Skill 24: Driving in the dark
There are many factors that make driving in the dark more hazardous. Judging speed at night can be difficult, so you need to be particularly careful at junctions.
You need to be confident driving on:
- Urban roads
- Rural roads
- Single and dual carriageways
You should know:
- How darkness limits your visibility and therefore your speed, especially in bad weather
- When you need to use your lights, which lights to use and the importance of keeping them clean
- When you can use the horn at night
- How to park safely and legally when it’s dark
Skill 25: Weather conditions
You need to be aware of the effect some weather conditions, such as fog and low sun, can have on visibility. Other conditions, such as ice, snow and rain, can affect the way that the car handles.
You should be confident in all weather conditions, including:
- Fog
- Ice and Snow
- Bright sunshine
- Wind
- Rain
You need to know:
- The way that different weather conditions affect your visibility, speed and stopping distance – you need to demonstrate that you can respond to these conditions safely
- The car’s capabilities and how to use its features
- The warning signs and signals that may be used
- The causes of skidding and aquaplaning, and how to control them if they do occur
- When to use your lights and which lights to use in poor daytime visibility
Skill 26: Passengers and loads
You need to understand the responsibilities that you have to any passengers (including adults and children), and how to secure any items you’re transporting.
When carrying passengers and loads, you should be aware of:
- Your responsibility to other adults, children, babies and animals in your car
- The safest way to carry loads in and on the car
- How to load trailers safely
You need to know:
- The rules concerning the use of seat belts
- The importance of not putting a rear-facing baby seat into a seat that’s protected by an airbag
- The importance of checking that all doors are shut properly and that animals are safely restrained
- How to stow luggage or load it securely and the importance of distributing weight evenly
