1.  Legal responsibilities

Knowing and following all driving laws and regulations. 

You have shown most of these skills on your theory test. You will show these skills during your practical driving test.

Examples

• We drive on the left side of the road.
• we give way where road signs or road markings show.
• we give way to traffic from our right at roundabouts.
• Amber light means stop at traffic lights followed by a red light.
• Stop behind the solid white line at traffic lights
• Position right on one way streets for turning right.

You Should understand how the following effects your driving and be up to date with the current laws in place. New laws are introduced regularly, so keep up with currents laws.

• Health
• Eyesight
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Tiredness
• Mobile Phones

2.  Safety checks - examples

• Check all windows and lights are clean, including the car registration number plates.
• Check all tyres are legal and in good condition, including the tyre pressures.
• Check all lights are working.
• Check windscreen wash/wipe working.
• Check engine oil, brake fluid and engine coolant are within the minimum and maximum mark.
• Check brakes are working correctly.
• Check there are no warning signs or messages on the car dashboard.

3.  Cockpit checks - examples

• Ensure all doors are closed properly.
• Adjust your seat, mirrors and steering wheel for a comfortable and safe driving position.
• Adjust the head restraint correctly to protect your neck from injuries.
• Fasten your seat belt.
• Check you have enough fuel.
• Ensure there are no warning signs or messages on the car dashboard.

4.  Security 

Taking measures to protect your vehicle and its contents from theft, including your safety.

You have shown these skills by answering multiple choice questions on your theory test.

• Staying alert at all times
• Letting someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive or return.
• Keeping important or valuable items out of view while you are in the car.
• Choosing a secure place to park and leave the car especially at night.

Control and positioning (skills 5-7)

5. Controls and instruments

Operating the vehicles controls should become second nature, so you can concentrate on what's happening around you. Control comes with practice.

• Foot controls - the accelerator, clutch and brake pedals.
• Hand controls - the hand brake, steering wheel, indicators and gearstick.
• Other controls - the head light, horn, windscreen wash/wipe, heated windows and demisters.

You should know the controls of your vehicle and you must know the meaning and function of each element of the instrument panel.

6. Moving away and stopping

You need to know how to move away and stop safely. You should be able to:

• Move away and stop safely on level ground, on a hill, at an angle and straight ahead.
• Use the (MSM) mirrors, signal, manoeuvre, (PSL) position, speed, look.
• Observe what's happening around you and be aware of any blind spots.
• Co-ordinate your use of the accelerator, cutch and foot brake, so that you move off and slow down safely and smoothly every time.
• Use the parking brake and steering with ease.
• Know where to look and how to respond to what you see, by making good decisions.
• Know if a signal is necessary and when to signal. Understand who benefits from your signal.

7.  Safe positioning

• Be aware of your car's normal position when driving. Use the left lane, unless turning right or over taking on one way streets. 
• You should remember to use the MSM and PSL routines.
• Show good discipline by planning ahead and moving into the correct lane in good time.
• Adapt your road position to suit the road width and traffic conditions.
• Keep a safe position specially around bends.
• Take up correct position on one way streets. 

8.  Mirrors - vision and use.

You should know what's happening around you at all times and act safely on what you see.

You should understand;

• how to make use of mirror-signal-manoeuvre (MSM) and position-speed-look (PSL) routines.
• when to use mirrors and who can benefit from a signal.
• why you need to use the mirrors and the importance of regular mirror checks.
• know how to act on what you see in the mirrors.
• the uses for the interior mirror and the two exterior mirrors.  the effect that flat, concave and convex mirrors have and how to interpret what you see in them. what area each mirror covers and where the blind spots are.

9. Signals

Its important to understand and respond to signals given by other motorists and cyclists. You should always give clear, well timed signals to other road users so that they know what you are planning to do.

•  why it's necessary to give signals.
• when and how to give arm signals.
• when signals are not required.
• who can benefit from your signals.
• significance of other types of signals including brake, reversing and hazard warning lights.
• how to read signals given by traffic controllers such as police and school crossing patrols.

10. Anticipation and planning

Anticipation and planning are the core skills of all areas of driving. You should learn to be aware of your surroundings and understand what you need to do in response. Planning ahead can help you drive stress free. You can also save fuel and wear on your brakes and tyres if you ease of the gas pedal earlier. You should be able to:

• identify hazards from clues and respond to them in good time.
• use the MSM and PSL routines.
• use scanning techniques to plan ahead and prioritise how you will deal with hazards.

You should also know how to anticipate the actions of other road users and understand the risks associated with:

• emergency vehicles.
• cyclists.
• animals.
• drivers of large vehicles.
• motor cyclists.
• pedestrians, including older people, children and those with disabilities.

11. Use of speed

You should be aware of the maximum speed limit for the road you are on. Only drive at the maximum speed limit if it is safe to do so. Base your speed on factors such as weather, the road conditions, traffic and pedestrians. You should:

• adjust your speed to take account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
• know the national speed limits and restrictions for different types of vehicles and any restricted speed limits for the road you are on.
• know the stopping distance for your car in different conditions and how to calculate a safe separation distance from the car in front.
• choose an appropriate speed where there are pedestrians and traffic calming measures in place.

12. Other traffic

When you are driving, most of the time there will be other traffic on the road. You should be able to deal with safely and confidently when meeting, crossing and overtaking other vehicles.

You should be able to deal with:

• meeting on coming traffic on narrow roads with passing places.
• meeting on coming traffic when there are parked cars or obstructions on your side of the road.
• overtaking legally and safely.
• crossing the path of other traffic when turning right.
• why and when to give way - you should not cause another road user to slow down or alter their course when they have priority.
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