Navigating the Road: Essential Driving Skills

FAQ: Using the RoadWhat are the essential checks a driver should make before moving off?Before setting off, a driver should perform thorough checks to ensure the road is clear and it is safe to move. This includes using all mirrors to assess the surroundings, looking around to check for blind spots (areas not visible in the mirrors), signaling if necessary to indicate the intention to move, and conducting a final visual check before proceeding. Moving off should only occur when it is confirmed to be safe.
What are the key considerations for safe driving once a vehicle is in motion?Once moving, drivers should generally keep to the left side of the road unless directed otherwise by signs or markings, or when performing maneuvers like overtaking, turning right, or passing obstructions. On right-hand bends, keeping well to the left improves visibility and reduces collision risk. Drivers should maintain control by keeping both hands on the steering wheel or handlebars where possible, although driver assistance systems can be used according to manufacturer instructions. Awareness of other road users, especially vulnerable ones like cyclists and motorcyclists who may be filtering, is crucial. Give these users ample space, particularly with larger vehicles or trailers, and avoid cutting across cyclists when changing direction or lane. When descending long slopes, selecting a lower gear helps control speed. Finally, when towing, remember the extra length and weight will impact overtaking, maneuvering, braking, and acceleration.
How should drivers effectively use their mirrors while driving?Effective mirror use is vital throughout a journey. Drivers should check their mirrors frequently to stay informed about traffic behind and to the sides. Mirrors should be used in good time before signaling or changing direction or speed. It's important to remember that mirrors have blind spots, so looking around to check these areas is also necessary. The mnemonic "Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre" serves as a helpful reminder for the correct sequence of actions before changing direction or speed.
What are the critical steps to take before and during an overtaking maneuver?Before attempting to overtake, a driver must ensure the road ahead is sufficiently clear, that no other road users are already attempting to overtake them, and that there is adequate space in front of the vehicle they intend to pass. Overtaking should only be undertaken when it is safe and legal. This involves not getting too close to the vehicle in front, using mirrors, signaling when safe, checking the blind spot with a quick glance, and then moving out. Drivers should not assume they can simply follow another vehicle that is overtaking; there might only be room for one vehicle. Once the maneuver begins, pass quickly, leaving plenty of room, and return to the left as soon as it's safe without cutting in. Extra caution is required at night and in poor visibility when judging speed and distance is more challenging. Give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or obstructions on your side. Overtaking on the left is generally only permitted if the vehicle ahead is signaling to turn right and there is space. In slow-moving queues, stay in your lane unless the queue on the right is moving slower, allowing you to pass on the left. Exercise caution when passing slower traffic, particularly near junctions and large vehicles. Provide ample space to vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles, and pedestrians walking in the road, maintaining specific minimum distances depending on the speed and user type. If it is unsafe or impossible to meet these clearances, wait behind the vulnerable road user.
What are some situations where overtaking is prohibited or strongly discouraged?Drivers MUST NOT overtake if it involves crossing or straddling double white lines with a solid line nearest to them (with certain exceptions), entering an area designed to divide traffic surrounded by a solid white line, overtaking the vehicle nearest a pedestrian crossing (especially if it has stopped for pedestrians), entering a bus, tram, or cycle lane during its operating hours, or after a "No Overtaking" sign until the restriction is cancelled. Additionally, drivers SHOULD NOT overtake if there is any doubt about safety or if they cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe, such as when approaching corners, bends, hump bridges, or the brow of a hill. Overtaking is also discouraged where conflict with other road users is likely, including approaching or at junctions, where the road narrows, near school crossing patrols, approaching crossing facilities, when a vehicle ahead is stopping for a pedestrian crossing from a central island, between the kerb and a bus or tram at a stop, when traffic is queuing at junctions or road works, if it would force another road user to swerve or slow down, at a level crossing, or when a road user is indicating right even if the signal appears unnecessary. Stay behind cyclists, horse riders, or horse-drawn vehicles approaching a roundabout or junction if intending to turn left to avoid cutting across them. Finally, do not overtake when a tram is standing at a kerbside stop without a clearly marked passing lane.
How should drivers react when being overtaken and what should they do if they are holding up traffic?When another driver is attempting to overtake, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to facilitate their passage. Never obstruct drivers wishing to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while being overtaken is dangerous. If someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front, drop back to maintain a safe two-second following distance. Drivers should also be mindful of holding up long queues of traffic, especially when driving large or slow-moving vehicles. They should frequently check their mirrors and, if necessary, pull over where it is safe to allow traffic to pass.
What are the key rules and considerations for navigating junctions, including traffic lights and box junctions?Extra care is essential at junctions. Drivers should watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians (including those using powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters) as they can be difficult to see and may not have seen or heard you approaching. Always give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or from; they have priority if they have started to cross. Remain behind cyclists, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles, and motorcyclists at junctions, even if they are waiting to turn and are close to the kerb. Be aware that long vehicles may need the full width of the road to turn. Do not assume a vehicle signaling left from the right will actually turn; wait and confirm. Look all around before emerging onto a road, only proceeding when there is a safely large enough gap. At 'Stop' signs with a solid white line, drivers MUST stop behind the line and wait for a safe gap. At 'Give Way' signs or triangle markings, drivers MUST give way to traffic on the main road when emerging from a junction with broken white lines. When crossing or turning right on dual carriageways, assess if the central reservation can safely accommodate your vehicle; if so, treat each half as a separate road. If not, wait until you can cross both carriageways in one go. At box junctions (yellow criss-cross lines), drivers MUST NOT enter the box unless their exit road or lane is clear, with the exception of waiting to turn right when only blocked by oncoming traffic or other vehicles also waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts with box junctions, MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross completely without stopping. At traffic lights, drivers MUST stop behind the white line on red. On amber, only proceed if you have already crossed the stop line or are too close to stop safely. MUST NOT move over the white line on red. Only proceed on green if the junction is clear or you are positioning to turn right. If lights are not working, treat as an unmarked junction and proceed with great care. A green filter arrow indicates a specific lane; only enter if going in that direction. Advanced stop lines at signalled junctions are for cyclists; motorists MUST stop at the first white line on red or amber and avoid blocking or encroaching on this area otherwise. If over the first line on red, stop at the second. Allow cyclists space to move off on green.
What are the rules for navigating roundabouts and pedestrian crossings?When approaching a roundabout, observe all signs, lights, and lane markings to get into the correct lane. Use "Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre" at all stages, decide your exit early, signal appropriately and in good time, adjust speed and position, and be aware of other road users. Upon reaching the roundabout, give priority to traffic from the right unless directed otherwise. If road markings allow entering without giving way, proceed but still look right. Be aware that other users may not signal correctly. Look ahead before moving off to ensure traffic in front has moved. When taking the first exit (left), signal left, approach in the left lane, stay left on the roundabout, and continue signaling left to leave. For exits to the right or going full circle, signal right, approach in the right lane, stay right until needing to change lanes, and signal left after the exit before yours. For intermediate exits, select the appropriate lane on approach (usually no signal needed), stay in that lane, and signal left after the exit before yours. With more than three lanes, use the most appropriate lane. Give priority to cyclists on the roundabout, allowing them plenty of room and avoiding overtaking them within their lane. Be aware that cyclists, horse riders, and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left lane to continue around and may signal right to indicate this. Drivers must take extra care not to cut across them. Always watch out for pedestrians, traffic crossing in front on the roundabout, traffic straddling lanes, motorcyclists, and long vehicles which may take a different course due to length. At mini-roundabouts, approach as normal roundabouts, pass around the central markings (unless physically impossible for large vehicles), and remember there is less space and time to signal. Avoid U-turns. At double mini-roundabouts, treat each separately and give way to traffic from the right. Multiple roundabouts at complex junctions should be treated separately following normal rules.
At pedestrian crossings, drivers MUST NOT park on the crossing or in the zig-zag lines. MUST NOT overtake the moving or stopped vehicle nearest the crossing. Keep crossings clear in slow-moving traffic to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and avoid blocking advanced stop lines for cycles. Exercise extra care when the view is blocked by queuing traffic or parked vehicles, as pedestrians may cross between stationary vehicles. Allow pedestrians ample time to cross and avoid intimidating behavior like revving or edging forward. At Zebra and Parallel crossings, look out for and give way to pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross, and MUST give way when they have moved onto the crossing. Allow extra stopping time in bad weather. Do not use horn, wave, or flash lights to invite crossing, as this can be dangerous. At Pelican crossings, MUST stop on red. On flashing amber, MUST give way to pedestrians on the crossing; if no pedestrians, proceed with caution. Pelican crossings with islands are one crossing; wait for pedestrians from the other side. At all crossings, give way to anyone still crossing after the vehicle signal turns green. Toucan, puffin, and equestrian crossings have the same light sequence as traffic lights with no flashing amber phase. If a signal-controlled crossing is not working, proceed with extreme caution and do not enter if you cannot clear it.
What are the guidelines for safely reversing a vehicle?When needing to turn around, choose an appropriate place for the maneuver, ideally a quiet side road or driving around a block, rather than reversing or turning in a busy road. If using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if possible. Before reversing, look carefully by using all mirrors, checking blind spots, and ensuring there are no pedestrians (especially children), cyclists, other road users, or obstructions behind. Reverse slowly while continuously checking all around, primarily looking through the rear window, and being aware that the front of the vehicle will swing out. If visibility is unclear, get someone to guide you. Drivers MUST NOT reverse their vehicle further than necessary.