Even though you have left the restricted area, make sure that you park where you won’t endanger other road users or cause an obstruction.

If you use the right-hand lane in a contraflow system, you’ll be travelling with no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic. Observe speed limits and keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead.

You will not be able to find a through route to another road. Use this road only for access.

Yellow and black temporary signs may be used to inform you of roadworks or lane restrictions. Look well ahead. If you have to change lanes, do so in good time.

Buses and cycles can travel in this lane. In this case they will flow in the same direction as other traffic. If it’s busy they may be passing you on the left, so watch out for them. Times on the sign will show its hours of operation. No times shown, or no sign at all, means it’s 24 hours. In some areas other vehicles, such as taxis and motorcycles, are allowed to use bus lanes. The sign will show these.

Don’t force your way through if oncoming vehicles fail to give way. If necessary, slow down and give way to avoid confrontation or a collision.

Where you see this sign the 20 mph restriction ends. Check all around for possible hazards and only increase your speed if it’s safe to do so.

These signs indicate places of interest and are designed to guide you by the easiest route. They are particularly useful if you are unfamiliar with the area.

The sign gives you an early warning of a speed restriction. If you are travelling at a higher speed, slow down in good time. You could come across queuing traffic due to roadworks or a temporary obstruction.

When you leave the motorway make sure that you check your speedometer. You may be going faster than you realise. Slow down and look out for speed limit signs.

To ease the congestion in town centres, some cities and towns provide park-and- ride schemes. These allow you to park in a designated area and ride by bus into the centre. Park-and-ride schemes are usually cheaper and easier than car parking in the town centre.

There will also be markings on the road surface to indicate the bus lane. You must not use this lane for parking or overtaking.

Signs with a brown background give directions to places of interest. They will often be seen on a motorway directing you along the easiest route to the attraction.

Urban clearways are provided to keep traffic flowing at busy times. You may stop only briefly to set down or pick up passengers. Times of operation will vary from place to place so always check the signs.

If you’re in places where there are likely to be pedestrians such as outside schools, near parks, residential areas and shopping areas, you should be extra-cautious and keep your speed down. Many local authorities have taken measures to slow traffic down by creating traffic calming measures such as speed humps. They are there for a reason; slow down.

In the interests of road safety, temporary speed limits are imposed at all major road works. Signs like this, giving advanced warning of the speed limit, are normally placed about three quarters of a mile ahead of where the speed limit comes into force.

If you have to leave your vehicle in a tunnel and leave by an emergency exit, do so as quickly as you can. Follow the signs directing you to the nearest exit point. If there are several people using the exit, don’t panic but try to leave in a calm and orderly manner.

If you intend to stop and rest, this sign allows you time to reduce speed and pull over safely.

Ring roads are designed to relieve congestion in towns and city centres.

Before you set out on your journey use a road map to plan your route. When you see advance warning of your junction, make sure you get into the correct lane in plenty of time. Last-minute harsh braking and cutting across lanes at speed is extremely hazardous.

When a diversion route has been put in place, drivers are advised to follow a symbol which may be a triangle, square, circle or diamond shape on a yellow background.

If a vehicle displaying this sign is in your lane you will have to pass it on the left. Use your mirrors and signal. When it’s safe move into the lane on your left. You should always look well ahead so that you can spot any hazards early, giving yourself time to react safely.

In a one-way system traffic may be passing you on either side. Always be aware of all traffic signs and understand their meaning. Look well ahead and react to them in good time.

Where there’s a long, steep, uphill gradient on a motorway, a crawler lane may be provided. This helps the traffic to flow by diverting the slower heavy vehicles into a dedicated lane on the left.

In order to keep roads free from parked cars, there are some areas where you’re allowed to park on the verge. Only do this where you see the sign. Parking on verges or footways anywhere else could lead to a fine.

If you intend to take a left turn, this sign shows you that you can’t get through to another route using the left-turn junction ahead.