The Highway Code is a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in the UK.
It covers a wide range of topics, including road signs and markings, vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices. The Highway Code is not legally binding, but failing to follow its guidelines can be used as evidence in court if a driver is involved in an accident. The code is published by the Department for Transport and it’s available for free on their website. It’s important for all road users to be familiar with its contents and to follow its guidelines at all times.
Passing a driving test is not just about demonstrating your ability to drive a vehicle safely, it’s also about showing that you understand and can comply with the rules of the road as outlined in the Highway Code. The Highway Code is an essential guide for all road users, providing clear rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. It’s important to be familiar with the code before taking a driving test as many of the questions on the theory test will be based on it.
The Highway Code covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to passing a driving test in the UK. One of the most important sections in the code is the one that covers road signs and markings. This section contains information on the different types of signs and markings that you will encounter on the road and explains what they mean. It’s important to be familiar with the signs and markings in order to understand the road layout and to be able to anticipate any hazards.
Another important section of the Highway Code is the one that covers vehicle maintenance. This section contains information on how to keep your vehicle in good working order, including how to check the oil, water, and brakes. It’s important to make sure that your vehicle is in good working order before taking a driving test, as a faulty vehicle can be dangerous on the road.
The code also covers the rules of the road, including speed limits, overtaking, and how to use roundabouts. It’s important to be familiar with these rules as you will be expected to follow them during your driving test. The code also provides guidelines on how to drive in different weather conditions, such as fog, rain, and ice.
The Highway Code also contains information on how to drive safely, including how to maintain a safe following distance, how to use mirrors and signals, and how to deal with road works and other hazards. It’s important to follow these guidelines during your driving test to demonstrate that you are a safe and responsible driver.
The code also contains specific information for cyclists and pedestrians, which is also important to understand as they also have their rights on the road. As a driver, it’s important to be aware of these rules and to show consideration to these road users.
In summary, the Highway Code is an essential guide for all road users in the UK. It’s important to be familiar with its contents and to follow its guidelines at all times. It’s especially important for anyone taking a driving test in the UK as many of the questions on the theory test will be based on it, and it’s also important to demonstrate that you understand and can comply with the rules of the road during the practical test. By studying the code and following its guidelines, you will not only improve your chances of passing your driving test, but you will also become a safer and more responsible driver.
Summary
- The Highway Code is a set of rules and guidelines for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in the UK.
- It covers a wide range of topics, including road signs and markings, vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices.
- The Highway Code is not legally binding but failing to follow its guidelines can be used as evidence in court if a driver is involved in an accident.
- It’s important for all road users to be familiar with its contents and to follow its guidelines at all times.
- Passing a driving test in the UK requires not only demonstrating the ability to drive a vehicle safely but also showing understanding and compliance with the rules of the road as outlined in the Highway Code.
- The Highway Code covers road signs and markings, vehicle maintenance, rules of the road, safe driving, and specific information for cyclists and pedestrians
- Being familiar with the code and following its guidelines will not only improve the chances of passing a driving test but also make a person a safer and more responsible driver.
The Highway Code
The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users, including pedestrians, mobility scooter users, cyclists, horse riders, drivers and motorcyclists. Keep up to date with the latest updates from the DVSA.
- Introduction
Who The Highway Code is for, how it's worded, the consequences of not following the rules, self-driving vehicles, and the hierarchy of road users (Rules H1 to H3).
- Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)
Rules for pedestrians, including general guidance, crossing the road, crossings, and situations needing extra care.
- Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters (36 to 46)
Rules for powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, including on pavements and on the road.
- Rules about animals (47 to 58)
Rules about animals, including horse-drawn vehicles, horse riders and other animals.
- Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)
Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.
- Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88)
Rules for motorcyclists, including helmets, carrying passengers, daylight riding and riding in the dark.
- Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)
Rules for drivers and motorcyclists, including vehicle condition, fitness to drive, alcohol and drugs, what to do before setting off, vehicle towing and loading, and seat belts and child restraints.
- General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
Signals, stopping procedures, lighting, control of the vehicle, speed limits, stopping distances, lines and lane markings and multi-lane carriageways, smoking, mobile phones and sat nav.
- Using the road (159 to 203)
Rules for using the road, including general rules, overtaking, road junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and reversing.
- Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)
Rules for road users requiring extra care, including pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists, other road users and other vehicles.
- Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)
Rules for driving in adverse weather conditions, including wet weather, icy and snowy weather, windy weather, fog and hot weather.
- Waiting and parking (238 to 252)
Rules for waiting and parking, including rules on parking at night and decriminalised parking enforcement.
- Motorways (253 to 274)
Rules for motorways, including rules for signals, joining the motorway, driving on the motorway, lane discipline, overtaking, stopping and leaving the motorway. A number of the rules for motorways also apply to other high-speed roads.
- Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)
Rules for breakdowns and incidents, including rules for motorways, obstructions, incidents, incidents involving dangerous goods and documents.
- Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)
Rules for road works (including on motorways and other high-speed roads), level crossings and tramways.
- Light signals controlling traffic
Light signals used to control traffic, including traffic light signals, flashing red lights, motorway signals and lane control signals.
- Signals to other road users
Signals used to other road users, including direction indicator signals, brake light signals, reversing light signals and arm signals.
- Signals by authorised persons
Signals used by authorised persons, including police officers, arm signals to persons controlling traffic, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers and traffic officers and school crossing patrols.
- Traffic signs
Traffic signs used, including signs giving orders, warning signs, direction signs, information signs and road works signs.
- Road markings
Road markings used, including those across the carriageway, along the carriageway, along the edge of the carriageway, on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway and other road markings.
- Vehicle markings
Vehicle markings used, including large goods vehicle rear markings, hazard warning plates, projection markers and other markings.
- Annex 1. You and your bicycle
Information and rules about you and your bicycle.
- Annex 2. Motorcycle licence requirements
Information and rules about motorcycle licence requirements.
- Annex 3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
Information and rules about motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements.
- Annex 4. The road user and the law
Information about the road user and the law, including acts and regulations.
- Annex 5. Penalties
Information and rules about penalties, including points and disqualification, a penalty table, new drivers and other consequences of offending.
- Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security
Information and rules about vehicle maintenance, safety and security.
- Annex 7. First aid on the road
Information about first aid on the road, including dealing with danger, getting help, helping those involved, and providing emergency care.
- Annex 8. Safety code for new drivers
Information about the safety code for new drivers, including the New Drivers Act and further training.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
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