www.highwaycodeuk.co.

uk
Updated10/04/2017

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Contents
Introduction 3
Rulesforpedestrians(1to35) 4
Rulesforusersofpoweredwheelchairsandmobilityscooters(36to46) 15
Rulesaboutanimals(47to58) 18
Rulesforcyclists(59to82) 22
Rulesformotorcyclists(83to88) 29
Rulesfordriversandmotorcyclists(89to102) 33
Generalrules,techniquesandadviceforalldriversandriders(103to158) 43
Usingtheroad(159to203) 61
Roadusersrequiringextracare(204to225) 81
Drivinginadverseweatherconditions(226to237) 87
Waitingandparking(238to252) 92
Motorways(253to273) 98
Breakdownsandincidents(274to287) 104
Roadworks,levelcrossingsandtramways(288to307) 110
Directionsignsonroadsandmotorways 116
Informationsigns 116
Lightsignalscontrollingtraffic 116
Roadmarkings 116
Roadsignsgivingorders 117
Roadworkssigns 117
Signalsbyauthorisedpersons 117
Signalstootherroadusers 117
Trafficsigns 118
Knowyourtrafficsigns 118
Vehiclemarkings 118
Warningsignsontheroad 118
Annexes 119
Rulesforcyclists 119
Rulesformotorcyclists 120
Rulesfordriversandmotorcyclists 122
Usingtheroad 125
Penalties 128

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Vehiclemaintenance,safetyandsecurity 133
Firstaidontheroad 136
Safetycodefornewdrivers 138

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Introduction
ThisHighwayCodeappliestoEngland,ScotlandandWales.TheHighway
Codeisessentialreadingforeveryone.

Themostvulnerableroadusersarepedestrians,particularlychildren,
olderordisabledpeople,cyclists,motorcyclistsandhorseriders.Itis
importantthatallroadusersareawareofTheHighwayCodeandare
consideratetowardseachother.Thisappliestopedestriansasmuchasto
driversandriders.ManyoftherulesinTheHighwayCodearelegal
requirements,andifyoudisobeytheserulesyouarecommittinga
criminaloffence.Youmaybefined,givenpenaltypointsonyourlicence
orbedisqualifiedfromdriving.Inthemostseriouscasesyoumaybesent
toprison.SuchrulesareidentifiedbytheuseofthewordsMUST/MUST
NOT.Inaddition,theruleincludesanabbreviatedreferencetothe
legislationwhichcreatestheoffence.Seeanexplanationofthe
abbreviations.

AlthoughfailuretocomplywiththeotherrulesofTheHighwayCodewill
not,initself,causeapersontobeprosecuted,TheHighwayCodemaybe
usedinevidenceinanycourtproceedingsundertheTrafficActsto
establishliability.Thisincludesruleswhichuseadvisorywordingsuchas
should/shouldnotordo/donot.Knowingandapplyingtherules
containedinTheHighwayCodecouldsignificantlyreduceroadcasualties.
Cuttingthenumberofdeathsandinjuriesthatoccuronourroadsevery
dayisaresponsibilityweallshare.TheHighwayCodecanhelpus
dischargethatresponsibility.Furtherinformationondriving/riding
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techniquescanbefoundinTheOfficialDSAGuidetoDrivingthe
essentialskillsandTheOfficialDSAGuidetoRidingtheessentialskills.

ReadTheHighwayCodeOnline
DownloadTheHighwayCodeAudiobook
DownloadTheHighwayCodeApplication

TryfreeTheoryTest

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Rulesf orp
edestrians

1.Generalguidance
1. Pavements(includinganypathalongthesideofaroad)shouldbe
usedifprovided.Wherepossible,avoidbeingnexttothekerbwith
yourbacktothetraffic.Ifyouhavetostepintotheroad,lookboth
waysfirst.Alwaysshowduecareandconsiderationforothers.

2. Ifthereisnopavement,keeptotherighthandsideoftheroadso
thatyoucanseeoncomingtraffic.Youshouldtakeextracareand
bepreparedtowalkinsinglefile,especiallyonnarrowroads
orinpoorlight
keepclosetothesideoftheroad.
Itmaybesafertocrosstheroadwellbeforeasharprighthand
bendsothatoncomingtraffichasabetterchanceofseeingyou.
Crossbackafterthebend.

3. Helpotherroaduserstoseeyou.Wearorcarrysomething
lightcoloured,brightorfluorescentinpoordaylightconditions.
Whenitisdark,usereflectivematerials(e.g.armbands,sashes,
waistcoats,jackets,footwear),whichcanbeseenbydriversusing
headlightsuptothreetimesasfarawayasnonreflective
materials.

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4. Youngchildrenshouldnotbeoutaloneonthepavementorroad
(seeR ule7) .Whentakingchildrenout,keepbetweenthemand
thetrafficandholdtheirhandsfirmly.Strapveryyoungchildren
intopushchairsorusereins.Whenpushingayoungchildina
buggy,donotpushthebuggyintotheroadwhencheckingtoseeif
itiscleartocross,particularlyfrombetweenparkedvehicles.

5. Organisedwalks.Largegroupsofpeoplewalkingtogethershould
useapavementifavailable;ifoneisnot,theyshouldkeeptothe
left.Lookoutsshouldbepositionedatthefrontandbackofthe
group,andtheyshouldwearfluorescentclothesindaylightand
reflectiveclothesinthedark.Atnight,thelookoutinfrontshould
showawhitelightandtheoneatthebackaredlight.Peopleon
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theoutsideoflargegroupsshouldalsocarrylightsandwear
reflectiveclothing.

6. Motorways.PedestriansMUSTNOTbeonmotorwaysorsliproads
exceptinanemergency(seeRule271andRule275).
LawsRTRAsect17,MT(E&W)R1982asamended,reg15(1)(b)&
MT(S)Rreg13

2.Crossingtheroad
7. TheGreenCrossCode.Theadvicegivenbelowoncrossingthe
roadisforallpedestrians.ChildrenshouldbetaughttheCodeand
shouldnotbeallowedoutaloneuntiltheycanunderstandanduse
itproperly.Theagewhentheycandothisisdifferentforeach
child.Manychildrencannotjudgehowfastvehiclesaregoingor
howfarawaytheyare.Childrenlearnbyexample,soparentsand
carersshouldalwaysusetheCodeinfullwhenoutwiththeir
children.Theyareresponsiblefordecidingatwhatagechildren
canuseitsafelybythemselves.

A. Firstfindasafeplacetocrossandwherethereisspaceto
reachthepavementontheotherside.Wherethereisa
crossingnearby,useit.Itissafertocrossusingasubway,a
footbridge,anisland,azebra,pelican,toucanorpuffin
crossing,orwherethereisacrossingpointcontrolledbya
policeofficer,aschoolcrossingpatroloratrafficwarden.
Otherwisechooseaplacewhereyoucanseeclearlyinall
directions.Trytoavoidcrossingbetweenparkedcars
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(seeRule14),onablindbend,orclosetothebrowofahill.
Movetoaspacewheredriversandriderscanseeyouclearly.
Donotcrosstheroaddiagonally.

B. Stopjustbeforeyougettothekerb,whereyoucanseeif
anythingiscoming.Donotgettooclosetothetraffic.If
theresnopavement,keepbackfromtheedgeoftheroad
butmakesureyoucanstillseeapproachingtraffic.

C. Lookallaroundfortrafficandlisten.Trafficcouldcomefrom
anydirection.Listenaswell,becauseyoucansometimes
heartrafficbeforeyouseeit.

D. Iftrafficiscoming,letitpass.Lookallaroundagainand
listen.Donotcrossuntilthereisasafegapinthetrafficand

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youarecertainthatthereisplentyoftime.Remember,even
iftrafficisalongwayoff,itmaybeapproachingveryquickly.

E. Whenitissafe,gostraightacrosstheroaddonot
run.Keeplookingandlisteningfortrafficwhileyoucross,in
casethereisanytrafficyoudidnotsee,orincaseother
trafficappearssuddenly.Lookoutforcyclistsand
motorcycliststravellingbetweenlanesoftraffic.Donotwalk
diagonallyacrosstheroad.

8. Atajunction.Whencrossingtheroad,lookoutfortrafficturning
intotheroad,especiallyfrombehindyou.Ifyouhavestarted
crossingandtrafficwantstoturnintotheroad,youhavepriority
andtheyshouldgiveway(seeRule170).

9. PedestrianSafetyBarriers.Wheretherearebarriers,crossthe
roadonlyatthegapsprovidedforpedestrians.Donotclimbover
thebarriersorwalkbetweenthemandtheroad.

10. Tactilepaving.Raisedsurfacesthatcanbefeltunderfootprovide
warningandguidancetoblindorpartiallysightedpeople.The
mostcommonsurfacesareaseriesofraisedstuds,whichareused
atcrossingpointswithadroppedkerb,oraseriesofrounded
raisedbarswhichareusedatlevelcrossings,atthetopand
bottomofstepsandatsomeotherhazards.

11. Onewaystreets.Checkwhichwaythetrafficismoving.Donot
crossuntilitissafetodosowithoutstopping.Busandcyclelanes
mayoperateintheoppositedirectiontotherestofthetraffic.

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12. Busandcyclelanes.Takecarewhencrossingtheselanesastraffic
maybemovingfasterthanintheotherlanes,oragainsttheflow
oftraffic.

13. Routessharedwithcyclists.Somecycletracksrunalongside
footpathsorpavements,usingasegregatingfeaturetoseparate
cyclistsfrompeopleonfoot.Segregatedroutesmayalso
incorporateshortlengthsoftactilepavingtohelpvisuallyimpaired
peoplestayonthecorrectside.Onthepedestriansidethiswill
compriseaseriesofflattoppedbarsrunningacrossthedirection
oftravel(ladderpattern).Onthecyclistsidethesamebarsare
orientatedinthedirectionoftravel(tramlinepattern).Notall
routeswhicharesharedwithcyclistsaresegregated.Takeextra
carewherethisisso(seeRule62).

14. Parkedvehicles.Ifyouhavetocrossbetweenparkedvehicles,use
theoutsideedgesofthevehiclesasiftheywerethekerb.Stop
thereandmakesureyoucanseeallaroundandthatthetrafficcan
seeyou.Makesurethereisagapbetweenanyparkedvehicleson
theotherside,soyoucanreachthepavement.Nevercrossthe
roadinfrontof,orbehind,anyvehiclewithitsenginerunning,
especiallyalargevehicle,asthedrivermaynotbeabletoseeyou.

15. Reversingvehicles.Nevercrossbehindavehiclewhichis
reversing,showingwhitereversinglightsorsoundingawarning.

16. Movingvehicles.YouMUSTNOTgetontoorholdontoamoving
vehicle.
LawRTA1988sect26

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17. Atnight.Wearsomethingreflectivetomakeiteasierforothersto
seeyou(seeRule3) .Ifthereisnopedestriancrossingnearby,
crosstheroadnearastreetlightsothattrafficcanseeyoumore
easily.

3.Crossings
18. Atallcrossings.Whenusinganytypeofcrossingyoushould
alwayscheckthatthetraffichasstoppedbeforeyoustartto
crossorpushapramontoacrossing
alwayscrossbetweenthestudsoroverthezebramarkings.
Donotcrossatthesideofthecrossingoronthezigzag
lines,asitcanbedangerous.
YouMUSTNOTloiteronanytypeofcrossing.
LawsZPPPCRGDreg19&RTRAsect25(5)

19. Zebracrossings.Givetrafficplentyoftimetoseeyouandtostop
beforeyoustarttocross.Vehicleswillneedmoretimewhenthe
roadisslippery.Waituntiltraffichasstoppedfrombothdirections
ortheroadisclearbeforecrossing.Rememberthattrafficdoes
nothavetostopuntilsomeonehasmovedontothecrossing.Keep
lookingbothways,andlistening,incaseadriverorriderhasnot
seenyouandattemptstoovertakeavehiclethathasstopped.

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20. Wherethereisanislandinthemiddleofazebracrossing,waiton
theislandandfollowRule19beforeyoucrossthesecondhalfof
theroaditisaseparatecrossing.

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21. Attrafficlights.Theremaybespecialsignalsforpedestrians.You
shouldonlystarttocrosstheroadwhenthegreenfigureshows.If
youhavestartedtocrosstheroadandthegreenfiguregoesout,
youshouldstillhavetimetoreachtheotherside,butdonotdelay.
Ifnopedestriansignalshavebeenprovided,watchcarefullyand
donotcrossuntilthetrafficlightsareredandthetraffichas
stopped.Keeplookingandcheckfortrafficthatmaybeturningthe
corner.Rememberthattrafficlightsmaylettrafficmoveinsome
laneswhiletrafficinotherlaneshasstopped.

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*Atp
elicanc rossingso
nly

22. Pelicancrossings.Thesearesignalcontrolledcrossingsoperated
bypedestrians.Pushthecontrolbuttontoactivatethetraffic
signals.Whentheredfigureshows,donotcross.Whenasteady
greenfigureshows,checkthetraffichasstoppedthencrosswith
care.Whenthegreenfigurebeginstoflashyoushouldnotstartto
cross.Ifyouhavealreadystartedyoushouldhavetimetofinish
crossingsafely.

23. Puffincrossingsdifferfrompelicancrossingsastheredandgreen
figuresareabovethecontrolboxonyoursideoftheroadand
thereisnoflashinggreenfigurephase.Pressthebuttonandwait
forthegreenfiguretoshow.

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24. Whentheroadiscongested,trafficonyoursideoftheroadmay
beforcedtostopeventhoughtheirlightsaregreen.Trafficmay
stillbemovingontheothersideoftheroad,sopressthebutton
andwaitforthesignaltocross.

25. Toucancrossingsarelightcontrolledcrossingswhichallowcyclists
andpedestrianstosharecrossingspaceandcrossatthesame
time.Theyarepushbuttonoperated.Pedestriansandcyclistswill
seethegreensignaltogether.Cyclistsarepermittedtorideacross.

26. Atsomecrossingsthereisableepingsoundorvoicesignalto
indicatetoblindorpartiallysightedpeoplewhenthesteadygreen
figureisshowing,andtheremaybeatactilesignaltohelp
deafblindpeople.

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27. Equestriancrossingsareforhorseriders.Theyhavepavement
barriers,widercrossingspaces,horseandriderfiguresinthelight
panelsandeithertwosetsofcontrols(onehigher),orjustone
highercontrolpanel.

Thereisoftenaparallelcrossing.

28. Staggeredpelicanorpuffincrossings.Whenthecrossingsoneach
sideofthecentralrefugearenotinlinetheyaretwoseparatecrossings.
Onreachingthecentralisland,pressthebuttonagainandwaitfora
steadygreenfigure.

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Rule28:Staggeredcrossings(withanislandinthemiddle)aretwo
separateCrossings

29. Crossingscontrolledbyanauthorisedperson.Donotcrossthe
roadunlessyouaresignalledtodosobyapoliceofficer,traffic
wardenorschoolcrossingpatrol.Alwayscrossinfrontofthem.

30. Wheretherearenocontrolledcrossingpointsavailableitis
advisabletocrosswherethereisanislandinthemiddleofthe
road.UsetheGreenCrossCode(seeRule7) tocrosstotheisland
andthenstopanduseitagaintocrossthesecondhalfoftheroad.

4.Situationsneedingextracare
31. Emergencyvehicles.Ifanambulance,fireengine,policeorother
emergencyvehicleapproachesusingflashingbluelights,

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headlightsand/orsirens,keepofftheroad.

32. Buses.Getonoroffabusonlywhenithasstoppedtoallowyouto
doso.Watchoutforcyclistswhenyouaregettingoff.Nevercross
theroaddirectlybehindorinfrontofabus.Waituntilithas
movedoffandyoucanseeclearlyinbothdirections.

33. Tramways.Thesemayrunthroughpedestrianareas.Theirpath
willbemarkedoutbyshallowkerbs,changesinthepavingor
otherroadsurface,whitelinesoryellowdots.Crossatdesignated
crossingswhereprovided.Elsewheretreattramsasyouwould
otherroadvehiclesandlookbothwaysalongthetrackbefore
crossing.Donotwalkalongthetrackastramsmaycomeup
behindyou.Tramsmovequietlyandcannotsteertoavoidyou.

34. Railwaylevelcrossings.YouMUSTNOTcrossorpassastopline
whentheredlightsshow,(includingaredpedestrianfigure).Also
donotcrossifanalarmissoundingorthebarriersarebeing
lowered.Thetoneofthealarmmaychangeifanothertrainis
approaching.Iftherearenolights,alarmsorbarriers,stop,look
bothwaysandlistenbeforecrossing.Atactilesurfacecomprising
roundedbarsrunningacrossthedirectionofpedestriantravelmay
beinstalledonthefootpathapproachingalevelcrossingtowarn
visuallyimpairedpeopleofitspresence.Thetactilesurfaceshould
extendacrossthefullwidthofthefootwayandshouldbelocated
atanappropriatedistancefromthebarrierorprojectedlineofthe
barrier.
LawTSRGD,reg52

35. Streetandpavementrepairs.Apavementmaybeclosed
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temporarilybecauseitisnotsafetouse.Takeextracareifyouare
directedtowalkinortocrosstheroad.

Rulesf oru
serso
fp
owered
wheelchairsa ndm obility
scooters

1.Poweredwheelchairsand
mobilityscooters
36. Thereisoneclassofmanualwheelchair(calledaClass1invalid
carriage)andtwoclassesofpoweredwheelchairsandpowered
mobilityscooters.ManualwheelchairsandClass2vehiclesare
thosewithanupperspeedlimitof4mph(6km/h)andare
designedtobeusedonpavements.Class3vehiclesarethosewith
anupperspeedlimitof8mph(12km/h)andareequippedtobe
usedontheroadaswellasthepavement.

37. Whenyouareontheroadyoushouldobeytheguidanceandrules
forothervehicles;whenonthepavementyoushouldfollowthe
guidanceandrulesforpedestrians.

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2.Onpavements
38. Pavementsaresaferthanroadsandshouldbeusedwhen
available.Youshouldgivepedestrianspriorityandshow
considerationforotherpavementusers,particularlythosewitha
hearingorvisualimpairmentwhomaynotbeawarethatyouare
there.

39. PoweredwheelchairsandscootersM USTNOTt ravelfasterthan4

mph(6km/h)onpavementsorinpedestrianareas.Youmayneed
toreduceyourspeedtoadjusttootherpavementuserswhomay
notbeabletomoveoutofyourwayquicklyenoughorwherethe
pavementistoonarrow.
LawUICHR1988reg4

40. Whenmovingoffthepavementontotheroad,youshouldtake
specialcare.Beforemovingoff,alwayslookroundandmakesure
itssafetojointhetraffic.Alwaystrytousedroppedkerbswhen
movingoffthepavement,evenifthismeanstravellingfurtherto
locateone.Ifyouhavetoclimbordescendakerb,always
approachitatrightanglesanddonttrytonegotiateakerbhigher
thanthevehiclemanufacturersrecommendations.

3.Ontheroad
41. Youshouldtakecarewhentravellingontheroadasyoumaybe
travellingmoreslowlythanothertraffic(yourmachineisrestricted
to8mph(12km/h)andmaybelessvisible).
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42. Whenontheroad,Class3vehiclesshouldtravelinthedirectionof
thetraffic.Class2usersshouldalwaysusethepavementwhenitis
available.Whenthereisnopavement,youshouldusecaution
whenontheroad.Class2usersshould,wherepossible,travelin
thedirectionofthetraffic.Ifyouaretravellingatnightwhen
lightsM
USTb eused,youshouldtravelinthedirectionofthe
traffictoavoidconfusingotherroadusers.
LawUICHR1988reg9

43. YouM USTf ollowthesamerulesaboutusinglights,indicatorsand

hornsasforotherroadvehicles,ifyourvehicleisfittedwiththem.
Atnight,lightsM
USTb eused.Beawarethatotherroadusersmay
notseeyouandyoushouldmakeyourselfmorevisibleevenin
thedaytimeandalsoatduskby,forinstance,wearingareflective
jacketorreflectivestripsonthebackofthevehicle.
LawUICHR1988reg9

44. Takeextracareatroadjunctions.Whengoingstraightahead,
checktomakesuretherearenovehiclesabouttocrossyourpath
fromtheleft,theright,orovertakingyouandturningleft.There
areseveraloptionsfordealingwithrightturns,especiallyturning
fromamajorroad.Ifmovingintothemiddleoftheroadisdifficult
ordangerous,youcanstoponthelefthandsideoftheroadand
waitforasafegapinthetrafficnegotiatetheturnasa
pedestrian,i.e.travelalongthepavementandcrosstheroad
betweenpavementswhereitissafetodoso.Class3usersshould
switchthevehicletothelowerspeedlimitwhenonpavements.

Ifthejunctionistoohazardous,itmaybeworthconsideringan
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alternativeroute.Similarly,whennegotiatingmajorroundabouts
(i.e.withtwoormorelanes)itmaybesaferforyoutousethe
pavementorfindaroutewhichavoidstheroundaboutaltogether.

45. Allnormalparkingrestrictionsshouldbeobserved.Yourvehicle
shouldnotbeleftunattendedifitcausesanobstructiontoother
pedestriansespeciallythoseinwheelchairs.Parkingconcessions
providedundertheBlueBadgescheme(seeF urtherReadingand
Conversions)willapplytothosevehiclesdisplayingavalidbadge.

46. ThesevehiclesM USTNOTb eusedonmotorways(seeR ule253).

Theyshouldnotbeusedonunrestricteddualcarriagewayswhere
thespeedlimitexceeds50mph(80km/h)butiftheyareusedon
thesedualcarriageways,theyM USTh aveaflashingamber
beacon.Aflashingamberbeaconshouldbeusedonallotherdual
carriageways(seeR ule220).
LawsRTRAsect17(2)&(3),&RVLRreg17(1)&26

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Rulesa bouta nimals

1.Horsedrawnvehicles
47. Horsedrawnvehiclesusedonthehighwayshouldbeoperatedand
maintainedinaccordancewithstandardssetoutinthe
DepartmentforTransportsCodeofPracticeforHorseDrawn
Vehicles.ThisCodelaysdowntherequirementsforaroaddriving
assessmentandincludesacomprehensivelistofsafetychecksto
ensurethatacarriageanditsfittingsaresafeandingoodworking
order.ThestandardssetoutintheRoadDrivingAssessmentmay
berequiredtobemetbyaLocalAuthorityifanoperatorwishesto
obtainalocalauthoritylicencetooperateapassengercarrying
service.

48. Safetyequipmentandclothing.A llhorsedrawnvehiclesshould

havetworedrearreflectors.Itissafernottodriveatnightbutif
youdo,alightshowingwhitetothefrontandredtothe
rearM
USTb efitted.
LawRVLR1989reg4

2.Horseriders
49. Safetyequipment.Childrenundertheageof14M USTw
eara
helmetwhichcomplieswiththeRegulations.ItMUSTbefastened
securely.Otherridersshouldalsofollowtheserequirements.
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Theserequirementsdonotapplytoachildwhoisafollowerofthe
Sikhreligionwhilewearingaturban.
LawsH(PHYR)Act1990,sect1&H(PHYR)Regulations1992,reg3

50. Otherclothing.Y oushouldwear

bootsorshoeswithhardsolesandheels
lightcolouredorfluorescentclothingindaylight
reflectiveclothingifyouhavetorideatnightorinpoor
visibility.

51. Atnight.Itissafernottorideontheroadatnightorinpoor
visibility,butifyoudo,makesureyouwearreflectiveclothingand
yourhorsehasreflectivebandsabovethefetlockjoints.Alight
whichshowswhitetothefrontandredtotherearshouldbe
fitted,withaband,totheridersrightarmand/orleg/ridingboot.
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Ifyouareleadingahorseatnight,carryalightinyourrighthand,
showingwhitetothefrontandredtotherear,andwearreflective
clothingonbothyouandyourhorse.Itisstronglyrecommended
thatafluorescent/reflectivetailguardisalsowornbyyourhorse.

Riding
52. Beforeyoutakeahorseontoaroad,youshould
ensurealltackfitswellandisingoodcondition
makesureyoucancontrolthehorse.

Alwaysridewithother,lessnervoushorsesifyouthinkthatyour
horsewillbenervousoftraffic.Neverrideahorsewithoutbotha
saddleandbridle.

53. Beforeridingofforturning,lookbehindyoutomakesureitissafe,
thengiveacleararmsignal.

Whenridingontheroadyoushould
keeptotheleft
keepbothhandsonthereinsunlessyouaresignalling
keepbothfeetinthestirrups
notcarryanotherperson
notcarryanythingwhichmightaffectyourbalanceorget
tangledupwiththereins
keepahorseyouareleadingtoyourleft
moveinthedirectionofthetrafficflowinaonewaystreet
Neverridemorethantwoabreast,andrideinsinglefileon
narroworbusyroadsandwhenridingroundbends.

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54. YouMUSTNOTtakeahorseontoafootpathorpavement,and
youshouldnottakeahorseontoacycletrack.Useabridleway
wherepossible.Equestriancrossingsmaybeprovidedforhorse
riderstocrosstheroadandyoushouldusethesewhereavailable
(seeC
rossings).Youshoulddismountatlevelcrossingswherea
horseriderdismountsignisdisplayed.
LawsHA1835sect72,R(S)A1984,sect129(5)

55. Avoidroundaboutswhereverpossible.Ifyouusethemyoushould
keeptotheleftandwatchoutforvehiclescrossingyourpathto
leaveorjointheroundaboutsignalrightwhenridingacrossexits
toshowyouarenotleavingsignalleftjustbeforeyouleavethe
roundabout.

3.Otheranimals
56. Dogs.Donotletadogoutontheroadonitsown.Keepitona
shortleadwhenwalkingonthepavement,roadorpathshared
withcyclistsorhorseriders.

57. Wheninavehiclemakesuredogsorotheranimalsaresuitably
restrainedsotheycannotdistractyouwhileyouaredrivingor
injureyou,orthemselves,ifyoustopquickly.Aseatbeltharness,
petcarrier,dogcageordogguardarewaysofrestraininganimals
incars.

58. Animalsbeingherded.Theseshouldbekeptundercontrolatall
times.Youshould,ifpossible,sendanotherpersonalongtheroad

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infronttowarnotherroadusers,especiallyatabendorthebrow
ofahill.Itissafernottomoveanimalsafterdark,butifyoudo,
thenwearreflectiveclothingandensurethatlightsarecarried
(whiteatthefrontandredattherearoftheherd).

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Rulesf orc yclists

1.Overview
Theserulesareinadditiontothoseinthefollowingsections,whichapply
toallvehicles(exceptthemotorwaysection).SeealsoYouandyour
bicycle.

59. Clothing.Youshouldwear
acyclehelmetwhichconformstocurrentregulations,isthe
correctsizeandsecurelyfastened
appropriateclothesforcycling.Avoidclotheswhichmayget
tangledinthechain,orinawheelormayobscureyour
lights
lightcolouredorfluorescentclothingwhichhelpsotherroad
userstoseeyouindaylightandpoorlight
reflectiveclothingand/oraccessories(belt,armorankle
bands)inthedark.

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60. AtnightyourcycleMUSThavewhitefrontandredrearlightslit.It
MUSTalsobefittedwitharedrearreflector(andamberpedal
reflectors,ifmanufacturedafter1/10/85).Whitefrontreflectors
andspokereflectorswillalsohelpyoutobeseen.Flashinglights
arepermittedbutitisrecommendedthatcyclistswhoareridingin
areaswithoutstreetlightinguseasteadyfrontlamp.
LawRVLRregs13,18&24

61. CycleRoutesandOtherFacilities.Usecycleroutes,advancedstop
lines,cycleboxesandtoucancrossingsunlessatthetimeitis
unsafetodoso.Useofthesefacilitiesisnotcompulsoryandwill
dependonyourexperienceandskills,buttheycanmakeyour
journeysafer.

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62. CycleTracks.Thesearenormallylocatedawayfromtheroad,but
mayoccasionallybefoundalongsidefootpathsorpavements.
Cyclistsandpedestriansmaybesegregatedortheymaysharethe
samespace(unsegregated).Whenusingsegregatedtracks
youMUSTkeeptothesideintendedforcyclistsasthepedestrian
sideremainsapavementorfootpath.Takecarewhenpassing
pedestrians,especiallychildren,olderordisabledpeople,and
allowthemplentyofroom.Alwaysbepreparedtoslowdownand
stopifnecessary.Takecarenearroadjunctionsasyoumayhave
difficultyseeingotherroadusers,whomightnotnoticeyou.
LawHA1835sect72

63. CycleLanes.Thesearemarkedbyawhiteline(whichmaybe
broken)alongthecarriageway(seeRule140).Keepwithinthelane
whenpracticable.Whenleavingacyclelanecheckbeforepulling
outthatitissafetodosoandsignalyourintentionclearlytoother
roadusers.Useofcyclelanesisnotcompulsoryandwilldepend
onyourexperienceandskills,buttheycanmakeyourjourney
safer.

64. YouMUSTNOTcycleonapavement.
LawsHA1835sect72&R(S)A1984,sect129

65. BusLanes.Mostbuslanesmaybeusedbycyclistsasindicatedon
signs.Watchoutforpeoplegettingonoroffabus.Beverycareful
whenovertakingabusorleavingabuslaneasyouwillbeentering
abusiertrafficflow.Donotpassbetweenthekerbandabuswhen
itisatastop.

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66. Youshould
keepbothhandsonthehandlebarsexceptwhensignalling
orchanginggear
keepbothfeetonthepedals
neverridemorethantwoabreast,andrideinsinglefileon
narroworbusyroadsandwhenridingroundbends
notrideclosebehindanothervehicle
notcarryanythingwhichwillaffectyourbalanceormayget
tangledupwithyourwheelsorchain
beconsiderateofotherroadusers,particularlyblindand
partiallysightedpedestrians.Letthemknowyouarethere
whennecessary,forexample,byringingyourbellifyou
haveone.Itisrecommendedthatabellbefitted.

67. Youshould
lookallaroundbeforemovingawayfromthekerb,turning
ormanoeuvring,tomakesureitissafetodoso.Giveaclear
signaltoshowotherroaduserswhatyouintendtodo
(downloadSignalstootherroadusers)
Lookwellaheadforobstructionsintheroad,suchasdrains,
potholesandparkedvehiclessothatyoudonothaveto
swervesuddenlytoavoidthem.Leaveplentyofroomwhen
passingparkedvehiclesandwatchoutfordoorsbeing
openedorpedestrianssteppingintoyourpath
beawareoftrafficcomingupbehindyou
takeextracarenearroadhumps,narrowingsandother
trafficcalmingfeatures
Takecarewhenovertaking(seeR ules162to169).

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68. YouMUSTNOT
carryapassengerunlessyourcyclehasbeenbuiltor
adaptedtocarryone
holdontoamovingvehicleortrailer
rideinadangerous,carelessorinconsideratemanner
ridewhenundertheinfluenceofdrinkordrugs,including
medicine.
LawRTA1988sects24,26,28,29&30asamendedbyRTA1991

69. YouMUSTobeyalltrafficsignsandtrafficlightsignals.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDreg10(1)

70. Whenparkingyourcycle
findaconspicuouslocationwhereitcanbeseenby
passersby
usecyclestandsorothercycleparkingfacilitieswherever
possible
donotleaveitwhereitwouldcauseanobstructionor
hazardtootherroadusers
secureitwellsothatitwillnotfalloverandbecomean
obstructionorhazard.

71. YouMUSTNOTcrossthestoplinewhenthetrafficlightsarered.
Somejunctionshaveanadvancedstoplinetoenableyoutowait
andpositionyourselfaheadofothertraffic(seeRule178).
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&36(1)

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2.Roadjunctions
72. Ontheleft.Whenapproachingajunctionontheleft,watchout
forvehiclesturninginfrontofyou,outoforintothesideroad.
Justbeforeyouturn,checkforundertakingcyclistsor
motorcyclists.Donotrideontheinsideofvehiclessignallingor
slowingdowntoturnleft.

73. Payparticularattentiontolongvehicleswhichneedalotofroom
tomanoeuvreatcorners.Beawarethatdriversmaynotseeyou.
Theymayhavetomoveovertotherightbeforeturningleft.Wait
untiltheyhavecompletedthemanoeuvrebecausetherearwheels
comeveryclosetothekerbwhileturning.Donotbetemptedto
rideinthespacebetweenthemandthekerb.

74. Ontheright.Ifyouareturningright,checkthetraffictoensureit
issafe,thensignalandmovetothecentreoftheroad.Waituntil
thereisasafegapintheoncomingtrafficandgiveafinallook
beforecompletingtheturn.Itmaybesafertowaitontheleftuntil
thereisasafegaportodismountandpushyourcycleacrossthe
road.

75. Dualcarriageways.Rememberthattrafficonmostdual
carriagewaysmovesquickly.Whencrossingwaitforasafegapand
crosseachcarriagewayinturn.Takeextracarewhencrossingslip
roads.

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3.Roundabouts
76. Fulldetailsaboutthecorrectprocedureatroundaboutsare
containedin(seeRules184to190).Roundaboutscanbe
hazardousandshouldbeapproachedwithcare.

77. Youmayfeelsaferwalkingyourcycleroundonthepavementor
verge.Ifyoudecidetorideroundkeepingtothelefthandlaneyou
should
beawarethatdriversmaynoteasilyseeyou
takeextracarewhencyclingacrossexits.Youmayneedto
signalrighttoshowyouarenotleavingtheroundabout
watchoutforvehiclescrossingyourpathtoleaveorjointhe
roundabout.

78. Giveplentyofroomtolongvehiclesontheroundaboutasthey
needmorespacetomanoeuvre.Donotrideinthespacethey
needtogetroundtheroundabout.Itmaybesafertowaituntil
theyhaveclearedtheroundabout.

4.Crossingtheroad
79. Donotrideacrossequestriancrossings,astheyareforhorseriders
only.Donotrideacrossapelican,puffinorzebracrossing.
Dismountandwheelyourcycleacross.

80. Toucancrossings.Thesearelightcontrolledcrossingswhichallow
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cyclistsandpedestrianstosharecrossingspaceandcrossatthe
sametime.Theyarepushbuttonoperated.Pedestriansand
cyclistswillseethegreensignaltogether.Cyclistsarepermittedto
rideacross.

81. Cycleonlycrossings.Cycletracksonoppositesidesoftheroad
maybelinkedbysignalledcrossings.Youmayrideacrossbut
youMUSTNOTcrossuntilthegreencyclesymbolisshowing.
LawTSRGDregs33(2)&36(1)

82. Levelcrossings/Tramways.Takeextracarewhencrossingthe
tracks(seeRule306).Youshoulddismountatlevelcrossings
whereacyclistdismountsignisdisplayed.

5.Youandyourbicycle
Makesurethatyoufeelconfidentofyourabilitytoridesafely
ontheroad.Besurethat
youchoosetherightsizeandtypeofcycleforcomfortand
safety
lightsandreflectorsarekeptcleanandingoodworking
order
tyresareingoodconditionandinflatedtothepressure
shownonthetyre
gearsareworkingcorrectly
thechainisproperlyadjustedandoiled
thesaddleandhandlebarsareadjustedtothecorrect
height.

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Itisrecommendedthatyoufitabelltoyourcycle.

YouMUST
ensureyourbrakesareefficient
atnight,uselitfrontandrearlightsandhavearedrear
reflector.
LawsPCURregs6&10&RVLRreg18

Cycletrainingcanhelpbothchildrenandadults,especiallythoseadults
returningtocyclingtodeveloptheskillsneededtocyclesafelyontodays
roads.Anewnationalcycletrainingstandardhasbeendevelopedwhich
theGovernmentispromotingandmakingfundingavailablefordeliveryin
schools.
Allcyclistsshouldconsiderthebenefitsofundertakingcycletraining.For
information,contactyourlocalauthority.

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Rulesf orm
otorcyclists

1.Generalguidance
TheseRulesareinadditiontothoseinthefollowingsectionswhichapply
toallvehicles.SeeMotorcyclelicencerequirements).

83. Onalljourneys,theriderandpillionpassengeronamotorcycle,
scooterormopedMUSTwearaprotectivehelmet.Thisdoesnot
applytoafolloweroftheSikhreligionwhilewearingaturban.
HelmetsMUSTc omplywiththeRegulationsandtheyMUSTbe
fastenedsecurely.Ridersandpassengersofmotortricyclesand
quadricycles,alsocalledquadbikes,shouldalsowearaprotective
helmet.Beforeeachjourneycheckthatyourhelmetvisorisclean
andingoodcondition.
LawsRTA1988sects16&17&MC(PH)Rasamendedreg4

84. Itisalsoadvisabletoweareyeprotectors,whichMUSTcomply
withtheRegulations.Scratchedorpoorlyfittingeyeprotectorscan
limityourviewwhenriding,particularlyinbrightsunshineandthe
hoursofdarkness.Considerwearingearprotection.Strongboots,
glovesandsuitableclothingmayhelptoprotectyouifyouare
involvedinacollision.
LawsRTAsect18&MC(EP)Rasamendedreg4

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85. YouMUSTNOTcarrymorethanonepillionpassenger
whoMUSTsitastridethemachineonaproperseat.Theyshould
faceforwardwithbothfeetonthefootrests.YouMUSTNOTcarry
apillionpassengerunlessyourmotorcycleisdesignedtodoso.
ProvisionallicenceholdersMUSTNOTcarryapillionpassenger.
LawsRTA1988sect23,MV(DL)R1999reg16(6)&CUR1986reg
102

86. Daylightriding.Makeyourselfasvisibleaspossiblefromtheside
aswellasthefrontandrear.Youcouldwearalightorbrightly
colouredhelmetandfluorescentclothingorstrips.Dipped
headlights,eveningooddaylight,mayalsomakeyoumore
conspicuous.However,beawarethatothervehicledriversmay
stillnothaveseenyou,orjudgedyourdistanceorspeedcorrectly,
especiallyatjunctions.

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87. Ridinginthedark.Wearreflectiveclothingorstripstoimprove
yourvisibilityinthedark.Thesereflectlightfromtheheadlampsof
othervehicles,makingyouvisiblefromalongerdistance.
SeeRules113116f orlightingrequirements.

88. Manoeuvring.Youshouldbeawareofwhatisbehindandtothe
sidesbeforemanoeuvring.Lookbehindyou;usemirrorsiftheyare
fitted.Whenintrafficqueueslookoutforpedestrianscrossing
betweenvehiclesandvehiclesemergingfromjunctionsor
changinglanes.Positionyourselfsothatdriversinfrontcansee
youintheirmirrors.Additionally,whenfilteringinslowmoving
traffic,takecareandkeepyourspeedlow.

Remember:ObservationSignalManoeuvre.

2.Motorcyclelicence
requirements
Ifyouhaveaprovisionalmotorcyclelicence,youMUSTsatisfactorily
completeaCompulsoryBasicTraining(CBT)course.Youcanthenridea
motorcycleupto125ccwithapoweroutputnotexceeding11kWonthe
publicroad,withLplates(inWaleseitherDplates,Lplatesorbothcanbe
used),foruptotwoyears.Underdirectaccessyoucanpractiseona
motorcyclethatexceeds125ccprovidedthat:

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youmeettheminimumageforthecategoryconcerned
youreaccompaniedatalltimesbyaqualifiedapproved
trainer,whoisonanothermotorcycleandinradiocontact
withyou
fluorescentorreflectivesafetyclothingiswornduring
supervision
redLplates(DplatesinWales)arefittedandprovisional
licencerestrictionsfollowed.

ToobtainyourfullmotorcyclelicenceyouMUSTpassamotorcyclet heory
testandthenapracticaltest.
LawMV(DL)Rregs16&68

A1motorcyclelicence:Atage17orover,youtakeatestonamotorcycle
withoutsidecarofbetween120and125cc.Ifyoupassyoumayridea
motorcycleupto125ccwithpoweroutputupto11kW,oramotor
tricyclewithpowernotexceeding15kW.

A2motorcyclelicence:Atage19orover,youtakeatestonamotorcycle
withoutsidecarofatleast395ccwithapoweroutputofatleast25kW
butnotexceeding35kW.Ifyoupass,youmayrideanymotorcyclenot
exceeding35kWandwithapowertoweightrationotexceeding0.2
kW/kg.

FullAmotorcyclelicence:Testtakenonamotorcyclewithoutsidecar,of
atleast595ccandanenginepowerofatleast40kW.Thisgivesyoufull
accesstoallmotorcyclesandmotortricycles.YouobtainacategoryA
licencebytakingprogressiveaccessfromage21,orunderthedirect
accessschemefromage24.

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CategoryAunderprogressiveaccess:YoucantakeacategoryApractical
testatage21ifyoualreadyhaveanA2licencethatyouveheldfora
minimumoftwoyears.Youdontneedtotakeanothertheorytestorhold
aCBTcertificate.

CategoryAunderdirectaccess:Thisisforridersaged24orover.To
obtainacategoryAlicenceyoumust
successfullycompleteaCBTcourse
passthemotorcycletheorytest
passthepracticalmotorcycletest.

Passingthepracticaltestonamotorcycleofatleast40kW(53.6bhp)
givesimmediateaccesstoallsizesofmotorcycle.

YouMUSTNOTcarryapillionpassengerorpullatraileruntilyouhave
passedyourtest.AlsoseeRule253coveringvehiclesprohibitedfrom
motorways.
LawMV(DL)Rreg16

Mopedlicencerequirements
AmopedMUSThaveanenginecapacitynotexceeding50cc,notweigh
morethan250kgandbedesignedtohaveamaximumspeednot
exceeding28mph(45km/h).BeforeJune2003alicenceallowedthe
ridingofmopedsupto50km/h.

Torideamoped,learnersMUST
be16orover

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haveaprovisionalmopedlicence
completeCBTtraining.

YouMUSTfirstpassthetheorytestformotorcyclesandthenthemoped
practicaltesttoobtainyourfullmopedlicence.Ifyoupassedyourcar
drivingtestbefore1February2001youarequalifiedtorideamoped
withoutLplates(and/orDplatesinWales),althoughitisrecommended
thatyoucompleteCBTbeforeridingontheroad.Ifyoupassedyourcar
drivingtestafterthisdateyouMUSTcompleteCBTbeforeridingamoped
ontheroad.
LawsRTA1988sects97(e)&101&MV(DL)Rregs38(4)&43

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Rulesf ord
riversa nd
motorcyclists

1.Vehiclecondition
89. Vehiclecondition.YouMUSTensureyourvehicleandtrailer
complywiththefullrequirementsoftheRoadVehicles
(ConstructionandUse)RegulationsandRoadVehiclesLighting
Regulations(seeTheroaduserandthelaw).

2.Fitnesstodrive
90. Makesurethatyouarefittodrive.YouMUSTreporttotheDriver
andVehicleLicensingAgency(DVLA)anyhealthconditionlikelyto
affectyourdriving.
LawRTA1988sect94

91. Drivingwhenyouaretiredgreatlyincreasesyourriskofcollision.
Tominimisethisrisk
makesureyouarefittodrive.Donotbeginajourneyifyou
aretired.Getagoodnightssleepbeforeembarkingona
longjourney
avoidundertakinglongjourneysbetweenmidnightand
6am,whennaturalalertnessisataminimum

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planyourjourneytotakesufficientbreaks.Aminimum
breakofatleast15minutesaftereverytwohoursofdriving
isrecommended
ifyoufeelatallsleepy,stopinasafeplace.Donotstopon
thehardshoulderofamotorway
themosteffectivewaystocountersleepinessaretodrink,
forexample,twocupsofcaffeinatedcoffeeandtotakea
shortnap(atleast15minutes)

92. Vision.YouMUSTbeabletoreadavehiclenumberplate,ingood
daylight,fromadistanceof20metres(or20.5metreswherethe
oldstylenumberplateisused).Ifyouneedtowearglasses(or
contactlenses)todothis,youMUSTwearthematalltimeswhile
driving.Thepolicehavethepowertorequireadrivertoundertake
aneyesighttest.
LawsRTA1988sect96&MV(DL)Rreg40&sch8
93. Slowdown,andifnecessarystop,ifyouaredazzledbybright
sunlight.
94. Atnightorinpoorvisibility,donotusetintedglasses,lensesor
visorsiftheyrestrictyourvision.

3.Alcoholanddrugs
95. Donotdrinkanddriveasitwillseriouslyaffectyourjudgement
andabilities.

InEnglandandWalesyouMUSTNOTdrivewithabreathalcohol
levelhigherthan35microgrammes/100millilitresofbreathora
bloodalcohollevelofmorethan80milligrammes/100millilitresof

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blood.
InScotlandthelegallimitsarelower.YouMUSTNOTdrivewitha
breathalcohollevelhigherthan22microgrammes/100millilitres
ofbreathorabloodalcohollevelofmorethan50
milligrammes/100millilitresofblood.

Alcoholwill
giveafalsesenseofconfidence
reducecoordinationandslowdownreactions
affectjudgementofspeed,distanceandrisk
reduceyourdrivingability,evenifyourebelowthelegal
limit
taketimetoleaveyourbody;youmaybeunfittodrivein
theeveningafterdrinkingatlunchtime,orinthemorning
afterdrinkingthepreviousevening

Thebestsolutionisnottodrinkatallwhenplanningtodrive
becauseanyamountofalcoholaffectsyourabilitytodrivesafely.
Ifyouaregoingtodrink,arrangeanothermeansoftransport.
LawRTA1988sects4,5&11(2)

96. YouM USTNOTdriveundertheinfluenceofdrugsormedicine.For

medicines,checkwithyourdoctororpharmacistanddonotdrive
ifyouareadvisedthatyoumaybeimpaired.

YouM USTNOTdriveifyouhaveillegaldrugsorcertainmedicines
inyourbloodabovespecifiedlimits.Itishighlydangeroussonever
takeillegaldrugsifyouintendtodrive;theeffectsare
unpredictable,butcanbeevenmoreseverethanalcoholand
resultinfatalorseriousroadcrashes.Illegaldrugshavebeen
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specifiedatverylowlevelssoevensmallamountsofusecouldbe
abovethespecifiedlimits.Thelimitsforcertainmedicineshave
beenspecifiedathigherlevels,abovethelevelsgenerallyfoundin
thebloodofpatientswhohavetakennormaltherapeuticdoses.If
youarefoundtohaveaconcentrationofadrugaboveitsspecified
limitinyourbloodbecauseyouhavebeenprescribedor
legitimatelysuppliedaparticularlyhighdoseofmedicine,thenyou
canraiseastatutorymedicaldefence,providedyourdrivingwas
notimpairedbythemedicineyouaretaking.
LawRTA1988sects4&5

4.Beforesettingoff

97. Beforesettingoff.Youshouldensurethat
youhaveplannedyourrouteandallowedsufficienttime
clothingandfootweardonotpreventyouusingthecontrols
inthecorrectmanner
youknowwhereallthecontrolsareandhowtousethem
beforeyouneedthem.Notallvehiclesarethesame;donot
waituntilitistoolatetofindout
yourmirrorsandseatareadjustedcorrectlytoensure
comfort,fullcontrolandmaximumvision
headrestraintsareproperlyadjustedtoreducetheriskof
neckandspineinjuriesintheeventofacollision
youhavesufficientfuelbeforecommencingyourjourney,
especiallyifitincludesmotorwaydriving.Itcanbe
dangeroustolosepowerwhendrivingintraffic
ensureyourvehicleislegalandroadworthy
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switchoffyourmobilephone

5.Vehicletowingandloading
98. Vehicletowingandloading.Asadriver
YouMUSTNOTtowmorethanyourlicencepermits.Ifyou
passedacartestafter1Jan1997youarerestrictedonthe
weightoftraileryoucantow
YouMUSTNOToverloadyourvehicleortrailer.Youshould
nottowaweightgreaterthanthatrecommendedbythe
manufacturerofyourvehicle
YouMUSTsecureyourloadanditMUSTNOTstickout
dangerously.Makesureanyheavyorsharpobjectsandany
animalsaresecuredsafely.Ifthereisacollision,theymight
hitsomeoneinsidethevehicleandcauseseriousinjury
Youshouldproperlydistributetheweightinyourcaravanor
trailerwithheavyitemsmainlyovertheaxle(s)andensurea
downwardloadonthetowball.Manufacturers
recommendedweightandtowballloadshouldnotbe

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exceeded.Thisshouldavoidthepossibilityofswervingor
snakingandgoingoutofcontrol.Ifthisdoeshappen,ease
offtheacceleratorandreducespeedgentlytoregaincontrol
Carryingaloadorpullingatrailermayrequireyoutoadjust
theheadlights
Intheeventofabreakdown,beawarethattowingavehicle
onatowropeispotentiallydangerous.Youshouldconsider
professionalrecovery.
LawsCURreg100&MV(DL)Rreg43

6.Seatbeltsandchildrestraints

99. YouMUSTwearaseatbeltincars,vansandothergoodsvehiclesif
oneisfitted(seetablebelow).Adults,andchildrenaged14years
andover,M USTuseaseatbeltorchildrestraint,wherefitted,
whenseatedinminibuses,busesandcoaches.Exemptionsare
allowedfortheholdersofmedicalexemptioncertificatesand
thosemakingdeliveriesorcollectionsingoodsvehicleswhen
travellinglessthan50metres(approx162feet).
LawsRTA1988sects14&15,MV(WSB)R,MV(WSBCFS)R&
MV(WSB)(A)R
SeatBeltRequirements:Thistablesummarisesthemainlegal
requirementsforwearingseatbeltsincars,vansandothergoods
vehicles.

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SeatBelt Frontseat Rearseat Whois
Requirements responsible?

Driver Seatb
elt Driver
MUSTb e
worniff itted

Childu
nder3
y earso
f Correctc hild Correctc hildr estraintMUSTbe Driver
age restraint used.Ifo
neisn
ota vailableina t axi,
MUSTb e mayt ravelu nrestrained.
used

Childf rom3 rdb

irthday Correctc hild Correctc hildr estraintMUSTbeu sed Driver
upt o1
.35m
etresin restraint wheres eatb eltsf itted.MUSTu se
height( or1 2th MUSTb
e adultb eltifc orrectc hildr estraintis
birthday,w hichever used nota vailableina licensedt axio r
theyr eachf irst) privateh irev ehicle,o rf orr easonso f
unexpectedn ecessityo vera s hort
distance,o rift woo ccupied
restraintsp reventf itmento fa t hird.

Childo
ver1 .35m etres Adults eat Adults eatb eltMUSTbew
ornif Driver
(approx4 ft5 ins)in beltMUSTb
e available
heighto r1
2o r1
3y ears wornif
available

Adultp assengersa ged Seatb

elt Seatb
eltMUSTbew
ornifa vailable Passenger
14a ndo
ver MUSTb e
wornif
available

100. ThedriverMUSTensurethatallchildrenunder14yearsofage
incars,vansandothergoodsvehicleswearseatbeltsorsitinan
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approvedchildrestraintwhererequired(seetableabove).Ifa
childisunder1.35metres(approx4feet5inches)tall,ababyseat,
childseat,boosterseatorboostercushionMUSTbeusedsuitable
forthechildsweightandfittedtothemanufacturersinstructions.
LawsRTA1988sects14&15,MV(WSB)R,MV(WSBCFS)R&
MV(WSB)(A)R

101. ArearfacingbabyseatMUSTNOTbefittedintoaseat
protectedbyanactivefrontalairbag,asinacrashitcancause
seriousinjuryordeathtothechild.
LawsRTA1988sects14&15,MV(WSB)R,MV(WSBCFS)R&
MV(WSB)(A)R
102. Childrenincars,vansandothergoodsvehicles.Driverswhoare
carryingchildrenincars,vansandothergoodsvehiclesshouldalso
ensurethat
childrenshouldgetintothevehiclethroughthedoor

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nearestthekerb
childrestraintsareproperlyfittedtomanufacturers
instructions
childrendonotsitbehindtherearseatsinanestatecaror
hatchback,unlessaspecialchildseathasbeenfitted
thechildsafetydoorlocks,wherefitted,areusedwhen
childrenareinthevehicle
childrenarekeptundercontrol.

7.Motorcyclelicence
requirements
Ifyouhaveaprovisionalmotorcyclelicence,youMUSTsatisfactorily
completeaCompulsoryBasicTraining(CBT)course.Youcanthenridea
motorcycleupto125ccwithapoweroutputnotexceeding11kWonthe
publicroad,withLplates(inWaleseitherDplates,Lplatesorbothcanbe
used),foruptotwoyears.Underdirectaccessyoucanpractiseona
motorcyclethatexceeds125ccprovidedthat
youmeettheminimumageforthecategoryconcerned
youreaccompaniedatalltimesbyaqualifiedapproved
trainer,whoisonanothermotorcycleandinradiocontact
withyou
fluorescentorreflectivesafetyclothingiswornduring
supervision
redLplates(DplatesinWales)arefittedandprovisional
licencerestrictionsfollowed.

ToobtainyourfullmotorcyclelicenceyouMUSTpassamotorcycletheory
testandthenapracticaltest.
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LawMV(DL)Rregs16&68
A1motorcyclelicence:Atage17orover,youtakeatestonamotorcycle
withoutsidecarofbetween120and125cc.Ifyoupassyoumayridea
motorcycleupto125ccwithpoweroutputupto11kW,oramotor
tricyclewithpowernotexceeding15kW.
A2motorcyclelicence:Atage19orover,youtakeatestonamotorcycle
withoutsidecarofatleast395ccwithapoweroutputofatleast25kW
butnotexceeding35kW.Ifyoupass,youmayrideanymotorcyclenot
exceeding35kWandwithapowertoweightrationotexceeding0.2
kW/kg.
FullAmotorcyclelicence:Testtakenonamotorcyclewithoutsidecar,of
atleast595ccandanenginepowerofatleast40kWThisgivesyoufull
accesstoallmotorcyclesandmotortricycles.YouobtainacategoryA
licencebytakingprogressiveaccessfromage21,orunderthedirect
accessschemefromage24.
CategoryAunderprogressiveaccess:YoucantakeacategoryApractical
testatage21ifyoualreadyhaveanA2licencethatyouveheldfora
minimumoftwoyears.Youdontneedtotakeanothertheorytestorhold
aCBTcertificate.
CategoryAunderdirectaccess:Thisisforridersaged24orover.To
obtainacategoryAlicenceyoumust
successfullycompleteaCBTcourse
passthemotorcycletheorytest
passthepracticalmotorcycletest.

Passingthepracticaltestonamotorcycleofatleast40kW(53.6bhp)
givesimmediateaccesstoallsizesofmotorcycle.
YouMUSTNOTcarryapillionpassengerorpullatraileruntilyouhave
passedyourtest.AlsoseeRule253coveringvehiclesprohibitedfrom
motorways.

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LawMV(DL)Rreg16

Mopedlicencerequirements
AmopedMUSThaveanenginecapacitynotexceeding50cc,notweigh
morethan250kgandbedesignedtohaveamaximumspeednot
exceeding28mph(45km/h).BeforeJune2003alicenceallowedthe
ridingofmopedsupto50km/h.
Torideamoped,learnersMUST
be16orover
haveaprovisionalmopedlicence
completeCBTtraining.

YouMUSTfirstpassthetheorytestformotorcyclesandthenthemoped
practicaltesttoobtainyourfullmopedlicence.Ifyoupassedyourcar
drivingtestbefore1February2001youarequalifiedtorideamoped
withoutLplates(and/orDplatesinWales),althoughitisrecommended
thatyoucompleteCBTbeforeridingontheroad.Ifyoupassedyourcar
drivingtestafterthisdateyouMUSTcompleteCBTbeforeridingamoped
ontheroad.
LawsRTA1988sects97(e)&101&MV(DL)Rregs38(4)&43

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8.Motorvehicledocumentation
andlearnerdriverrequirements

Documents
Drivinglicence.YouMUSThaveavaliddrivinglicenceforthecategoryof
motorvehicleyouaredriving.YouMUSTinformtheDriverandVehicle
LicensingAgency(DVLA)ifyouchangeyournameand/oraddress.
LawRTA1988sects87&99(4)
HoldersofnonEuropeanCommunitylicenceswhoarenowresidentin
theUKmayonlydriveonthatlicenceforamaximumof12monthsfrom
thedatetheybecomeresidentinthiscountry.Toensurecontinuous
drivingentitlement
aBritishprovisionallicenceshouldbeobtainedandadriving
test(s)passedbeforethe12monthperiodelapses,or
inthecaseofadriverwhoholdsalicencefromacountry
whichhasbeendesignatedinlawforlicenceexchange
purposes,thedrivershouldexchangethelicencefora
Britishone.

MOT.CarsandmotorcyclesMUSTnormallypassanMOTtestthreeyears
fromthedateofthefirstregistrationandeveryyearafterthat.YouMUST
NOTdriveamotorvehiclewithoutanMOTcertificatewhenitshould
haveone.Exceptionally,youmaydrivetoaprearrangedtest
appointmentortoagarageforrepairsrequiredforthetest.Drivingan
unroadworthymotorvehiclemayinvalidateyourinsurance.From
November2012,motorvehiclesmanufacturedbefore1960willbe
exemptedfromanMOTrequirement,althoughtheycanstillbesubmitted
foratestvoluntarily.Ownersarestilllegallyrequiredtoensuretheir
vehicleissafeandroadworthy.
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LawRTA1988sects45,47,49&53
Insurance.Touseamotorvehicleontheroad,youMUSThaveavalid
insurancepolicy.ThisMUSTatleastcoveryouforinjuryordamagetoa
thirdpartywhileusingthatmotorvehicle.Beforedrivinganymotor
vehicle,makesurethatithasthiscoverforyouruseorthatyourown
insuranceprovidesadequatecover.YouMUSTNOTdriveamotorvehicle
withoutinsurance.Also,beawarethatevenifaroadtrafficincidentisnot
yourfault,youmaystillbeheldliablebyinsurancecompanies.
LawRTA1988sect143
Uninsureddriverscannowbeautomaticallydetectedbyroadside
cameras.Furthertothepenaltiesforuninsureddrivinglistedonpage126,
anoffendersvehiclecannowbeseizedbythePolice,takenawayand
crushed.
LawRTA1988,sects165a&165b
Thetypesofcoveravailableareindicatedbelow:
ThirdPartyinsurancethisisoftenthecheapestformofinsurance,andis
theminimumcoverrequiredbylaw.Itcoversanyoneyoumightinjureor
whosepropertyyoumightdamage.Itdoesnotcoverdamagetoyourown
motorvehicleorinjurytoyourself.
ThirdParty,FireandTheftinsurancesimilartothirdparty,butalso
coversyouagainstyourmotorvehiclebeingstolen,ordamagedbyfire.
Comprehensiveinsurancethisisthemostexpensivebutthebest
insurance.Apartfromcoveringotherpersonsandpropertyagainstinjury
ordamage,italsocoversdamagetoyourownmotorvehicle,uptothe
marketvalueofthatvehicle,andpersonalinjurytoyourself.
Registrationcertificate.Registrationcertificates(alsocalledharmonised
registrationcertificates)areissuedforallmotorvehiclesusedonthe
road,describingthem(make,model,etc)andgivingdetailsofthe
registeredkeeper.YouMUSTnotifytheDriverandVehicleLicensing
AgencyinSwanseaassoonaspossiblewhenyoubuyorsellamotor
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vehicle,orifyouchangeyournameoraddress.Forregistration
certificatesissuedafter27March1997,thebuyerandsellerare
responsibleforcompletingtheregistrationcertificates.Theselleris
responsibleforforwardingthemtoDVLA.Theproceduresareexplained
onthebackoftheregistrationcertificates.
LawRV(R&L)Rregs21,22,23&24
VehicleExciseDuty(VED).Allmotorvehiclesusedorkeptonpublic
roadsMUSTdisplayavalidVehicleExciseDutydisc(taxdisc)displayedat
alltimes.EvenmotorvehiclesexemptfromdutyMUSTdisplayataxdisc
atalltimes.
LawVERAsects29and33
StatutoryOffRoadNotification(SORN).ThisisanotificationtotheDVLA
thatamotorvehicleisnotbeingusedontheroad.Ifyouarethevehicle
keeperandwanttokeepamotorvehicleuntaxedandoffthepublicroad
youMUSTdeclareSORNitisanoffencenottodoso.Youthenwont
havetopayanyroadtaxforthatvehicleforaperiodof12months.You
needtosendafurtherdeclarationafterthatperiodifthevehicleisstilloff
thepublicroad.TheSORNwillendifyousellthevehicleandthenew
ownerwillbecomeimmediatelyresponsible.Ifyourvehicleisunusedor
offtheroad,itMUSThaveeitheraSORNdeclarationorvalidinsurance.
LawRV(RL)R2002,reg26sched4
Productionofdocuments.YouMUSTbeabletoproduceyourdriving
licenceandcounterpart,avalidinsurancecertificateand(ifappropriate)a
validMOTcertificate,whenrequestedbyapoliceofficer.Ifyoucannotdo
thisyoumaybeaskedtotakethemtoapolicestationwithinsevendays.
LawRTA1988sects164&165

Learnerdrivers
LearnersdrivingacarMUSTholdavalidprovisionallicence.They
MUSTbesupervisedbysomeoneatleast21yearsoldwhoholdsafull

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EC/EEAlicenceforthattypeofcar(automaticormanual)andhasheld
oneforatleastthreeyears.
LawsMV(DL)Rreg16&RTA1988sect87
Vehicles.AnyvehicledrivenbyalearnerMUSTdisplayredLplates.In
Wales,eitherredDplates,redLplates,orboth,canbeused.PlatesMUST
conformtolegalspecificationsandMUSTbeclearlyvisibletoothersfrom
infrontofthevehicleandfrombehind.Platesshouldberemovedor
coveredwhennotbeingdrivenbyalearner(exceptondrivingschool
vehicles).
LawMV(DL)Rreg16&sched4
YouMUSTpassthetheorytest(ifoneisrequired)andthenapractical
drivingtestforthecategoryofvehicleyouwishtodrivebeforedriving
unaccompanied.
LawMV(DL)Rreg40

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Generalr ules,t echniques

anda dvicef ora lld
rivers
andr iders
1.Overview
Thissectionshouldbereadbyalldrivers,motorcyclists,cyclistsandhorse
riders.TherulesinTheHighwayCodedonotgiveyoutherightofwayin
anycircumstance,buttheyadviseyouwhenyoushouldgivewayto
others.Alwaysgivewayifitcanhelptoavoidanincident.

2.Signals
103. Signalswarnandinformotherroadusers,includingpedestrians
(downloadSignalstootherroadusers),ofyourintendedactions.
Youshouldalways
giveclearsignalsinplentyoftime,havingcheckeditisnot
misleadingtosignalatthattime
usethemtoadviseotherroadusersbeforechangingcourse
ordirection,stoppingormovingoff
cancelthemafteruse
makesureyoursignalswillnotconfuseothers.If,for

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instance,youwanttostopafterasideroad,donotsignal
untilyouarepassingtheroad.Ifyousignalearlieritmay
givetheimpressionthatyouintendtoturnintotheroad.
Yourbrakelightswillwarntrafficbehindyouthatyouare
slowingdown
useanarmsignaltoemphasiseorreinforceyoursignalif
necessary.Rememberthatsignallingdoesnotgiveyou
priority.

104. Youshouldalso
watchoutforsignalsgivenbyotherroadusersandproceed
onlywhenyouaresatisfiedthatitissafe
beawarethatanindicatoronanothervehiclemaynothave
beencancelled.

105. YouMUSTobeysignalsgivenbypoliceofficers,trafficofficers,
trafficwardensandsignsusedbyschoolcrossingpatrols.
LawsRTRAsect28,RTA1988sect35,TMA2004sect6,&FTWO
art3

106. Policestoppingprocedures.Ifthepolicewanttostopyour
vehicletheywill,wherepossible,attractyourattentionby
flashingbluelights,headlightsorsoundingtheirsirenor
horn,usuallyfrombehind
directingyoutopullovertothesidebypointingand/or
usingtheleftindicator.

YouMUSTthenpulloverandstopassoonasitissafetodoso.Then
switchoffyourengine.
LawRTA1988sect163
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3.Otherstoppingprocedures
107. DriverandVehicleStandardsAgencyOfficersh avepowersto
stopvehiclesonallroads,includingmotorwaysandtrunkroads,in
EnglandandWales.Theywillattractyourattentionbyflashing
amberlights
eitherfromthefrontrequestingyoutofollowthemtoasafe
placetostop
orfrombehinddirectingyoutopullovertothesideby
pointingand/orusingtheleftindicator.

Itisanoffencenottocomplywiththeirdirections.YouMUSTobey
anysignalsgiven(d ownloadSignalsbyauthorisedpersons).
LawsRTA1988,sect67,&PRA2002,sect41&sched5(8)

108. HighwaysAgencyTrafficOfficershavepowerstostopvehicles
onmostmotorwaysandsomeAclassroads,inEnglandonly.If
HAtrafficofficersinuniformwanttostopyourvehicleonsafety
grounds(e.g.aninsecureload)theywill,wherepossible,attract
yourattentionby
flashingamberlights,usuallyfrombehind
directingyoutopullovertothesidebypointingand/or
usingtheleftindicator.

YouMUSTthenpulloverandstopassoonasitissafetodoso.Then
switchoffyourengine.Itisanoffencenottocomplywiththeir
directions.
LawRTA1988,sects35&163asamendedbyTMA2004,sect6

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109. Trafficlightsignalsandtrafficsigns.YouMUSTobeyalltraffic
lightsignals(d
ownloadLightsignalscontrollingtraffic)andtraffic
signsgivingorders,includingtemporarysignals&signs(d ownload
Trafficsigns).Makesureyouknow,understandandactonall
othertrafficandinformationsignsandroadmarkings(d ownload
RoadmarkingsandVehiclemarkings).
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10,15,16,25,26,27,28,29,
36,38&40

110. Flashingheadlights.Onlyflashyourheadlightstoletotherroad
usersknowthatyouarethere.Donotflashyourheadlightsto
conveyanyothermessageorintimidateotherroadusers.

111. Neverassumethatflashingheadlightsisasignalinvitingyouto
proceed.Useyourownjudgementandproceedcarefully.

112. Thehorn.Useonlywhileyourvehicleismovingandyouneedto
warnotherroadusersofyourpresence.Neversoundyourhorn
aggressively.YouMUSTNOTuseyourhorn
whilestationaryontheroad
whendrivinginabuiltupareabetweenthehoursof11.30
pmand7.00am

exceptwhenanotherroaduserposesadanger.
LawCURreg99

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4.Lightingrequirements
113. YouMUST
ensureallsidelightsandrearregistrationplatelightsarelit
betweensunsetandsunrise
useheadlightsatnight,exceptonaroadwhichhaslitstreet
lighting.Theseroadsaregenerallyrestrictedtoaspeedlimit
of30mph(48km/h)unlessotherwisespecified
useheadlightswhenvisibilityisseriouslyreduced(seeR ule
226).

Night(thehoursofdarkness)isdefinedastheperiodbetweenhalf
anhouraftersunsetandhalfanhourbeforesunrise).
LawsRVLRregs3,24,&25,(InScotlandRTRA1984sect82(as
amendedbyNRSWA,para59ofsched8))

114. YouMUSTNOT
useanylightsinawaywhichwoulddazzleorcause
discomforttootherroadusers,includingpedestrians,
cyclistsandhorseriders
usefrontorrearfoglightsunlessvisibilityisseriously
reduced.YouM USTs witchthemoffwhenvisibilityimproves
toavoiddazzlingotherroadusers(seeR ule226).

Instationaryqueuesoftraffic,driversshouldapplytheparking
brakeand,oncethefollowingtraffichasstopped,taketheirfootoff
thefootbraketodeactivatethevehiclebrakelights.Thiswill
minimiseglaretoroadusersbehinduntilthetrafficmovesagain.
LawRVLRreg27
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115. Youshouldalso
usedippedheadlights,ordimdipiffitted,atnightin
builtupareasandindulldaytimeweather,toensurethat
youcanbeseen
keepyourheadlightsdippedwhenovertakinguntilyouare
levelwiththeothervehicleandthenchangetomainbeamif
necessary,unlessthiswoulddazzleoncomingroadusers
slowdown,andifnecessarystop,ifyouaredazzledby
oncomingheadlights

116. Hazardwarninglights.Thesemaybeusedwhenyourvehicleis
stationary,towarnthatitistemporarilyobstructingtraffic.Never
usethemasanexcusefordangerousorillegalparking.YouMUST
NOTusehazardwarninglightswhiledrivingorbeingtowedunless
youareonamotorwayorunrestricteddualcarriagewayandyou
needtowarndriversbehindyouofahazardorobstructionahead.
Onlyusethemforlongenoughtoensurethatyourwarninghas
beenobserved.
LawRVLRreg27

5.Controlofthevehicle
Braking
117. Innormalcircumstances.Thesafestwaytobrakeistodoso
earlyandlightly.Brakemorefirmlyasyoubegintostop.Easethe
pressureoffjustbeforethevehiclecomestoresttoavoidajerky
stop.

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118. Inanemergency.Brakeimmediately.Trytoavoidbrakingso
harshlythatyoulockyourwheels.Lockedwheelscanleadtoloss
ofcontrol.

119. Skids.Skiddingisusuallycausedbythedriverbraking,
acceleratingorsteeringtooharshlyordrivingtoofastfortheroad
conditions.Ifskiddingoccurs,removethecausebyreleasingthe
brakepedalfullyoreasingofftheaccelerator.Turnthesteering
wheelinthedirectionoftheskid.Forexample,iftherearofthe
vehicleskidstotheright,steerimmediatelytotherighttorecover.

120. ABS.Ifyourvehicleisfittedwithantilockbrakes,youshould
followtheadvicegiveninthevehiclehandbook.However,inthe
caseofanemergency,applythefootbrakefirmly;donotrelease
thepressureuntilthevehiclehasslowedtothedesiredspeed.The
ABSshouldensurethatsteeringcontrolwillberetained,butdo
notassumethatavehiclewithABSwillstopinashorterdistance.

121. Brakesaffectedbywater.Ifyouhavedriventhroughdeep
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wateryourbrakesmaybelesseffective.Testthematthefirstsafe
opportunitybypushinggentlyonthebrakepedaltomakesure
thattheywork.Iftheyarenotfullyeffective,gentlyapplylight
pressurewhiledrivingslowly.Thiswillhelptodrythemout.

122. Coasting.Thistermdescribesavehicletravellinginneutralor
withtheclutchpresseddown.Itcanreducedrivercontrolbecause
enginebrakingiseliminated
vehiclespeeddownhillwillincreasequickly
increaseduseofthefootbrakecanreduceitseffectiveness
steeringresponsewillbeaffected,particularlyonbendsand
corners
itmaybemoredifficulttoselecttheappropriategearwhen
needed.

TheDriverandtheEnvironment
123. YouMUSTNOTleaveaparkedvehicleunattendedwiththe
enginerunningorleaveavehicleenginerunningunnecessarily
whilethatvehicleisstationaryonapublicroad.Generally,ifthe
vehicleisstationaryandislikelytoremainsoformorethana
coupleofminutes,youshouldapplytheparkingbrakeandswitch
offtheenginetoreduceemissionsandnoisepollution.Howeverit
ispermissibletoleavetheenginerunningifthevehicleis
stationaryintrafficorfordiagnosingfaults.
LawCURregs98&107

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Speedlimits
124. YouMUSTNOTexceedthemaximumspeedlimitsfortheroad
andforyourvehicle(seethetablebelow).Thepresenceofstreet
lightsgenerallymeansthatthereisa30mph(48km/h)speedlimit
unlessotherwisespecified.
LawRTRAsects81,86,89&sch6

125. Thespeedlimitistheabsolutemaximumanddoesnotmeanit
issafetodriveatthatspeedirrespectiveofconditions.Drivingat
speedstoofastfortheroadandtrafficconditionsisdangerous.
Youshouldalwaysreduceyourspeedwhen
theroadlayoutorconditionpresentshazards,suchasbends
sharingtheroadwithpedestrians,cyclistsandhorseriders,
particularlychildren,andmotorcyclists
weatherconditionsmakeitsafertodoso
drivingatnightasitismoredifficulttoseeotherroadusers.

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SpeedLimits
Typeofvehicle Builtup Single Dual Motorways
areas* carriageways carriageways

MPH(km/h) MPH(km/h) MPH(km/h) MPH(km/h)

Cars&
30(48) 60(96) 70(112) 70(112)
motorcycles(includingc ar
derivedv ansu
pt o2

tonnesm aximumladen
weight)

Carst owingc aravanso

r 30(48) 50(80) 60(96) 60(95)
trailers(includingc ar
derivedv ansa nd
motorcycles)

Buses,c oachesa nd 30(48) 50(80) 60(96) 70(112)

minibuses(note xceeding
12m
etresino
veralllength)

Goodsv ehicles(not 30(48) 50(80) 60(96) 70(112)

exceeding7 .5t onnes
maximumladenw eight)

Goodsv ehicles(exceeding 30(48) 50(80) 60(96) 60(112)

7.5t onnesm aximumladen
weight)inE nglanda nd
Wales

Goodsv ehicles( exceeding 30(48) 40(64) 50(80) 60(96)

7.5t onnesm aximumladen
weight)inS cotland

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*The3 0m
phlimitu
suallya ppliest oa llt raffico
na llr oadsw iths treetlightingu
nless
signss howo therwise. 60m ph( 96k m/h)ifa rticulatedo rt owinga t railer.

126.

StoppingDistances.Driveataspeedthatwillallowyoutostop
wellwithinthedistanceyoucanseetobeclear.Youshould
leaveenoughspacebetweenyouandthevehicleinfrontso
thatyoucanpullupsafelyifitsuddenlyslowsdownor
stops.Thesaferuleisnevertogetcloserthantheoverall
stoppingdistance(seeTypicalStoppingDistancesdiagram,
shownbelow)
allowatleastatwosecondgapbetweenyouandthevehicle
infrontonroadscarryingfastermovingtrafficandin
tunnelswherevisibilityisreduced.Thegapshouldbeat
leastdoubledonwetroadsandincreasedstillfurtheronicy
roads
remember,largevehiclesandmotorcyclesneedagreater
distancetostop.Ifdrivingalargevehicleinatunnel,you

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shouldallowafoursecondgapbetweenyouandthevehicle
infront.

Ifyouhavetostopinatunnel,leaveatleasta5metregap
betweenyouandthevehicleinfront.

Download Typicals toppingd

istances

6.Linesandlanemarkingsonthe
road

DownloadRoadmarkingst oseediagramsofalllines.

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127. Abrokenwhiteline.Thismarksthecentreoftheroad.When
thislinelengthensandthegapsshorten,itmeansthatthereisa
hazardahead.Donotcrossitunlessyoucanseetheroadisclear
andwishtoovertakeorturnoff.

128. Doublewhitelineswherethelinenearesttoyouis
broken.Thismeansyoumaycrossthelinestoovertakeifitissafe,
providedyoucancompletethemanoeuvrebeforereachingasolid
whitelineonyourside.Whitedirectionarrowsontheroad
indicatethatyouneedtogetbackontoyoursideoftheroad.

129. Doublewhitelineswherethelinenearestyouissolid.This
meansyouM USTNOTcrossorstraddleitunlessitissafeandyou
needtoenteradjoiningpremisesorasideroad.Youmaycrossthe
lineifnecessary,providedtheroadisclear,topassastationary
vehicle,orovertakeapedalcycle,horseorroadmaintenance
vehicle,iftheyaretravellingat10mph(16km/h)orless.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&26

130. Areasofwhitediagonalstripesorchevronspaintedonthe
road.Thesearetoseparatetrafficlanesortoprotecttraffic
turningright.
Iftheareaisborderedbyabrokenwhiteline,youshould
notentertheareaunlessitisnecessaryandyoucanseethat
itissafetodoso.
Iftheareaismarkedwithchevronsandborderedbysolid
whitelinesyouMUSTNOTenteritexceptinanemergency.
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs5,9,10&16,MT(S)Rregs4,8,9&14,
RTAsect36&TSRGD10(1)

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131. Lanedividers.Theseareshort,brokenwhitelineswhichare
usedonwidecarriagewaystodividethemintolanes.Youshould
keepbetweenthem.

132. Reflectiveroadstudsmaybeusedwithwhitelines.
Whitestudsmarkthelanesorthemiddleoftheroad.
Redstudsmarktheleftedgeoftheroad.
Amberstudsmarkthecentralreservationofadual
carriagewayormotorway.
Greenstudsmarktheedgeofthemaincarriagewayat
laybysandsliproads.
Green/yellowstudsindicatetemporaryadjustmentstolane
layouts,e.g.whereroadworksaretakingplace.

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7.Multilanecarriageways
Lanediscipline
133. Ifyouneedtochangelane,firstuseyourmirrorsandif
necessarytakeaquicksidewaysglancetomakesureyouwillnot
forceanotherroadusertochangecourseorspeed.Whenitissafe
todoso,signaltoindicateyourintentionstootherroadusersand
whenclear,moveover.

134. Youshouldfollowthesignsandroadmarkingsandgetintothe
laneasdirected.Incongestedroadconditionsdonotchangelanes
unnecessarily.Merginginturnisrecommendedbutonlyifsafe
andappropriatewhenvehiclesaretravellingataverylowspeed,
e.g.whenapproachingroadworksoraroadtrafficincident.Itis
notrecommendedathighspeed.

Singlecarriageway
135. Whereasinglecarriagewayhasthreelanesandtheroad
markingsorsignsdonotgiveprioritytotrafficineitherdirection
usethemiddlelaneonlyforovertakingorturningright.
Remember,youhavenomorerighttousethemiddlelane
thanadrivercomingfromtheoppositedirection
donotusetherighthandlane.

136. Whereasinglecarriagewayhasfourormorelanes,useonlythe
lanesthatsignsormarkingsindicate.

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Dualcarriageways
Adualcarriagewayisaroadwhichhasacentralreservationto
separatethecarriageways.

137. Onatwolanedualcarriagewayyoushouldstayinthelefthand
lane.Usetherighthandlaneforovertakingorturningright.After
overtaking,movebacktothelefthandlanewhenitissafetodo
so.

138. Onathreelanedualcarriageway,youmayusethemiddlelane
ortherighthandlanetoovertakebutreturntothemiddleand
thenthelefthandlanewhenitissafe.

139. Climbingandcrawlerlanes.Theseareprovidedonsomehills.
Usethislaneifyouaredrivingaslowmovingvehicleorifthereare
vehiclesbehindyouwishingtoovertake.Beawareofthesignsand
roadmarkingswhichindicatethelaneisabouttoend.

140. Cyclelanes.Theseareshownbyroadmarkingsandsigns.
YouMUSTNOTdriveorparkinacyclelanemarkedbyasolid
whitelineduringitstimesofoperation.Donotdriveorparkina
cyclelanemarkedbyabrokenwhitelineunlessitisunavoidable.
YouMUSTNOTparkinanycyclelanewhilstwaitingrestrictions
apply.
LawRTRAsects5&8

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141. Buslanes.Theseareshownbyroadmarkingsandsignsthat
indicatewhich(ifany)othervehiclesarepermittedtousethebus
lane.Unlessotherwiseindicated,youshouldnotdriveinabuslane
duringitsperiodofoperation.Youmayenterabuslanetostop,to
loadorunloadwherethisisnotprohibited.

142. Highoccupancyvehiclelanesandotherdesignatedvehicle
lanes.Lanesmayberestrictedforusebyparticulartypesof
vehicle;theserestrictionsmayapplysomeorallofthetime.The
operatingtimesandvehicletypeswillbeindicatedonthe
accompanyingtrafficsigns.YouMUSTNOTdriveinsuchlanes
duringtheirtimesofoperationunlesssignsindicatethatyour
vehicleispermitted.

DownloadTrafficsigns

Vehiclespermittedtousedesignatedlanesmayormaynotinclude
cycles,buses,taxis,licensedprivatehirevehicles,motorcycles,
heavygoodsvehicles(HGVs)andhighoccupancyvehicles(HOVs).
WhereHOVlanesareinoperation,theyMUSTONLYbeusedby
vehiclescontainingatleasttheminimumnumberofpeople
indicatedonthetrafficsigns
anyothervehicles,suchasbusesandmotorcycles,as
indicatedonsignspriortothestartofthelane,irrespective
ofthenumberofoccupants.
LawsRTRAsects5&8,&RTA1988,sect36

143. Onewaystreets.TrafficMUSTtravelinthedirectionindicated
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bysigns.Busesand/orcyclesmayhaveacontraflowlane.Choose
thecorrectlaneforyourexitassoonasyoucan.Donotchange
lanessuddenly.Unlessroadsignsormarkingsindicateotherwise,
youshoulduse
thelefthandlanewhengoingleft
therighthandlanewhengoingright
themostappropriatelanewhengoingstraightahead.
Remembertrafficcouldbepassingonbothsides.
LawsRTA1988sect36&RTRAsects5&8

144. YouMUSTNOT
drivedangerously
drivewithoutduecareandattention
drivewithoutreasonableconsiderationforotherroadusers.
LawRTA1988sects2&3asamendedbyRTA1991

145. YouMUSTNOTdriveonoroverapavement,footpathor
bridlewayexcepttogainlawfulaccesstoproperty,orinthecase
ofanemergency.
LawsHA1835sect72&RTA1988sect34

146. Adaptyourdrivingtotheappropriatetypeandconditionof
roadyouareon.Inparticular
Donottreatspeedlimitsasatarget.Itisoftennot
appropriateorsafetodriveatthemaximumspeedlimit
Taketheroadandtrafficconditionsintoaccount.Be
preparedforunexpectedordifficultsituations,forexample,
theroadbeingblockedbeyondablindbend.Bepreparedto

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adjustyourspeedasaprecaution
wheretherearejunctions,bepreparedforroadusers
emerging
insideroadsandcountrylaneslookoutforunmarked
junctionswherenobodyhaspriority
bepreparedtostopattrafficcontrolsystems,roadworks,
pedestriancrossingsortrafficlightsasnecessary
Children,arelookingtheotherway,theymaystepoutinto
theroadwithoutseeingyou.

147. Beconsiderate.Becarefulofandconsideratetowardsalltypes
ofroadusers,especiallythoserequiringextracare(seeR ule204).
Youshould

youMUSTNOTthrowanythingoutofavehicle,forexample,
cigaretteends,cans,paperorcarrierbags.Thiscan
endangerotherroadusers,particularlymotorcyclistsand
cyclists
trytobeunderstandingifotherroaduserscauseproblems;
theymaybeinexperiencedornotknowtheareawell
bepatient;rememberthatanyonecanmakeamistake
Notallowyourselftobecomeagitatedorinvolvedif
someoneisbehavingbadlyontheroad.Thiswillonlymake
thesituationworse.Pullover,calmdownand,whenyou
feelrelaxed,continueyourjourney
Slowdownandholdbackifaroaduserpullsoutintoyour
pathatajunction.Allowthemtogetclear.Donot
overreactbydrivingtooclosebehindtointimidatethem.
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148. Safedrivingandridingneedsconcentration.Avoiddistractions
whendrivingorridingsuchas
loudmusic(thismaymaskothersounds)
tryingtoreadmaps
insertingacassetteorCDortuningaradio
arguingwithyourpassengersorotherroadusers
eatinganddrinking
smoking

YouMUSTNOTsmokeinpublictransportvehiclesorinvehicles
usedforworkpurposesincertainprescribedcircumstances.
SeparateregulationsapplytoEngland,WalesandScotland.In
EnglandandWales,thedriverMUSTNOTsmokeorallowanyone
tosmokeinanenclosedprivatevehiclecarryingsomeoneunder18,
includingmotorcaravans.
LawsTSf(EV)Rregs,TSfP(W)Rregs,TPSCP(S)Rregs,Sf(PV)R
regs&Sf(W)Rregs

Mobilephonesandinvehicletechnology

149. YouMUSTexercisepropercontrolofyourvehicleatalltimes.
YouMUSTNOTuseahandheldmobilephone,orsimilardevice,
whendrivingorwhensupervisingalearnerdriver,excepttocall
999or112inagenuineemergencywhenitisunsafeorimpractical
tostop.Neveruseahandheldmicrophonewhendriving.Using
handsfreeequipmentisalsolikelytodistractyourattentionfrom

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theroad.Itisfarsafernottouseanytelephonewhileyouare
drivingorridingfindasafeplacetostopfirstorusethevoicemail
facilityandlistentomessageslater.
LawsRTA1988sects2&3&CURregs104&110

150. Thereisadangerofdriverdistractionbeingcausedbyinvehicle
systemssuchassatellitenavigationsystems,congestionwarning
systems,PCs,multimedia,etc.YouMUSTexercisepropercontrol
ofyourvehicleatalltimes.Donotrelyondriverassistance
systemssuchascruisecontrolorlanedeparturewarnings.They
areavailabletoassistbutyoushouldnotreduceyour
concentrationlevels.Donotbedistractedbymapsor
screenbasedinformation(suchasnavigationorvehicle
managementsystems)whiledrivingorriding.Ifnecessaryfinda
safeplacetostop.
LawsRTA1988sects2&3&CURreg104

151. Inslowmovingtraffic.Youshould

reducethedistancebetweenyouandthevehicleaheadto
maintaintrafficflow
nevergetsoclosetothevehicleinfrontthatyoucannot
stopsafely
leaveenoughspacetobeabletomanoeuvreifthevehiclein
frontbreaksdownoranemergencyvehicleneedstoget
past
notchangelanestothelefttoovertake
allowaccessintoandfromsideroads,asblockingthesewill

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addtocongestion
beawareofcyclistsandmotorcyclistswhomaybepassing
oneitherside.

Drivinginbuiltupareas

152. Residentialstreets.Youshoulddriveslowlyandcarefullyon
streetswheretherearelikelytobepedestrians,cyclistsand
parkedcars.Insomeareasa20mph(32km/h)maximumspeed
limitmaybeinforce.Lookoutfor
vehiclesemergingfromjunctionsordriveways
vehiclesmovingoff
cardoorsopening
pedestrians
childrenrunningoutfrombetweenparkedcars

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cyclistsandmotorcyclists.

153. Trafficcalmingmeasures.Onsomeroadstherearefeatures
suchasroadhumps,chicanesandnarrowingswhichareintended
toslowyoudown.Whenyouapproachthesefeaturesreduceyour
speed.Allowcyclistsandmotorcyclistsroomtopassthrough
them.Maintainareducedspeedalongthewholeofthestretchof
roadwithinthecalmingmeasures.Givewaytooncomingroad
usersifdirectedtodosobysigns.Youshouldnotovertakeother
movingroaduserswhileintheseareas.

Countryroads

154. Takeextracareoncountryroadsandreduceyourspeedat
approachestobends,whichcanbesharperthantheyappear,and
atjunctionsandturnings,whichmaybepartiallyhidden.Be

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preparedforpedestrians,horseriders,cyclists,slowmovingfarm
vehiclesormudontheroadsurface.Makesureyoucanstop
withinthedistanceyoucanseetobeclear.Youshouldalsoreduce
yourspeedwherecountryroadsentervillages.

155. Singletrackroads.Theseareonlywideenoughforonevehicle.
Theymayhavespecialpassingplaces.Ifyouseeavehiclecoming
towardsyou,orthedriverbehindwantstoovertake,pullintoa
passingplaceonyourleft,orwaitoppositeapassingplaceonyour
right.Givewaytovehiclescominguphillwheneveryoucan.If
necessary,reverseuntilyoureachapassingplacetolettheother
vehiclepass.Slowdownwhenpassingpedestrians,cyclistsand
horseriders.

156. Donotparkinpassingplaces.

Vehiclesprohibitedfromusingroadsand
pavements
157. Certainmotorisedvehiclesdonotmeettheconstructionand
technicalrequirementsforroadvehiclesandaregenerallynot
intended,notsuitableandnotlegalforroad,pavement,footpath,
cyclepathorbridlewayuse.Theseincludemosttypesofminiature
motorcycles,alsocalledminimotos,andmotorisedscooters,also
calledgopeds,whicharepoweredbyelectricorinternal
combustionengines.ThesetypesofvehicleMUSTNOTbeusedon
roads,pavements,footpathsorbridleways.
LawsRTA1988sects34,41a,42,47,63&66,HA1835,sect72,&

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R(S)Asect129

158. Certainmodelsofmotorcycles,motortricyclesandquadricycles,
alsocalledquadbikes,aresuitableonlyforoffroaduseanddonot
meetlegalstandardsforuseonroads.Vehiclesthatdonotmeet
thesestandardsMUSTNOTbeusedonroads.TheyMUSTNOTbe
usedonpavements,footpaths,cyclepathsorbridlewayseither.
YouMUSTmakesurethatanymotorcycle,motortricycle,
quadricycleoranyothermotorvehiclemeetslegalstandardsand
isproperlyregistered,taxedandinsuredbeforeusingitonthe
roads.Evenwhenregistered,taxedandinsuredfortheroad,
vehiclesMUSTNOTbeusedonpavements.
LawsRTA1988sects34,41a,42,47,63,66&156,HA1835,sect
72,R(S)Asect129,&VERASs1,29,31A,&43A

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Usingt her oad

1.Generalrules
159. Beforemovingoffyoushould
useallmirrorstochecktheroadisclear
lookroundtochecktheblindspots(theareasyouare
unabletoseeinthemirrors)
signalifnecessarybeforemovingout
lookroundforafinalcheck.

Moveoffonlywhenitissafetodoso.

160. Oncemovingyoushould
keeptotheleft,unlessroadsignsormarkingsindicate

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otherwise.Theexceptionsarewhenyouwanttoovertake,
turnrightorpassparkedvehiclesorpedestriansintheroad
keepwelltotheleftonrighthandbends.Thiswillimprove
yourviewoftheroadandhelpavoidtheriskofcolliding
withtrafficapproachingfromtheoppositedirection
drivewithbothhandsonthewheelwherepossible.Thiswill
helpyoutoremaininfullcontrolofthevehicleatalltimes
beawareofotherroadusers,especiallycyclesand
motorcycleswhomaybefilteringthroughthetraffic.These
aremoredifficulttoseethanlargervehiclesandtheirriders
areparticularlyvulnerable.Givethemplentyofroom,
especiallyifyouaredrivingalongvehicleortowingatrailer
selectalowergearbeforeyoureachalongdownhillslope.
Thiswillhelptocontrolyourspeed
whentowing,remembertheextralengthwillaffect
overtakingandmanoeuvring.Theextraweightwillalso
affectthebrakingandacceleration.

161. Mirrors.Allmirrorsshouldbeusedeffectivelythroughoutyour
journey.Youshould
useyourmirrorsfrequentlysothatyoualwaysknowwhatis
behindandtoeachsideofyou
usethemingoodtimebeforeyousignalorchangedirection
orspeed
beawarethatmirrorsdonotcoverallareasandtherewill
beblindspots.

Youwillneedtolookroundandcheck.
Remember:MirrorsSignalManoeuvre

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2.Overtaking
162. Beforeovertakingyoushouldmakesure
theroadissufficientlyclearahead
roadusersarenotbeginningtoovertakeyou
thereisasuitablegapinfrontoftheroaduseryouplanto
overtake.

163. Overtakeonlywhenitissafeandlegaltodoso.Youshould
notgettooclosetothevehicleyouintendtoovertake
useyourmirrors,signalwhenitissafetodoso,takeaquick
sidewaysglanceifnecessaryintotheblindspotareaand
thenstarttomoveout
notassumethatyoucansimplyfollowavehicleaheadwhich
isovertaking;theremayonlybeenoughroomforone
vehicle
movequicklypastthevehicleyouareovertaking,onceyou
havestartedtoovertake.Allowplentyofroom.Moveback
totheleftassoonasyoucanbutdonotcutin
takeextracareatnightandinpoorvisibilitywhenitis
hardertojudgespeedanddistance
givewaytooncomingvehiclesbeforepassingparked
vehiclesorotherobstructionsonyoursideoftheroad
onlyovertakeontheleftifthevehicleinfrontissignallingto
turnright,andthereisroomtodoso
stayinyourlaneiftrafficismovingslowlyinqueues.Ifthe
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queueonyourrightismovingmoreslowlythanyouare,you
maypassontheleft
givemotorcyclists,cyclistsandhorseridersatleastasmuch
roomasyouwouldwhenovertakingacar(seeR ules211to
213a nd2
14to215).
Remember:MirrorsSignalManoeuvre

164. Largevehicles.Overtakingtheseismoredifficult.Youshould
dropback.Thiswillincreaseyourabilitytoseeaheadand
shouldallowthedriverofthelargevehicletoseeyouin
theirmirrors.Gettingtooclosetolargevehicles,including
agriculturalvehiclessuchasatractorwithatrailerorother
fixedequipment,willobscureyourviewoftheroadahead
andtheremaybeanotherslowmovingvehicleinfront

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makesurethatyouhaveenoughroomtocompleteyour
overtakingmanoeuvrebeforecommittingyourself.Ittakes
longertopassalargevehicle.Ifindoubtdonotovertake
notassumeyoucanfollowavehicleaheadwhichis
overtakingalongvehicle.Ifaproblemdevelops,theymay
abortovertakingandpullbackin.

165. YouMUSTNOTovertake
ifyouwouldhavetocrossorstraddledoublewhitelines
withasolidlinenearesttoyou(butseeR ule129)
ifyouwouldhavetoenteranareadesignedtodividetraffic,
ifitissurroundedbyasolidwhiteline
thenearestvehicletoapedestriancrossing,especiallywhen
ithasstoppedtoletpedestrianscross
ifyouwouldhavetoenteralanereservedforbuses,trams
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orcyclesduringitshoursofoperation
afteraNoOvertakingsignanduntilyoupassasign
cancellingtherestriction.
LawsRTA1988sect36,TSRGDregs10,22,23&24,
ZPPPCRGDreg24

166. DONOTovertakeifthereisanydoubt,orwhereyoucannotsee
farenoughaheadtobesureitissafe.Forexample,whenyouare
approaching
acornerorbend
ahumpbridge
thebrowofahill.

167. DONOTovertakewhereyoumightcomeintoconflictwithother
roadusers.Forexample
approachingorataroadjunctiononeithersideoftheroad
wheretheroadnarrows
whenapproachingaschoolcrossingpatrol
betweenthekerbandabusortramwhenitisatastop
wheretrafficisqueuingatjunctionsorroadworks
whenyouwouldforceanotherroadusertoswerveorslow
down
atalevelcrossing
whenaroaduserisindicatingright,evenifyoubelievethe
signalshouldhavebeencancelled.Donottakearisk;wait
forthesignaltobecancelled
staybehindifyouarefollowingacyclistapproachinga
roundaboutorjunction,andyouintendtoturnleft
whenatramisstandingatakerbsidetramstopandthereis

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noclearlymarkedpassinglaneforothertraffic.

168. Beingovertaken.Ifadriveristryingtoovertakeyou,maintaina
steadycourseandspeed,slowingdownifnecessarytoletthe
vehiclepass.Neverobstructdriverswhowishtopass.Speedingup
ordrivingunpredictablywhilesomeoneisovertakingyouis
dangerous.Dropbacktomaintainatwosecondgapifsomeone
overtakesandpullsintothegapinfrontofyou.

169. Donotholdupalongqueueoftraffic,especiallyifyouare
drivingalargeorslowmovingvehicle.Checkyourmirrors
frequently,andifnecessary,pullinwhereitissafeandlettraffic
pass.

3.Roadjunctions
170. Takeextracareatjunctions.Youshould
Watchoutforcyclists,motorcyclists,powered
wheelchairs/mobilityscootersandpedestriansastheyare
notalwayseasytosee.Beawarethattheymaynothave
seenorheardyouifyouareapproachingfrombehind
Watchoutforpedestrianscrossingaroadintowhichyouare
turning.Iftheyhavestartedtocrosstheyhavepriority,so
giveway
watchoutforlongvehicleswhichmaybeturningata
junctionahead;theymayhavetousethewholewidthofthe
roadtomaketheturn(seeR ule221)
watchoutforhorseriderswhomaytakeadifferentlineon

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theroadfromthatwhichyouwouldexpect
Notassume,whenwaitingatajunction,thatavehicle
comingfromtherightandsignallingleftwillactuallyturn.
Waitandmakesure
Lookallaroundbeforeemerging.Donotcrossorjoinaroad
untilthereisagaplargeenoughforyoutodososafely.

171. YouMUSTstopbehindthelineatajunctionwithaStopsign
andasolidwhitelineacrosstheroad.Waitforasafegapinthe
trafficbeforeyoumoveoff.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&16

172. TheapproachtoajunctionmayhaveaGiveWaysignora
trianglemarkedontheroad.YouMUSTgivewaytotrafficonthe
mainroadwhenemergingfromajunctionwithbrokenwhitelines
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acrosstheroad.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10(1),16(1)&25

173. Dualcarriageways.Whencrossingorturningright,firstassess
whetherthecentralreservationisdeepenoughtoprotectthefull
lengthofyourvehicle.
Ifitis,thenyoushouldtreateachhalfofthecarriagewayas
aseparateroad.Waitinthecentralreservationuntilthereis
asafegapinthetrafficonthesecondhalfoftheroad.
Ifthecentralreservationistooshallowforthelengthof
yourvehicle,waituntilyoucancrossbothcarriagewaysin
onego.

174. Boxjunctions.Thesehavecrisscrossyellowlinespaintedonthe
road(d
ownloadRoadmarkings).YouMUSTNOTenterthebox
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untilyourexitroadorlaneisclear.However,youmayenterthe
boxandwaitwhenyouwanttoturnright,andareonlystopped
fromdoingsobyoncomingtraffic,orbyothervehicleswaitingto
turnright.AtsignalledroundaboutsyouMUSTNOTenterthebox
unlessyoucancrossoveritcompletelywithoutstopping.
LawTSRGDregs10(1)&29(2)

Junctionscontrolledbytrafficlights
175. YouMUSTstopbehindthewhiteStoplineacrossyoursideof
theroadunlessthelightisgreen.Iftheamberlightappearsyou

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maygoononlyifyouhavealreadycrossedthestoplineorareso
closetoitthattostopmightcauseacollision.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&36

176. YouMUSTNOTmoveforwardoverthewhitelinewhenthered
lightisshowing.Onlygoforwardwhenthetrafficlightsaregreenif
thereisroomforyoutoclearthejunctionsafelyoryouaretaking
upapositiontoturnright.Ifthetrafficlightsarenotworking,treat
thesituationasyouwouldanunmarkedjunctionandproceedwith
greatcare.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&36

177. Greenfilterarrow.Thisindicatesafilterlaneonly.Donotenter
thatlaneunlessyouwanttogointhedirectionofthearrow.You
mayproceedinthedirectionofthegreenarrowwhenit,orthefull
greenlightshows.Giveothertraffic,especiallycyclists,timeand
roomtomoveintothecorrectlane.

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178. Advancedstoplines.Somesignalcontrolledjunctionshave
advancedstoplinestoallowcyclestobepositionedaheadofother
traffic.Motorists,includingmotorcyclists,MUSTstopatthefirst
whitelinereachedifthelightsareamberorredandshouldavoid
blockingthewayorencroachingonthemarkedareaatother
times,e.g.ifthejunctionaheadisblocked.Ifyourvehiclehas
proceededoverthefirstwhitelineatthetimethatthesignalgoes
red,youMUSTstopatthesecondwhiteline,evenifyourvehicleis
inthemarkedarea.Allowcycliststimeandspacetomoveoff
whenthegreensignalshows.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10,36(1)&43(2)

Turningright
179. Wellbeforeyouturnrightyoushould
useyourmirrorstomakesureyouknowthepositionand
movementoftrafficbehindyou
givearightturnsignal
takeupapositionjustleftofthemiddleoftheroadorinthe
spacemarkedfortrafficturningright
leaveroomforothervehiclestopassontheleft,ifpossible.

180. Waituntilthereisasafegapbetweenyouandanyoncoming
vehicle.Watchoutforcyclists,motorcyclists,pedestriansand
otherroadusers.Checkyourmirrorsandblindspotagaintomake
sureyouarenotbeingovertaken,thenmaketheturn.Donotcut
thecorner.Takegreatcarewhenturningintoamainroad;youwill

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needtowatchfortrafficinbothdirectionsandwaitforasafegap.

Remember:MirrorsSignalManoeuvre

181. Whenturningrightatcrossroadswhereanoncomingvehicleis
alsoturningright,thereisachoiceoftwomethods
turnrightsidetorightside;keeptheothervehicleonyour
rightandturnbehindit.Thisisgenerallythesafermethodas
youhaveaclearviewofanyapproachingtrafficwhen
completingyourturn
leftsidetoleftside,turninginfrontofeachother.Thiscan
blockyourviewofoncomingvehicles,sotakeextracare.
Cyclistsandmotorcyclistsinparticularmaybehiddenfrom
yourview.Roadlayout,markingsorhowtheothervehicleis
positionedcandeterminewhichcourseshouldbetaken.

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Turningleft
182. Useyourmirrorsandgivealeftturnsignalwellbeforeyouturn
left.Donotovertakejustbeforeyouturnleftandwatchoutfor
trafficcominguponyourleftbeforeyoumaketheturn,especially
ifdrivingalargevehicle.Cyclists,motorcyclistsandotherroad
usersinparticularmaybehiddenfromyourview.

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183. Whenturning
keepasclosetotheleftasissafeandpracticable
givewaytoanyvehiclesusingabuslane,cyclelaneor
tramwayfromeitherdirection.

4.Roundabouts
184. Onapproachingaroundaboutt akenoticeandactonallthe
informationavailabletoyou,includingtrafficsigns,trafficlights
andlanemarkingswhichdirectyouintothecorrectlane.You
should
useM irrorsSignalManoeuvrea tallstages
decideasearlyaspossiblewhichexityouneedtotake
giveanappropriatesignal(seeR ule186).Timeyoursignals
soasnottoconfuseotherroadusers
getintothecorrectlane
adjustyourspeedandpositiontofitinwithtraffic

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conditions
beawareofthespeedandpositionofalltheroadusers
aroundyou.
185. Whenreachingtheroundaboutyoushould
giveprioritytotrafficapproachingfromyourright,unless
directedotherwisebysigns,roadmarkingsortrafficlights
checkwhetherroadmarkingsallowyoutoenterthe
roundaboutwithoutgivingway.Ifso,proceed,butstilllook
totherightbeforejoining
watchoutforallotherroadusersalreadyonthe
roundabout;beawaretheymaynotbesignallingcorrectly
oratall
lookforwardbeforemovingofftomakesuretrafficinfront
hasmovedoff.

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186. Signalsandposition
Whentakingthefirstexittotheleft,unlesssignsormarkingsindicate
otherwise
signalleftandapproachinthelefthandlane
keeptotheleftontheroundaboutandcontinuesignalling
lefttoleave.

Whentakinganexittotherightorgoingfullcircle,unlesssignsor
markingsindicateotherwise
signalrightandapproachintherighthandlane
keeptotherightontheroundaboutuntilyouneedto
changelanestoexittheroundabout
signalleftafteryouhavepassedtheexitbeforetheoneyou
want.

Whentakinganyintermediateexit,unlesssignsormarkingsindicate
otherwise
selecttheappropriatelaneonapproachtoandonthe
roundabout
youshouldnotnormallyneedtosignalonapproach
stayinthislaneuntilyouneedtoaltercoursetoexitthe
roundabout
signalleftafteryouhavepassedtheexitbeforetheoneyou
want.

Whentherearemorethanthreelanesattheentrancetoa
roundabout,usethemostappropriatelaneonapproachandthrough
it.

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187. Inallcaseswatchoutforandgiveplentyofroomto
pedestrianswhomaybecrossingtheapproachandexit
roads
trafficcrossinginfrontofyouontheroundabout,especially
vehiclesintendingtoleavebythenextexit
trafficwhichmaybestraddlinglanesorpositioned
incorrectly
motorcyclists
cyclistsandhorseriderswhomaystayinthelefthandlane
andsignalrightiftheyintendtocontinueroundthe
roundabout.Allowthemtodoso
longvehicles(includingthosetowingtrailers).Thesemight
havetotakeadifferentcourseorstraddlelaneseither
approachingorontheroundaboutbecauseoftheirlength.
Watchoutfortheirsignals.

188. Miniroundabouts.Approachtheseinthesamewayasnormal
roundabouts.AllvehiclesMUSTpassroundthecentralmarkings
exceptlargevehicleswhicharephysicallyincapableofdoingso.
Remember,thereislessspacetomanoeuvreandlesstimeto
signal.AvoidmakingUturnsatminiroundabouts.Bewareof
othersdoingthis.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10(1)&16(1)
189. Atdoubleminiroundaboutstreateachroundaboutseparately
andgivewaytotrafficfromtheright.
190. Multipleroundabouts.Atsomecomplexjunctions,theremay
beaseriesofminiroundaboutsateachintersection.Treateach
miniroundaboutseparatelyandfollowthenormalrules.

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5.Pedestriancrossings
191. YouMUSTNOTparkonacrossingorintheareacoveredbythe
zigzaglines.YouMUSTNOTovertakethemovingvehiclenearest
thecrossingorthevehiclenearestthecrossingwhichhasstopped
togivewaytopedestrians.
LawsZPPPCRGDregs18,20&24,RTRAsect25(5)&TSRGDregs
10,27&28

192. Inqueuingtraffic,youshouldkeepthecrossingclear.

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193. Youshouldtakeextracarewheretheviewofeithersideofthe
crossingisblockedbyqueuingtrafficorincorrectlyparked
vehicles.Pedestriansmaybecrossingbetweenstationaryvehicles.

194. Allowpedestriansplentyoftimetocrossanddonotharass
thembyrevvingyourengineoredgingforward.

195. Zebracrossings.Asyouapproachazebracrossing
lookoutforpedestrianswaitingtocrossandbereadyto
slowdownorstoptoletthemcross
youMUSTgivewaywhenapedestrianhasmovedontoa
crossing
allowmoretimeforstoppingonwetoricyroads
donotwaveoruseyourhorntoinvitepedestriansacross;
thiscouldbedangerousifanothervehicleisapproaching
beawareofpedestriansapproachingfromthesideofthe
crossing.

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Azebracrossingwithacentralislandistwoseparatecrossings(see
picturesinCrossings(18to30)).
LawZPPPCRGDreg25

Signalcontrolledcrossings
196. Pelicancrossings.Thesearesignalcontrolledcrossingswhere
flashingamberfollowstheredStoplight.YouMUSTstopwhen
theredlightshows.Whentheamberlightisflashing,
youMUSTgivewaytoanypedestriansonthecrossing.Ifthe
amberlightisflashingandtherearenopedestriansonthe
crossing,youmayproceedwithcaution.
LawsZPPPCRGDregs23&26&RTRAsect25(5)

197. Pelicancrossingswhichgostraightacrosstheroadareone
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crossing,evenwhenthereisacentralisland.YouMUSTwaitfor
pedestrianswhoarecrossingfromtheothersideoftheisland.
LawsZPPPCRGDreg26&RTRAsect25(5)

198. Givewaytoanyonestillcrossingafterthesignalforvehicleshas
changedtogreen.Thisadviceappliestoallcrossings.

199. Toucan,puffinandequestriancrossings.Thesearesimilarto
pelicancrossings,butthereisnoflashingamberphase;thelight
sequencefortrafficatthesethreecrossingsisthesameasat
trafficlights.Ifthesignalcontrolledcrossingisnotworking,
proceedwithextremecaution.

6.Reversing
200. Chooseanappropriateplacetomanoeuvre.Ifyouneedtoturn
yourvehiclearound,waituntilyoufindasafeplace.Trynotto
reverseorturnroundinabusyroad;findaquietsideroadordrive
roundablockofsidestreets.

201. Donotreversefromasideroadintoamainroad.Whenusinga
driveway,reverseinanddriveoutifyoucan.

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202. Lookcarefullybeforeyoustartreversing.Youshould
useallyourmirrors
checktheblindspotbehindyou(thepartoftheroadyou
cannotseeeasilyinthemirrors)
checktherearenopedestrians(particularlychildren),
cyclists,otherroadusersorobstructionsintheroadbehind
you.
Reverseslowlywhile
checkingallaround
lookingmainlythroughtherearwindow
beingawarethatthefrontofyourvehiclewillswingoutas
youturn.
Getsomeonetoguideyouifyoucannotseeclearly.

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203. YouMUSTNOTreverseyourvehiclefurtherthannecessary.
LawCURreg106

7.Theroaduserandthelaw
ThefollowinglistcanbefoundabbreviatedthroughouttheCode.Itisnot
intendedtobeacomprehensiveguide,butaguidetosomeofthe
importantpointsoflaw.Fortheprecisewordingofthelaw,pleaserefer
tothevariousActsandRegulations(asamended)indicatedintheCode.
Abbreviationsarelistedbelow.

MostoftheprovisionsapplyonallroadsthroughoutGreatBritain,
althoughtherearesomeexceptions.ThedefinitionofaroadinEngland
andWalesisanyhighwayandanyotherroadtowhichthepublichas
accessandincludesbridgesoverwhicharoadpasses(RTA1988sect
192(1)).InScotland,thereisasimilardefinitionwhichisextendedto
includeanywayoverwhichthepublichavearightofpassage(R(S)A1984
sect151(1)).

Itisimportanttonotethatreferencestoroadthereforegenerally
includefootpaths,bridlewaysandcycletracks,andmanyroadwaysand
drivewaysonprivateland(includingmanycarparks).Inmostcases,the
lawwillapplytothemandtheremaybeadditionalrulesforparticular
pathsorways.Someseriousdrivingoffences,includingdrinkdriving
offences,alsoapplytoallpublicplaces,forexamplepubliccarparks.

Actsandregulationsfrom1988canbeviewedontheUKlegislations ite.
Actsandregulationspriorto1988areonlyavailableintheiroriginalprint
formatwhichmaybeobtainedfromTheStationeryOfficeasdetailed

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insidethebackcover.

Actsandregulationspriorto1988
ChronicallySick&DisabledPersonsAct1970CSDPA
FunctionsofTrafficWardensOrder1970FTWO
GreaterLondon(GeneralPowers)Act1974GL(GP)A
HighwayAct1835or1980(asindicated)HA
MotorwaysTraffic(England&Wales)Regulations1982MT(E&W)R
MotorwaysTraffic(England&Wales)AmendedRegulations
MT(E&W)(A)R
PedalCycles(Construction&Use)Regulations1983PCUR
PublicPassengerVehiclesAct1981PPVA
RoadTrafficAct1984RTA
RoadTrafficRegulationAct1984RTRA
RoadVehicles(Construction&Use)Regulations1986CUR
Roads(Scotland)Act1984R(S)A

Actsandregulationsfrom1988onwards
Horses(ProtectiveHeadgearforYoungRiders)Act1990H(PHYR)A
Horses(ProtectiveHeadgearforYoungRiders)Regulations1992
H(PHYR)R
MotorCycles(EyeProtectors)Regulations1999MC(EP)R
MotorCycles(ProtectiveHelmets)Regulations1998MC(PH)R
MotorwaysTraffic(Scotland)Regulations1995MT(S)R
MotorVehicles(DrivingLicences)Regulations1999MV(DL)R
MotorVehicles(WearingofSeatBelts)Regulations1993MV(WSB)R
MotorVehicles(WearingofSeatBelts)(Amendment)Regulations2006
MV(WSB)(A)R

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MotorVehicles(WearingofSeatBeltsbyChildreninFrontSeats)
Regulations1993MV(WSBCFS)R
NewRoadsandStreetworksAct1991NRSWA
PowersofCriminalCourts(Sentencing)Act2000PCC(S)A
PoliceReformAct2002PRA
ProhibitionofSmokinginCertainPremises(Scotland)Regulations2006.
ScottishSI2006/No90TPSCP(S)R*
RoadSafetyAct2006RSA
RoadTrafficAct1988RTA
RoadTrafficAct1991RTA
RoadTraffic(NewDrivers)Act1995RT(ND)A
RoadTrafficOffendersAct1988RTOA
RoadVehicles(DisplayofRegistrationMarks)Regulations2001RV(DRM)R
RoadVehiclesLightingRegulations1989RVLR
RoadVehicles(Registration&Licensing)Regulations2002RV(R&L)R
Smokefree(ExemptionsandVehicles)Regulations2007SI2007/765
TSf(EV)*
SmokefreePremisesetc(Wales)Regulations2007SI2007/W787
TSfP(W)R*
TrafficManagementAct2004TMA
TrafficSignsRegulations&GeneralDirections2002TSRGD
UseofInvalidCarriagesonHighwaysRegulations1988UICHR
VehicleExciseandRegistrationAct1994VERA
Zebra,PelicanandPuffinPedestrianCrossingsRegulationsandGeneral
Directions1997ZPPPCRGD
*Specificlegislationappliestosmokinginvehicleswhichconstitute
workplaces.Forinformation,visit
http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk;

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http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com;
http://www.smokingbanwales.co.uk

Roadu
sersr equiringe
xtra
care

1.Overview
204. Themostvulnerableroadusersarepedestrians,cyclists,
motorcyclistsandhorseriders.Itisparticularlyimportanttobe
awareofchildren,olderanddisabledpeople,andlearnerand
inexperienceddriversandriders.

2.Pedestrians
205. Thereisariskofpedestrians,especiallychildren,stepping
unexpectedlyintotheroad.Youshoulddrivewiththesafetyof
childreninmindataspeedsuitablefortheconditions.

206. Drivecarefullyandslowlywhen
incrowdedshoppingstreets,HomeZonesandQuietLanes
(seeR
ule218)orresidentialareas
drivingpastbusandtramstops;pedestriansmayemerge
suddenlyintotheroad

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passingparkedvehicles,especiallyicecreamvans;children
aremoreinterestedinicecreamthantrafficandmayrun
intotheroadunexpectedly
needingtocrossapavementorcycletrack;forexample,to
reachorleaveadriveway.Givewaytopedestriansand
cyclistsonthepavement
reversingintoasideroad;lookallaroundthevehicleand
givewaytoanypedestrianswhomaybecrossingtheroad
turningatroadjunctions;givewaytopedestrianswhoare
alreadycrossingtheroadintowhichyouareturning
thepavementisclosedduetostreetrepairsandpedestrians
aredirectedtousetheroad
approachingpedestriansonnarrowruralroadswithouta
footwayorfootpath.Alwaysslowdownandbepreparedto
stopifnecessary,givingthemplentyofroomasyoudrive
past.

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207. Particularlyvulnerablepedestrians.Theseinclude:
childrenandolderpedestrianswhomaynotbeabletojudge
yourspeedandcouldstepintotheroadinfrontofyou.At
40mph(64km/h)yourvehiclewillprobablykillany
pedestriansithits.At20mph(32km/h)thereisonlya1in
20chanceofthepedestrianbeingkilled.Sokillyourspeed
olderpedestrianswhomayneedmoretimetocrossthe
road.Bepatientandallowthemtocrossintheirowntime.
Donothurrythembyrevvingyourengineoredgingforward
peoplewithdisabilities.Peoplewithhearingimpairments
maynotbeawareofyourvehicleapproaching.Thosewith
walkingdifficultiesrequiremoretime
blindorpartiallysightedpeople,whomaybecarryinga
whitecaneusingaguidedog.Theymaynotbeabletosee
youapproaching
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deafblindpeoplewhomaybecarryingawhitecanewitha
redbandorusingadogwitharedandwhiteharness.They
maynotseeorhearinstructionsorsignals.

208. Nearschools.Driveslowlyandbeparticularlyawareofyoung
cyclistsandpedestrians.Insomeplaces,theremaybeaflashing
ambersignalbelowtheSchoolwarningsignwhichtellsyouthat
theremaybechildrencrossingtheroadahead.Driveveryslowly
untilyouareclearofthearea.

209. Drivecarefullyandslowlywhenpassingastationarybus
showingaSchoolBussign(d
ownloadVehiclemarkings)as
childrenmaybegettingonoroff.

210. YouMUSTstopwhenaschoolcrossingpatrolshowsaStopfor
childrensign(downloadTrafficsigns).
LawRTRAsect28

3.Motorcyclistsandcyclists
211. Itisoftendifficulttoseemotorcyclistsandcyclists,especially
whentheyarecomingupfrombehind,comingoutofjunctions,at
roundabouts,overtakingyouorfilteringthroughtraffic.Always
lookoutforthembeforeyouemergefromajunction;theycould
beapproachingfasterthanyouthink.Whenturningrightacrossa
lineofslowmovingorstationarytraffic,lookoutforcyclistsor
motorcyclistsontheinsideofthetrafficyouarecrossing.Be
especiallycarefulwhenturning,andwhenchangingdirectionor
lane.Besuretocheckmirrorsandblindspotscarefully.

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212. Whenpassingmotorcyclistsandcyclists,givethemplentyof
room(seeRules162to167).Iftheylookovertheirshoulderit
couldmeanthattheyintendtopullout,turnrightorchange
direction.Givethemtimeandspacetodoso.

213. Motorcyclistsandcyclistsmaysuddenlyneedtoavoiduneven
roadsurfacesandobstaclessuchasdraincoversoroily,wetoricy
patchesontheroad.Givethemplentyofroomandpayparticular
attentiontoanysuddenchangeofdirectiontheymayhaveto
make.

4.Otherroadusers
214. Animals.Whenpassinganimals,driveslowly.Givethemplenty

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ofroomandbereadytostop.Donotscareanimalsbysounding
yourhorn,revvingyourengineoracceleratingrapidlyonceyou
havepassedthem.Lookoutforanimalsbeingled,drivenorridden
ontheroadandtakeextracare.Keepyourspeeddownatbends
andonnarrowcountryroads.Ifaroadisblockedbyaherdof
animals,stopandswitchoffyourengineuntiltheyhaveleftthe
road.Watchoutforanimalsonunfencedroads.

215. Horseridersandhorsedrawnvehicles.Beparticularlycareful
ofhorseridersandhorsedrawnvehiclesespeciallywhen
overtaking.Alwayspasswideandslowly.Horseridersareoften
children,sotakeextracareandrememberridersmayridein
doublefilewhenescortingayoungorinexperiencedhorseor
rider.Lookoutforhorseridersandhorsedriverssignalsandheed
arequesttoslowdownorstop.Takegreatcareandtreatall
horsesasapotentialhazard.

216. Olderdrivers.Theirreactionsmaybeslowerthanotherdrivers.
Makeallowanceforthis.

217. Learnersandinexperienceddrivers.Theymaynotbesoskilful
atanticipatingandrespondingtoevents.Beparticularlypatient
withlearnerdriversandyoungdrivers.Driverswhohaverecently
passedtheirtestmaydisplayanewdriverplateorsticker
(seeSafetycodefornewdrivers).

218. HomeZonesandQuietLanes.Theseareplaceswherepeople
couldbeusingthewholeoftheroadforarangeofactivitiessuch
aschildrenplayingorforacommunityevent.Youshoulddrive
slowlyandcarefullyandbepreparedtostoptoallowpeopleextra

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timetomakespaceforyoutopasstheminsafety.

5.Othervehicles
219. EmergencyandIncidentSupportvehicles.Youshouldlookand
listenforambulances,fireengines,police,doctorsorother
emergencyvehiclesusingflashingblue,redorgreenlightsand
sirensorflashingheadlights,orHighwaysAgencyTrafficOfficer
andIncidentSupportvehiclesusingflashingamberlights.When
oneapproachesdonotpanic.Considertherouteofsuchavehicle
andtakeappropriateactiontoletitpass,whilecomplyingwithall
trafficsigns.Ifnecessary,pulltothesideoftheroadandstop,but
trytoavoidstoppingbeforethebrowofahill,abendornarrow
sectionofroad.Donotendangeryourself,otherroadusersor
pedestriansandavoidmountingthekerb.Donotbrakeharshlyon
approachtoajunctionorroundabout,asafollowingvehiclemay
nothavethesameviewasyou.

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220. Poweredvehiclesusedbydisabledpeople.Thesesmallvehicles
travelatamaximumspeedof8mph(12km/h).Onadual
carriagewaywherethespeedlimitexceeds50mph(80km/h)
theyMUSThaveaflashingamberbeacon,butonotherroadsyou
maynothavethatadvancewarning(seeRules36to46inclusive).
LawRVLRreg17(1)&26

221. Largevehicles.Thesemayneedextraroadspacetoturnorto
dealwithahazardthatyouarenotabletosee.Ifyouarefollowing
alargevehicle,suchasabusorarticulatedlorry,beawarethatthe
drivermaynotbeabletoseeyouinthemirrors.Bepreparedto
stopandwaitifitneedsroomortimetoturn.

222. Largevehiclescanblockyourview.Yourabilitytoseeandto
planaheadwillbeimprovedifyoupullbacktoincreaseyour
separationdistance.Bepatient,aslargervehiclesaresubjectto
lowerspeedlimitsthancarsandmotorcycles.Manylargevehicles

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maybefittedwithspeedlimitingdeviceswhichwillrestrictspeed
to56mph(90km/h)evenonamotorway.

223. Buses,coachesandtrams.Giveprioritytothesevehicleswhen
youcandososafely,especiallywhentheysignaltopullawayfrom
stops.Lookoutforpeoplegettingoffabusortramandcrossing
theroad.

224. Electricvehicles.Becarefulofelectricvehiclessuchasmilk
floatsandtrams.Tramsmovequicklybutsilentlyandcannotsteer
toavoidyou.

225. Vehicleswithflashingamberbeacons.Thesewarnofa
slowmovingorstationaryvehicle(suchasaTrafficOfficervehicle,
saltspreader,snowploughorrecoveryvehicle)orabnormalloads,
soapproachwithcaution.Onunrestricteddualcarriageways,
motorvehiclesfirstusedonorafter1January1947witha
maximumspeedof25mph(40km/h)orless(suchas
tractors)MUSTuseaflashingamberbeacon(alsoseeRule220
above).
LawRVLR1989,reg17

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Drivingina dversew
eather
conditions

1.Overview
226. YouMUSTuseheadlightswhenvisibilityisseriouslyreduced,
generallywhenyoucannotseeformorethan100metres(328
feet).Youmayalsousefrontorrearfoglightsbut
youMUSTswitchthemoffwhenvisibilityimproves(seeRule236).
LawRVLRregs25&27

2.Wetweather
227. Wetweather.Inwetweather,stoppingdistanceswillbeatleast
doublethoserequiredforstoppingondryroads.Thisisbecause
yourtyreshavelessgripontheroad.Inwetweather
youshouldkeepwellbackfromthevehicleinfront.Thiswill
increaseyourabilitytoseeandplanahead
ifthesteeringbecomesunresponsive,itprobablymeans
thatwaterispreventingthetyresfromgrippingtheroad.
Easeofftheacceleratorandslowdowngradually
therainandsprayfromvehiclesmaymakeitdifficulttosee
andbeseen
beawareofthedangersofspiltdieselthatwillmakethe
surfaceveryslippery(seeA nnex6:Vehiclemaintenance,
safetyandsecurity)
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takeextracarearoundpedestrians,cyclists,motorcyclists
andhorseriders.

3.Icyandsnowyweather
228. Inwintercheckthelocalweatherforecastforwarningsoficyor
snowyweather.DONOTdriveintheseconditionsunlessyour
journeyisessential.Ifitis,takegreatcareandallowmoretimefor
yourjourney.Takeanemergencykitofdeicerandicescraper,
torch,warmclothingandboots,firstaidkit,jumpleadsanda
shovel,togetherwithawarmdrinkandemergencyfoodincase
yougetstuckoryourvehiclebreaksdown.

229. Beforeyousetoff
youMUSTbeabletosee,soclearallsnowandicefromall
yourwindows
youMUSTensurethatlightsarecleanandnumberplates
areclearlyvisibleandlegible
makesurethemirrorsareclearandthewindowsare
demistedthoroughly
removeallsnowthatmightfalloffintothepathofother
roadusers
checkyourplannedrouteisclearofdelaysandthatno
furthersnowfallsorsevereweatherarepredicted.
LawsCURreg30,RVLRreg23,VERAsect43&RV(DRM)R
reg11

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230. Whendrivinginicyorsnowyweather
drivewithcare,eveniftheroadshavebeentreated
keepwellbackfromtheroaduserinfrontasstopping
distancescanbetentimesgreaterthanondryroads
takecarewhenovertakingvehiclesspreadingsaltorother
deicer,particularlyifyouareridingamotorcycleorcycle
Watchoutforsnowploughswhichmaythrowoutsnowon
eitherside.Donotovertakethemunlessthelaneyouintend
tousehasbeencleared
bepreparedfortheroadconditionstochangeover

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relativelyshortdistances
Listentotravelbulletinsandtakenoteofvariablemessage
signsthatmayprovideinformationaboutweather,roadand
trafficconditionsahead.

231. Driveextremelycarefullywhentheroadsareicy.Avoidsudden
actionsasthesecouldcauselossofcontrol.Youshould
driveataslowspeedinashighagearaspossible;accelerate
andbrakeverygently
driveparticularlyslowlyonbendswherelossofcontrolis
morelikely.Brakeprogressivelyonthestraightbeforeyou
reachabend.Havingsloweddown,steersmoothlyround
thebend,avoidingsuddenactions
checkyourgripontheroadsurfacewhenthereissnowor
icebychoosingasafeplacetobrakegently.Ifthesteering
feelsunresponsivethismayindicateiceandyourvehicle
losingitsgripontheroad.Whentravellingonice,tyres
makevirtuallynonoise.

4.Windyweather
232. Highsidedvehiclesaremostaffectedbywindyweather,but
stronggustscanalsoblowacar,cyclist,motorcyclistorhorserider
offcourse.Thiscanhappenonopenstretchesofroadexposedto
strongcrosswinds,orwhenpassingbridgesorgapsinhedges.
233. Inverywindyweatheryourvehiclemaybeaffectedby
turbulencecreatedbylargevehicles.Motorcyclistsareparticularly
affected,sokeepwellbackfromthemwhentheyareovertakinga
highsidedvehicle.

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5.Fog
234. Beforeenteringfogcheckyourmirrorsthenslowdown.Ifthe
wordFogisshownonaroadsidesignalbuttheroadisclear,be
preparedforabankoffogordriftingpatchyfogahead.Evenifit
seemstobeclearing,youcansuddenlyfindyourselfinthickfog.
235. Whendrivinginfogyoushould
useyourlightsasrequired(seeR ule226)
keepasafedistancebehindthevehicleinfront.Rearlights
cangiveafalsesenseofsecurity
beabletopullupwellwithinthedistanceyoucansee
clearly.Thisisparticularlyimportantonmotorwaysanddual
carriageways,asvehiclesaretravellingfaster
useyourwindscreenwipersanddemisters
bewareofotherdriversnotusingheadlights
notacceleratetogetawayfromavehiclewhichistooclose
behindyou
checkyourmirrorsbeforeyouslowdown.Thenuseyour
brakessothatyourbrakelightswarndriversbehindyouthat
youareslowingdown
stopinthecorrectpositionatajunctionwithlimited
visibilityandlistenfortraffic.Whenyouaresureitissafeto
emerge,dosopositivelyanddonothesitateinaposition
thatputsyoudirectlyinthepathofapproachingvehicles.
236. YouMUSTNOTusefrontorrearfoglightsunlessvisibilityis
seriouslyreduced(seeRule226)astheydazzleotherroadusers
andcanobscureyourbrakelights.YouMUSTswitchthemoff
whenvisibilityimproves.
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LawRVLRregs25&27

6.Hotweather
237. Keepyourvehiclewellventilatedtoavoiddrowsiness.Beaware
thattheroadsurfacemaybecomesoftorifitrainsafteradryspell
itmaybecomeslippery.Theseconditionscouldaffectyour
steeringandbraking.Ifyouaredazzledbybrightsunlight,slow
downandifnecessary,stop.

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Waitinga ndp
arking

1.Waitingandparking
238. YouMUSTNOTwaitorparkonyellowlinesduringthetimesof
operationshownonnearbytimeplates(orzoneentrysignsifina
ControlledParkingZone)downloadTrafficsignsandRoad
markings.Doubleyellowlinesindicateaprohibitionofwaitingat
anytimeeveniftherearenouprightsigns.YouM
USTNOTwaitor
park,orstoptosetdownandpickuppassengers,onschool
entrancemarkings(d ownloadRoadmarkings)whenuprightsigns
indicateaprohibitionofstopping.
LawRTRAsects5&8

2.Parking
239. Useoffstreetparkingareas,orbaysmarkedoutwithwhitelines
ontheroadasparkingplaces,whereverpossible.Ifyouhaveto
stopontheroadside
donotparkfacingagainstthetrafficflow
stopascloseasyoucantotheside
donotstoptooclosetoavehicledisplayingaBlueBadge:
remember,theoccupantmayneedmoreroomtogetinor
out
youM USTs witchofftheengine,headlightsandfoglights
youM USTa pplythehandbrakebeforeleavingthevehicle
youM USTe nsureyoudonothitanyonewhenyouopen

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yourdoor.Checkforcyclistsorothertraffic
itissaferforyourpassengers(especiallychildren)togetout
ofthevehicleonthesidenexttothekerb
putallvaluablesoutofsightandmakesureyourvehicleis
secure
lockyourvehicle.
LawsCURreg98,105&107,RVLRreg27&RTA1988sect
42

240. YouMUSTNOTstoporparkon
thecarriagewayorthehardshoulderofamotorwayexcept
inanemergency(s eeR ule270)
apedestriancrossing,includingtheareamarkedbythe
zigzaglines(s eeRule191)
aclearway
taxibaysasindicatedbyuprightsignsandmarkings

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anUrbanClearwaywithinitshoursofoperation,exceptto
pickuporsetdownpassengers
aroadmarkedwithdoublewhitelines,evenwhenabroken
whitelineisonyoursideoftheroad,excepttopickupor
setdownpassengers,ortoloadorunloadgoods
atramorcyclelaneduringitsperiodofoperation
acycletrack
redlines,inthecaseofspeciallydesignatedredroutes,
unlessotherwiseindicatedbysigns.Anyvehiclemayentera
buslanetostop,loadorunloadwherethisisnotprohibited
(seeRule140).
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs7&9,MT(S)Rregs6&8,ZPPPCRGD
regs18&20,RTRAsects5,6&8,TSRGDregs10,26&27,
RTA1988sects21(1)&36

241. YouMUSTNOTparkinparkingspacesreservedforspecific
users,suchasBlueBadgeholders,residentsormotorcycles,unless
entitledtodoso.
LawsCSDPAsect21&RTRAsects5&8

242. YouMUSTNOTleaveyourvehicleortrailerinadangerous
positionorwhereitcausesanyunnecessaryobstructionofthe
road.
LawsRTA1988,sect22&CURreg103

243. DONOTstoporpark
nearaschoolentrance
anywhereyouwouldpreventaccessforEmergencyServices
atornearabusortramstoportaxirank
ontheapproachtoalevelcrossing/tramwaycrossing

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oppositeorwithin10metres(32feet)ofajunction,except
inanauthorisedparkingspace
nearthebrowofahillorhumpbridge
oppositeatrafficislandor(ifthiswouldcausean
obstruction)anotherparkedvehicle
whereyouwouldforceothertraffictoenteratramlane
wherethekerbhasbeenloweredtohelpwheelchairusers
andpoweredmobilityvehicles
infrontofanentrancetoaproperty
onabend
whereyouwouldobstructcyclistsuseofcycle
facilitiese xceptw henforcedtodosobystationarytraffic.

244. YouMUSTNOTparkpartiallyorwhollyonthepavementin
London,andshouldnotdosoelsewhereunlesssignspermitit.
Parkingonthepavementcanobstructandseriouslyinconvenience
pedestrians,peopleinwheelchairsorwithvisualimpairmentsand
peoplewithpramsorpushchairs.
LawGL(GP)Asect15

245. ControlledParkingZones.Thezoneentrysignsindicatethe
timeswhenthewaitingrestrictionswithinthezoneareinforce.
Parkingmaybeallowedinsomeplacesatothertimes.Otherwise
parkingwillbewithinseparatelysignedandmarkedbays.

246. Goodsvehicles.Vehicleswithamaximumladenweightofover
7.5tonnes(includinganytrailer)MUSTNOTbeparkedonaverge,
pavementoranylandsituatedbetweencarriageways,without
policepermission.Theonlyexceptioniswhenparkingisessential
forloadingandunloading,inwhichcasethevehicleMUSTNOTbe

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leftunattended.
LawRTA1988sect19

247. Loadingandunloading.Donotloadorunloadwherethereare
yellowmarkingsonthekerbanduprightsignsadviserestrictions
areinplace(seepages115116).Thismaybepermittedwhere
parkingisotherwiserestricted.Onredroutes,speciallymarked
andsignedbaysindicatewhereandwhenloadingandunloadingis
permitted.
LawRTRAsects5&8

3.Parkingatnight
248. YouMUSTNOTparkonaroadatnightfacingagainstthe
directionofthetrafficflowunlessinarecognisedparkingspace.
LawsCURreg101&RVLRreg24

249. AllvehiclesMUSTdisplayparkinglightswhenparkedonaroad
oralaybyonaroadwithaspeedlimitgreaterthan30mph(48
km/h).
LawRVLRreg24

250. Cars,goodsvehiclesnotexceeding1525kgunladenweight,
invalidcarriages,motorcyclesandpedalcyclesmaybeparked
withoutlightsonaroad(orlayby)withaspeedlimitof30mph
(48km/h)orlessiftheyare
atleast10metres(32feet)awayfromanyjunction,closeto
thekerbandfacinginthedirectionofthetrafficflow
inarecognisedparkingplaceorlayby.
Othervehiclesandtrailers,andallvehicleswithprojectingloads,
MUSTNOTbeleftonaroadatnightwithoutlights.

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LawsRVLRreg24&CURreg82(7)

251. Parkinginfog.Itisespeciallydangeroustoparkontheroadin
fog.Ifitisunavoidable,leaveyourparkinglightsorsidelightson.

252. Parkingonhills.Ifyouparkonahillyoushould
parkclosetothekerbandapplythehandbrakefirmly
selectaforwardgearandturnyoursteeringwheelaway
fromthekerbwhenfacinguphill
selectreversegearandturnyoursteeringwheeltowards
thekerbwhenfacingdownhill
useparkifyourcarhasanautomaticgearbox.

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4.DecriminalisedParking
Enforcement
DPEisbecomingincreasinglycommonasmoreauthoritiestakeonthis
role.Thelocaltrafficauthorityassumesresponsibilityforenforcingmany
parkingcontraventionsinplaceofthepolice.FurtherdetailsonDPEmay
befoundatthefollowingwebsites:
Trafficpenaltytribunal(outsideLondon)
Parkingandtrafficappealsservice(insideLondon)

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Motorways

1.General
ManyotherRulesapplytomotorwaydriving,eitherwhollyorinpart:
Rules46,57,83to88,89to102,103to126,1
39,1
44,1 46to151,160to
161,219,221to222,2 25,226237,274to278,2 80to287and288to
290.

253. Prohibitedvehicles.MotorwaysMUSTNOTbeusedby
pedestrians,holdersofprovisionalmotorcycleorcarlicences,
ridersofmotorcyclesunder50cc,cyclists,horseriders,certain
slowmovingvehiclesandthosecarryingoversizedloads(exceptby
specialpermission),agriculturalvehicles,andpowered
wheelchairs/poweredmobilityscooters(seeRules36to
46inclusive)
LawsHA1980sects16,17&sch4,MT(E&W)Rregs3(d),4&11,
MT(E&W)(A)R,R(S)Asects7,8&sch3,RTRAsects17(2)&(3),&
MT(S)Rreg10

254. Trafficonmotorwaysusuallytravelsfasterthanonotherroads,
soyouhavelesstimetoreact.Itisespeciallyimportanttouseyour
mirrorsearlierandlookmuchfurtheraheadthanyouwouldon
otherroads.

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2.Motorwaysignals
255. Motorwaysignals(d ownloadLightsignalscontrollingtraffic)
areusedtowarnyouofadangerahead.Forexample,theremay
beanincident,fog,aspillageorroadworkersonthecarriageway
whichyoumaynotimmediatelybeabletosee.

256. Signalssituatedonthecentralreservationapplytoalllanes.On
verybusystretches,signalsmaybeoverheadwithaseparate
signalforeachlane.

257. Amberflashinglights.Thesewarnofahazardahead.Thesignal
mayshowatemporarymaximumspeedlimit,lanesthatareclosed
oramessagesuchasFog.Adjustyourspeedandlookoutforthe
dangeruntilyoupassasignalwhichisnotflashingoronethat
givestheAllclearsignandyouaresureitissafetoincreaseyour
speed.

258. Redflashinglights.Ifredlightsontheoverheadsignalsflash
aboveyourlaneandaredXisshowing,youMUSTNOTgo
beyondthesignalinthatlane.Ifredlightsflashonasignalinthe
centralreservationoratthesideoftheroad,youMUSTNOTgo
beyondthesignalinanylane.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&38

3.Joiningthemotorway

259. Joiningthemotorway.Whenyoujointhemotorwayyouwill
normallyapproachitfromaroadontheleft(asliproad)orfrom

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anadjoiningmotorway.Youshould
giveprioritytotrafficalreadyonthemotorway
checkthetrafficonthemotorwayandmatchyourspeedto
fitsafelyintothetrafficflowinthelefthandlane
notcrosssolidwhitelinesthatseparatelanesorusethe
hardshoulder
stayonthesliproadifitcontinuesasanextralaneonthe
motorway
remaininthelefthandlanelongenoughtoadjusttothe
speedoftrafficbeforeconsideringovertaking.

4.Onthemotorway
260. Whenyoucanseewellaheadandtheroadconditionsaregood,
youshould
driveatasteadycruisingspeedwhichyouandyourvehicle
canhandlesafelyandiswithinthespeedlimit(s ee
theSpeedlimitstable)
keepasafedistancefromthevehicleinfrontandincrease
thegaponwetoricyroads,orinfog(see
Rules126and235).

261. YouMUSTNOTexceed70mph(112km/h),orthemaximum
speedlimitpermittedforyourvehicle.Ifalowerspeedlimitisin
force,eitherpermanentlyortemporarily,atroadworksfor
example,youMUSTNOTexceedthelowerlimit.Onsome
motorways,mandatorymotorwaysignals(whichdisplaythespeed
withinaredring)areusedtovarythemaximumspeedlimitto
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improvetrafficflow.YouMUSTNOTexceedthisspeedlimit.
LawRTRAsects17,86,89&sch6

262. Themonotonyofdrivingonamotorwaycanmakeyoufeel
sleepy.Tominimisetherisk,followtheadviceinRule91.

263. YouMUSTNOTreverse,crossthecentralreservation,ordrive
againstthetrafficflow.Ifyouhavemissedyourexit,orhavetaken
thewrongroute,carryontothenextexit.
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs6,8&10&MT(S)Rregs4,5,7&9

5.Lanediscipline
264. Youshouldalwaysdriveinthelefthandlanewhentheroad
aheadisclear.Ifyouareovertakinganumberofslowermoving
vehicles,youshouldreturntothelefthandlaneassoonasyouare
safelypast.Slowmovingorspeedrestrictedvehiclesshould
alwaysremaininthelefthandlaneofthecarriagewayunless
overtaking.YouMUSTNOTdriveonthehardshoulderexceptinan
emergencyorifdirectedtodosobythepolice,HAtrafficofficers
inuniformorbysigns.
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs5,9&16(1)(a),MT(S)Rregs4,8&14(1)(a),
andRTA1988,sects35&186,asamendedbyTMA2004sect6

265. Therighthandlaneofamotorwaywiththreeormore
lanesMUSTNOTb eused(exceptinprescribedcircumstances)if
youaredriving
anyvehicledrawingatrailer
agoodsvehiclewithamaximumladenweightexceeding3.5
tonnesbutnotexceeding7.5tonnes,whichisrequiredtobe
fittedwithaspeedlimiter

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agoodsvehiclewithamaximumladenweightexceeding7.5
tonnes
apassengervehiclewithamaximumladenweightexceeding
7.5tonnesconstructedoradaptedtocarrymorethaneight
seatedpassengersinadditiontothedriver
apassengervehiclewithamaximumladenweightnot
exceeding7.5tonneswhichisconstructedoradaptedto
carrymorethaneightseatedpassengersinadditiontothe
driver,whichisrequiredtobefittedwithaspeedlimiter.
LawsMT(E&W)Rreg12,MT(E&W)AR(2004),MT(S)Rreg11
&MT(S)AR(2004)

266. Approachingajunction.Lookwellaheadforsignalsorsigns.
Directionsignsmaybeplacedovertheroad.Ifyouneedtochange
lanes,dosoingoodtime.Atsomejunctionsalanemaylead
directlyoffthemotorway.Onlygetinthatlaneifyouwishtogoin
thedirectionindicatedontheoverheadsigns.

6.Overtaking
267. Donotovertakeunlessyouaresureitissafeandlegaltodoso.
Overtakeonlyontheright.Youshould
checkyourmirrors
taketimetojudgethespeedscorrectly
makesurethatthelaneyouwillbejoiningissufficiently
clearaheadandbehind
takeaquicksidewaysglanceintotheblindspotareato
verifythepositionofavehiclethatmayhavedisappeared
fromyourviewinthemirror

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rememberthattrafficmaybecomingupbehindyouvery
quickly.Checkallyourmirrorscarefully.Lookoutfor
motorcyclists.Whenitissafetodoso,signalinplentyof
time,thenmoveout
ensureyoudonotcutinonthevehicleyouhaveovertaken
beespeciallycarefulatnightandinpoorvisibilitywhenitis
hardertojudgespeedanddistance.

268. Donotovertakeontheleftormovetoalaneonyourleftto
overtake.Incongestedconditions,whereadjacentlanesoftraffic
aremovingatsimilarspeeds,trafficinlefthandlanesmay
sometimesbemovingfasterthantraffictotheright.Inthese
conditionsyoumaykeepupwiththetrafficinyourlaneevenif
thismeanspassingtrafficinthelanetoyourright.Donotweavein
andoutoflanestoovertake.

269. Hardshoulder.YouMUSTNOTusethehardshoulderfor
overtaking.InareaswhereanActiveTrafficManagement(ATM)
Schemeisinforce,thehardshouldermaybeusedasarunning
lane.Youwillknowwhenyoucanusethisbecauseaspeedlimit
signwillbeshownaboveallopenlanes,includingthehard
shoulder.Aredcrossorblanksignabovethehardshouldermeans
thatyouMUSTNOTdriveonthehardshoulderexceptinan
emergencyorbreakdown.Emergencyrefugeareashavealsobeen
builtintotheseareasforuseincasesofemergencyorbreakdown.
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs5,5A&9,MT(S)Rregs4&8

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7.Stopping
270. YouMUSTNOTstoponthecarriageway,hardshoulder,slip
road,centralreservationorvergeexceptinanemergency,or
whentoldtodosobythepolice,HAtrafficofficersinuniform,an
emergencysignorbyflashingredlightsignals.Donotstoponthe
hardshouldertoeithermakeorreceivemobilephonecalls.
LawsMT(E&W)Rregs5A,7,9,10&16,MT(S)Rregs6(1),8,9&14,
PRA2002sect41&sched5(8),&RTA1988sects35&163as
amendedbyTMA2004,sect6

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271. YouMUSTNOTpickuporsetdownanyone,orwalkona
motorway,exceptinanemergency.
LawsRTRAsect17&MT(E&W)Rreg15

8.Leavingthemotorway
272. Unlesssignsindicatethatalaneleadsdirectlyoffthemotorway,
youwillnormallyleavethemotorwaybyasliproadonyourleft.
Youshould
watchforthesignslettingyouknowyouaregettingnear
yourexit
moveintothelefthandlanewellbeforereachingyourexit
signalleftingoodtimeandreduceyourspeedontheslip
roadasnecessary.

273. Onleavingthemotorwayorusingalinkroadbetween
motorways,yourspeedmaybehigherthanyourealise50mph
mayfeellike30mph.Checkyourspeedometerandadjustyour
speedaccordingly.Somesliproadsandlinkroadshavesharp
bends,soyouwillneedtoslowdown.

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Breakdownsa ndincidents
1.Breakdowns
274. I fyourvehiclebreaksdown,thinkfirstofallotherroadusers
and
getyourvehicleofftheroadifpossible
warnothertrafficbyusingyourhazardwarninglightsifyour
vehicleiscausinganobstruction
helpotherroadusersseeyoubywearinglightcolouredor
fluorescentclothingindaylightandreflectiveclothingat
nightorinpoorvisibility
putawarningtriangleontheroadatleast45metres(147
feet)behindyourbrokendownvehicleonthesamesideof
theroad,oruseotherpermittedwarningdevicesifyouhave
them.Alwaystakegreatcarewhenplacingorretrieving
them,butneverusethemonmotorways
ifpossible,keepyoursidelightsonifitisdarkorvisibilityis
poor
donotstand(orletanybodyelsestand)betweenyour
vehicleandoncomingtraffic
atnightorinpoorvisibilitydonotstandwhereyouwill
preventotherroadusersseeingyourlights.

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2.Additionalrulesfor
motorways
275. Ifyourvehicledevelopsaproblem,leavethemotorwayatthe
nextexitorpullintoaservicearea.Ifyoucannotdoso,youshould
pullontothehardshoulderandstopasfartotheleftas
possible,withyourwheelsturnedtotheleft
trytostopnearanemergencytelephone(situatedat
approximatelyonemileintervalsalongthehardshoulder)
leavethevehiclebythelefthanddoorandensureyour
passengersdothesame.YouM USTleaveanyanimalsinthe
vehicleor,inanemergency,keepthemunderproper
controlontheverge.Neverattempttoplaceawarning
triangleonamotorway
donotputyourselfindangerbyattemptingevensimple
repairs
ensurethatpassengerskeepawayfromthecarriagewayand
hardshoulder,andthatchildrenarekeptundercontrol
walktoanemergencytelephoneonyoursideofthe
carriageway(followthearrowsonthepostsatthebackof
thehardshoulder)thetelephoneisfreeofchargeand
connectsdirectlytotheHighwaysAgencyorthepolice.Use
theseinpreferencetoamobilephone(seeR ule283).
Alwaysfacethetrafficwhenyouspeakonthephone
givefulldetailstotheHighwaysAgencyorthepolice;also
informthemifyouareavulnerablemotoristsuchas
disabled,olderortravellingalone

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returnandwaitnearyourvehicle(wellawayfromthe
carriagewayandhardshoulder)
ifyoufeelatriskfromanotherperson,returntoyourvehicle
byalefthanddoorandlockalldoors.Leaveyourvehicle
againassoonasyoufeelthisdangerhaspassed.
LawsMT(E&W)Rreg14&MT(S)Rreg12

276. Beforeyourejointhecarriagewayafterabreakdown,buildup
speedonthehardshoulderandwatchforasafegapinthetraffic.
Beawarethatothervehiclesmaybestationaryonthehard
shoulder.

277. Ifyoucannotgetyourvehicleontothehardshoulder
donotattempttoplaceanywarningdeviceonthe
carriageway

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switchonyourhazardwarninglights
leaveyourvehicleonlywhenyoucansafelygetclearofthe
carriageway.

278. Disableddrivers.Ifyouhaveadisabilitywhichpreventsyou
fromfollowingtheaboveadviceyoushould
stayinyourvehicle
switchonyourhazardwarninglights
displayaHelppennantor,ifyouhaveacarormobile
telephone,contacttheemergencyservicesandbeprepared
toadvisethemofyourlocation.

3.Obstructions
279. Ifanythingfallsfromyourvehicle(oranyothervehicle)onto
theroad,stopandretrieveitonlyifitissafetodoso.

280. Motorways.Onamotorwaydonottrytoremovethe
obstructionyourself.Stopatthenextemergencytelephoneand
calltheHighwaysAgencyorthepolice.

4.Incidents
281. Warningsignsorflashinglights.Ifyouseeorhearemergencyor
incidentsupportvehiclesinthedistance,beawaretheremaybe
anincidentahead(seeR
ule219).PoliceOfficersandHighways
AgencyTrafficOfficersmayberequiredtoworkinthe
carriageway,forexampledealingwithdebris,collisionsor
conductingrollingroadblocks.Policeofficerswilluserearfacing
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flashingredandbluelightsandHATrafficOfficerswilluse
rearfacingflashingredandamberlightsinthesesituations.Watch
outforsuchsignals,slowdownandbepreparedtostop.
YouMUSTfollowanydirectionsgivenbyPoliceofficersorTraffic
officersastowhetheryoucansafelypasstheincidentorblockage.
LawsRTA1988,sects35&163,andasamendedbyTMA2004,sect
6

282. Whenpassingthesceneofanincidentorcrashdonotbe
distractedorslowdownunnecessarily(forexampleifanincidentis
ontheothersideofadualcarriageway).Thismaycauseacollision
ortrafficcongestion,butseeRule283,below.

283. Ifyouareinvolvedinacrashorstoptogiveassistance
useyourhazardwarninglightstowarnothertraffic
askdriverstoswitchofftheirenginesandstopsmoking
arrangefortheemergencyservicestobecalledimmediately
withfulldetailsoftheincidentlocationandanycasualties
(onamotorway,usetheemergencytelephonewhichallows
easylocationbytheemergencyservices.Ifyouuseamobile
phone,firstmakesureyouhaveidentifiedyourlocation
fromthemarkerpostsonthesideofthehardshoulder)
moveuninjuredpeopleawayfromthevehiclestosafety;on
amotorwaythisshould,ifpossible,bewellawayfromthe
traffic,thehardshoulderandthecentralreservation
donotmoveinjuredpeoplefromtheirvehiclesunlessthey
areinimmediatedangerfromfireorexplosion
donotremoveamotorcyclistshelmetunlessitisessential
todoso

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bepreparedtogivef irstaid
stayatthesceneuntilemergencyservicesarrive.Ifyouare
involvedinanyothermedicalemergencyonthemotorway
youshouldcontacttheemergencyservicesinthesameway.

5.Incidentsinvolving
dangerousgoods
284. Vehiclescarryingdangerousgoodsinpackageswillbemarked
withplainorangereflectiveplates.Roadtankersandvehicles
carryingtankcontainersofdangerousgoodswillhavehazard
warningplates(d
ownloadVehiclemarkings).

285. Ifanincidentinvolvesavehiclecontainingdangerousgoods,
followtheadviceinRule283and,inparticular
switchoffenginesandD ONOTSMOKE
keepwellawayfromthevehicleanddonotbetemptedto
trytorescuecasualtiesasyouyourselfcouldbecomeone
calltheemergencyservicesandgiveasmuchinformationas
possibleaboutthelabelsandmarkingsonthevehicle.D O
NOTu seamobilephoneclosetoavehiclecarrying
flammableloads.

6.Documentation
286. Ifyouareinvolvedinacollisionwhichcausesdamageorinjury
toanyotherperson,vehicle,animalorproperty,youMUST
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stop
giveyourownandthevehicleownersnameandaddress,
andtheregistrationnumberofthevehicle,toanyonehaving
reasonablegroundsforrequiringthem
ifyoudonotgiveyournameandaddressatthetimeofthe
collision,reportittothepoliceassoonasreasonably
practicable,andinanycasewithin24hours.
LawRTA1988sect170

287. Ifanotherpersonisinjuredandyoudonotproduceyour
insurancecertificateatthetimeofthecrashtoapoliceofficeror
toanyonehavingreasonablegroundstorequestit,youMUST
reportittothepoliceassoonaspossibleandinanycase
within24hours
produceyourinsurancecertificateforthepolicewithin
sevendays.
LawRTA1988sect170

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Roadw orks,levelc rossings

andt ramways
1.Roadworks

288. WhentheRoadWorksAheadsignisdisplayed,youwillneedto
bemorewatchfulandlookforadditionalsignsprovidingmore
specificinstructions.Observeallsignstheyarethereforyour
safetyandthesafetyofroadworkers.
YouM USTNOTe xceedanytemporarymaximumspeed
limit.
Useyourmirrorsandgetintothecorrectlaneforyour
vehicleingoodtimeandassignsdirect.
Donotswitchlanestoovertakequeuingtraffic.
Takeextracarenearcyclistsandmotorcyclistsastheyare
vulnerabletoskiddingongrit,mudorotherdebrisatroad
works.
Wherelanesarerestrictedduetoroadworks,mergeinturn
(seeR ule134).
Donotdrivethroughanareamarkedoffbytrafficcones.
Watchoutfortrafficenteringorleavingtheworksarea,but
donotbedistractedbywhatisgoingonthere.Concentrate
ontheroadahead,nottheroadworks.
Bearinmindthattheroadaheadmaybeobstructedbythe
worksorbyslowmovingorstationarytraffic.

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Keepasafedistancetherecouldbequeuesinfront.To
obtainfurtherinformationaboutroadworks,
seeC
onversionsandfurtherreading.
LawRTRAsect16

2.Additionalrulesfor
highspeedroads
289. Takespecialcareonmotorwaysandotherhighspeeddual
carriageways.
Oneormorelanesmaybeclosedtotrafficandalower
speedlimitmayapply.
Worksvehiclesthatareslowmovingorstationarywitha
largeKeepLeftorKeepRightsignonthebackare
sometimesusedtocloselanesforrepairs,andaflashing
lightarrowmayalsobeusedtomaketheworksvehicle
moreconspicuousfromadistanceandgiveearlierwarning
todriversthattheyneedtomoveovertothenextlane.
Checkmirrors,slowdownandchangelanesifnecessary.
Keepasafedistancefromthevehicleinfront(seeR ule126).

290. Contraflowsystemsmeanthatyoumaybetravellingina
narrowerlanethannormalandwithnopermanentbarrier
betweenyouandoncomingtraffic.Thehardshouldermaybeused
fortraffic,butbeawarethattheremaybebrokendownvehicles
aheadofyou.Keepagooddistancefromthevehicleaheadand
observeanytemporaryspeedlimits.

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Levelcrossings

291. Alevelcrossingiswherearoadcrossesarailwayortramway
line.Approachandcrossitwithcare.Neverdriveontoacrossing
untiltheroadisclearontheothersideanddonotgettoocloseto
thecarinfront.Neverstoporparkon,ornear,acrossing.
Overheadelectriclines

292. Itisdangeroustotouchoverheadelectriclines.YouMUSTobey
thesafeheightwarningroadsignsandyoushouldnotcontinue
forwardontotherailwayifyourvehicletouchesanyheightbarrier
orbells.Theclearanceavailableisusually5metres(16feet6
inches)butmaybelower.
LawsRTA1988sect36,TSRGD2002reg17(5)

293. ControlledCrossings.Mostcrossingshavetrafficlightsignals
withasteadyamberlight,twinflashingredstoplights(d
ownload
Lightsignalscontrollingtraffic)andTrafficsigns)andanaudible
alarmforpedestrians.Theymayhavefull,halfornobarriers.
YouMUSTalwaysobeytheflashingredstoplights.
YouMUSTstopbehindthewhitelineacrosstheroad.
Keepgoingifyouhavealreadycrossedthewhitelinewhen
theamberlightcomeson.
Donotreverseontooroveracontrolledcrossing.
YouMUSTwaitifatraingoesbyandtheredlightscontinue
toflash.Thismeansanothertrainwillbepassingsoon.

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Onlycrosswhenthelightsgooffandbarriersopen.
Neverzigzagaroundhalfbarriers,theylowerautomatically
becauseatrainisapproaching.
Atcrossingswheretherearenobarriers,atrainis
approachingwhenthelightsshow.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&40

294. Railwayt elephones.Ify oua red rivinga largeo rs lowm
ovingv ehicle,a
long,lowvehiclewithariskofgrounding,orherdinganimals,a
traincouldarrivebeforeyouareclearofthecrossing.
YouMUSTobeyanysigninstructingyoutousetherailway
telephonetoobtainpermissiontocross.YouMUSTalsotelephone
whenclearofthecrossingifrequestedtodoso.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&16(1)

295. Crossingswithouttrafficlights.Vehiclesshouldstopandwaitat

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thebarrierorgatewhenitbeginstocloseandnotcrossuntilthe
barrierorgateopens.

296. Useroperatedgatesorbarriers.SomecrossingshaveStop
signsandsmallredandgreenlights.YouMUSTNOTcrosswhen
theredlightisshowing,onlycrossifthegreenlightison.If
crossingwithavehicle,youshould
openthegatesorbarriersonbothsidesofthecrossing
checkthatthegreenlightisstillonandcrossquickly
closethegatesorbarrierswhenyouareclearofthe
crossing.
LawsRTA1988sect36&TSRGDregs10&52(2)

297. Iftherearenolights,followtheprocedureinRule295.Stop,
lookbothwaysandlistenbeforeyoucross.Ifthereisarailway
telephone,alwaysuseittocontactthesignaloperatortomake
sureitissafetocross.Informthesignaloperatoragainwhenyou
areclearofthecrossing.

298. Opencrossings.Thesehavenogates,barriers,attendantor
trafficlightsbutwillhaveaGiveWaysign.Youshouldlookboth
ways,listenandmakesurethereisnotraincomingbeforeyou
cross.

299. Incidentsandbreakdowns.Ifyourvehiclebreaksdown,orif
youhaveanincidentonacrossingyoushould
geteveryoneoutofthevehicleandclearofthecrossing
immediately
usearailwaytelephoneifavailabletotellthesignal
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operator.Followtheinstructionsyouaregiven
movethevehicleclearofthecrossingifthereistimebefore
atrainarrives.Ifthealarmsounds,ortheamberlightcomes
on,leavethevehicleandgetclearofthecrossing
immediately.

3.Tramways

300. YouMUSTNOTenteraroad,laneorotherroutereservedfor
trams.Takeextracarewheretramsrunalongtheroad.Youshould
avoiddrivingdirectlyontopoftherailsandshouldtakecare
wheretramsleavethemaincarriagewaytoenterthereserved
route,toensureyoudonotfollowthem.Thewidthtakenupby
tramsisoftenshownbytramlanesmarkedbywhitelines,yellow
dotsorbyadifferenttypeofroadsurface.Diamondshapedsigns
andwhitelightsignalsgiveinstructionstotramdriversonly.
LawRTRAsects5&8

301. Takeextracarewherethetrackcrossesfromonesideofthe
roadtotheotherandwheretheroadnarrowsandthetrackscome
closetothekerb.Tramdriversusuallyhavetheirowntraffic
signalsandmaybepermittedtomovewhenyouarenot.Always
givewaytotrams.Donottrytoraceorovertakethemorpass
themontheinside,unlesstheyareattramstopsorstoppedby
tramsignalsandthereisadesignatedtramlaneforyoutopass.

302. YouMUSTNOTparkyourvehiclewhereitwouldgetintheway
oftramsorwhereitwouldforceotherdriverstodoso.Donot
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stoponanypartofatramtrack,exceptinadesignatedbaywhere
thishasbeenprovidedalongsideandclearofthetrack.When
doingso,ensurethatallpartsofyourvehicleareoutsidethe
delineatedtrampath.Rememberthatatramcannotsteerround
anobstruction.
LawRTRAsects5&8

303. Tramstops.Wherethetramstopsataplatform,eitherinthe
middleoratthesideoftheroad,youMUSTfollowtheroute
shownbytheroadsignsandmarkings.Atstopswithoutplatforms
youMUSTNOTdrivebetweenatramandthelefthandkerbwhen
atramhasstoppedtopickuppassengers.Ifthereisnoalternative
routesigned,donotovertakethetramwaituntilitmovesoff.
LawRTRAsects5&8

304. Lookoutforpedestrians,especiallychildren,runningtocatcha
tramapproachingastop.

305. Alwaysgiveprioritytotrams,especiallywhentheysignaltopull
awayfromstops,unlessitwouldbeunsafetodoso.Remember
thattheymaybecarryinglargenumbersofstandingpassengers
whocouldbeinjuredifthetramhadtomakeanemergencystop.
Lookoutforpeoplegettingoffabusortramandcrossingtheroad.

306. Allroadusers,butparticularlycyclistsandmotorcyclists,should
takeextracarewhendrivingorridingclosetoorcrossingthe
tracks,especiallyiftherailsarewet.Youshouldtakeparticular
carewhencrossingtherailsatshallowangles,onbendsandat

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junctions.Itissafesttocrossthetracksdirectlyatrightangles.
Otherroadusersshouldbeawarethatcyclistsandmotorcyclists
mayneedmorespacetocrossthetrackssafely.

307. Overheadelectriclines.Tramwayoverheadwiresarenormally
5.8metresaboveanycarriageway,butcanbelower.Youshould
ensurethatyouhavesufficientclearancebetweenthewireand
yourvehicle(includinganyloadyouarecarrying)beforedriving
underanoverheadwire.Driversofvehicleswithextendingcranes,
booms,tippingapparatusorothertypesofvariableheight
equipmentshouldensurethattheequipmentisfullylowered.
Whereoverheadwiresaresetlowerthan5.8metres,thesewillbe
indicatedbyheightclearancemarkingssimilartolowbridge
signs.Theheightclearancesontheseplatesshouldbecarefully
notedandobserved.Ifyouareinanydoubtastowhetheryour
vehiclewillpasssafelyunderthewires,youshouldalwayscontact
thelocalpoliceorthetramwayoperator.Nevertakeachanceas
thiscanbeextremelyhazardous.

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Directions ignso
nr oadsa nd
motorways
TheHighwayCodeleafletDirectionsignslistsallthesignsusedonBritish
motorways,Aroadsandlocalroads.
DownloadDirectionsigns

Informations igns
TheHighwayCodeleafletInformationsignslistsalltheinformationsigns
onUKroadsandmotorwaysthesetellroadusersaboutupcoming
junctions,lanerestrictions,specialzonesandmergingroadlanes.
DownloadInformationsigns

Lights ignalsc ontrolling

traffic
Downloadguidanceontrafficlight,motorwayandlanecontrolsignals
fromTheHighwayCode.
DownloadLightsignalscontrollingtraffic

Roadm
arkings
DownloadillustratedguidanceonroadmarkingsfromTheHighwayCode.

highwaycodeuk.co.uk155
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DownloadRoadmarkings

Roads ignsg ivingo

rders
TheHighwayCodeleafletSignsgivingorderslistsallthesignsthatyou
mustobeyonroadsintheUK.
DownloadSignsgivingorders

Roadw
orkss igns
DownloadaHighwayCodeleafletwithguidanceonroadworkssigns.
DownloadRoadworkssigns

Signalsb
ya uthorised
persons
Youmustobeysignalsgivenbypoliceofficers,trafficofficersandtraffic
wardensreadguidancefromTheHighwayCodeonthesignalsusedon
UKroadsandmotorways.
DownloadSignalsbyauthorisedpersons

Signalst oo
therr oadu
sers
DownloadguidancefromTheHighwayCodeaboutallthesignalsyoucan
maketowarnandinformotherroadusers,includingpedestrians.
DownloadSignalstootherroadusers

highwaycodeuk.co.uk156
 AAATHE

Traffics igns
TheHighwayCodesTrafficsignsisforallnewdriversandriderswho
needtopassthedrivingtheorytest.Itshowsthemostcommonlyused
trafficsignsonBritishroadsandmotorways.
DownloadTrafficsigns

Knowy ourt raffics igns

Knowyourtrafficsignsisaguideforallroadusers,newand
experienced.Itillustratesandexplainsalltheimportanttrafficsigns,
signalsandroadmarkingsfordrivers,cyclistsandpedestrians.
DownloadKnowyourtrafficsigns

Vehiclem
arkings
Vehiclemarkingshelpwithvisibilityandgiveinformationabout
dangerousorhazardousloadsreadalistofallvehiclemarkingsusedon
UKvehiclesfromTheHighwayCode.
DownloadVehiclemarkings

Warnings ignso
nt her oad
TheHighwayCodeleafletWarningsignslistsallthewarningsignsused
onBritishroadsthatalertdrivers,ridersandcycliststoroadconditions,
junctionsanddangersontheroad.
DownloadWarningsigns

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Annexes
Rulesf orc yclists
1.Youandyourbicycle
Makesurethatyoufeelconfidentofyourabilitytoridesafely
ontheroad.Besurethat
youchoosetherightsizeandtypeofcycleforcomfortand
safety
lightsandreflectorsarekeptcleanandingoodworking
order
tyresareingoodconditionandinflatedtothepressure
shownonthetyre
gearsareworkingcorrectly
thechainisproperlyadjustedandoiled
thesaddleandhandlebarsareadjustedtothecorrect
height.
Itisrecommendedthatyoufitabelltoyourcycle.
YouMUST
ensureyourbrakesareefficient
atnight,uselitfrontandrearlightsandhavearedrear
reflector.
LawsPCURregs6&10&RVLRreg18

Cycletrainingcanhelpbothchildrenandadults,especiallythose
adultsreturningtocyclingtodeveloptheskillsneededtocycle

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safelyontodaysroads.Anewnationalcycletrainingstandardhas
beendevelopedwhichtheGovernmentispromotingandmaking
fundingavailablefordeliveryinschools.
Allcyclistsshouldconsiderthebenefitsofundertakingcycle
training.Forinformation,contactyourlocalauthority.

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Rulesf orm
otorcyclists
2.Motorcyclelicence
requirements
Ifyouhaveaprovisionalmotorcyclelicence,youMUSTsatisfactorily
completeaCompulsoryBasicTraining(CBT)course.Youcanthenride
amotorcycleupto125ccwithapoweroutputnotexceeding11kW
onthepublicroad,withLplates(inWaleseitherDplates,Lplatesor
bothcanbeused),foruptotwoyears.Underdirectaccessyoucan
practiseonamotorcyclethatexceeds125ccprovidedthat:
youmeettheminimumageforthecategoryconcerned
youreaccompaniedatalltimesbyaqualifiedapproved
trainer,whoisonanothermotorcycleandinradiocontact
withyou
fluorescentorreflectivesafetyclothingiswornduring
supervision
redLplates(DplatesinWales)arefittedandprovisional
licencerestrictionsfollowed.
ToobtainyourfullmotorcyclelicenceyouMUSTpassamotorcycle
theorytestandthenapracticaltest.
LawMV(DL)Rregs16&68

A1motorcyclelicence:Atage17orover,youtakeatestona
motorcyclewithoutsidecarofbetween120and125cc.Ifyoupass
youmayrideamotorcycleupto125ccwithpoweroutputupto11

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kW,oramotortricyclewithpowernotexceeding15kW.
A2motorcyclelicence:Atage19orover,youtakeatestona
motorcyclewithoutsidecarofatleast395ccwithapoweroutput
ofatleast25kWbutnotexceeding35kW.Ifyoupass,youmay
rideanymotorcyclenotexceeding35kWandwithapowerto
weightrationotexceeding0.2kW/kg.
FullAmotorcyclelicence:Testtakenonamotorcyclewithout
sidecar,ofatleast595ccandanenginepowerofatleast40kW.
Thisgivesyoufullaccesstoallmotorcyclesandmotortricycles.You
obtainacategoryAlicencebytakingprogressiveaccessfromage
21,orunderthedirectaccessschemefromage24.
CategoryAunderprogressiveaccess:YoucantakeacategoryA
practicaltestatage21ifyoualreadyhaveanA2licencethatyouve
heldforaminimumoftwoyears.Youdontneedtotakeanother
theorytestorholdaCBTcertificate.
CategoryAunderdirectaccess:Thisisforridersaged24orover.
ToobtainacategoryAlicenceyoumust
successfullycompleteaCBTcourse
passthemotorcycletheorytest
passthepracticalmotorcycletest.
Passingthepracticaltestonamotorcycleofatleast40kW
(53.6bhp)givesimmediateaccesstoallsizesofmotorcycle.
YouMUSTNOTcarryapillionpassengerorpullatraileruntilyou
havepassedyourtest.AlsoseeRule253coveringvehicles
prohibitedfrommotorways.
LawMV(DL)Rreg16

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Mopedlicencerequirements
AmopedMUSThaveanenginecapacitynotexceeding50cc,not
weighmorethan250kgandbedesignedtohaveamaximumspeed
notexceeding28mph(45km/h).BeforeJune2003alicence
allowedtheridingofmopedsupto50km/h.
Torideamoped,learnersMUST
be16orover
haveaprovisionalmopedlicence
completeCBTtraining.

YouMUSTfirstpassthetheorytestformotorcyclesandthenthe
mopedpracticaltesttoobtainyourfullmopedlicence.Ifyou
passedyourcardrivingtestbefore1February2001youare
qualifiedtorideamopedwithoutLplates(and/orDplatesin
Wales),althoughitisrecommendedthatyoucompleteCBTbefore
ridingontheroad.Ifyoupassedyourcardrivingtestafterthisdate
youMUSTcompleteCBTbeforeridingamopedontheroad.
LawsRTA1988sects97(e)&101&MV(DL)Rregs38(4)&43

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Rulesf ord
riversa nd
motorcyclists
3.Motorvehicle
documentationandlearner
driverrequirements

Documents
Drivinglicence.YouMUSThaveavaliddrivinglicenceforthe
categoryofmotorvehicleyouaredriving.YouMUSTinformthe
DriverandVehicleLicensingAgency(DVLA)ifyouchangeyour
nameand/oraddress.
LawRTA1988sects87&99(4)

HoldersofnonEuropeanCommunitylicenceswhoarenow
residentintheUKmayonlydriveonthatlicenceforamaximumof
12monthsfromthedatetheybecomeresidentinthiscountry.To
ensurecontinuousdrivingentitlement
aBritishprovisionallicenceshouldbeobtainedandadriving
test(s)passedbeforethe12monthperiodelapses,or
inthecaseofadriverwhoholdsalicencefromacountry
whichhasbeendesignatedinlawforlicenceexchange

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purposes,thedrivershouldexchangethelicencefora
Britishone.

MOT.CarsandmotorcyclesMUSTnormallypassanMOTtestthree
yearsfromthedateofthefirstregistrationandeveryyearafter
that.YouM USTNOTdriveamotorvehiclewithoutanMOT
certificatewhenitshouldhaveone.Exceptionally,youmaydriveto
aprearrangedtestappointmentortoagarageforrepairsrequired
forthetest.Drivinganunroadworthymotorvehiclemayinvalidate
yourinsurance.FromNovember2012,motorvehicles
manufacturedbefore1960willbeexemptedfromanMOT
requirement,althoughtheycanstillbesubmittedforatest
voluntarily.Ownersarestilllegallyrequiredtoensuretheirvehicle
issafeandroadworthy.
LawRTA1988sects45,47,49&53

Insurance.Touseamotorvehicleontheroad,youMUSThavea
validinsurancepolicy.ThisMUSTatleastcoveryouforinjuryor
damagetoathirdpartywhileusingthatmotorvehicle.Before
drivinganymotorvehicle,makesurethatithasthiscoverforyour
useorthatyourowninsuranceprovidesadequatecover.
YouMUSTNOTdriveamotorvehiclewithoutinsurance.Also,be
awarethatevenifaroadtrafficincidentisnotyourfault,youmay
stillbeheldliablebyinsurancecompanies.
LawRTA1988sect143

Uninsureddriverscannowbeautomaticallydetectedbyroadside
cameras.Furthertothepenaltiesforuninsureddriving

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(seePenaltytable),anoffendersvehiclecannowbeseizedbythe
Police,takenawayandcrushed.
LawRTA1988,sects165a&165b

Thetypesofcoveravailableareindicatedbelow:

ThirdPartyinsurancethisisoftenthecheapestformofinsurance,
andistheminimumcoverrequiredbylaw.Itcoversanyoneyou
mightinjureorwhosepropertyyoumightdamage.Itdoesnot
coverdamagetoyourownmotorvehicleorinjurytoyourself.

ThirdParty,FireandTheftinsurancesimilartothirdparty,but
alsocoversyouagainstyourmotorvehiclebeingstolen,or
damagedbyfire.

Comprehensiveinsurancethisisthemostexpensivebutthebest
insurance.Apartfromcoveringotherpersonsandpropertyagainst
injuryordamage,italsocoversdamagetoyourownmotorvehicle,
uptothemarketvalueofthatvehicle,andpersonalinjuryto
yourself.

Registrationcertificate.Registrationcertificates(alsocalled
harmonisedregistrationcertificates)areissuedforallmotor
vehiclesusedontheroad,describingthem(make,model,etc)and
givingdetailsoftheregisteredkeeper.YouMUSTnotifytheDriver
andVehicleLicensingAgencyinSwanseaassoonaspossiblewhen
youbuyorsellamotorvehicle,orifyouchangeyournameor
address.Forregistrationcertificatesissuedafter27March1997,

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thebuyerandsellerareresponsibleforcompletingtheregistration
certificates.ThesellerisresponsibleforforwardingthemtoDVLA.
Theproceduresareexplainedonthebackoftheregistration
certificates.
LawRV(R&L)Rregs21,22,23&24.

VehicleExciseDuty(VED).VehicleExciseDutyMUSTbepaidonall
motorvehiclesusedorkeptonpublicroads.
LawVERAsects29and33

StatutoryOffRoadNotification(SORN).Thisisanotificationtothe
DVLAthatamotorvehicleisnotbeingusedontheroad.Ifyouare
thevehiclekeeperandwanttokeepamotorvehicleuntaxedand
offthepublicroadyouMUSTdeclareSORNitisanoffencenotto
doso.Youthenwonthavetopayanyroadtaxforthatvehiclefora
periodof12months.Youneedtosendafurtherdeclarationafter
thatperiodifthevehicleisstilloffthepublicroad.TheSORNwill
endifyousellthevehicleandthenewownerwillbecome
immediatelyresponsible.Ifyourvehicleisunusedorofftheroad,
itMUSThaveeitheraSORNdeclarationorvalidinsurance.
LawRV(RL)R2002,reg26sched4

Productionofdocuments.YouMUSTbeabletoproduceyour
drivinglicenceandcounterpart,avalidinsurancecertificateand(if
appropriate)avalidMOTcertificate,whenrequestedbyapolice
officer.Ifyoucannotdothisyoumaybeaskedtotakethemtoa
policestationwithinsevendays.
LawRTA1988sects164&165

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Learnerdrivers
LearnersdrivingacarMUSTholdavalidprovisionallicence.They
MUSTbesupervisedbysomeoneatleast21yearsoldwhoholdsa
fullEC/EEAlicenceforthattypeofcar(automaticormanual)and
hasheldoneforatleastthreeyears.
LawsMV(DL)Rreg16&RTA1988sect87

Vehicles.AnyvehicledrivenbyalearnerMUSTdisplayredLplates.
InWales,eitherredDplates,redLplates,orboth,canbeused.
PlatesMUSTconformtolegalspecificationsandMUSTbeclearly
visibletoothersfrominfrontofthevehicleandfrombehind.Plates
shouldberemovedorcoveredwhennotbeingdrivenbyalearner
(exceptondrivingschoolvehicles).
LawMV(DL)Rreg16&sched4

YouMUSTpassthet heorytest(ifoneisrequired)andthena
practicaldrivingtestforthecategoryofvehicleyouwishtodrive
beforedrivingunaccompanied.
LawMV(DL)Rreg40

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Usingt her oad

4.Theroaduserandthelaw
ThefollowinglistcanbefoundabbreviatedthroughouttheCode.Itis
notintendedtobeacomprehensiveguide,butaguidetosomeofthe
importantpointsoflaw.Fortheprecisewordingofthelaw,please
refertothevariousActsandRegulations(asamended)indicatedinthe
Code.Abbreviationsarelistedbelow.
MostoftheprovisionsapplyonallroadsthroughoutGreatBritain,
althoughtherearesomeexceptions.Thedefinitionofaroadin
EnglandandWalesisanyhighwayandanyotherroadtowhichthe
publichasaccessandincludesbridgesoverwhicharoadpasses(RTA
1988sect192(1)).InScotland,thereisasimilardefinitionwhichis
extendedtoincludeanywayoverwhichthepublichavearightof
passage(R(S)A1984sect151(1)).
Itisimportanttonotethatreferencestoroadthereforegenerally
includefootpaths,bridlewaysandcycletracks,andmanyroadways
anddrivewaysonprivateland(includingmanycarparks).Inmost
cases,thelawwillapplytothemandtheremaybeadditionalrulesfor
particularpathsorways.Someseriousdrivingoffences,including
drinkdrivingoffences,alsoapplytoallpublicplaces,forexample
publiccarparks.
Actsandregulationsfrom1988canbeviewedontheUKlegislation
site.Actsandregulationspriorto1988areonlyavailableintheir
originalprintformatwhichmaybeobtainedfromTheStationery
Officeasdetailedinsidethebackcover.

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Actsandregulationspriorto1988
ChronicallySick&DisabledPersonsAct1970CSDPA
FunctionsofTrafficWardensOrder1970FTWO
GreaterLondon(GeneralPowers)Act1974GL(GP)A
HighwayAct1835or1980(asindicated)HA
MotorwaysTraffic(England&Wales)Regulations1982MT(E&W)R
MotorwaysTraffic(England&Wales)AmendedRegulations
MT(E&W)(A)R
PedalCycles(Construction&Use)Regulations1983PCUR
PublicPassengerVehiclesAct1981PPVA
RoadTrafficAct1984RTA
RoadTrafficRegulationAct1984RTRA
RoadVehicles(Construction&Use)Regulations1986CUR
Roads(Scotland)Act1984R(S)A
Actsandregulationsfrom1988onwards
Horses( ProtectiveH eadgearf orY oungR iders)A ct1
990H (PHYR)A
Horses( ProtectiveH eadgearf orY oungR iders)R egulations1 992H
(PHYR)R
MotorC ycles( EyeP rotectors)R egulations1 999M C(EP)R
MotorC ycles( ProtectiveH elmets)R egulations1 998M C(PH)R
MotorwaysT raffic( Scotland)R egulations1 995M T(S)R
MotorV ehicles( DrivingL icences)R egulations1 999M V(DL)R
MotorV ehicles( Wearingo fS eatB elts)R egulations1 993M V(WSB)R
MotorV ehicles( Wearingo fS eatB elts)( Amendment)R egulations2 006
MV(WSB)(A)R
MotorV ehicles( Wearingo fS eatB eltsb
yC
hildreninF rontS eats)R
egulations
1993M
V(WSBCFS)R
NewR
oadsa ndS treetworksA ct1
991N RSWA
Powerso fC
riminalC ourts( Sentencing)A ct2
000P CC(S)A
PoliceR
eformA ct2
002P
RA
Prohibitiono fS mokinginC ertainP remises( Scotland)R egulations2 006.
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ScottishS I2
006/No9 0T PSCP(S)R*
RoadS afetyA ct2
006R SA
RoadT rafficA ct1
988R TA
RoadT rafficA ct1
991R TA
RoadT raffic( NewD rivers)A ct1 995R T(ND)A
RoadT rafficO ffendersA ct1 988R TOA
RoadV ehicles( Displayo fR
egistrationM arks)R egulations2 001R
V(DRM)R
RoadV ehiclesL ightingR egulations1 989R VLR
RoadV ehicles( Registration& L icensing)R egulations2 002R V(R&L)R
Smokefree( Exemptionsa ndV ehicles)R egulations2 007S I2 007/765T Sf(EV)*
SmokefreeP remisese tc( Wales)R egulations2 007S I2
007/W787T SfP(W)R*
TrafficM anagementA ct2 004T MA
TrafficS ignsR egulations& G eneralD irections2 002T SRGD
Useo
fInvalidC arriageso nH
ighwaysR egulations1 988U ICHR
VehicleE xcisea ndR egistrationA ct1 994V ERA
Zebra,P elicana ndP uffinP edestrianC rossingsR egulationsa ndG eneral
Directions1 997Z PPPCRGD
*Specificlegislationa ppliest os mokinginv ehiclesw hichc onstitute
workplaces.F orinformation,v isith ttp://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk;
http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com;h ttp://www.smokingbanwales.co.uk

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Penalties
1.PenaltiesandtheHighway
Code
ThisHighwayCodeappliestoEngland,ScotlandandWales.The
HighwayCodeisessentialreadingforeveryone.

Parliamentsetsthemaximumpenaltiesforroadtrafficoffences.The
seriousnessoftheoffenceisreflectedinthemaximumpenalty.Itisfor
thecourtstodecidewhatsentencetoimposeaccordingto
circumstances.

Thepenaltytableindicatessomeofthemainoffences,andthe
associatedpenalties.Thereisawiderangeofothermorespecific
offenceswhich,forthesakeofsimplicity,arenotshownhere.The
penaltypointsanddisqualificationsystemisdescribedbelow.

2.2.Penaltypointsand
disqualification
Thepenaltypointsystemisintendedtodeterdriversandmotorcyclists
fromfollowingunsafemotoringpractices.Certainnonmotoring
offences,e.g.failuretorectifyvehicledefects,canalsoattractpenalty
points.

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 AAATHE

ThecourtMUSTorderpointstobeendorsedonthelicenceaccording
tothefixednumberortherangesetbyParliament.Theaccumulation
ofpenaltypointsactsasawarningtodriversandmotorcycliststhat
theyriskdisqualificationiffurtheroffencesarecommitted.
LawRTOAsects44&45

Adriverormotorcyclistwhoaccumulates12ormorepenaltypoints
withina3yearperiodMUSTbedisqualified.Thiswillbefora
minimumperiodof6months,orlongerifthedriverormotorcyclist
haspreviouslybeendisqualified.
LawRTOAsect35

Foreveryoffencewhichcarriespenaltypointsthecourthasa
discretionarypowertoorderthelicenceholdertobedisqualified.This
maybeforanyperiodthecourtthinksfit,butwillusuallybebetween
aweekandafewmonths.

Inthecaseofseriousoffences,suchasdangerousdrivingand
drinkdriving,thecourtMUSTorderdisqualification.Theminimum
periodis12months,butforrepeatoffendersorwherethealcohol
levelishigh,itmaybelonger.Forexample,aseconddrinkdrive
offenceinthespaceof10yearswillresultinaminimumof3years
disqualification.
LawRTOAsect34

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3.Penaltytable
Offence Maximump
enalty Penalty
points

*Causingd
eathb
yd
angerous14y earsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/O
bligatory 3to1
1( if
driving disqualification( minimum2
y ears) exceptionally
not
disqualified)

*Dangerousd
riving 2y earsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/O
bligatory 3to1
1( if
disqualification exceptionally
not
disqualified)

*Causingd
eathb
yc areless 14y earsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/O
bligatory 3to1
1( if
drivingu
ndertheinfluenceo
fdisqualification( minimum2
y ears) exceptionally
drinko
rd
rugs not
disqualified)

Carelessa
ndinconsiderate Unlimitedfine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification 3to9

driving

Drivingw
hileu
nfitthrough 6m
onthsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/O
bligatory3to1
1( if
drinko
rd
rugso
rw
ithe
xcessdisqualification exceptionally
alcohol:o
rfailingtop
rovidea
not
specimenfora
nalysis disqualified)

Failingtos topa
ftera
n 6m
onthsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/ 5to1
0

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accidento
rfailingtor eporta
nDiscretionaryd
isqualification
accident

Drivingw
hiled
isqualified 6m
onthsimprisonment( 12m
onthsinS
cotland)/ 6
Unlimitedfine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification

Drivinga
fterr efusalo
r 6m
onthsimprisonment/U
nlimitedfine/ 3to6

revocationo
flicenceo
n Discretionaryd
isqualification
medicalg
rounds

Drivingw
ithoutinsurance Unlimitedfine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification 6to8

Usinga
v ehicleina
LGVo
rP
CVu
nlimited,o
therv ehicles
2,500/ 3ine
ach
dangerousc ondition Obligatoryd
isqualificationifo
ffencec ommitted case
within3
y earso
fa
p
reviousc onvictionfora
s imilar
offence 6
m
onthsm
in.O
therwised
iscretionary

Failuretoh
avep
roperc ontrol1,000fine( 2,500forP
CVo
rg
oodsv ehicle)/ 3
ofv ehicleo
rfullv iewo
fthe Discretionaryd
isqualification
roada
ndtraffica
head

Usinga
h
andheldm
obile 1,000fine( 2,500forP
CVo
rg
oodsv ehicle)/ 6
phonew
hend
riving Discretionaryd
isqualification

Drivingo
therwisethanin 1,000fine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification 3to6

accordancew
itha
licence

Speeding 1,000fine( 2,500form

otorwayo
ffences)/ 3to6
,o
r3

Discretionaryd
isqualification (fixedp
enalty)

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Trafficlighto
ffences 1,000fine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification 3

NoM
OTc ertificate 1,000fine

Seatb
elto
ffences 500fine

Dangerousc ycling 2,500fine

Carelessc ycling 1,000fine

Cyclingo
np
avement 500fine

Failingtoidentifyd
rivero
f 1,000fine/D
iscretionaryd
isqualification
vehicle

*Whereacourtdisqualifiesapersononconvictionforoneofthese
offences,itmustorderanextendedretest.Thecourtsalsohave
discretiontoorderaretestforanyotheroffencewhichcarriespenalty
points,anextendedretestwheredisqualificationisobligatory,andan
ordinarytestwheredisqualificationisnotobligatory.

Furthermore,insomeseriouscases,thecourtMUST(inadditionto
imposingafixedperiodofdisqualification)ordertheoffendertobe
disqualifieduntiltheypassadrivingtest.Inothercasesthecourthasa
discretionarypowertoordersuchdisqualification.Thetestmaybean
ordinarylengthtestoranextendedtestaccordingtothenatureofthe
offence.

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4.Newdrivers
Specialrulesassetoutbelowapplyforaperiodoftwoyearsfrom
thedateofpassingtheirfirstd
rivingtest,todriversand
motorcyclistsfrom
theUK,EU/EEA,theIsleofMan,theChannelIslandsor
Gibraltarwhopassedtheirfirstdrivingtestinanyofthose
countries
otherforeigncountrieswhohavetopassaUKdrivingtestto
gainaUKlicence,inwhichcasetheUKdrivingtestistreated
astheirfirstdrivingtest;and
otherforeigncountrieswho(withoutneedingatest)
exchangedtheirlicenceforaUKlicenceandsubsequently
passedaUKdrivingtesttodriveanothertypeofvehicle,in
whichcasetheUKdrivingtestistreatedastheirfirstdriving
test.Forexampleadriverwhoexchangesaforeignlicence
(car)foraUKlicence(car)andwholaterpassesatestto
driveanothertypeofvehicle(e.g.anHGV)willbesubjectto
thespecialrules.
Whereapersonsubjecttothespecialrulesaccumulates6ormore
penaltypointsbeforetheendofthe2yearperiod(includingany
pointsacquiredbeforepassingthetest)theirlicencewillbe
revokedautomatically.Toregainthelicencetheymustreapplyfor
aprovisionallicenceandmaydriveonlyasalearneruntiltheypass
afurtherdrivingtest(alsoseeAnnex8Safetycodefornew
drivers.)
LawRT(ND)A
Note.Thisapplieseveniftheypayforoffencesbyfixedpenalty.
Driversinthefirstgroup(UK,EU/EEAetc.)whoalreadyhaveafull
licenceforonetypeofvehiclearenotaffectedbythespecialrules

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iftheylaterpassatesttodriveanothertypeofvehicle.

5.Otherconsequencesof
offending
Whereanoffenceispunishablebyimprisonmentthenthevehicle
usedtocommittheoffencemaybeconfiscated.
LawPCC(S)A,sect143

Inadditiontothepenaltiesacourtmaydecidetoimpose,thecost
ofinsuranceislikelytoriseconsiderablyfollowingconvictionfora
seriousdrivingoffence.Thisisbecauseinsurancecompanies
considersuchdriversaremorelikelytobeinvolvedinacollision.

Driversdisqualifiedfordrinkinganddrivingtwicewithin10years,
oronceiftheyareover2andahalftimesthelegallimit,orthose
whorefusedtogiveaspecimen,alsohavetosatisfytheDriverand
VehicleLicensingAgencysMedicalBranchthattheydonothavean
alcoholproblemandareotherwisefittodrivebeforetheirlicence
isreturnedattheendoftheirperiodofdisqualification.Persistent
misuseofdrugsoralcoholmayleadtothewithdrawalofadriving
licence.

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Vehiclem aintenance,
safetya nds ecurity
1.Vehiclemaintenance
Takespecialcarethatlights,brakes,steering,exhaustsystem,seat
belts,demisters,wipersandwashersareallworking.Also
lights,indicators,reflectors,andnumberplatesMUSTbe
keptcleanandclear
windscreensandwindowsMUSTbekeptcleanandfree
fromobstructionstovision
lightsMUSTbeproperlyadjustedtopreventdazzlingother
roadusers.
Extraattentionneedstobepaidtothisifthevehicleis
heavilyloaded
exhaustemissionsMUSTNOTexceedprescribedlevels
ensureyourseat,seatbelt,headrestraintandmirrorsare
adjustedcorrectlybeforeyoudrive
ensurethatitemsofluggagearesecurelystowed.
LawsRVLR1989regs23&27&CUR1986,regs30&61

Warningdisplays.Makesurethatyouunderstandthemeaningof
allwarningdisplaysonthevehicleinstrumentpanel.Donotignore
warningsigns,theycouldindicateadangerousfaultdeveloping.
Whenyouturntheignitionkey,warninglightswillbe
illuminatedbutwillgooutwhentheenginestarts(except
thehandbrakewarninglight).Iftheydonot,oriftheycome
onwhileyouaredriving,stopandinvestigatetheproblem,
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asyoucouldhaveaseriousfault.
Ifthechargewarninglightcomesonwhileyouaredriving,it
maymeanthatthebatteryisntcharging.Thisshouldalsobe
checkedassoonaspossibletoavoidlossofpowertolights
andotherelectricalsystems.

Windowtints.YouMUSTNOTuseavehiclewithexcessivelydark
tintingappliedtothewindscreen,ortotheglassinanyfront
windowtoeithersideofthedriver.Windowtintingappliedduring
manufacturecomplieswiththeVisualLightTransmittance(VLT)
standards.TherearenoVLTlimitsforrearwindscreensorrear
passengerwindows.
LawsRTA1988sect42&CURreg32
Tyres.TyresMUSTbecorrectlyinflatedtothevehicle
manufacturersspecificationfortheloadbeingcarried.Always
refertothevehicleshandbookordata.Tyresshouldalsobefree
fromcertaincutsandotherdefects.Cars,lightvansandlight
trailersMUSThaveatreaddepthofatleast1.6mmacrossthe
centralthreequartersofthebreadthofthetreadandaroundthe
entirecircumference.Motorcycles,largevehiclesand
passengercarryingvehiclesMUSThaveatreaddepthofatleast1
mmacrossthreequartersofthebreadthofthetreadandina
continuousbandaroundtheentirecircumference.Mopedsshould
havevisibletread.Beawarethatsomevehicledefectscanattract
penaltypoints.
LawCURreg27
Ifatyreburstswhileyouaredriving,trytokeepcontrolofyour
vehicle.Gripthesteeringwheelfirmlyandallowthevehicletoroll
toastopatthesideoftheroad.
Ifyouhaveaflattyre,stopassoonasitissafetodoso.Only
changethetyreifyoucandosowithoutputtingyourselforothers

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atriskotherwisecallabreakdownservice.
Tyrepressures.Checkweekly.Dothisbeforeyourjourney,when
tyresarecold.Warmorhottyresmaygiveamisleadingreading.
Yourbrakesandsteeringwillbeadverselyaffectedby
underinflatedoroverinflatedtyres.Excessiveoruneventyrewear
maybecausedbyfaultsinthebrakingorsuspensionsystems,or
wheelswhichareoutofalignment.Havethesefaultscorrectedas
soonaspossible.
Fluidlevels.Checkthefluidlevelsinyourvehicleatleastweekly.
Lowbrakefluidmayresultinbrakefailureandacrash.Makesure
yourecognisethelowfluidwarninglightsifyourvehiclehasthem
fitted.
Beforewinter.Ensurethatthebatteryiswellmaintainedandthat
thereareappropriateantifreezeagentsinyourradiatorand
windscreenbottle.
Otherproblems.Ifyourvehicle
pullstoonesidewhenbraking,itismostlikelytobeabrake
faultorincorrectlyinflatedtyres.Consultagarageor
mechanicimmediately
continuestobounceafterpushingdownonthefrontor
rear,itsshockabsorbersareworn.Wornshockabsorbers
canseriouslyaffecttheoperationofavehicleandshouldbe
replaced
smellsofanythingunusualsuchasburningrubber,petrolor
anelectricalfault;investigateimmediately.Donotriskafire.

Overheatedenginesorfire.Mostenginesarewatercooled.Ifyour
engineoverheatsyoushouldwaituntilithascoolednaturally.Only
thenremovethecoolantfillercapandaddwaterorothercoolant.

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Ifyourvehiclecatchesfire,gettheoccupantsoutofthevehicle
quicklyandtoasafeplace.Donotattempttoextinguishafirein
theenginecompartment,asopeningthebonnetwillmakethefire
flare.Callthefirebrigade.
Petrolstations/fueltank/fuelleaks.Ensurethat,whenfillingup
yourvehiclestankoranyfuelcansyouarecarrying,youdonot
spillfuelontheforecourt.Anyspilledfuelshouldbeimmediately
reportedtothepetrolstationattendant.Dieselspillageis
dangeroustootherroadusers,particularlymotorcyclists,asitwill
significantlyreducethelevelofgripbetweenthetyresandroad
surface.Doublecheckforfuelleaksandmakesurethatyoudo
notoverfillyourfueltankthefuelcapisfastenedsecurelythe
sealinthecapisnottorn,perishedormissingthereisnovisual
damagetothecaporthefueltank
Emergencyfuelcaps,iffitted,shouldformagoodseal.
Neversmoke,oruseamobilephone,ontheforecourtofpetrol
stationsasthesearemajorfirerisksandcouldcauseanexplosion.

2.Vehiclesecurity
Whenyouleaveyourvehicleyoushould
removetheignitionkeyandengagethesteeringlock
lockthecar,evenifyouonlyleaveitforafewminutes
closethewindowscompletely
neverleavechildrenorpetsinanunventilatedcar
takeallcontentswithyou,orlockthemintheboot.
Remember,forallathiefknowsacarrierbagmaycontain
valuables
neverleavevehicledocumentsinthecar.

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Forextrasecurityfitanantitheftdevicesuchasanalarmor
immobiliser.Ifyouarebuyinganewcaritisagoodideatocheck
thelevelofbuiltinsecurityfeatures.Considerhavingyour
registrationnumberetchedonallyourcarwindows.Thisisacheap
andeffectivedeterrenttoprofessionalthieves.

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Firsta ido
nt her oad
ThisHighwayCodeappliestoEngland,ScotlandandWales.The
HighwayCodeisessentialreadingforeveryone.

Thefollowinginformationmaybeofgeneralassistance,buttheres
nosubstituteforpropertraining.Anyfirstaidgivenatthesceneof
anincidentshouldbelookedononlyasatemporarymeasureuntil
theemergencyservicesarrive.Ifyouhaventhadanyfirstaid
training,thefollowingpointscouldbehelpful.

1.Dealwithdanger
Furthercollisionsandfirearethemaindangersfollowingacrash.
Approachanyvehicleinvolvedwithcare.Switchoffallenginesand,
ifpossible,warnothertraffic.Stopanyonefromsmoking.

2.Gethelp
Trytogettheassistanceofbystanders.Getsomeonetocallthe
appropriateemergencyserviceson999or112assoonaspossible.
Theywillneedtoknowtheexactlocationoftheincidentandthe
numberofvehiclesinvolved.Trytogiveinformationaboutthe
conditionofanycasualties,egifanyoneishavingdifficulty
breathing,isbleedingheavilyordoesnotrespondwhenspokento.

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3.Helpthoseinvolved
DONOTmovecasualtiesstillinvehiclesunlessthereisthethreatof
furtherdanger.DONOTremoveamotorcyclistshelmetunlessitis
essential.Rememberthecasualtymaybesufferingfromshock.DO
NOTgivethemanythingtoeatordrink.DOtrytomakethemwarm
andascomfortableasyoucan.Protectthemfromrainorsnow,but
avoidunnecessarymovement.DOgivereassuranceconfidentlyand
trynottoleavethemaloneorletthemwanderintothepathof
othertraffic.

4.Provideemergencycare
RememberthelettersDRABC:
DDangerCheckthatyouarenotindanger.
RResponseTrytogetaresponsebyaskingquestionsandgently
shakingtheirshoulders.
AAirwayIfthepersonisnottalkingandtheairwaymaybe
blocked,thenplaceonehandunderthechinandliftthechinup
andforward.Iftheyarestillhavingdifficultywithbreathingthen
gentlytilttheheadback.
BBreathingNormalbreathingshouldbeestablished.Oncethe
airwayisopencheckbreathingforupto10seconds.
CCompressionsIftheyhavenosignsoflifeandthereisnopulse,
thenchestcompressionsshouldbeadministered.Placetwohands
inthecentreofthechestandpressdownhardandfast56cmat
arateof100/minute.Youmayonlyneedonehandforachildand

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shouldntpressdownasfar.Forinfants,usetwofingersinthe
middleofthechestwhendeliveringcompressionsanddontpress
downtoofar.

Bleeding
First,checkforanythingthatmaybeinthewound,suchasglass.
Takingcarenottopressontheobject,builduppaddingoneither
sideoftheobject.Iftheresnothingembedded,applyfirmpressure
overthewoundtostemtheflowofblood.Assoonaspractical,
fastenapadtothewoundwithabandageorlengthofcloth.Use
thecleanestmaterialavailable.Ifalimbisbleedingbutnotbroken,
raiseitabovethelevelofthehearttoreducetheflowofblood.Any
restrictionofbloodcirculationformorethanashorttimecould
causelongterminjuries.

Burns
Checkthecasualtyforshock,andifpossible,trytocooltheburnfor
atleast10minuteswithplentyofclean,coldwaterorother
nontoxicliquid.Donttrytoremoveanythingthatsstickingtothe
burn.

Beprepared
Alwayscarryafirstaidkityoumightneverneedit,butitcould
savealife.Learnfirstaidyoucangetfirstaidtrainingfroma
qualifiedorganisationsuchasStJohnAmbulanceandBrigade,S t
AndrewsFirstAid,B ritishRedCrossSociety,oranysuitable
qualifiedbody.
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Safetyc odef orn

ewd
rivers
Thiscodewillhelpyoudrivesafelyinyourfirstyearafterpassing
thedrivingtest,whenyouaremostvulnerable.

YoushouldalwaysfollowtheHighwayCode.
1. Itsmostdangerousdrivingatnightdontdrivebetweenmidnight
and6amunlessitsreallynecessary.
2. Dontletpassengersdistractyouorencourageyoutotakerisks
tellthemthatyouneedtoconcentrateontheroad.
3. Nevershowoffortrytocompetewithotherdrivers,particularlyif
theyaredrivingbadly.
4. Dontdriveifyouvedrunkanyalcoholortakendrugs.Some
medicinescanaffectyourabilitytodrivesafelyalwaysreadthe
warningonthelabel.
5. Makesureeveryoneswearingaseatbeltthroughoutthejourney.
6. Keepyourspeeddownespeciallyonbends.
7. Beverycarefuldrivinghighpoweredorsportycarsevenifyou
learnttodriveinone.
8. Youmusthaveinsuranceitsanoffencetodrivewithoutit.

Youllloseyourlicenceifyouget6penaltypointswithin2yearsof
passingyourfirstdrivingtest.Youllneedtopassbothtestsagainto
getitback.

Furtherreadingandconversions
TheHighwayCodeappliestoEngland,ScotlandandWales.Checkthe

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metricconversionstabletoconvertmilestokilometresandaccessother
usefulsourcesofinformationabouttravellinganddriving.

Metricconversions
Miles Kilometres
1.00 1.61

5.00 8.05

10.00 16.09

15.00 24.14

20.00 32.19

25.00 40.23

30.00 48.28

35.00 56.33

40.00 64.37

45.00 72.42

50.00 80.47

55.00 88.51

60.00 96.56

65.00 104.60

70.00 112.65

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