Fix the specific thing that's costing you marks.

The blue, green, brown and white boards that tell you where a road goes. There is no picture to memorise — the name on the board changes at every junction — so the colour is the whole message, and it is the one part of the guidance section worth examining.

“Select the correct combination.” Three statements, one mark — you have to be right about all three, so a single shaky fact loses the question. Easy marks to drop if you have never met the format.

Reading the sign itself — shape, colour and symbol.

Knowing a sign is not the same as knowing what it obliges you to do. The test asks for both.

Given a meaning, choose the sign. The wrong options come from the same family, so shape alone will not save you.

Lines, islands and boxes — and which of them you may legally cross.

Lights, arrows, and when to indicate. Includes the order of authority when a sign and a signal disagree.

General limits by road type and vehicle class.

The two-second rule, how it stretches in rain, and why doubling your speed does far more than double your braking distance.

Who goes first, and the principle that right of way is given rather than taken.

When you may pass, on which side, and where it is prohibited.

Where you may not leave a vehicle — and the stopping-versus-parking distinction the test likes to probe.

Stops, circles, robots and the order vehicles move in.

Validity periods, what you must carry, and the restrictions on a learner's licence.

Legal limits, what actually sobers you up, and medication.

When headlights are compulsory, when to dip, and what hazards are actually for.

Joining, leaving, who may not use one, and breaking down on one.

The road users who come off worst, and the rules that exist to protect them.

Barriers, stop signs, and what to do if you stall on the tracks.

Skids, blowouts, brake failure and collisions — what to do in the seconds that matter.

Legal tread depth, pressures, ABS, and the warning signs of a failing brake system.

Gear choice, hill starts, engine braking, and why coasting is a fault.

Wheel position, mirrors, and the blind spot no mirror covers.

Who must be belted, who is responsible for them, and where a person may and may not be carried. The driver answers for all of it, including the passengers who are not children.

What the gauges tell you, and which warning lights mean stop now rather than book a service.