When can you use fog lights in the UK?

Only when visibility is seriously reduced, which The Highway Code generally describes as being unable to see for more than 100 metres. You must switch them off when visibility improves, because fog lights dazzle other road users and can hide your brake lights (rules 226 and 236).

How do you correct a rear-wheel skid?

Remove the cause first by releasing the brake pedal fully or easing off the accelerator, then steer in the direction of the skid. Rule 119 gives the example that if the rear of the car skids to the right, you steer immediately to the right to recover.

Why should you use a lower gear going downhill?

Rule 160 says to select a lower gear before you reach a long downhill slope, because it helps control your speed. Engine braking then holds the car back, so you rely less on the footbrake, which can lose effectiveness if it is used too heavily.

What should you do after driving through deep water?

Test your brakes at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal, because water can make them less effective (rule 121). If they are not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly to help dry them out.

What should you do if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights?

Slow down, and if necessary stop, until your vision recovers (rule 115). Never retaliate by switching to main beam, because that leaves two drivers unable to see. Rule 114 says you must not use any lights in a way that would dazzle other road users.

Vehicle Handling: Skids, Weather & Night Driving

What causes a skid and how do you correct it?

Skidding is usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or driving too fast for the conditions (rule 119). To recover, remove the cause: release the brake pedal fully or ease off the accelerator, then steer in the direction of the skid. If the rear slides right, steer right.

Prevention is better than cure. Rule 117 says the safest way to brake is early and lightly, then more firmly as you begin to stop. In an emergency, brake immediately but try not to brake so harshly that the wheels lock (rule 118). With ABS, brake firmly and keep the pressure on (rule 120).

Water causes its own loss of grip. If the steering becomes unresponsive in heavy rain, water is probably stopping the tyres gripping the road: ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually (rule 227). After driving through deep water, test your brakes gently at the first safe opportunity, and if they are not fully effective, apply light pressure while driving slowly to dry them out (rule 121).

When should you use fog lights?

Only when visibility is seriously reduced, which The Highway Code generally describes as being unable to see for more than 100 metres (rule 226). In those conditions you must use headlights and may add fog lights. You must switch fog lights off when visibility improves, because they dazzle others and can hide your brake lights.

Rule 235 adds the core fog techniques:

keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, and be able to pull up well within the distance you can see clearly
use your wipers and demisters, and beware of other drivers not using headlights
check your mirrors before slowing, then brake so your brake lights warn drivers behind
at a junction with limited visibility, stop in the correct position, listen for traffic, then emerge positively once you are sure it is safe.

If a “Fog” sign is shown but the road is clear, be prepared for a bank of fog or patchy fog ahead (rule 234).

How do you drive safely on ice and snow?

Do not drive in icy or snowy weather unless your journey is essential (rule 228). If you must, clear all snow and ice from every window, your lights and number plates before setting off. Then drive slowly in as high a gear as possible, accelerating and braking very gently, because stopping distances can be ten times greater.

Brake progressively on the straight before a bend, then steer smoothly round it (rule 231).
Test your grip by braking gently somewhere safe. Unresponsive steering may indicate ice, and on ice your tyres make virtually no noise.
Take care overtaking gritters, and do not overtake a snowplough unless the lane you intend to use has been cleared (rule 230).
Carry an emergency kit including de-icer, an ice scraper, a torch, warm clothing, a first aid kit, jump leads and a shovel (rule 228).

How do you control your speed on a steep downhill road?

Select a lower gear before you reach a long downhill slope so engine braking helps control your speed (rule 160). Never coast in neutral or with the clutch pressed down: rule 122 warns that coasting eliminates engine braking, lets speed build quickly downhill, and heavier use of the footbrake can reduce its effectiveness.

Coasting also affects steering response, particularly on bends, and can make it harder to select the right gear when you need it. Steep hill warning signs may show the gradient as a percentage; The Highway Code notes that 20% is the same as 1:5. On single-track roads, give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can (rule 155).

What should you do if you are dazzled by headlights at night?

Slow down, and if necessary stop, until you can see clearly again (rule 115). Never retaliate with main beam. To avoid dazzling others, dip your headlights for oncoming traffic, and when overtaking keep them dipped until you are level with the other vehicle, then use main beam only if it will not dazzle anyone.

The Highway Code defines night as the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (rule 113).

Situation	What to do with your lights	Rule
Night, on roads without lit street lighting	You must use headlights	113
Night in built-up areas, or dull daytime weather	Use dipped headlights	115
Visibility seriously reduced	You must use headlights; fog lights allowed	226
Visibility improves	You must switch fog lights off	236
Stationary queue	Parking brake on, foot off the footbrake once traffic behind has stopped	114

How does strong wind affect your driving?

Strong gusts can blow cars, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders off course, especially on open stretches exposed to crosswinds and when passing bridges or gaps in hedges (rule 232). High-sided vehicles are most affected. Large vehicles also create turbulence, so keep well back from motorcyclists overtaking a high-sided vehicle (rule 233).

Give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders extra space when overtaking in high winds, as rule 163 advises. Look out for the “Side winds” warning triangle.

What are road humps, chicanes and rumble strips for?

Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are traffic-calming features designed to slow you down. Reduce your speed as you approach, keep it down along the whole stretch, allow cyclists and motorcyclists room to pass through, and do not overtake other moving road users within them (rule 153). Give way to oncoming traffic where signs tell you.

Rumble devices across the road work differently. Know Your Traffic Signs explains that they give a visual, audible and vibratory warning, often in rural areas, to alert you to a hazard ahead, usually a bend or junction, and encourage you to slow down.

What mistakes do learners make on vehicle handling questions?

Most wrong answers come from picking an instinctive reaction, like braking hard or using full beam, over the controlled response The Highway Code describes. These are the traps that appear most often. When in doubt, the correct answer usually involves easing off gently, slowing down and increasing your distance.

Braking harder in a skid. Release the brake or ease off the accelerator, then steer into the skid.
Fog lights in rain or at night. Only when visibility is seriously reduced.
Leaving fog lights on as fog clears. You must switch them off.
Coasting downhill to save fuel. It removes engine braking and control.
Retaliating with main beam when dazzled. Slow down or stop instead.
Overtaking through a chicane. Rule 153 says do not overtake moving road users in calming areas.

Where should you go next?

Handling questions reward understanding over memory, so test yourself on real scenarios next. Use the links below to practise this topic, then review safety margins, where the same weather conditions change your stopping distances, and finish with a timed mock test.