More General Information about Driving

General Information

Driving on licences from all other countries, and students on a foreign licence

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY/EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EC/EEA) COUNTRIES

All drivers must comply with British minimum age requirements. These are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 21 years for large lorries and buses.

DRIVING ON LICENCES FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES, AND STUDENTS ON A FOREIGN LICENCE

If you are a visitor, resident or student in Great Britain (GB) and still have a driving licence issued in the country you have come from, there are certain conditions that affect how long you can drive, and what you can drive in Great Britain.

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Renewing your driving licence at 70 plus

Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your renewed licence will normally be valid for three years.

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Apply online to change the address on your driving licence

You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately of any changes to your name, address or both. You can update your driving licence online or send it to DVLA for amendment. A new licence will be issued free of charge unless your photograph's due for renewal.

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The Highway Code

Follow this link to reach the adapted online version from the Department for Transport's current printed version of the Highway Code.

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Know your traffic signs

The Department for Transport's 'Know your traffic signs' booklet is now available on Directgov. You can go to an individual section for images and information on traffic signs, signals and road markings. Or, you can download the booklet in full, free of charge. Follow this link for more information: 

DRIVING ALONE

DRIVING ALONE

Even though statistics suggest that around 75% of UK motorists have been subjected to road rage at some time the actual risk of physical attack remains extremely low. However, this doesn't mean that lone drivers aren't nervous of driving when alone and they can suffer from a lack of confidence, concentration and increased levels of stress all of which potentially affect their driving and can endanger others around them.
Acknowledging the fear is a help in itself and can help to reduce the chances of it becoming a reality.

Lone driver's fears can usually be grouped into a few categories:

• Vehicle Breakdowns

• Car Parks and parking

• Being followed (probably the biggest fears that lone drivers have)

The following actions can be taken in each of these areas in order to minimise the risk and, therefore, the fear:

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AVOID OR MINIMISE BREAKDOWNS

• Always carry a fully charged mobile phone, or have an in-car charger. (Remember the rules on using phones whilst driving)

• Join a breakdown organisation - it really isn't that expensive and certainly gives you some 'peace of mind'

• Have your car serviced regularly and carry out routine checks yourself on fuel, oil, coolant, windscreen washer, brake fluid levels, etc. (Breakdown companies attend over 50,000 call outs due to drivers running out of fuel)

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SAFE PARKING

• Choose well lit areas at night.

• In multi-story car parks try to park on the ground floor, or near a lift if you can't. Keep away from pillars, corners and areas where someone could hide.

• In open car parks try to park as close to the pedestrian exit as possible and keep away from shrubs, bushes and again anywhere else where someone could hide.

• Reverse into the parking space means that you can drive forwards more easily if you feel in danger. (It really is easier than driving forwards into a parking space as well!!!). Practice makes perfect or we could teach you, in your car, in just one hour how to perfect it.

• If returning to your car at night try to get someone to accompany you or if this is not possible, have your keys ready and check through the windows to see that no-one is hiding in the car before entering.

• If someone does approach, and you're not sure of their intentions, lock the doors, start the engine and if necessary sound the horn.

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BEING FOLLOWED

• Try to keep calm. We know that this is easier said than done sometimes, but they are very unlikely to 'run you off the road' so you do have time to assess the situation.

• Find out if you really are being followed or if it is just a co-incidence. If you know the area you could drive in a circle around a housing estate or if on unfamiliar roads you could simply drive round a roundabout twice or leave a motorway and re-join at the same junction.

• If you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or somewhere where there will be lots of people. You don't need to get out of the car, you can attract attention by flashing your lights or sounding your horn if necessary.

• Do not drive faster to try and get away. You risk having an accident and becoming even more vulnerable.

• Under safe conditions practice reading number plates backwards so that if you have to call the police you can give them important information about the vehicle. (Remember the rules on using phones whilst driving) If you are calling the police try to do so after stopping at a busy place rather than using your hands-free kit - it's safer.

• Other drivers may gesture you to stop because there is a problem with your car - if this happens try to drive to a busy area and stop there. If the person approaches lock the doors and keep your windows closed. If they tell you what the problem is, and you have a phone, simply tell them that you will call for assistance. If you don't have a phone, ask them to call the police for you.

• When help arrives always check their identification cards before exiting the vehicle.

• If you are forced to stop by another vehicle stay in the car and lock the doors. You are safer in the car so don't try and run away. You can draw attention to yourself by flashing your lights and sounding your horn. Keep your engine running. If the person approaches drive your car away from them slowly and stop again. Repeat this if necessary as it lures them away from their vehicle and could give you enough time to get away. Use your phone, or pretend, if it's not working. Remember, if you do try to get away to do it in a controlled manner - don't risk crashing.

Useful Links

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Gov.UK

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The 'Motoring' section gives access to information on all your motoring needs including Learners and new drivers and riders; Driver licensing; Buying and selling a vehicle; Do it online; Owning a vehicle; Provisional Driving Licence applications; Theory and Practical test bookings; etc.

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PASS PLUS

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Pass Plus is a road safety initiative aimed at improving the skills of novice drivers. New drivers are more likely to have a crash in their first two years of driving than at any other time in their driving career. This is where Pass Plus comes in. After pupils pass their test they can pay for structured tuition from a registered Pass Plus instructor. Pupils reaching the required standard should be entitled to a substantial discount on their motor insurance premium from companies supporting the scheme.

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Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

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View driver information about medical conditions; driving licences; learning to drive; entitlement to drive; endorsements and disqualifications; driving abroad; what to do when you have changed your name or address; registering, taxing your car or applying for a refund; number plates and registration marks (including personalised registration numbers); importing and exporting vehicles; fighting vehicle crime and consumer advice on buying a used vehicle.

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Department for Transport

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Think! is a government strategy on road safety to make roads safer for everyone. Its key targets are to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road incidents.