breakdown.

Move over if overhead gantries advise you to do so

Only stop on the hard shoulder in an emergency, any other reason leave at the next exit/services

Breakdown- hardshoulder and call for help. Emergency telephones are normally at one-mile intervals. Marker posts at 100 mtre intervals point you in the direction of the nearest phone and connected to a control centre where the operator will deal with your call and direct appropriate services to help. When using face oncoming traffic to see hazards. Before the call check your location and give this information to the emergency services. 

Rejoin the carriageway from the hardshoulder in a safe gap- gain speed on hardshoulder before moving out. If you are unable to get onto the hard shoulder when broken down switch on hazards and leave your vehicle only when you can get off the carriageway safely.