Rules for Drivers and Motorcyclists.

72: Vehicle condition. You MUST ensure your vehicle and trailer complies with the full requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations and Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations. (See Annex 6.)

73: Before setting off. You should ensure that:

• you have planned your route and allowed sufficient time
• clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner
• you know where all the controls are and how to use them before you need them. All vehicles are different; do not wait until it is too late to find out
• your mirrors and seat are adjusted correctly to ensure comfort, full control and maximum vision
• head restraints are properly adjusted to reduce the risk of neck injuries in the event of an accident
• you have sufficient fuel before commencing your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving. It can be dangerous to lose power when driving in traffic.

74: Vehicle towing and loading. As a driver

• you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits you to
• you MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer. You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle
• you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously
• you should properly distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer with heavy items mainly over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. Manufacturer's recommended weight and tow ball load should not be exceeded. This should avoid the possibility of swerving or snaking and going out of control. If this does happen, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control.

Law CUR reg 100, MV(DL)R reg 43

Seat belts

75: You MUST wear a seat belt if one is available, unless you are exempt. Those exempt from the requirement include the holders of medical exemption certificates and people making local deliveries in a vehicle designed for the purpose.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R & MV(WSBCFS)R

Seat belt requirements
This table summarises the main legal requirements for wearing seat belts

WHO ?	IN THE FRONT SEAT (all vehicles)	IN THE REAR SEAT (cars and small minibuses*)	WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY
DRIVER	MUST be worn if fitted		DRIVER
CHILD under 3 years of age	Appropriate child restraint MUST be worn	Appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available	DRIVER
CHILD aged 3 to 11 and under 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) in height	Appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn	Appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	DRIVER
CHILD aged 12 or 13 or younger child 1.5 metres or more in height	Adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	Adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	DRIVER
PASSENGER over the age of 14	MUST be worn if available	MUST be worn if available	PASSENGER
*Minibuses with an unladen weight of 2540kg or less

76: The driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 years of age wear seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint. This should be a baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion appropriate to the child's weight and size, fitted to the manufacturer's instructions.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R & MV(WSBCFS)R

Make sure children wear the correct restraint

77: You MUST wear seat belts in minibuses with an unladen weight of 2540 kg or less. You should wear them in large mini-buses and coaches where available.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R & MV(WSBCFS)R

78: Children in cars. Drivers who are carrying children in cars should ensure that:

• children do not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback, unless a special child seat has been fitted
• the child safety door locks, where fitted, are used when children are in the car
• children are kept under control
• a rear-facing baby seat is NEVER fitted into a seat protected by an airbag.

Fitness to drive

79: Make sure that you are fit to drive. You MUST report to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) any health condition likely to affect your driving.
Law RTA 1988 sect 94

80: Driving when you are tired greatly increases your accident risk. To minimise this risk

• make sure you are fit to drive. Do not undertake a long journey (longer than an hour) if you feel tired
• avoid undertaking long journeys between midnight and 6am, when natural alertness is at a minimum
• plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended
• if you feel at all sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway
• the most effective ways to counter sleepiness are to take a short nap (up to 15 minutes) or drink, for example, two cups of strong coffee. Fresh air, exercise or turning up the radio may help for a short time, but are not as effective.

81: Vision. You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet - about five car lengths) in good daylight. From September 2001, you MUST be able to read a new style number plate from a distance of20 metres (66 feet). If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you MUST wear them at all times whilst driving. The police have the power to require a driver, at any time, to undertake an eyesight test in good daylight.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 96 & MV(DL)R reg 40 & sch 8

82: At night or in poor visibility, do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors or anything that restricts vision.

Alcohol and drugs

83: Do not drink and drive as it will seriously affect your judgement and abilities. You MUST NOT drive with a breath alcohol level higher than 35 ?g /100ml or a blood alcohol level of more than 80 mg/100 ml. Alcohol will

• give a false sense of confidence
• reduce co-ordination and slow down reactions
• affect judgement of speed, distance and risk
• reduce your driving ability, even if you are below the legal limit
• take time to leave your body; you may be unfit to drive in the evening after drinking at lunchtime, or in the morning after drinking the previous evening. If you are going to drink, arrange another means of transport.

Law RTA 1988 sects 4, 5 & 11(2)

84: You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or medicine. Check the instructions or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Using illegal drugs is highly dangerous. Never take them before driving; the effects are unpredictable, but can be even more severe than alcohol and may result in fatal or serious road accidents.
Law RTA 1988 sect 4