NaTIS Code 3 Learner key terms

A board or plate beside or above the road that uses shape, colour, symbols or words to warn of hazards, order a rule, or give information to road users.

A sign that states a legal requirement or prohibition, such as a stop, yield, speed limit or no-overtaking instruction. Ignoring it is an offence.

A sign that alerts you in advance to a hazard or change in road conditions, such as a sharp bend, steep descent, slippery surface or railway crossing, so you can adjust speed.

A sign that gives direction or information rather than a command, for example route markers, destination names, distance boards and facility indicators on major routes.

An electrically operated light that controls the right of way at an intersection or crossing, using red, amber and green phases, sometimes with arrows or pedestrian displays.

The amber phase shown after green warns that the signal is about to turn red. You must stop unless stopping is unsafe because you are already too close to the line.

A red signal that flashes, or a red ball at a malfunctioning intersection, means treat the junction as a four-way stop: halt, yield and proceed only when it is safe.

Paint or raised material on the road surface that guides or controls traffic, such as lane lines, stop lines, edge lines, arrows and hatched painted islands.

A continuous painted line that may not normally be crossed. A solid centre line marks a barrier between opposing traffic streams, and a solid edge line marks the road boundary.

A dashed painted line that may be crossed when it is safe and legal, used to separate lanes or to show where overtaking is permitted if the way is clear.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection, signal or stop sign. You must bring the vehicle to a complete halt before this line and not beyond it.

The legal priority to proceed first at a junction, crossing or narrow passage. It is never taken by force; it is yielded or granted, and the driver without it must wait.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles stop, then proceed in the order they arrived, with the vehicle on the right going first if two arrive together.

Passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction. It is lawful only where lines and signs allow, the road ahead is clear and you can return to your lane safely.

The maximum legal speed for a road, set by sign or by default rule, and always subject to the further duty to slow down for weather, traffic, visibility or road condition.

The gap you keep behind the vehicle ahead, measured in time rather than metres so it grows as speed rises. It gives you room to stop if that vehicle brakes suddenly.

The delay between noticing a hazard and beginning to brake or steer, usually around one second, during which the vehicle still travels at full speed.

The total distance a vehicle covers from the moment a hazard appears until it comes to rest, made up of thinking distance plus braking distance.

The checks a driver makes before moving off: tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, fluids, wipers, load security and documents, so faults are found while the vehicle is stationary.

The depth of the grooves cut into a tyre. Adequate tread clears water from under the tyre; worn tread lengthens braking distance and raises the risk of aquaplaning.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when a film of water lifts the tyre. Steering and braking become ineffective until speed drops and the tyre touches the surface again.

The area beside or behind the vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors. A driver must turn the head or use mirror checks before changing lanes or turning.

A driving style that assumes other road users may make mistakes, so you keep space, scan far ahead, plan escape routes and avoid relying on others to obey the rules.

The skill of reading the road ahead and identifying developing risks early, such as a pedestrian near a kerb, a hidden driveway or a vehicle slowing without signalling.

The mass of alcohol in a volume of blood, expressed in grams per 100 millilitres. It rises with each drink and falls slowly as the body breaks the alcohol down.

The maximum permitted blood alcohol concentration for a driver, set by law. For a learner or professional driver the limit is far lower or zero, so any drinking is risky.

The speed at which the body clears alcohol from the blood, roughly one standard drink per hour for an average adult. Coffee, food and cold air do not speed it up.

A state of physical and mental tiredness that slows reactions, blurs attention and causes micro-sleeps. The only effective remedy is to stop and rest, not to open a window.

The driver's legal and practical readiness to take control of a vehicle, unspoiled by alcohol, drugs, illness, exhaustion or medication that affects alertness or coordination.

The location of a crash. A driver involved must stop, make the scene safe, give help within their ability, exchange details and report the crash when required.

The legal obligation on any driver involved in a crash to halt immediately, identify themselves, give assistance and report the incident to the police within the required period.

A reflective fold-out triangle placed well behind a broken-down vehicle on the road shoulder to warn approaching traffic, never on a motorway lane itself.

The four-directional flashing indicators used to warn other drivers that your vehicle is stationary, moving slowly or otherwise presents an unexpected hazard.

A document issued after a vehicle passes a mechanical safety inspection, confirming brakes, steering, tyres, lights and structure meet the required standard for use on public roads.

The proof of valid vehicle registration and licensing displayed on the vehicle, showing that the fees are paid and the vehicle is permitted on the road for that period.

A card carried by a driver of a goods or passenger vehicle showing the operator, the vehicle and the authorisation to drive it, produced on demand to an officer.

An additional authorisation required to drive certain heavy goods, passenger or dangerous-goods vehicles, granted only after fitness, training and record checks are satisfied.

The maximum total mass of a vehicle including its own weight, fuel, passengers and load, as specified by the manufacturer and shown on the vehicle's identification plate.

The mass of goods and passengers a vehicle may legally carry, found by subtracting the tare mass from the gross vehicle mass. Overloading it is an offence and destabilises the vehicle.

The practice of stowing and tying down cargo so it cannot shift, fall off or exceed height and width limits, protecting both the vehicle's stability and other road users.