Stay safe by testing your motoring knowledge

Drivers lack knowledge on basic vehicle maintenance which could lead to them driving dangerous vehicles, failing MOTs and being served hefty fines, according to new research.

The findings come as many drivers remain off the road or are only using their vehicles occasionally during the third UK lockdown, causing concerns that they will delay getting their vehicles serviced or repaired, leading to unsafe vehicles when restrictions are lifted.

The survey of 7,000 UK road users by Halfords revealed almost two thirds (62%) of drivers are unaware that you could be fined £2,500 and slapped with three penalty points for driving a vehicle that is in a dangerous condition.

Only one in four (27%) drivers know that a, underinflated tyre could result in an MOT failure and more than a third (36%) don’t even know the legal minimum tyre tread depth (1.6mm).

Despite number plates now being listed as the first thing for test centres to inspect during an MOT almost two thirds (61%) of drivers don’t know the fine for driving with a dirty number plate and one in 10 (10%) think there isn’t a fine at all. The penalty for failing to wipe down a number plate to ensure its readable is a hefty £1,000.

Four in five (80%) drivers are also unclear on the laws surrounding screenwash. More than two-fifths (43%) of those quizzed think driving without screenwash isn’t an offence, when, in fact, it could lead to a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

Surprisingly, those with less than one year of driving experience are most likely (62%) to drive a car without screenwash, despite having studied the highway code most recently as part of their theory exam.

To test your knowledge on vehicle maintenance, the laws of driving and road signs, try the Halfords Roadworthy quiz here.