ABS
Anti-lock braking system. A safety system that prevents wheels from locking up under heavy braking.
Highway Code Glossary
A comprehensive glossary of 97 Highway Code terms and driving vocabulary, organized alphabetically and by category.
Categories
A
ADAS
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Technology that helps drivers with safety and driving tasks.
All-Season Tyres
Tyres designed to perform adequately in all weather conditions.
Amber Traffic Light
A traffic signal meaning "stop" unless you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause a collision.
Aquaplaning
When tyres lose contact with the road surface due to water between them.
ASR
Anti-slip regulation. A safety system that helps prevent wheels from spinning when moving off or accelerating.
B
Blind Spot
Areas around your vehicle that you cannot see in your mirrors.
Blind Spot Monitor
System that detects and warns of vehicles in blind spots.
Box Junction
A yellow box with diagonal criss-cross lines painted on the road. You must not enter unless your exit is clear.
Brake Fade
Temporary reduction in braking efficiency, usually caused by overheating of brake components.
Bus Lane
A lane reserved for buses and sometimes other specified vehicles.
C
Central Reservation
The area that separates traffic travelling in opposite directions on a dual carriageway or motorway.
Clutch Control
The skill of controlling a manual vehicle's clutch pedal for smooth gear changes and stopping/starting.
Coasting
Travelling in neutral or with the clutch pedal pressed down.
Contraflow
A temporary arrangement where traffic is directed to travel in the opposite direction to normal.
Crosswind
A wind blowing across your path of travel that can affect vehicle stability.
Cruise Control
A system that maintains a constant speed set by the driver.
D
Defensive Driving
A driving style that uses safe driving strategies to avoid dangerous conditions.
Dipped Headlights
Headlights that provide less intense beam than full beam, used when other road users are nearby.
DRL
Daytime Running Lights. Lights that come on automatically when driving in daylight.
Dual Carriageway
A road with a central reservation to separate traffic going in opposite directions.
E
Emergency Refuge Area
A safe stopping place on a smart motorway for use in emergencies.
Engine Braking
Using the resistance of the engine to slow the vehicle by releasing the accelerator in gear.
ESC
Electronic Stability Control. A system that helps prevent skidding and loss of control.
EV
Electric Vehicle. A vehicle powered solely by electricity.
F
Filter Lane
A lane that allows traffic to leave or join a main road without interrupting the flow.
Fog Lights
Additional lights used in severely reduced visibility.
Following Distance
The safe space maintained between your vehicle and the one in front.
Forward Collision Warning
System that warns when a collision with a vehicle ahead is imminent.
G
Ghost Island
A painted area on the road that separates traffic lanes.
Give Way
A requirement to let other road users pass before you proceed.
Gradient
The steepness of a slope on a road.
H
Hard Shoulder
The strip of road at the left of a motorway for use in emergencies only.
Hazard Lights
Warning lights that flash all indicators simultaneously.
HGV
Heavy Goods Vehicle. A large commercial vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.
Hybrid Vehicle
A vehicle that uses both an electric motor and a conventional engine.
I
Independent Suspension
A suspension system where each wheel can move up and down independently.
Indicator
Flashing lights used to signal intended changes in direction.
ISO Fix
International standard for attachment points for child safety seats in vehicles.
J
Junction
A place where two or more roads meet.
K
Keep Left
Basic rule of UK roads requiring drivers to keep to the left side unless overtaking.
Kerb Weight
The weight of a vehicle including fuel and equipment but without passengers or cargo.
L
Lane Departure Warning
System that alerts when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane.
Lane Discipline
The practice of staying in the correct lane and using lanes properly.
Limited Slip Differential
A device that helps maintain traction when one wheel starts to slip.
Load Index
A number indicating the maximum weight a tyre can support.
M
Merge in Turn
A system where vehicles take turns to merge from two lanes into one.
Mini-Roundabout
A small roundabout marked with a painted circle that may be driven over if necessary.
MOT
Ministry of Transport test. Annual test of vehicle safety and roadworthiness.
Motorway Signals
Electronic signs above or beside motorways giving instructions to drivers.
MSM
Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. The routine to follow when changing direction or speed.
N
National Speed Limit
The maximum speed limit that applies to a road when no specific limit is posted.
Near Side
The left side of the vehicle in the UK.
Night Vision
Technology that helps drivers see better in darkness.
O
Off Side
The right side of the vehicle in the UK.
Oil Pressure
The pressure at which oil circulates in an engine.
Overtaking
The act of passing another moving vehicle travelling in the same direction.
P
Park and Ride
Parking facility with public transport connections to town centers.
Park Assist
Technology that helps drivers park by controlling steering and providing guidance.
Pedestrian Zone
An area reserved for pedestrian use where most vehicles are prohibited.
Pelican Crossing
A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights that can be controlled by pedestrians.
Primary Position
Riding position in the center of the leftmost lane appropriate for direction of travel.
PSV
Public Service Vehicle. A vehicle used for carrying passengers for hire or reward.
Q
Quiet Lane
A minor rural road designated for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorists.
R
Red Route
A major road in London where stopping is prohibited.
Reflective Studs
Devices set into the road surface to help guide traffic in darkness.
Reversing Sensors
Devices that detect obstacles behind a vehicle when reversing.
Road Rage
Aggressive or angry behavior by a driver in response to other road users.
Roundabout
A circular junction where traffic moves in a one-way system around a central island.
S
Secondary Position
Riding position about 1 meter from the left kerb.
Skid
Loss of grip between tyres and road surface.
Smart Motorway
Motorway that uses traffic management methods to reduce congestion and increase capacity.
Speed Camera
Device that detects and photographs vehicles exceeding the speed limit.
Stop Line
A solid white line across the road at traffic lights or stop signs.
Stop Sign
A sign requiring vehicles to come to a complete stop.
T
T-Junction
A junction where one road meets another at a right angle.
Tailgating
Following another vehicle too closely, leaving insufficient stopping distance.
Three-Point Turn
A method of turning a vehicle around in a narrow space using three maneuvers.
Toucan Crossing
A crossing that can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.
Traction Control
System that prevents wheel spin during acceleration.
Traffic Calming
Measures designed to slow traffic and improve safety.
Tyre Pressure
The amount of air pressure maintained in a tyre.
Tyre Tread
The grooved surface of a tyre that provides grip.
U
Understeer
When a vehicle tends to continue straight ahead when steering into a corner.
Urban Clearway
A road where stopping is prohibited during specified times.
V
Variable Speed Limit
A speed limit that can be changed according to road conditions.
Vehicle Category
Classification of vehicles for licensing purposes.
Vehicle Excise Duty
Annual tax based on vehicle emissions and fuel type.
VRM
Vehicle Registration Mark. The unique identifier displayed on number plates.
W
Warning Light
Dashboard indicator that illuminates to warn of a vehicle system problem.
Weaving
Moving gradually from one lane to another through traffic.
Winter Tyres
Tyres designed specifically for use in winter conditions.
X
X-Roads
Short form for crossroads, where two roads cross.
Y
Yellow Box Junction
A junction marked with a yellow grid where vehicles must not stop.
Yield
Another term for "Give Way".
Z
Zebra Crossing
A pedestrian crossing marked with black and white stripes where pedestrians have right of way.
Zone
A designated area with specific traffic rules, such as a pedestrian zone.