Customer Rating: 

...ive never been the type that can sit and concentrate on something so dull! its good value for money but i bought this in conjunction with the Driving Test Success dvd rom and it kept my interest a bit better than this book.

Customer Rating: 

The rules and regulations of the UK roads are diverse and many of them change every couple of years.
It is a good idea to have an up-to-dated copy of the highway code and familiarise yourself with the new rules and changes.

Customer Rating: 

I have been reading this book since I was at primary school a long, long time ago. It is interesting to see how the recommendations have changed over the years and what has changed.

Current drivers will be interested to know that when you turn at a junction, even if you have priority, you should give way to crossing pedestrians. Now, how many older drivers know that one and how often is it obeyed without a hoot?

It used to be the rule that if two cars could not pass each other when you were parked on a road then you should not park there at all. This one has been quietly dropped. My opinion is that it should have been kept, and would have made our roads far, far safer, especially in the hour before school leaving time.

What about the more controversial recommendations, such as giving way on a hill? The rule is that if you are going downhill, the road narrows (presumably because someone didn't obey the rule above) and someone is approaching coming uphill then you should give way even if you would have had priority otherwise (the car was parked on their side.) Why? The official reason is that it is harder to accelerate uphill than downhill. I can't argue with that fact, but might add that it is harder to brake going downhill than uphill too, so the car going uphill could easily stop and let you career past! I love these dilemmas!

There is an unofficial reason too, that it is harder to start your car again going uphill. Well, that is true if it is manual, but what about if it is automatic?

Then there is the controversial headlight flash. "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users." Who on the road obeys that one? Plus, in the situation above, where both cars are at a standstill, but not on a hill, how do you break the stalemate? And how do you say thank you if the other driver lets you through?

The way to approach this book is to read each rule and try to play devil's advocate with each one. Is there a valid argument against a rule? If so, is it superior or inferior to the argument for the rule? That way, those rules will be more likely to become part of your normal driving habits, since you will already have been through the pros and cons in your mind and will not have only seconds to react in an emergency.

When I first drove in the US I searched a major bookseller for any equivalent of this book and failed to find one. Controversial as it is, where would we be without our good old Highway Code? Even its name is redolent of pre-war Middle England! I just love it!

By the way, you can download the full Highway Code in PDF form for use on your computer.

Customer Rating: 

I found this book very helpful for learning the hand signals you need to give if you indicators are not working and the signals given by police officers. Also, Toucan, Pelican and Puffin crossing explanations were very helpful and did indeed help me when I went to take my theory. I would recommend 'http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0115528555/ref=oss_product' this book if you would like further help with signs and much more explanation!

Customer Rating: 

Obviously the information in the book is as important to learners and more experienced drivers as it has ever been. The format feels a bit dated though - I think it would be better to be held as a DVD or web site format which makes the information more accessible to younger drivers who will be the majority of people reading this book.
That said, it is an important document and every home should have one (in whatever format!!).