Car general knowledge

Pulling over to the left will give the emergency vehicle as much space as possible to overtake you. Don't brake heavily or you risk the emergency vehicle running into the back of your vehicle, or another vehicle behind you running into you

You can also turn your wheels towards the kerb for added security as if the car rolls it will turn itself towards the kerb."

Explaination: "It is an offence to drive an unregistered vehicle on the road."

"Unless you are overtaking another vehicle you should drive in the left hand lane to ensure the best traffic flow."

Stopping on a freeway is more dangerous, even though there is an emergency lane. There is unlikely to be any where you can address these problems and you will create an unnecessary hazard if you have a preventable issue with your vehicle. It is important to have the correct tyre pressure because freeway speeds are high and incorrect tyre pressure can affect handling and increase the risk of a tyre blowout

Mirror A allows you to see back up the lane as far as possible and minimises (but doesn't eliminate) your blind spot."

Before you can take the Hazard Perception Test to advance to a P2 licence, you must have held your P1 licence for at least 12 months

Leaving a child in the car is dangerous for a number of reasons. The child may play with the controls, inadvertently releasing the handbrake or setting fire to something with the lighter, for example, or in summer it may suffer heat exhaustion or dehydration

Remaining stopped will allow the fire truck to negotiate its way around you, minimising the chance of an accident

Farm animals may be present - possibly around a blind corner - so it is safest to slow down and be prepared to stop

The emergency lane is the safest place to be. Park as far left as you can in the emergency lane.

A bicycle rider has the same rights and responsibilities as other road users, although there are certain roads where bicycles are prohibited.

If you leave a gap of at least 60 metres, other vehicles overtaking you can pull in safely after overtaking you, gradually leap-frogging the line of slower vehicles. Note that this rule is only for roads without streetlights

Opening a vehicle door presents a significant danger to cyclists, as well as other vehicle users. Always check your mirrors and over your shoulder before opening your door

ravelling at freeway speeds is deceptive. If you are coming to an intersection, roundabout or zone with a lower speed limit, begin to slow down early and adjust your speed appropriately

If there are angle park markings, that is how you should park."

The traffic controller will let you know when it's safe to pass through the road works. There might be vehicles coming the other way, or workers or machinery blocking the lane.

"This sign means you are on a freeway."

Road repairs can cause the road to be slippery, and you may come around a corner to find a traffic controller with a handheld sign directing traffic, therefore be prepared to stop

The left lane is closed. Merge like a zip (alternate vehicles) into the right hand lane"

Caravans are not designed to be crash-proof. A person in an accident in a caravan is likely to be seriously injured or worse

20 metres gives enough room for other vehicles to manoeuvre around a parked vehicle

 "You must report the accident."

Cars are not designed to cope with pulling multiple trailers, and loss of control could occur.

Road works signs are there to warn you that the road conditions may be dangerous at any time (e.g. slippery or potentially damaging to your vehicle at higher speeds).

High beam headlights can dazzle other drivers and make it difficult for them to see the road and any dangers

Horses can be frightened easily by traffic and can become unpredictable. Slowing down and giving them plenty of space is essentia

For other vehicles to be able to exit safely, leave a gap of at least one metre. It also reduces the risk of damage to your vehicle.

Get in the habit of using your indicator every time you make a manoeuvre as it tells other drivers what your intentions are, even if it's the only way you can turn.

if traffic is blocking the other side you may get stranded on the tracks. As a train cannot stop quickly or leave the tracks, your vehicle will be in danger of being hit by the train

Opening a vehicle door presents a significant danger to cyclists, as well as other vehicle users. Always check your mirrors and over your shoulder before opening your door.

Get in the habit of using your indicator every time you make a manoeuvre as it tells other drivers what your intentions are, even if it's the only way you can turn.

This gives other vehicle enough room to pass without crossing the dividing lines

Turning on your lights will make you more visible to other road users. However, keep them on low beam so you do not dazzle other drivers

Keeping to the left gives you a buffer against oncoming vehicles but be careful you're not driving on loose stones or debris that could puncture your tyre

The more speed you can scrub off, and the further you are to your left, the more chance you have of avoiding an accident, or at least minimising its effects."

You should exit the freeway at the next appropriate exit and make your way back to your desired exit on the other side of the freeway. Reversing on the freeway is dangerous and prohibited."

Pulling over to the left will give the emergency vehicle as much space as possible to overtake you. Don't brake heavily or you risk the emergency vehicle running into the back of your vehicle, or another vehicle behind you running into you.

You can drive a van like this on a car licence.

You can only parallel park if there are no other signs or markings"

This area is reserved exclusively for taxis.

Trying to merge into freeway traffic too slowly causes a dangerous situation for other drivers who may have to brake heavily. Match your speed and merge into a gap in the traffic

Gravel has much less grip and it is easier for you to lose control when you are going faster.

Moving to the left will give the ambulance as much room as possible to pass. Don't make any erratic manoeuvres such as slowing down abruptly or you might cause the ambulance to have to swerve dangerously to avoid you

A defect notice will be issued for a failed inspection and a vehicle will not pass a subsequent inspection until the necessary repairs specified on the defect notice have been fixed. In the case of a minor defect notice there will be a time period specified in which the defects must be fixed. For a major defect, the vehicle might be grounded (prevented from driving on the road)."

Using a hand-held phone diminishes your ability to control your vehicle. You are much more likely to have an accident if you are using a hand-held phone

Double parking obstructs the road way and causes a hazard for other road users.

Pedestrians may have disembarked and might try to cross. Observing the 40km/h speed limit gives you more chance to stop if you need to

Stopping on a freeway is more dangerous, even though there is an emergency lane. There is unlikely to be anywhere you can address these problems and you will create an unnecessary hazard if you have a preventable issue with your vehicle. It is important to have the correct tyre pressure because freeway speeds are high and incorrect tyre pressure can affect handling and increase the risk of a tyre blowout

High beam headlights help you see more clearly, even when there are streetlights. Just be careful not to dazzle other drivers and cyclists

The median strip is only to be used to allow vehicles to safely turn into a side road without impeding the flow of traffic, or to enter traffic flow safely from a side road."

f you need to go back, leave the freeway at the next appropriate exit.

 Buildings can restrict your view of intersections

This ensures that all parties have the correct information for insurance purposes."

f you have a bike rack or towbar that covers the licence plate you must make other arrangements to display the plates clearly."

Continually scan all directions from the vehicle so that you can anticipate situations that may occur where you need to react

Double parking obstructs the road way and causes a hazard for other road users."

"Gentle inputs to the throttle and steering will minimise your chances of losing control."

You are in control and other drivers' impatience should not influence your decisions to act safely.

Wait at the intersection until the ambulance has passed through. Ensure there are no other emergency vehicles following it

Vehicle A is parked over a driveway and vehicle B is double-parked."

Helping injured people is the first priority."

They are smaller and less visible, particularly as you scan up the road, and they do not have the protection that drivers in cars, vans and trucks have."

"They must be displayed on the front and back of the exterior of the vehicle and not be obscured."

"Do not drive a car if you can't reach the pedals and steering wheel comfortable as it makes it much harder to control."

 Even if there are arrows marking a left turn, you must signal to avoid ambiguity for other drivers

"In the event that you have to use the spare because of a puncture, your vehicle will become dangerous to drive."

"Keep your vehicle as visible as possible without compromising other road users."

P1 and P2 drivers are not yet experienced enough behind the wheel. To take the driving test for a P1 licence you must be at least 17 years old, have logged at least 120 hours of driving time (including at least 20 hours at night), and have held your licence for at least 12 months. You have to hold a P1 licence for at least 12 months before you can attempt the Hazard Perception Test in order to proceed to your P2 licence. A P2 licence must be held a minimum of 24 months before a full licence can be issued."

"To ensure the best traffic flow, only use the right hand lane and middle lane for overtaking. Hogging the right hand lane causes frustration for other drivers"

The bridge may not be wide enough for two vehicles.

. It is more difficult to control and stop your vehicle, and to see other vehicles when reversing."

"You must carry your licence whenever you drive."

"Wider vehicles coming towards you may mean there is not much room to pass, therefore slow down."

"A train cannot stop quickly (it can take several hundred metres), and it cannot deviate from the tracks, therefore it might not be able to avoid your vehicle if it is on the tracks."

"Bus lanes are designed to keep public transport moving effectively, and that reduces overall congestion. However, if you are turning into a side street or driveway you may drive in a bus lane for up to 100m until you make the turn"

You must allow the bus to move into your lane. Also, be aware that passengers (especially children) may be trying to cross the road, so be prepared to stop."

Your doctor is not responsible for notifying the Roads and Maritime and you do not need to hand your licence in. Contact Roads and Maritime first.