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How much space to leave when passing a cyclist or a horse is one of the questions learners ask most, and the Highway Code gives specific figures. Rules 204 to 225 cover the “road users requiring extra care”, and rule 163 in the overtaking section sets out the passing distances. The Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. This article summarises what it says about pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and animals, and is general information rather than legal advice.

Who the Code treats as most at risk

Rule 204 says the road users most at risk from traffic are pedestrians (in particular children, older adults and disabled people), cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists, and that learner and inexperienced drivers and riders also need particular awareness. It states that in any interaction, those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose. The site’s guide to the hierarchy of road users explains that principle.

Passing distances and speeds

Rule 163 says drivers should give motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at least as much room as they would when overtaking a car, and adds a guide:

• Cyclists: leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking at speeds of up to 30 mph, and more space at higher speeds.
• Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles: pass at under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space.

Rule 212 repeats the principle for pedestrians walking in the road, for example where there is no pavement, and adds that drivers should take extra care and give more space in bad weather, including high winds, and at night. If a rider looks over their shoulder, the rule says, they may intend to pull out, turn right or change direction, so drivers should give time and space.

Why cyclists may ride away from the kerb

Rule 213 tells drivers that on narrow sections, quiet roads, at junctions and in slower-moving traffic, cyclists may ride in the centre of the lane, and that it can be safer for groups to ride two abreast. Drivers should allow this so cyclists can see and be seen. It advises cyclists themselves to ride at least a door’s width or 1 metre from parked cars. It also says motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles may need to swerve to avoid uneven surfaces, drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches, so drivers should give plenty of room and expect sudden changes of direction.

Horses and other animals

Rule 215 tells drivers to be particularly careful with horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles, always to pass wide and slowly, and, on seeing a horse on the road, to slow to a maximum of 10 mph, not to sound the horn or rev the engine, and to allow at least 2 metres when it is safe to pass. It says feral or semi-feral ponies in areas such as the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor need the same consideration as ridden horses. It notes that riders are often children, that they may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider, and that a request to slow down or stop should be heeded. It describes horses as flight animals that can move very quickly if startled.

Rule 214 covers animals generally: drive slowly, give them plenty of room, be ready to stop, do not scare them with the horn, revving or sudden acceleration after passing, and if a herd blocks the road, stop and switch off the engine until it has left. It also says to watch for animals on unfenced roads.

Pedestrians and children

Rule 205 warns that pedestrians, especially children, may step unexpectedly into the road. Rule 206 lists places for slow and careful driving, including crowded shopping streets, Home Zones and Quiet Lanes, residential areas, bus and tram stops, past parked ice cream vans, when crossing a pavement or cycle lane to reach a driveway (giving way to pedestrians and cyclists), when reversing into a side road, and where roads have no footway. Rule 207 says that at 40 mph a vehicle will probably kill a pedestrian it hits, whereas at 20 mph there is a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed, and it asks drivers to be patient with older pedestrians and not to hurry them by revving or edging forward. Near schools, rule 208 tells drivers to drive slowly and be aware of young cyclists and pedestrians, and rule 210 says a driver must stop when a school crossing patrol shows a “Stop for children” sign.

Other drivers and vehicles

Rules 216 to 218 ask for patience with older drivers, learners and inexperienced drivers, who may display a “new driver” plate or sticker, and for slow, careful driving in Home Zones and Quiet Lanes. Rule 219 says that when an emergency vehicle approaches, a driver should not panic, should consider its route and let it pass while complying with traffic signs, and should avoid stopping before a brow, bend or narrow section or mounting the kerb.

Common questions

Is 1.5 metres a legal requirement?

Rule 163 introduces the distances as “a guide” using the word should, not must. The Code says advisory rules can still be used in evidence in court proceedings under the Traffic Acts.

Can I sound my horn at a horse?

Rule 215 says not to sound the horn or rev the engine near a horse, and rule 214 gives the same advice for animals in general.

The bottom line

The Highway Code gives drivers concrete numbers for passing vulnerable road users: at least 1.5 metres for cyclists up to 30 mph, at least 2 metres and under 10 mph for horses, and more space in bad weather or at night. Its wider message in rule 204 is that responsibility rises with the harm a vehicle can cause. The rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales, and the distances are guidance drivers are expected to follow.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)”, rule 163
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”

Junctions are where many learners lose marks and where a traffic-light mistake carries penalty points. The Highway Code, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, deals with junctions in rules 170 to 183, with the traffic-light sequence in its “Light signals controlling traffic” section and the penalty for light offences in Annex 5. This article summarises what those pages say for drivers in Great Britain. It is general information, not legal advice.

The light sequence

The Code sets out the meaning of each light. Red means stop, and the driver must wait behind the stop line on the carriageway. Red and amber also means stop, and the driver must not pass or start until green shows. Green means go on if the way is clear, with special care when turning left or right and a duty to give way to pedestrians who are crossing. Amber means stop at the stop line, and the driver may go on only if the amber appears after crossing the stop line or when so close that pulling up might cause an accident. A green arrow may be provided in addition to the full green signal, and where it is, a driver may go only in the direction shown, whatever other lights are showing. The Code adds that white light signals may be provided for trams.

Rules 175 to 178: junctions controlled by lights

• Rule 175. A driver must stop behind the white stop line across their side of the road unless the light is green. If amber appears, the driver may go on only if already over the line or so close to it that stopping might cause a collision.
• Rule 176. A driver must not move forward over the white line when the red light shows. They should go forward on green only if there is room to clear the junction safely or they are taking up a position to turn right. If the lights are not working, the Code says to treat the junction as an unmarked one and proceed with great care.
• Rule 177. A green filter arrow indicates a filter lane only. A driver should not enter that lane unless going in the direction of the arrow, and should give cyclists in particular time and room to move into the correct lane.
• Rule 178. Some signal-controlled junctions have advanced stop lines that let cyclists position themselves ahead of other traffic. Drivers, including motorcyclists, must stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red. If a vehicle has already crossed the first line when the light turns red, the driver should stop as soon as possible and must stop at the second white line. The Code says drivers of large vehicles should stop far enough back to see the whole area where cyclists may be waiting.

Box junctions: rule 174

Box junctions have criss-cross yellow lines. The Code says a driver must not enter the box until the exit road or lane is clear, but may enter and wait when turning right if stopped only by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts a driver must not enter the box unless able to cross it completely without stopping.

Other junction rules: 170 to 173

Rule 170 asks for extra care at junctions. Drivers should watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians (including powered wheelchair and mobility scooter users) who are not always easy to see, give way to pedestrians who have started to cross the road being entered or left, and stay behind cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists even if they are waiting close to the kerb. It also warns not to assume a vehicle from the right that signals left will turn. Rule 171 requires a stop behind the line at a “Stop” sign with a solid white line, and rule 172 requires giving way to traffic on the main road at a “Give Way” sign or broken white lines. Rule 173 tells drivers crossing dual carriageways to assess whether the central reservation is deep enough to protect the full length of the vehicle.

The penalty for a traffic-light offence

Annex 5 of the Highway Code lists “traffic light offences” with a maximum fine of £1,000, discretionary disqualification and 3 penalty points. It says a driver with 12 or more points within three years must be disqualified, for a minimum of six months, and that for two years from passing a first driving test, 6 or more points (including any gained before passing) means the licence is automatically revoked, even if the offences were paid by fixed penalty. A revoked driver must reapply for a provisional licence and drive as a learner until they pass another test. The site’s guide to the New Drivers Act explains this in more detail. Two red-light offences would therefore reach the 6-point threshold for a new driver.

The Code also lists this fine as a maximum set by Parliament, with the court deciding the actual sentence. For related guidance see the guide to roundabouts and mini-roundabouts.

Common questions

Can I go through amber?

Only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close that stopping might cause an accident, according to the Code.

Is entering a box junction while queuing an offence?

The Code says a driver must not enter the box until the exit is clear, with an exception when turning right and held up only by oncoming traffic or other right-turning vehicles.

The bottom line

The Highway Code’s junction rules turn on three habits: stop at the line unless the light is green or the amber catches you too close to stop safely, keep the box clear, and give way to pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable users. A traffic-light offence carries 3 penalty points, so two within a new driver’s first two years would trigger licence revocation. The Highway Code applies in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)”, road junctions rules 170 to 183
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Light signals controlling traffic”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties”

Road works, level crossings and tramways are three places where a new driver meets rules that differ from ordinary road driving, and where the consequences of a mistake can be severe. The Highway Code covers all three in rules 288 to 307. The Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so this article is about Great Britain; Network Rail, which manages most of Britain’s railway infrastructure, adds its own public guidance on level crossings. This is general information, not legal advice.

Road works: rules 288 to 290

When a “Road Works Ahead” sign is displayed the Code says to take extra care, look for further signs and obey them all. A driver must not exceed any temporary maximum speed limit, should keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and should get into the correct lane in good time as signs direct. It says not to switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic, not to drive through an area marked off by traffic cones, and to merge in turn where lanes are restricted. It warns that cyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or debris at road works, and to expect vehicles with amber warning lights to slow or turn into the works area, leaving extra space.

On motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways, rule 289 says works vehicles may close lanes. Where large “Keep Left” or “Keep Right” signs are displayed on the back of a works vehicle, a driver must move over and pass on the side indicated and not return to the closed lane until it is safe. A vehicle showing “CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING” must not be passed. Rule 290 adds that lanes can be narrower and marked by studs or temporary markings, that contraflow systems have no permanent barrier between opposing traffic, and that a driver should slow down and increase the gap at the start and finish of a contraflow because changes in the road camber can affect stability. If a vehicle breaks down in road works, the Code says areas marked off by cones contain significant hazards and that a signed road works refuge should be used where available.

Level crossings: rules 291 to 299

The Code defines a level crossing as where a road crosses a railway or tramway line and says to approach and cross with care, never drive on until the road is clear on the other side, and never stop or park on or near a crossing. Rule 292 says the safe height warning signs must be obeyed because overhead electric lines are dangerous, and gives the usual clearance as 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but possibly lower.

• Controlled crossings (rule 293). A driver must always obey the twin flashing red stop lights and must stop behind the white line. Someone already over the line when the amber light comes on should keep going. It says not to reverse onto or over a crossing, to wait if the red lights keep flashing after a train passes because another may be coming, and never to zig-zag around half-barriers.
• User-operated gates and barriers (rule 296). Where there are “Stop” signs and small red and green lights, a driver must not cross on red. The Code says to open the gates or barriers on both sides, check the green light is still on, cross quickly and close the gates behind.
• Open crossings (rule 298). These have no gates, barriers, attendant or lights but do have a “Give Way” sign. The advice is to look both ways, listen and be sure no train is coming.
• Breakdowns (rule 299). Everyone should get out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately, use the railway telephone if there is one, and move the vehicle clear only if there is time. If the alarm sounds or the amber light comes on, the Code says to leave the vehicle and get clear at once.

Network Rail says there are nearly 6,000 level crossings on the rail network across England, Wales and Scotland, and divides them into passive crossings, where the only warning is a train horn and the user must stop, look and listen, and active crossings with gates, barriers, lights or alarms. Its user guidance for public road crossings tells drivers to stop if warnings are activated, make sure the exit is clear before going on, cross quickly and carefully, never stop on the crossing and wait for barriers to rise and lights to go out. It reports five accidental fatalities at level crossings in 2024/25.

Tramways: rules 300 to 307

Under rule 300 a driver must not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams, should avoid driving directly on the rails and should take care where trams leave the main carriageway. Diamond-shaped signs and white light signals are for tram drivers only. Drivers are told to always give way to trams, not to race or overtake them or pass on the inside except at tram stops or where stopped by signals and a designated lane exists, and never to park where a tram would be obstructed, because a tram cannot steer round an obstacle. At stops without platforms a driver must not pass between a tram and the left-hand kerb while it picks up passengers.

For related rules, see the site’s guides to roundabouts and mini-roundabouts and parking and waiting rules.

Common questions

Are all Highway Code rules legal requirements?

No. The Code says rules using MUST or MUST NOT reflect legal requirements, while those using “should” or “do not” are advisory, although the Code may be used in evidence in court proceedings under the Traffic Acts.

The bottom line

At road works, level crossings and tramways the Highway Code asks for lower speed, larger gaps and strict obedience to signals, and several of its rules are legal requirements marked MUST. Never stopping on a crossing, always obeying flashing red lights and giving way to trams are the points most likely to matter to a new driver. The Highway Code applies in Great Britain, and Network Rail’s guidance reinforces the same steps.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”
• Network Rail, “Level crossing safety” (networkrail.co.uk)
• Network Rail, “Using level crossings safely” (networkrail.co.uk)

Learners often move for university or work while their provisional licence sits in a drawer, and new drivers change names on marriage or by deed poll. The law expects DVLA to be told. This article summarises three GOV.UK pages: “Legal obligations of drivers and riders”, “Change the address on your driving licence” and “Change the name or gender on your driving licence”. The processes described are for Great Britain; GOV.UK says there is a different process in Northern Ireland, which is not covered here. The fees quoted are those shown on the GOV.UK pages at the time of writing and can change. This is general information, not legal advice.

What the law requires

GOV.UK’s obligations page says a driver or rider must tell DVLA if they change their name or gender, change their address, make any alterations to their vehicle, sell their vehicle, or have or develop a medical condition. It adds that a person must tell DVLA about any driving convictions. It says these are legal requirements that apply to everyone and that failing to meet them can lead to court or a fine. On a change of name, it says the change must be made on both the driving licence and the vehicle log book (V5C). The site’s guide to medical conditions and learning to drive covers the medical duty in more detail.

Changing the address on a licence

GOV.UK says the address can be changed on either a full or a provisional driving licence, that it does not cost anything to change the address with DVLA, and that the person can keep driving while waiting for the new licence. It says a person can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not tell DVLA when their address changes. The service is online, requires the licence holder to be a resident of Great Britain and not banned from driving, and asks for the driving licence. The page says a new licence should arrive within a week if the application is made online.

An address change is not only about the licence. GOV.UK says a person must also change the address on the vehicle log book (V5C), update the vehicle tax Direct Debit if that is how they pay, and change the address on a personalised registration number document (V750 or V778) if they have one. A registered keeper who moves should therefore plan for several updates, not just one. Anyone changing address abroad is told that a British licence cannot have a new overseas address registered on it and that they should contact the driving licence authority in the new country; the site’s article on converting a foreign driving licence covers the reverse situation.

Photo changes

If the holder wants to change the photo at the same time as the address, GOV.UK says the online cost is £14, with no fee for people over 70 or those with a medical short period licence. For fees on a first provisional licence, see the site’s article on provisional licence fees and DVLA processing times. A name change cannot be combined with the online address service: GOV.UK says that anyone who wants to change their name at the same time must apply by post.

Changing the name or gender on a licence

For a name or gender change, GOV.UK says the holder should send DVLA the old licence with the right form and supporting documents. The form is D1 “Application for a driving licence” for a car or motorbike licence, or D2 for a lorry or bus licence; both are available from most Post Offices. Original documents confirming the new name or gender are needed, not photocopies or laminated certificates. A holder of a paper licence must send a recent printed passport-type photo.

The page says the same process applies to a change of title, such as Ms to Dr, and that evidence is not needed unless it is a hereditary title. It says there is no charge to change a name or gender on a driving licence and that the person can keep driving while waiting for the new licence. If the holder wants a new photo at the same time, GOV.UK says to send a photo and a cheque or postal order for £17 payable to DVLA. If the old licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, an application can still be made, saying what happened to it, with a cheque or postal order for £20. Postal applications for a car or motorbike licence go to DVLA in Swansea at the address given on the page.

Showing documents to the police

GOV.UK says that if a police officer asks, a driver must be able to show their driving licence, a valid insurance certificate and a valid MOT certificate if the vehicle needs one. If the documents are not with them at the time, they may be asked to take them to a police station within 7 days.

Common questions

Can I keep driving while DVLA processes the change?

Yes. GOV.UK says this for both address and name changes.

Does moving house mean updating the V5C too?

GOV.UK says yes: the log book address must be changed, and a name change must be recorded on both the licence and the V5C.

Is there a fee for changing an address?

GOV.UK says there is no cost to change the address, although a photo change alongside it costs £14 online.

The bottom line

For drivers in Great Britain, GOV.UK is clear that a change of address or name must be reported to DVLA, that the licence can still be used while the new one is produced, and that neglecting an address change can bring a fine of up to £1,000. The log book and tax records need updating too, and police can ask for documents to be produced within 7 days.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Legal obligations of drivers and riders”
• GOV.UK, “Change the address on your driving licence”
• GOV.UK, “Change the name or gender on your driving licence”

Parking is rarely the focus of driving lessons, yet it is where many new drivers first pick up fines or cause obstruction. The Highway Code sets out its waiting and parking rules in rules 238 to 252. This article summarises that section as published on GOV.UK, together with the Code’s introduction. The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales, and some of the rules differ by nation or by whether the road is in London, which this article notes where the Code does. Northern Ireland is not covered. This is general information, not legal advice, and local signs and traffic orders always apply.

Yellow lines and time plates (rule 238)

Rule 238 says a driver MUST NOT wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby time plates, or on zone entry signs in a Controlled Parking Zone. Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs. It also says a driver MUST NOT wait, park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers on school entrance markings when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping.

General parking behaviour (rule 239)

Rule 239 says to use off-street parking areas or bays marked with white lines wherever possible. If stopping at the roadside, a driver should not park facing against the traffic flow, should stop as close to the side as possible, and should not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge because the occupant may need more room to get in or out. The rule includes requirements marked MUST: switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights; apply the handbrake before leaving; and make sure nobody is hit when the door is opened. It also advises putting valuables out of sight and locking the vehicle.

On opening doors, the Code suggests using the hand on the opposite side to the door being opened, for example the left hand to open a door on the right, because it makes a person turn their head to look over the shoulder and so makes injury to passing cyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians less likely.

Where stopping or parking is banned (rules 240 to 243)

Rule 240 lists places where a driver MUST NOT stop or park, including the carriageway, emergency areas and hard shoulders of a motorway except in an emergency; a pedestrian crossing and its zig-zag lines; clearways; taxi bays; an urban clearway within its hours; a road with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers or to load or unload goods; a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation; a cycle track; and red routes, unless signs indicate otherwise. Rule 241 says a driver MUST NOT park in spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless entitled to. Rule 242 says a vehicle MUST NOT be left in a dangerous position or where it causes unnecessary obstruction.

Rule 243 lists places a driver should not stop or park, except when forced to by stationary traffic, including near a school entrance; anywhere that would prevent access for emergency services; at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank; opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space; near the brow of a hill or hump bridge; where the kerb has been lowered for wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles; in front of an entrance to a property; and on a bend. A further sentence applies to one nation: in Scotland, a driver MUST NOT double park or park anywhere the kerb has been lowered to help pedestrians or cyclists, with exceptions in limited circumstances.

Pavement parking: London, Scotland and elsewhere (rule 244)

Rule 244 is a clear example of a rule that differs by place. It says a driver MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland, with exceptions allowed in limited circumstances. Elsewhere, a driver should not park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it. The rule explains why: pavement parking can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, and people with prams or pushchairs. Because the ban is stated for London and Scotland only, a driver moving between regions should not assume the same rule applies elsewhere.

Parking at night (rules 248 to 252)

Rule 248 says a driver MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Rule 249 says all vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or lay-by with a speed limit greater than 30mph (48km/h). Rule 250 allows cars and some other vehicles to be parked without lights on a road or lay-by with a limit of 30mph or less if they meet conditions on distance from junctions, kerb position and direction of travel.

Common questions

Are double yellow lines only enforced at certain times?

Rule 238 says double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time, even without upright signs.

Can I park on the pavement?

In London and Scotland, rule 244 says a driver MUST NOT, apart from limited exceptions. Elsewhere it says a driver should not unless signs permit it.

The bottom line

The Highway Code’s parking section for England, Scotland and Wales asks drivers to obey yellow lines and signs, avoid the places listed in rules 240 and 243, take extra care over pavements and dropped kerbs (with stricter rules in London and Scotland), open doors with care, and follow the lighting rules at night. Local signs and traffic orders decide the details on any given street.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Waiting and parking (238 to 252)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”

Seat belt rules are among the first things a learner is expected to know, and they affect anyone who supervises a learner, drives with family or offers lifts. This article summarises the GOV.UK guide “Seat belts: the law” (including its page on when a seat belt is not needed) and rules 99 to 102 of the Highway Code. The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales, so this article is written for those nations; Northern Ireland has its own guidance and is not covered here. This is general information, not legal advice.

The basic rule and the fine

GOV.UK says a person must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat being used, with only a few exceptions, and that only one person is allowed in each seat fitted with a seat belt. It says a person can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seat belt when required. Rule 99 of the Highway Code puts the duty in similar terms: seat belts MUST be worn in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if fitted, and adults and children aged 14 and over MUST use a seat belt or child restraint, where fitted, in minibuses, buses and coaches. The legal references given in the Code are sections 14 and 15 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the seat belt regulations made under it.

Who is responsible for whom

The table under rule 99 sets out who is legally responsible. For the driver, a seat belt MUST be worn if fitted. For adult passengers aged 14 and over, the passenger is responsible. For children, responsibility falls on the driver. Rule 100 says the driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 wear seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint where required. If a child is under 1.35 metres (about 4ft 5in) tall, a baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion MUST be used, suitable for the child’s weight and fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions.

GOV.UK expresses the same thing for children: they must be in the correct car seat for their height or weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first, and must wear a seat belt if they are 12 or 13, or younger and over 135cm. It says a driver can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 is not in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt.

The practical consequence for a supervising friend or parent is that the person in the driver’s seat, even when they are a learner, carries the duty for passengers under 14. The site’s guide on who can supervise a learner driver covers the other rules for that arrangement.

The exemption for reversing

GOV.UK’s page on when a seat belt is not needed lists a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing, as one of the exceptions. This is a narrow exemption tied to the manoeuvre itself; it does not mean a seat belt can be left off for the rest of a lesson. Other exceptions listed on the page are:

• vehicles being used for police, fire and rescue services;
• a passenger in a trade vehicle who is investigating a fault;
• a driver of a goods vehicle on deliveries travelling no more than 50 metres between stops;
• a licensed taxi driver who is looking for customers by being hailed or waiting at a rank;
• a licensed taxi driver or private hire vehicle driver who is carrying passengers.

GOV.UK says private hire vehicles include minicabs, chauffeur services and limousines.

Medical exemptions

GOV.UK says a doctor may say a person does not have to wear a seat belt for a medical reason, and will provide a “Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing”. The holder must keep the certificate in the vehicle, show it to the police if stopped, and tell the car insurer. The same page says that people who are pregnant, and disabled drivers and passengers, must wear a seat belt unless they do not have to for medical reasons. Whether a person qualifies is for a doctor, not the driver or an instructor, to decide.

Children in the car: rule 102

Rule 102 adds practical points for drivers carrying children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. It says children should get into the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb, child restraints should be properly fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions, children should not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback unless a special child seat has been fitted, child safety door locks should be used where fitted, and children should be kept under control. Rule 101 adds that a rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag, because in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.

Common questions

Do I have to wear a seat belt on a lesson?

Yes, apart from the reversing exemption GOV.UK lists for a driver, or a supervisor, while a learner is reversing.

Who is fined if a child is not restrained?

GOV.UK says the driver can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 is not in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt.

Can two people share one seat belt?

No. GOV.UK says only one person is allowed in each seat fitted with a seat belt.

The bottom line

Under the Highway Code (England, Scotland and Wales) and GOV.UK’s guide, the seat belt rule is simple for the driver: wear it if fitted, make sure every child under 14 is properly restrained, and expect a fine of up to £500 if not. The exceptions are narrow, and medical exemption depends on a doctor’s certificate.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Seat belts: the law”
• GOV.UK, “Seat belts: the law: When you do not need to wear a seat belt”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)”

New drivers often focus on the test and forget that the car under them has to be roadworthy. Tyres are the only part of a car in contact with the road, and the law sets specific standards for them. This article summarises the Highway Code’s Annex 6 on vehicle maintenance, the government’s THINK! vehicle safety checks page, and a National Highways press release published on GOV.UK on 8 April 2022. The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland is not covered by that version. This is general information, not legal advice.

The legal minimum tread depth

The Highway Code says cars, light vans and light trailers MUST have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. The capital letters signal a legal requirement. Different figures apply to other vehicle types: the same Annex says motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles MUST have a tread depth of at least 1mm across three-quarters of the breadth of the tread in a continuous band around the entire circumference, and that mopeds should have visible tread.

The measurement applies across the central three-quarters of the tread and all the way round, so a tyre worn in one patch can fall below the limit even if another part looks fine.

Pressure, cuts and other defects

Annex 6 says tyres MUST be correctly inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for the load being carried, and to refer to the vehicle’s handbook or data. It adds that tyres should also be free from certain cuts and other defects. On checking, it says pressures should be checked weekly, before the journey and when the tyres are cold, because warm or hot tyres can give a misleading reading. It says brakes and steering are adversely affected by under-inflated or over-inflated tyres, and that excessive or uneven wear may be caused by faults in the braking or suspension systems or by wheels that are out of alignment, which should be corrected as soon as possible.

The THINK! page makes a similar point: driving with under-inflated or over-inflated tyres can adversely affect braking distance, steering, fuel efficiency and the lifetime of the tyres.

What the penalty is

THINK! says that anyone stopped by the police and found with illegal tyres could receive a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. The same wording appears in the National Highways press release. The Highway Code adds a general note that some vehicle defects can attract penalty points. Because the figure is stated per tyre, more than one illegal tyre can lead to a larger total. The site’s article on the New Drivers Act explains why penalty points matter especially in the first two years after passing.

It is the driver who has to be sure the tyres are legal. A person who has just bought a first car should not assume that the seller or the garage has checked them; the site’s guide to buying a first car covers the GOV.UK checks for a used vehicle.

Advice beyond the legal minimum

National Highways’ traffic officer said in the 2022 release that although the legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm, drivers should not let the tread get that low, and described changing the tyre at 2mm in summer and 3mm in winter as good practice that maintains overall tyre performance in all conditions. That is advice from National Highways rather than a legal requirement. The same release advised checking tyre pressure, tread depth and tyre age, including the spare, before a long journey, and looking for cuts or wear over the full width of the tyre and on the sidewall. It also reported research commissioned by National Highways that only one in six drivers check their tyres before setting off on a long journey, and separate figures showing that a fifth of motorway breakdowns are caused by worn or incorrectly inflated tyres. Both figures date from that 2022 announcement.

The Highway Code also covers what to do when something goes wrong: if a tyre bursts while driving, try to keep control of the vehicle, grip the steering wheel firmly and allow it to roll to a stop at the side of the road. With a flat tyre, stop as soon as it is safe, and only change the tyre if that can be done without putting anyone at risk; otherwise call a breakdown service.

Tyre age

Annex 6 includes rules on tyres over 10 years old, but they apply to specific vehicle types: they MUST NOT be used on the front axles of goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes or passenger vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, and there are further restrictions for minibus-type vehicles. These rules do not apply to an ordinary car, although the National Highways advice to check tyre age applies to all vehicles.

Common questions

Is 1.6mm the same for every vehicle?

No. The Highway Code gives 1.6mm for cars, light vans and light trailers, and 1mm for motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles.

Where on the tyre is the tread measured?

Across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference, according to the Highway Code.

The bottom line

In England, Scotland and Wales the Highway Code requires car tyres to have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference, and to be correctly inflated for the load. THINK! says illegal tyres can bring a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. National Highways recommends acting before the legal limit is reached, but that is advice, not law.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security”
• THINK!, “Vehicle safety checks” (think.gov.uk)
• National Highways via GOV.UK, “Motorists urged to check tyres and journeys before setting off this bank holiday”

Roundabouts are a routine part of lessons and driving tests, and they are also a common source of confusion about which lane to use and when to signal. The Highway Code covers them in rules 184 to 190. This article summarises those rules as published on GOV.UK. The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales; this version does not cover Northern Ireland. The Code’s introduction explains that rules using the words MUST or MUST NOT are legal requirements, while other rules use advisory wording such as “should”, and that even advisory rules can be used in evidence in court proceedings under the Traffic Acts. This is general information, and the Code itself is the authority.

Approaching a roundabout (rules 184 and 185)

Rule 184 tells drivers to take notice of, and act on, all the information available, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings that direct them into the correct lane. It sets out a sequence: use Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre at all stages; decide as early as possible which exit is needed; give an appropriate signal timed so as not to confuse other road users; get into the correct lane; adjust speed and position to traffic conditions; and stay aware of the speed and position of everyone around.

Rule 185 covers the point of entry. Drivers should give priority to traffic approaching from the right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights direct otherwise. They should check whether road markings allow entry without giving way, and if so proceed but still look to the right before joining. They should watch for road users already on the roundabout, since these may not be signalling correctly or at all, and look forward before moving off to make sure the traffic in front has moved.

Signals and position (rule 186)

Rule 186 sets out three cases, each “unless signs or markings indicate otherwise”.

• First exit to the left: signal left, approach in the left-hand lane, keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
• Exit to the right, or going full circle: signal right, approach in the right-hand lane, keep to the right on the roundabout until it is necessary to change lanes to exit, and signal left after passing the exit before the one wanted.
• Any intermediate exit: select the appropriate lane on approach; the rule says signalling on approach should not normally be needed; stay in that lane until a change of course is needed to exit, and signal left after passing the exit before the one wanted.

Where there are more than three lanes at the entrance, the rule says to use the most appropriate lane on approach and through the roundabout.

Cyclists, horse riders and long vehicles

Rule 186 also says drivers should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout, who will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Drivers should give them plenty of room and not attempt to overtake them within their lane, allowing them to move across the driver’s path as they go around. The Code adds that cyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show that they are not leaving; drivers should take extra care entering so as not to cut across them.

Rule 187 tells drivers to watch out for and give plenty of room to pedestrians crossing the approach and exit roads, traffic crossing in front of them on the roundabout (especially vehicles intending to leave by the next exit), traffic straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly, motorcyclists, and long vehicles including those towing trailers. The site’s article on the hierarchy of road users covers the wider principle behind giving way to more vulnerable users.

Mini-roundabouts and multiple roundabouts (rules 188 to 190)

Rule 188 says mini-roundabouts should be approached in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings, except large vehicles that are physically incapable of doing so. The rule notes there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal, and advises avoiding U-turns at mini-roundabouts while being aware that others may make them.

Rule 189 says that at double mini-roundabouts each roundabout should be treated separately, giving way to traffic from the right. Rule 190 says the same for a series of mini-roundabouts at complex junctions: treat each separately and follow the normal rules.

What this means for lessons and tests

The site’s explanation of driving test faults describes how errors are graded on a test, and its overview of the four parts of the practical test shows where roundabouts are likely to arise during the drive.

Common questions

Do I always signal left when leaving?

Rule 186 says to signal left after passing the exit before the one wanted, for right-hand exits, full circles and intermediate exits, and to continue signalling left when taking the first exit on the left.

Can I drive over a mini-roundabout?

Rule 188 says all vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles that are physically incapable of doing so.

The bottom line

The Highway Code’s roundabout rules in England, Scotland and Wales come down to reading signs and markings early, choosing the lane for the exit, giving priority to traffic from the right, signalling as rule 186 describes for each exit, and giving space to cyclists, riders and long vehicles. Mini-roundabouts must be driven around the central markings by all but the largest vehicles.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)”
• GOV.UK, “The Highway Code: Introduction”

Learners choosing an instructor, and people thinking of becoming one, may not know what an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) has to go through to appear on the register. This article summarises three GOV.UK pages: the step-by-step guide to becoming a car driving instructor, the page on checking whether a person can become one, and the ADI register guide. The process described applies to England, Scotland and Wales. GOV.UK says there is a different process in Northern Ireland, which the site covers in its article on learning to drive in Northern Ireland. Fees and rules change, so the figures below are those shown on the GOV.UK pages when they were read and should be checked before applying. This is general information.

Who can apply

The ADI register guide says an applicant must be 21 or over and must have held a full licence for the relevant category for at least three years. The applicant must also be a “fit and proper” person, assessed through criminal record checks and an evaluation of conduct. GOV.UK says a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be obtained to start an application, even if the person already has one. The page on checking eligibility also directs people to a suitability assessment on the Safe Driving for Life website and says applicants must agree to the responsibilities set out in the register guide.

The three qualifying tests

The route to registration is a three-part test:

• Part 1 is a theory test. The register guide says the number of attempts is unlimited, and the step guide lists the fee as £81.
• Part 2 tests driving ability and fitness to drive. The register guide says there is a maximum of three attempts, and the step guide lists a fee of £111.
• Part 3 tests instructional ability, also with a maximum of three attempts and a listed fee of £111. The site explains how it is marked in its article on how DVSA marks the ADI Part 3 test.

GOV.UK gives time limits in slightly different words on its two pages. The step guide says that once the theory test is passed, the other parts must be passed within two years or the whole process starts again. The register guide says Part 3 must be booked within two years of passing Part 1. Anyone planning their timetable should read the current wording on GOV.UK, and should assume that a slow route through the tests risks having to restart.

Trainee licence

After passing Part 2, a candidate can choose to apply for a trainee licence, which the step guide says lasts six months and costs £140 as shown. It allows a person to gain teaching experience with students before the final test. The site explains the terms in its article on trainee licences and the six-month rule. A learner whose lessons are with a trainee should know that a trainee is not yet fully qualified.

Registration and its conditions

Once all three tests are passed, a person can register as an ADI. The step guide says registration must happen within 12 months of passing the Part 3 test, and lists a fee of £300 for the first ADI certificate. Registration lasts four years, according to the register guide. It sets out the obligations that continue after registration:

• Displaying the ADI certificate while teaching.
• Remaining a fit and proper person.
• Writing to the ADI Registrar within seven days of receiving a caution or conviction.
• Taking standards checks, with at least one every four years according to the step guide.
• Updating personal details within seven days of a change.

Every four years the instructor must renew registration and get a fresh criminal records check beforehand; the step guide lists the renewal fee as £300. The standards check is explained in the site’s article on the ADI standards check.

What this means for learners

• An ADI is required to display a certificate while teaching, so a learner can ask to see it.
• Registration involves a criminal records check and a duty to report cautions and convictions within seven days, which are safeguards built into the system.
• A trainee licence holder is a separate category from a fully qualified ADI.
• Standards checks are a continuing quality check, not a one-off qualification.

For choosing between instructors after the credentials check, see the site’s guide to choosing a good driving instructor and its note on what learners should check about ADI and PDI qualifications.

Common questions

How many times can the tests be taken?

The register guide says Part 1 has unlimited attempts, while Parts 2 and 3 have a maximum of three.

Is the process the same in Northern Ireland?

No. GOV.UK says there is a different process in Northern Ireland.

How long does registration last?

Four years, after which renewal and a new criminal records check are needed.

The bottom line

Becoming an ADI in Great Britain requires a minimum age of 21, three years of full licence held, a fit-and-proper assessment with a DBS check, and three tests in sequence, with time limits that make delay costly. Registration lasts four years and carries reporting and standards-check duties. For learners, the certificate and the difference between a trainee and a full ADI are the practical checks.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Become a car driving instructor: step by step”
• GOV.UK, “Check if you can become a driving instructor”
• GOV.UK, “Approved driving instructor (ADI) register guide”

Some learners need an adapted car: a modified clutch, hand controls, a different steering set-up or an automatic gearbox. The adaptation is recorded on the driving licence as a numeric code, and the route to getting it right runs through an independent assessment, an instructor with suitable experience and the licensing authority. This article summarises the GOV.UK page “Driving licence codes”, the GOV.UK pages on what DVLA will decide and on assessing fitness to drive, and the nidirect guidance on learning to drive with a disability. The GOV.UK material describes Great Britain, where DVLA issues licences, and the nidirect page describes Northern Ireland, where the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) does. It is general information and does not discuss any medical condition or fitness decision.

What the codes on a licence do

GOV.UK says the codes printed on the back of a driving licence tell the holder what conditions must be met to drive. Several codes describe vehicle adaptations. GOV.UK lists them as follows:

• 10: modified transmission
• 15: modified clutch
• 20: modified braking systems
• 25: modified accelerator systems
• 31: pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards
• 32: combined service brake and accelerator systems
• 33: combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems
• 35: modified control layouts
• 40: modified steering
• 42: modified rear-view mirror(s)
• 43: modified driving seats
• 44: modifications to motorbikes, which has 13 subcodes for specific adaptations

Code 78 means the holder is restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission. The administrative codes 70 and 71 relate to exchange and duplicate licences. A learner who takes the test in an adapted car should expect the relevant codes to appear on the licence, which affects which vehicles can lawfully be driven afterwards. The site’s explanation of upgrading an automatic licence to manual covers a related restriction.

The assessment step

GOV.UK says that if a person has been told they must adapt their car, they get an independent assessment of their adaptation needs through Driving Mobility, the national network of assessment centres. The assessment guidance says assessment centres offer people advice about driving with a disability, and that vehicle adaptations range from simple automatic transmission for many disorders to sophisticated modifications such as joysticks and infrared controls for people with severe disabilities. It adds that DVLA must be told about disabilities and modifications, after which the driving licence is coded to reflect any vehicle modifications. Users are directed to find a centre through the Driving Mobility website.

The GOV.UK page on what DVLA will decide notes that DVLA may issue a licence valid for one, two, three or five years where an adaptation is required, rather than the standard period. It addresses Great Britain only and does not discuss Northern Ireland. A licence of shorter duration means the holder will need to renew sooner, so it is worth noting the date.

Finding a suitable instructor

The nidirect guidance for Northern Ireland advises looking for instructors who have completed specialised training, noting that experienced instructors can teach more than driving itself, such as how to get in and out of the car more easily and how to manage wheelchair access. It names Disability Action, which offers specialist instructor referrals and runs a mobility centre in Northern Ireland. The pages for Great Britain do not name equivalent instructor referral services, so learners in England, Scotland and Wales should ask assessment centres or their local authority for advice on suitable instructors. The site’s guide on choosing a good driving instructor sets out general questions, and disabled learners can add questions about the adapted vehicle, the instructor’s experience with similar controls and the lesson length needed to get in and out.

Northern Ireland specifics

According to nidirect, the standard minimum driving age is 17, though people receiving the enhanced rate of Personal Independence Payment may drive at 16. For learners aged 16 to 24, Motability may provide financial help toward the cost of driving lessons. On the theory test, the DVA can provide a spoken format, a British Sign Language video for deaf or hard-of-hearing candidates, adjusted conditions for light-sensitive epilepsy, extra time with supporting evidence, and testing at home or at an alternative centre if the local facility is not accessible. Candidates should notify DVA if they need wheelchair access, have hearing loss, are dyslexic or have literacy concerns. On the practical test, nidirect says candidates may be given extra time to explain their adaptations and to manage getting into and out of the vehicle, and that examiners are specially trained to understand needs that arise from disabilities. Whether the same allowances apply in Great Britain is not addressed by the pages read, so the site’s guide to extra support for theory and driving tests should be checked for the GB position.

Practical steps

• Book an assessment through the Driving Mobility network before buying or fitting expensive equipment.
• Tell the licensing authority (DVLA in Great Britain, DVA in Northern Ireland) about the adaptation so the licence carries the right code.
• Ask the instructor which controls their car has and whether their lesson vehicle matches the assessed adaptations.
• Note the licence renewal date if a short-duration licence is issued.
• Check whether the test vehicle will match the adaptations shown on the licence.

Common questions

What does code 78 mean?

GOV.UK says it restricts the holder to vehicles with automatic transmission.

Who does the assessment?

GOV.UK points to Driving Mobility, the national network of assessment centres, for an independent assessment of adaptation needs.

Will the licence run for the usual period?

DVLA may issue one valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years where an adaptation requirement exists, according to GOV.UK.

The bottom line

Adapted-vehicle driving is recorded on the licence through numbered codes, backed by an independent assessment through Driving Mobility in Great Britain and by DVA processes and specialist instructor referrals in Northern Ireland. Learners benefit from arranging the assessment first, choosing an instructor experienced with the relevant controls and making sure the licence codes match the car used.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Driving licence codes”
• GOV.UK, “Medical conditions, disabilities and driving: What DVLA will decide”
• GOV.UK, “Appendices: assessing fitness to drive”
• nidirect, “Learning to drive with a disability” (nidirect.gov.uk)