A pillion passenger shouldn’t give signals or look around for you – that’s your responsibility as the rider. If your passenger has never been on a motorcycle before, make sure they know that they need to lean with you when going around bends.

When they’re wet, painted road markings can be more slippery than the normal road surface. Other road-surface hazards that become slippery when wet include drain covers, leaves and mud. Take extra care when braking or cornering on these wet surfaces.

Various factors – such as weather and road conditions, vehicle condition and loading – affect how long it takes you to stop. You also need to add reaction time to this. The overall stopping distance at 50 mph includes a thinking distance of 15 metres (the reaction time before braking starts) plus your braking distance of 38 metres, giving a typical overall stopping distance of 53 metres (175 feet) in good conditions.

When you’re riding a motorcycle, it’s very important to ride where other road users can see you. In normal weather, you should ride in the centre of your lane. This will help you avoid uneven road surfaces in the gutter, and allow others to overtake on the right if they wish.

You need to make yourself as visible as possible – from the front and back, and also from the side. Don’t just rely on your headlight and tail light. Wear clothing with reflective material, as this stands out in other vehicles’ headlights.

Before carrying a passenger on a motorcycle, the rider must hold a full licence for the category of motorcycle being ridden. They must also ensure that a proper passenger seat and footrests are fitted.

An amber flashing light on a vehicle indicates that it’s slow-moving. Battery-powered vehicles used by disabled people are limited to 8 mph. It isn’t advisable for them to be used on dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. If they are, then an amber flashing light must be used.

The minimum insurance cover required by law is third-party only. This covers the other people and vehicles involved in a collision, but not you or your vehicle. Also, basic third-party insurance won’t cover you for theft or fire damage. Make sure you read your policy carefully and understand what it covers.

A vehicle with a trailer is restricted to 60 mph. For this reason, it isn’t allowed in the right-hand lane, as it might hold up faster-moving traffic that wishes to overtake in that lane.

It is important to make sure that emergency services arrive on the scene as soon as possible. When a person is unconscious, they could have serious injuries that are not immediately obvious.

To keep control of your motorcycle and prevent skidding, you should plan well ahead and avoid late, harsh braking. Try to avoid braking while changing direction, as the tyres may not have enough grip to cope with both together. Always consider how the road and weather conditions may affect your tyres’ grip.

Before starting the engine, make sure the motorcycle is in neutral. Do this by checking that the neutral warning light is lit when you switch on the ignition. If no neutral light is fitted, push the motorcycle forward to check that the rear wheel turns freely.

A contraflow system means that traffic will be flowing along lanes in the opposite direction to the norm. As such, when you approach a contraflow system you should reduce your speed in plenty of time.

Older people may have impaired hearing, vision, concentration and judgement. They may also walk slowly and so could take a long time to cross the road.

Your motorcycle will be very unstable if a tyre bursts. Try to keep a straight course and stop as gently as possible.

At crossroads, traffic normally turns offside to offside. This is the safest way to turn, but sometimes the layout or road markings indicate drivers should pass nearside to nearside. Take extra care at these crossroads because, as you turn, your view ahead will be obscured by the oncoming vehicle crossing in front of you.

In some towns and cities there are special areas reserved for parking motorcycles. Look out for these signs.

New tyres have a shiny finish, which needs to wear off before the tyre will give the best grip. Take extra care if the road surface is wet or slippery.

A second-hand helmet may look in good condition but it could have received damage that isn’t visible externally. A damaged helmet could be unreliable in a crash. Don’t take the risk.

To make sure a sidecar outfit doesn’t roll away after you’ve parked it, you should leave it in a low gear and wedge it against the kerb or place a block behind the wheel.

At some junctions, there may be separate signals for different lanes. These are called ‘filter’ lights. They’re designed to help traffic flow at major junctions. Make sure that you’re in the correct lane and proceed if the way is clear and the green light shows for your lane.

Traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads. You need to be looking further ahead to give yourself more time to react to any hazard that may develop.

You should check that all your lights work properly before every journey. If you aren’t sure whether your signals can be seen, you can use arm signals as well to make your intentions clear; avoid this if you’re riding at speed because it can upset your stability.

To go straight ahead at a roundabout, you should normally approach in the left-hand lane, but check the road markings. At some roundabouts, the left lane on approach is marked ‘left turn only’, so make sure you use the correct lane to go ahead. You won’t normally need to signal as you approach, but signal before you leave the roundabout, as other road users need to know your intentions.

Sometimes, drivers or riders use arm signals as well as direction indicators and brake lights; for example, in bright sunshine or when approaching a zebra crossing. Using the arm signals shown in The Highway Code can help other road users to understand your intentions.

Any load will affect the handling of your motorcycle by changing its centre of gravity. When using panniers, spread the weight evenly on each side. Avoid carrying heavy items in a top box, as this could make your steering dangerously light.

A motorcycle registration document contains a number of details that are unique to a particular vehicle. You must notify DVLA of any changes to, for example, the registered keeper or registration number. You must also tell them about any modifications made to the motorcycle.

Always use your headlights at night on a motorway, unless you’ve had to stop on the hard shoulder. If you have to use the hard shoulder, switch off your headlights but leave your parking lights on, so that your motorcycle can be seen by other road users.

This sign is found on slow-moving or stationary works vehicles. If you wish to overtake, do so on the left, as indicated. Be aware that there might be workmen in the area.

You’ll normally be sent a reminder automatically by DVLA close to the time of renewal. Make sure that all your documentation is correct, up to date and valid. You can renew online, by phone or at certain post offices.