Bike 1

If the oil-pressure warning light comes on when the engine is running, pull over as soon as you can, stop the engine and investigate the cause; if you don’t, you risk serious engine damage.

Large vehicles throw up a lot of spray when it’s wet. This makes it difficult for following drivers to see the road ahead. You’ll be able to see more by dropping back further, out of the spray. This will also increase your separation distance, giving you more room to stop if you have to.

A ford is a crossing over a stream that’s shallow enough to drive or ride through. After you’ve gone through a ford or deep puddle, your brakes will be wet and they won’t work as well as usual. To dry them out, apply a light brake pressure while moving slowly. Don’t travel at normal speeds until you’re sure your brakes are working properly again.

Hazard warning lights are an important safety feature. Use them when riding on a motorway to warn following traffic of danger ahead. You should also use them if your motorcycle has broken down and is causing an obstruction.

These lines are often found on the approach to a roundabout or a dangerous junction. They give you extra warning to adjust your speed. Look well ahead and do this in good time.

Always check the road signs. Triangular signs are warning signs: they inform you about hazards ahead and help you to anticipate any problems. There are a number of different signs showing pedestrians. Learn the meaning of each one.

Motorcycles and scooters are generally smaller than other vehicles and can be difficult to see. Wearing bright clothing makes it easier for other road users to see a motorcyclist approaching, especially at junctions.

Be cautious and don’t attempt to overtake. The driver may be unsure of the location of a junction and may turn suddenly.

There are some crossings where cycle routes lead cyclists to cross at the same place as pedestrians. These are called toucan crossings. Always look out for cyclists, as they’re likely to be approaching faster than pedestrians.

When turning right at this crossroads, you should keep the oncoming car to your right. This will give you a clear view of the road ahead and any oncoming traffic.

You’ll see this sign if there has been an incident ahead and the motorway is closed. You must obey the sign. Make sure that you prepare to leave in good time.

It’s important to ensure that the airway is open before you start CPR. To open the casualty’s airway, place your fingers under their chin and lift it forward.

Top up the battery with distilled water and make sure each cell plate is covered.

It’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile or similar device when driving or riding, except in a genuine emergency. The safest option is to switch off your mobile phone before you set off, and use a message service. If you’ve forgotten to switch your phone off and it rings, you should ignore it. When you’ve stopped in a safe place, you can see who called and return the call if necessary.

If your motorcycle is fitted with high-intensity rear fog lights, you must only use them when visibility is seriously reduced. That’s when you can see no further than 100 metres (328 feet). This rule about high-intensity rear fog lights applies to all motor vehicles.

When you’re turning into a side road, pedestrians who are crossing have priority. You should wait to allow them to finish crossing safely. Be patient if they’re slow or unsteady. Don’t try to rush them by sounding your horn, flashing your lights, revving your engine or giving any other inappropriate signal.

You should stay in the left-hand lane of a motorway unless you’re overtaking another vehicle. The right-hand lane of a motorway is an overtaking lane; it isn’t the ‘fast lane’. After overtaking, move back to the left when it’s safe to do so.

When you’re turning right, plan your approach to the junction. Signal and select the correct gear in good time. Just before you turn, take a lifesaver glance for a final check behind and to the side of you.

‘Tailgating’ is the term used when a driver or rider follows the vehicle in front too closely. It’s dangerous because it restricts their view of the road ahead and leaves no safety margin if the vehicle in front needs to slow down or stop suddenly. Tailgating is often the underlying cause of rear-end collisions or multiple pile-ups.

If you follow a large vehicle too closely, your view beyond it will be restricted. Drop back. This will help you to see more of the road ahead. It will also help the driver of the large vehicle to see you in their mirrors and will give you a safe separation distance if the lorry needs to stop suddenly.

Large, slow-moving vehicles can hinder the progress of other traffic. On a steep gradient, an extra crawler lane may be provided for slow-moving vehicles to allow faster-moving traffic to flow more easily.

If you have to park on the road in foggy conditions, it’s important that your motorcycle can be seen by other road users. Try to find a place to park off the road. If this isn’t possible, leave your motorcycle facing in the same direction as the traffic. Make sure that your lights are clean and leave your parking lights on.

To obtain the full category ‘A’ on your driving licence, the motorcycle you use for your practical test must be a solo machine with a cylinder capacity of at least 595 cc and a power output of at least 40 kW (53.6 bhp).

To go straight ahead at a roundabout, you should normally approach in the left-hand lane, but check the road markings. At some roundabouts, the left lane on approach is marked ‘left turn only’, so make sure you use the correct lane to go ahead. You won’t normally need to signal as you approach, but signal before you leave the roundabout, as other road users need to know your intentions.

This sign indicates that there are waiting restrictions. It’s normally accompanied by details of when the restrictions are in force.

The effects of shock may not be immediately obvious. Warning signs are rapid pulse, sweating, pale grey skin and rapid shallow breathing.

You may have to pull forward slowly until you can see up and down the road. Be aware that the traffic approaching the junction can’t see you either. If you don’t know that it’s clear, don’t go.

You should only flash your headlights to warn others of your presence. Don’t use them to greet others, show impatience or give priority to other road users, because they could misunderstand your signal.

Any passenger you carry – no matter how old they are – must be able to reach the footrests and handholds properly to remain safe on your machine. Also make sure they’re wearing protective weatherproof clothing and a properly fitting helmet.

Be cautious, especially when your view is restricted by hedges, bushes, walls, large vehicles, etc. In the summer months, these junctions can become more difficult to deal with, because growing foliage may further obscure your view.

If your motorcycle starts to aquaplane, ease off the throttle smoothly. Don’t brake or turn the steering until tyre grip has been restored.

The approach to, and exit from, a pedestrian crossing is marked with zigzag lines. You mustn’t park on them or overtake the leading vehicle when approaching the crossing. Parking here would block the view for pedestrians and approaching traffic.

Stay in the left-hand lane long enough to get used to the higher speeds of motorway traffic before considering overtaking.

The engine cut-out switch is used to stop the engine in an emergency. In the event of a crash, this may help to reduce any fire risk.

Flashing red lights above your lane show that your lane is closed. You should move into another lane as soon as you can do so safely.

If an oil seal on your forks or shock absorbers fails, fork oil will leak out, making the suspension ineffective and the motorcycle difficult to control. It can also be very dangerous if the oil gets onto brakes or tyres. Replace faulty oil seals without delay.

You may pass slower vehicles on their left while travelling along a one-way street. Be aware of drivers who may need to change lanes and may not expect faster traffic passing on their left.

It’s best to avoid riding in foggy weather. However, if you have to, there are some precautions you can take before setting off to help make your journey as safe as possible. These include checking that all your lights are clean and working, and that your visor is clean.

Some garages will remind you that your vehicle is due for its annual MOT test, but not all do. To ensure continuous cover, you may take your vehicle for its MOT up to one month before its existing MOT certificate runs out. The expiry date on the new certificate will be 12 months after the expiry date on the old certificate.

If people are waiting to use a pedestrian crossing, slow down and be prepared to stop. Don’t wave them across the road, because another driver may not have seen them, may not have seen your signal, and may not be able to stop safely.

Travel slowly and carefully near parked vehicles. Beware of
• vehicles pulling out, especially bicycles and motorcycles
• pedestrians, especially children, who may run out from between cars
• drivers opening their doors.

Normally, you should only use the hard shoulder for emergencies and breakdowns, and at roadworks when signs direct you to do so. Smart motorways use active traffic management to ease congestion. In these areas, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane when speed-limit signs are shown directly above.

You’ll generally see this sign at the approach to a pedestrian-only zone.

As you approach a roundabout, look well ahead and check all signs. Decide which exit you wish to take and move into the correct position as you approach the roundabout, signalling as required.

Don’t force your way through. Show courtesy and consideration to other road users. Although you have priority, make sure oncoming traffic is going to give way before you continue.

Wearing bright or fluorescent clothes will help other road users to see you. Wearing a light or brightly coloured helmet can also make you more visible.

You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of older drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don’t lose patience or show annoyance.

This distance is the equivalent of 18 car lengths. Try pacing out 73 metres and then look back. It’s probably further than you think.

Your passenger may be inexperienced in judging traffic situations, may have a poor view or may not have seen a potential hazard. You’re responsible for your own safety and that of your passenger. Always make your own checks to be sure it’s safe to pull out.

The minimum insurance cover required by law is third-party only. This covers the other people and vehicles involved in a collision, but not you or your vehicle. Also, basic third-party insurance won’t cover you for theft or fire damage. Make sure you read your policy carefully and understand what it covers.