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Basics

Moving off in a car usually doesn’t take much thought, however, it can make the difference of passing or failing your driving test, so it’s important that you move off correctly and safely.

Whether you’re coming up to a set of traffic lights or are looking to safely pull over, you should first plan where to stop to prepare well in advance. When planning to stop, you should stay aware of what’s happening around you in order to stop safely.

Whether you’re pulling away after being parked or are about to pull away in traffic, a hill start can be nerve wracking for any new driver. To begin, you should always start with your handbrake up to avoid your car from rolling backwards.

Getting to grips with clutch control is one of the most difficult parts of learning to drive a manual car. Using your clutch correctly will prevent mechanical problems and can also prevent you from stalling the vehicle, which can, in some situations, leave you vulnerable if you stall with cars behind you or at a roundabout with vehicles oncoming.

If you need to change a flat tyre, you first need to stop in a safe place on a flat surface away from other traffic, before applying the handbrake. After you have parked up, switch your hazard lights on to alert other drivers that your vehicle is stationary.

Apply the brake firmly when it's safe to do so and press the clutch down as you come to a stop. Lift the handbrake up to secure the car and then place the gear into neutral.

Keep in the left lane on dual carriageways and stay below the speed limit. Be wary of roundabouts, cyclists, traffic lights, learner drivers and slow farm vehicles that may surround you.

When driving on the motorway, make sure you understand the rules and never exceed the speed limit. You should also be aware of the road signs and symbols, as well as how to safely overtake.

You should overtake safely by checking your mirrors and blind spots, before signalling and safely overtaking.

The Highway Code is a set of information for road users to follow. The book contains all rules and regulations relating to road safety.

No, it's illegal to drive without a valid MOT, unless you are driving to an MOT appointment.

No, driving without insurance is illegal. You may receive a fine, points on your licence, and even be disqualified from driving.

You must have valid registration plates on your car at all times otherwise you can face a fine and MOT failure.