Chapter 8 – Rules of the Road

The national speed limit for: –

Cars and motorcycles on single carriageway roads – 60 mph.
Cars and motorcycles on motorways and dual carriageways – 70 mph.
Cars towing a trailer on single carriageway roads – 50 mph.
Cars towing a small caravan on motorways and dual carriageways – 60 mph.
On a road with street lights, but no speed limit signs, the speed limit is usually 30 mph.

Zebra Crossing – if someone is waiting to cross you should stop and let them cross.
Toucan Crossings – can be used by cyclists and pedestrians.
Pelican Crossings – a flashing amber light means you must give way to pedestrians still crossing. If the light changes to red and people are still crossing, then you must continue to wait and let them cross
Puffin Crossing – No flashing amber light. The lights will only go from Red to Green when the pedestrians have reached a safe position.

You must not drive in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its period of operation.
A cycle lane marked by a broken white line means you should not drive-in, or park in the lane unless it is unavoidable.
You must not drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation. The hours of operation will be marked on the bus lane road sign. You can only drive in a bus lane outside its hours of operation.

You may only wait in a box junction when you’re turning right.
Your exit lane is clear but you can’t complete the turn because of oncoming traffic.

If you park at night on a road where the speed limit is above 30 mph you must leave your parking lights (sidelights) on.
Always park facing the flow of traffic

You should not park your vehicle: –

On the pavement
At a bus stop
In front of someone’s drive
Opposite a traffic island
Near a school entrance
On a pedestrian crossing (or inside the zigzag lines either side of it)
Near a junction (The nearest you can park to a junction is 10 meters -32 feet)
On an Urban clearway
On a motorway
Never park in a disabled only parking space unless permitted i.e. you are a blue badge holder.

You may drive over a footpath to get to a property.

You can park on the right-hand side of a road at night on a one-way street.

When parking in the meter-zone you have to park in the bay and pay.

When parking on the road at night, use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30mph

Going left – signal left as you approach the roundabout. Keep signaling until you have left the roundabout.
Going straight ahead – signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you will take.
Going right – signal right as you approach the roundabout. Signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you will take.
Cyclists and horse riders may stay in the left-hand lane even if they are turning right.
Long vehicles may take up a different position to stop the rear of the vehicle hitting the kerb.

When you are intending to turn right at a crossroads, an oncoming vehicle is also turning right; it will normally be safer to keep the other vehicle to your right and turn behind it. (Offside to offside.)
If you are traveling through a road only wide enough for one vehicle. There is a car coming towards you, you should pull into passing place on your left.
At an unmarked crossroads no, one has priority
If the central reservation of a dual carriageway is narrow, you should wait until the road is clear in both directions.
If you are in the wrong lane at a busy junction, you should continue in that lane and not try to force your way across.
If you meet an obstruction on your side of the road or carriageway, you should give way to oncoming traffic.
If you are going along a street with parked vehicles on the left-hand side you should keep your speed down because children may run out, the vehicles may pull out and driver’s doors may open.
You can only park opposite hazard lines on the road to pick up or set down passengers.
Red and White markers – Concealed level crossing.

You must not reverse for longer than is necessary.
Never reverse from a side road onto the main road
When reversing into a side road, the main hazard to oncoming traffic is when the front of your vehicle swings out.
You may remove your seatbelt when carrying out a manoeuvre that involves – Reversing.

1. If you are waiting at a level crossing, a train has passed but the lights still keep on flashing. You should carry on waiting.
2. If you are driving through a level crossing and bell start ringing you should keep driving and clear of the crossing.

Signals are normally given by direction indicators and brake lights.

You must stop when signaled by A police officer, A red traffic light and A school crossing patrol

You will be easily seen by others if you have dipped headlights on even when traveling on a well-lit road.