Vehicle Knowledge, Maintenance and Documentation
Documents to carry
You should be able to produce a valid driving licence for the class you are driving, the vehicle registration certificate, proof of insurance covering at least third-party liability, a valid road fund licence (road tax) and, where the vehicle's age requires it, a current fitness certificate from the inspection centre. Police may ask to see these at a roadside check; driving uninsured or with an expired fitness certificate can invalidate your cover and lead to prosecution.
Daily and weekly checks
Walk round the car before a long trip: tyres (tread and pressure), lights and indicators, windscreen and wipers, mirrors, horn, number plates, and any fluid leaks under the car. Under the bonnet, check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screen wash when the engine is cold.
Tyres
The legal minimum tread is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference; check with a gauge in several places, and check the spare. Pressure is measured cold - hot tyres read high and mislead you.
Warning lights
Red means stop safely and investigate: oil pressure, coolant temperature, brakes, battery. Amber means a fault to check soon: engine management, ABS, tyre pressure.
Worked example
The oil-pressure light glows red on the motorway. Reasoning: it signals low oil pressure, not low fuel. Stop at the next safe place, switch off, let it settle, check the dipstick, and top up with the correct grade; if the light stays on, call for recovery rather than driving on.
Traps
Checking tyre pressures after a fast run; ignoring a red warning light because the car still drives; opening the radiator cap when hot; forgetting renewal dates on insurance, road tax and fitness certificate.