Seat belt

You must wear a seat belt. Those exempt from the requirement include the holders of medical exemption certificates and people making local deliveries in a vehicle designed for the purpose.

Lighting requirements

You must use headlights at night, except on restricted roads (those with streetlights not more than 185 meters (600 feet) apart and which are subject to a speed limit of 30 mph). Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced.

Ensure that sidelights and rear registration plate light are lit at night.

Hazard warning lights

These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic.

Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You must not use hazard-warning lights whilst driving unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead.

Only use them for long enough to ensure that you're warning has been observed.

Speed limits

You must not exceed the speed limits for the road and for your vehicle. (Streetlights usually mean that there is a 30 mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit):

Avoid distractions such as

Loud music (this may mask other sounds)

Trying to read maps

Inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio

Arguing with your passengers or other road users

Eating or drinking

Using a mobile phone, using hands free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road.

Cycling

You should wear a cycling helmet that conforms to current regulations.

Appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes that may get tangled in the chain or wheel or may obscure your lights.

Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing that helps other road users to see you in daylight or poor light.

Reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle band) in the dark.

Driving in adverse weather conditions

You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100meters (328) feet. You may also use rear and front fog lights (in addition to headlights) but you must switch them off when visibility improves. (See rule 211 - of the Highway Code expanded edition 1998)

Wet weather

In wet weather, stopping distance will be at least double those required for stopping on a dry road. This is because your tyres have fewer grips on the road, in wet conditions.

You should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This will increase your ability to see and plan ahead.

If the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.

The rain and spray from vehicle may make it difficult to see and be seen.

Windy weather

High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather, but strong gust can, also blow a car, cyclist or motorcyclist off course. This can happen at open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when passing bridges or gaps in hedges. In very windy conditions your vehicle may be affected by turbulence created by large vehicles.

Hot weather

Keeping your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness. Be aware that the road surface may become soft or if it rains after a dry spell it may become slippery. These conditions could affect your steering and braking.