Topic
Vehicle handling
Last updated
Vehicle handling covers driving in conditions that change how the car behaves: rain, fog, ice, snow, night-time, strong wind, hills, and how to keep control when grip or visibility is reduced.
What’s tested
- Use of dipped beam, full beam, fog lights and hazard lights
- Skid control — releasing the brake, steering into the skid
- Hill starts, engine braking on long descents
- Dazzle from oncoming headlights — what to do
- Overtaking high-sided vehicles in strong wind
Key Highway Code rules
Try a real DVSA question
Practice question
From the DVSA question bank
You're driving on the motorway in windy conditions. What should you do as you overtake a high-sided vehicle?
Show explanation
The correct answer is B.
The draught caused by other vehicles – particularly those with high sides – could be strong enough to push you out of your lane. Be prepared for a sudden gust of wind as you overtake large vehicles. Keep both hands on the steering wheel to help you keep full control.
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Common mistakes
- Leaving rear fog lights on when visibility improves (dazzles drivers behind)
- Using full beam on bends or near oncoming traffic
- Riding the clutch on a long downhill instead of engine braking
- Braking mid-skid rather than steering into it
Keep going
All 14 topics
- Alertness Staying focused: mirrors, observation, scanning the road, avoiding fatigue and distraction.
- Attitude Considerate driving: patience, following distance, behaviour at crossings and roundabouts.
- Safety and your vehicle Roadworthiness: brakes, tyres, lights, fluids, warning lights and securing the car.
- Safety margins Stopping distances, weather, road surface, and the space you need to react safely.
- Hazard awareness Anticipating risk: spotting clues, planning ahead, reading other road users’ behaviour.
- Vulnerable road users Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders, children, older and disabled people.
- Other types of vehicle Sharing the road with lorries, buses, motorcycles, trams and emergency vehicles.
- Motorway rules Joining, lane discipline, speed, breakdowns and smart-motorway running lanes.
- Rules of the road Speed limits, junctions, roundabouts, parking, level crossings and one-way streets.
- Road and traffic signs The visual language of UK roads — shape, colour and meaning of every sign and signal.
- Documents Licence, insurance, MOT, V5C log book and SORN — the paperwork to be legally on the road.
- Incidents, accidents and emergencies First aid, CPR, AED, RTC procedure, breakdowns and tunnel safety.
- Vehicle loading Carrying passengers, luggage, roof loads and towing — and how each changes the car.