Vehicle Safety, Maintenance and Documents
The paperwork question
Four documents turn up repeatedly: a valid driving licence of the correct class, the vehicle registration certificate, a current roadworthy certificate, and valid insurance - at minimum third-party cover for injury or damage to others. A vehicle licence (road tax) must also be current. An expired document counts as no document: examiners test the expiry date, not just the existence. Remember too that the driver is responsible for the vehicle's condition, even if it belongs to someone else.
Daily and weekly checks
Before driving, check tyres for pressure, cuts, bulges and adequate tread; test lights, indicators, horn and wipers; confirm brakes feel firm and the handbrake holds; check mirrors and seat belts; and look under the vehicle for leaks. Under the bonnet, keep engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screen wash at the correct levels.
Load, tyres and occupants
Loads must be secure and must not obscure lights, plates or your view. Overloading harms steering, braking and tyres. Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and passengers where fitted, and children need an appropriate restraint.
Traps: choosing "comprehensive insurance" when the legal minimum is third party; forgetting the roadworthy certificate; assuming a warning light can wait.
Rule of thumb: if a warning light stays on after starting, or a tyre looks low, treat the journey as cancelled until it is checked. Five minutes of checks beats a breakdown on the road.