Frequently asked questions

This page attempts to answer all those niggling questions which have been bugging you. Don't see the one you want? Let us know!

A.B.S. - what is it?

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System.
ABS became standard on all new cars in europe from 2003. Prior to that, emergency stops could be a problem!
Without ABS, the wheels can lock up under heavy braking. Two problems: no control over steering, and who knows when the car will slide to  a halt?
If the wheels have locked up, the driver should release and re-apply the footbrake as quickly as possible. This will let the wheels turn again, and regain control. On a slippery surface, you might have to pump the brake pedal again and again.
Enter ABS! The system can tell if a wheel is about to lock up, and release and re-apply the brake many times a second - much quicker than a mere human. The driver will feel a vibration in the brake pedal, but shouldn't let go.
The result of this technology is that when braking hard, your car becomes safer to steer and control. It won't neccessarily stop any quicker!
If you buy a second hand car, check  if it has ABS.
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Age - when is the minimum age for driving changing to 18?

It isn't. At least, there are no plans at the moment. If the minimum age does change, there will be huge publicity.
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Cats eyes (reflective road studs) - where on the motorway?

Different coloured reflective studs are used to help drivers at night, or when visibility is reduced.
On the motorway you will see these different coloured cats eyes:

  • Red - along the hard shoulder (can't cross)
  • Green - where the slip road joins and leaves the motorway (can cross)
  • White - separating the lanes
  • Amber - (orange) on the extreme right where the crash barrier is (central reservation)
  • Blue cats eyes denote the hard standing for emergency vehicles on the motorway. (Apparently - I've never seen them).

The colours don't vary, so you always know where you are if visibility is very bad.

Do you like the picture? I made it :) I'm at the very limit of my creative abilities. Think you can do better? Please do, send me a picture and it will take pride of place here.
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Diesel - what if I put this in a petrol engine - or vice versa?

Every year, around 150,000 people put the wrong fuel in their car. Putting petrol in a diesel is much more common, as the the standard diesel nozzle at fuel stations is larger than the fuel filler neck on modern petrol cars.
Don't start your car! Diesel engines have fuel pumps containing precision parts.  Petrol acts as a solvent, causing the fuel pump to fail - VERY expensive. Sometimes even turning the ignition on can circulate fuel through the pump - the damage is done even though you didn't start the car.
Your fuel tank will have to be drained, and the system flushed, before you can use the car again.
It is possible to get away with putting a very small amount of diesel in a petrol car, if you consult the dealer.
If your car is under warranty, consult the dealer before you do anything. Driving the car will almost certainly invalidate your warranty.
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Flashing - is it O.K to go if someone flashes their lights at me on my test ?

Flashing your headlights should be used as a a warning to other drivers of your presence, but as you probably know, most drivers use it as an invitation for you to go in front of them. IF you have looked all round for other dangers, and IF it is safe, you should go, even on your test. You could get faulted for being hesitant if you do not go. Remember, examiners are human, and they may see the situation differently from you. There are no absolute certanties when driving. So if there were another road user that you had not seen, it would be wrong to go.
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Gears - can I go straight from a high gear to a low one?

Short answer: - Yes.
Long answer: - "Block" gear changes are OK these days, there's no need to go down through the gears in sequence. Years ago things were different, which is why many parents question their children's driving. Changing down through the gears helps the car to slow down, and in the past, when brakes were not so efficient, this was useful. In todays modern cars, it is much better to use the brakes (cheap to replace), rather than wear out the clutch and gearbox.
It is very important to slow down before changing to a lower gear. Selecting first at 55 m.p.h. is not a good idea, especially from your driving instructor's point of view. Keep the phrase "Brakes Before Gears" in mind.
Sometimes using gears to help the car slow down is neccessary. For example, when descending a long steep hill, if the brake is applied hard for a long time, the brakes will overheat, and not work so well (brake fade). Use a lower gear to help slow the car.
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Licence - help, I've lost it!

This Directgov page will sort you out. Use it to get a new licence online, by phone, or post.
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Motorway - which lane should I use?

Keep to the left unless overtaking. There is no "fast" or "slow" lane on the motorway. The rules of the road are the same wherever -
keep to the left unless:

  • turning right
  • overtaking
  • road signs or markings direct you otherwise

On the other hand, don't swerve in and out of the left lane if constantly overtaking slower traffic. Use your judgement and watch your mirrors.
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Motorway - what if I break down?

If possible, leave the motorway while your car is still running. If not possible, try to get on to the hard shoulder. (If your car stops on the lanes of the motorway, turn on your hazard lights. Do not attempt to place a warning triangle or similar - you are in danger. Leave your car only when you can safely get clear of the lanes.)
Once on the hard shoulder, pull over as far as possible to the left, leave your wheels turned to the left and turn on your hazard lights. Try to stop near an emergency phone.
Get everyone out of the car by the LEFT doors (traffic doing 70 m.p.h. on the right!) but leave animals in the car. While you or your passengers are waiting try to stand on the embankment away from the hard shoulder and the motorway. There is a serious risk of you or your vehicle being hit, so do not attempt even minor repairs.
It is best to phone for help using the free emergency phones, situated every mile along the hard shoulder. These are connected directly to the police or Highways Agency control room. Marker posts every 100 yards point to the nearest one. If you use the emergency phone, the police will know exactly where you are.
If for some reason you use your mobile phone, look at the nearest marker post, and note the number on it - this will help the police pinpoint your location. While waiting for the breakdown sevice, keep well away from the hard shoulder and motorway. If you do feel at risk from another person, get back in the car using the left hand door, and lock all doors until safe. If you car is repaired, build up speed on the hard shoulder before re-joining the motorway.
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Penalty points - will I lose my licence?

Get caught committing an offence (e.g. speeding) and you will get penalty points on your licence. Typically, minor speeding and traffic light offences will get you a minimum of three points. Insurance infringements get a minimum six points.
In the first two years after passing your driving test, you will lose your licence if you get six points. "Lose your licence" means having to apply for a provisional licence, and taking the theory and practical tests again.
Drivers with licences more than two years old must avoid getting twelve points in any three year period. If they do accumulate twelve points, they will receive a minimum six months ban. Unless they are a "celebrity" with a highly paid lawyer...
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Reversing - top ten tips

We all love reversing. Click here for some help.

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Roundabouts - which lane?

The same rules apply at roundabouts as on any road:
Keep to the left unless:

  • turning right
  • overtaking
  • road signs or markings direct you otherwise

Click here for more roundabout help.

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Signal - when I move off?

New drivers are often confused about whether to signal when moving off, (or pulling up to park or going round parked cars). Many experienced drivers seem to have the same problem.
In these situations, signalling every time is not good practice, as each situation is unique; however, a signal should be given if another road user will benefit from it.
To give a specific example: if you move off with a good view of the road ahead and behind, and there are no other road users to be seen, a signal is unnecessary. If on the same road, there were pedestrians, and oncoming traffic, a signal should be given.
A common mistake is to signal to move off when there are cars approaching behind you. Unless you really intend to move off before they pass you, your signal could confuse the other driver. Wait until they pass, then decide whether to signal.
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Speed limits - how do I tell?

It's really simple: if the road you are driving on has street lights, and there are no speed limit signs, the speed limit is 30 mph (motorways are the exception to this rule). If there are street lights and the speed limit is more than 30mph, then there will be signs - usually on the street lights.

This is a "national speed limit" sign. National speed limit for car drivers is 60 mph on single carriageway roads, or 70 mph on dual carriageways (unless you are towing a trailer). If there are no street lights, the national speed limit will apply - unless signs tell you to go slower.
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Stopping distances - how can I remember them?

These are the shortest distances a car can stop in with good brakes and tyres, good road conditions, and an alert driver.

M.P.H. Car Lengths Metres Feet
20 m.p.h. 3 12 40
30 m.p.h. 6 23 75
40 m.p.h. 9 36 120
50 m.p.h. 13 53 175
60 m.p.h. 18 73 240
70 m.p.h. 24 96 315

Try memorising the stopping distances in car lengths:
3 • 6 • 9 • 13 • 18 • 24

- not too difficult.

Now remind yourself that you need to know stopping distances at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 & 70 m.p.h.

20 mph - 3 car lengths to stop
30 mph - 6 car lengths to stop
etc....
Wet weather? double the stopping distance.
Icy weather? up to ten times the stopping distance.
Need to know the distance in metres? The average car is 4 metres long, so multiply the car lengths by four (this is one metre out in some cases, but near enough).
Try estimating distance out on the road. It's OK knowing the stopping distances, but you have to be able to visualise them.
The distances here are the overall stopping distances, made up of a thinking distance, and a braking distance (refer to your Highway Code).
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Test - how many faults can I make on my driving test?

15 driving errors (minor faults) - but no serious or dangerous ones.
Driving errors won't fail you unless you make 16 or more. One serious or dangerous mistake and that's it.
Check this page which has more information.
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Test - what if the examiner doesn't tell me which way to go?

The examiner will expect you to follow the road ahead, if (s)he doesnt't direct you.
At a crossroads, a mini roundabout, or traffic lights, just follow the road ahead, unless they tell you different.
If the road signs or markings tell you to turn, the examiner won't speak, it's up to you to follow the directions. Coming on to a one way street from a minor road is a good example of this.
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Test - what if I take a wrong turn on my test?

You will not fail if you take a wrong turn, so long as you signalled correctly, and were in the correct position. It's a test of your driving, not your ability to follow directions.
On the other hand, if you keep taking wrong turns, you may find the examiner's patience wearing thin :)
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Two second rule?

You must leave enough room between you and any car you are following. If you get too close, you may hit them if they stop suddenly. The safe rule is to never get closer than the stopping distance for the speed you are doing.
On fast roads, estimating distance can be difficult. It is easier to estimate a timed gap. Two second is generally accepted as the minimum safe gap.
When the car you are following passes a stationary object (e.g. a sign), count two seconds. If you have finished counting before you get to that object, you are at least two seconds away. If not, back off.
I count two seconds by saying the phrase:
"Only a fool breaks the two second rule."
On wet roads, double up (four seconds), and leave much more room on icy roads.
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Tyres - what should I know?

The grooves (tread) in the tyre are designed to displace water. A new tyre starts with about 8 mm of tread (about the thickness of a pencil). The legal minimum depth of tread is 1.6 mm (about the thickness of a match).
The tyres need to have the correct amount of air in them to sit correctly on the road. Too little air and the tyres bulge out, causing poor handling, and overheating (as the bulge flexes when the tyre rotates - this can cause blowouts). Too much air and the tyre will be too hard, affecting comfort and handling. Incorrect tyre pressures also increase tyre wear - costing money.
Check the tyre pressures once a week, and before long journeys, when the tyres are cold. Checking tyres when hot gives a false reading, so check before you drive. The correct tyre pressure varies from car to car, read the handbook. Check the depth of tread at the same time, and look for cuts and bulges in the tyre walls. Don't forget the spare!
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Tyres - should new ones go on the front or back?

Quite often, your car will only need two new tyres. If you think they should be fitted to the front wheels, think again! Research shows that you will be safer fitting them to the rear wheels. etyres has a great video, and Michelin gives the same advice.
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Waving to thank other drivers - is this o.k?

There are still some grey areas in driving - this is one of them. Neither the Highway Code or "Driving - the Essential Skills" give any advice on this. The Highway Code does tell us only to use signals found within it.
I find that a brief wave or a nod to a driver who has waited for me does seem to make driving a little less stressful, and advise the learners I teach to do the same - even on their driving test. I haven't had anyone fail for doing this yet.........
However, "moderation in all things" would seem to be a good guide here. Don't take your hands off the wheel to say thank you to someone if you are busy steering, a smile or nod would be better.
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