On Motorways with more than two lanes, trailers and caravans must not be towed in the outside lane unless there is a lane closure.

All vehicles over 7.5 tonnes must have markings on the rear of the vehicle. These are to inform other road users of the different characteristics of your vehicle.

When you pass a test to drive rigid vehicles only, the regulations allow for a trailer up to 750kgs to be towed on a cat C or C1 licence. You can do this without taking another test.

Drivers hours and rest periods are controlled in the interest of road safety. It’s a serious offence to break these rules and anyone doing so is liable to get heavily fined and even imprisonment.

Your tachograph chart is your personal work record and as such should reflect the hours that you drive or you carry out other work. The law requires these charts to be held on file by your employer for a period of at least one year.

Altering driver hour’s record or tampering with tachographs with intent to deceive can lead to imprisonment and you could also lose your licence.

If you’re driving under EC rules you must not driver constantly for any more than 4 and half hours without having a break. If you have driven continually for 4 and half hours you must take a 45 minute break.

Your tachograph is designed to be used as a tool to help you be safe on the road and also a responsible driver

If you change vehicles during your working day, you should always take the chart you have been using in another vehicle with you to use in the next vehicle that you’re going to use.

Every 5 years a minimum of 35 hours of competence training has to be completed to maintain the CPC. This is usually carried out over 5 days with each session lasting at least 7 hours.

An analogue tachograph must be checked every two years and recalibrated every six years, the plaque on or close to the tacho will tell you when these checks were last done.

The driver Certificate of Professional Competence qualification is training that is designed to show you how to be professional in your work and how to make your drive more efficient and help the environment.

Because of the threat to national security coaches may be searched at ports and the channel tunnel crossing.

Drivers must be aware that they can be fined up to £2000 for each illegal immigrant carried.

Insurance and registration documents should also be carried.
Always check which documents you will need before traveling, this will change from country to country.

It is a serious offence to drive without insurance. As well as a heavy fine you could receive penalty points and possible disqualification.