Road Users Requiring Extra Care

📖 DVSA Revision Lesson ⏱️ 10 Min Read ❓ 10 Practice Questions 🌐 68 Languages Support

Last updated: 7 September 2026

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Slide 0: SHARING THE ROAD : A GUIDE TO VULNERABLE ROAD USERS PROTECTING PEDESTRIANS Drive Slowly in " High - Risk " Zones Slow down in residential areas , near bus stops , and past parked vehicles -especially ice cream vans , where children may run out unespectedly ( Rule 206 ) Vulnerable Pedestrians Be patient with older pedestrians who need more time , and look for white canes or guide dogs ( indicating blindness ) or red - banded canes ( indicating deafblindness ) HIERARCHY OF RESPONSIBILITY THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY According to Rule 204 , those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they pose to others . SPEED KILLS At 40 mph , a vehicle will probably kill a pedestrian it hits at 20 mph , there is only a 1 in 20 chance of a fatality ( Rule 207 ) MOST AT - RISK GROUPS Pedestrians ( especially children , oider adults , disabled people ) ANIMALS AND HORSE RIDERS The 10mph / 2m Rule Three Brains , Zero Noise Rural Hazards CYCLISTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS The " Look Again " Rule at Junctions Motorcyclists and cyclists are hard to see at junctions , roundabouts , and when filtering through traffic ; always check mirrors and blind spots before emerging ( Rule 211 ) Give Equal Overtaking Space Give cyclists and motorcyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car , especially in bad weather or at night ( Rule 212 ) Understanding Road Positioning Cyclists may ride in the center of the lane on narrow roads or two abreast for safety ; allow them to do so to ensure they are visible ( Rule 212 ) INTERACTING WITH OTHER VEHICLES Emergency Vehicle Protocol Look and listen for blue , red , green , or amber flashing lights ; pull over safely to let them pass , but avoid stopping on bends or brows of hills ( Rule 219 ) Specialized Road Users School Zone Safety You MUST stop for a school crossing patrol showing a ' Stop for children ' sign and drive very slowly when amber signals are flashing near schools ( Rules 208-210 ) When encountering a horse , slow down to a maximum of 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space when passing wide and slow ( Rule 215 ) Remember there are " three brains " at work jrider , driver , horseit nover sound your horn oi raa your engine , as horses are flight animals and easily startled On narrow country roads , keep speed down and be prepared to stop and switch off your engine if the road is blocked by a herd of animals ( Rule 214 ) Respect Large Vehicle Blind Spots if you are following a bus or lorry , puli back to improve your view , if you cannot see their mirrors , the driver likely cannot see you ( Rules 221-222 ) Watch for silent electric vehicles ( trams / milk floats ) , 8mph marh mobility scooters , and slow - moving tractors using flashing amber beacons ( Rules 220-225 ) Slide 1: The Hierarchy of Responsibility A visual guide to situational awareness , spatial clearances , and anticipating the unpredictable on modern roads . ( Based on Highway Code Rules 204-225 ) CLEARANCE ZONE 1.SM CLEARANCE ZONE 1.5M BUND SPOT RIEK STOP LINE DISTANCE S OM STOP LINE BISTANCE 3.0M Slide 2: The Golden Rule of Modern Roads In any interaction , those who can cause the greatest harm bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose . Highest Responsibility Highest Vulnerability TIER HEIGHT : 1.SM PRECISISPAN : 1.SM Slide 3: The Physics of Impact and Survivability Kill your speed . Children and older pedestrians often cannot judge your approach speed . The Survivability Curve At 40 mph , a vehicle will probably kill any pedestrian it hits . At 20 mph , there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed . SPEED INTERVALS Slide 4: Decoding Pedestrian Aids Visual impairments and hearing loss are invisible to drivers until you spot the specific tools being used . VISIBILITY DISTANCE : VARIES TIME REQUIRED : INCREASED Blind or Partially Sighted May not see you approaching . Deafblind Cannot see you AND cannot hear engines , instructions , or signals . Physical Impairment Require significantly more time . Never rev your engine or edge forward to hurry them . Slide 5: Zones of Sudden Emergence Anticipate pedestrians stepping into the road without looking in these specific environments . ICE CREAM The Ice Cream Van . Children are focused on ice cream , not traffic . SLIAI BUS Rural Roads Always be prepared to stop . Give plenty of room . Reversing & Driveways Give way to pedestrians on the pavement and cyclists on tracks . The School Bus . Children alighting may cross blindly . Slide 6: The Physics of Two Wheels Bicycles and motorcycles are highly susceptible to surface hazards . Their road positioning is a defensive tactic , not an obstruction . The Door Zone 1 metre or a door's width Center of Lane Surface Hazards Safer for groups or narrow roads to ensure they can see and be seen . Sudden swerves required to avoid uneven patches . Passing wide is mandatory . Slide 7: The Blind - Spot Funnel at Junctions Never turn at a junction if it causes a cyclist going straight ahead to stop or swerve . Cyclists can approach faster than expected and filter through stationary traffic . Field of Vision Zones of Invisibility Field of Vision Slide 8: The Volatility of Passing Horses Maximum 10 mph . Minimum 2 metres of space . No horns , no revving . The Rider's Brain Focused on control . Note : Riders are often children or double - filed to escort inexperienced horses . The Driver's Brain Logical , mechanical , attempting to maintain momentum . Three Brains at Work Speed / Noise directly triggers flight response The Horse's Brain Primal , unpredictable flight animal . Can move incredibly quickly if startled by sudden noise or proximity . Slide 9: The Spatial Clearances Guide Exact passing tolerances required by the Highway Code . Increase all distances at night or in bad weather / high winds . At least 2 Metres Plenty of room , slow speed . 1 Metre / Door's Width Slide 10: Cognitive Empathy and Shared Spaces Anticipate slower reaction times and non - standard road use . Older Drivers Learners & New Drivers Home Zones & Quiet Lanes Make allowances for slower reaction times . Less skillful at anticipating events . Exercise extreme patience . People use the entire road for activities . Drive slowly , prepare to stop , allow people time to make space for you . Slide 11: Managing Giants and Silent Hazards Large vehicles block views , require massive turning arcs , and have restricted speeds . HGVs & Buses Speed limit : 56 mph ( 90 km / h ) restricted . Trams & Electric Vehicles Pull back to increase separation distance and improve your own forward visibility . Move quickly , run silently , and absolutely cannot steer to avoid you . Yield priority . Slide 12: The Beacon Decoder Matrix Do not panic . Read the lights , anticipate the vehicle , and take appropriate action . Blue , Red , or Green ( Plus Sirens / Headlights ) Flashing Amber Ambulance , Fire , Police , Doctors , Emergency . Traffic Officers , Incident Support , Salt Spreaders , Snow Ploughs , Recovery , Abnormal Loads . Special Cases : Powered disabled vehicles ( max 8mph , amber required if > 50mph dual carriageway ) . Vintage / Slow tractors ( pre - 1947 , max 25mph ) . -IH Consider their route . Pull over safely . DO NOT brake harshly on approach to a junction . DO NOT stop on the brow of a hill , blind bend , or narrow section . Approach with caution . Expect very slow - moving or stationary obstacles . Slide 13: The Road User Anticipation Matrix A definitive guide to reading cues , identifying hazards , and executing the required response . Road User Type Visual Cues Pedestrians White cane / Red band / Kids near ice cream vans . Two - Wheeled Riders Looking over shoulder , riding center lane . Animals & Horses Double - file riding , feral environments . Large Vehicles & Trams Flashing amber beacons , rails . Core Hazard Hidden impairments , unpredictable emergence , fatal impact > 20mph . Surface defects , blind spots , dooring . Primal flight response to noise / proximity . Massive blind spots , sweeping turning arcs , cannot steer ( trams ) . Required Driver Action Kill speed , yield at junctions / crossings . Pass with car's width , check blind spots at junctions . Max 10mph , > 2m space , no horn / revving . Increase separation distance , do not enter turning space .

📜 Official Lesson Transcript & Audio SRT Dialogue 73 Timestamps

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00:00 Alright, let's get right into it. Today we're jumping behind the wheel to really understand the

00:04 modern highway code. And look, this isn't just about the rules you memorized for your driving test.

00:09 This is about a whole new way of thinking, a big shift in how we look at safety and our

00:13 responsibility to each other on the road. First things first, driving today isn't about a random

00:19 collection of do's and don'ts. It all comes down to one single powerful idea that pretty much changes

00:26 everything. It's a mindset shift that puts the safety of other people right at the front and center.

00:31 So let me just ask you straight up. When you're driving your car, who's got the biggest job when

00:36 it comes to keeping everyone all safe? Is it just, you know, every person for themselves or is there

00:40 a clear answer? Well, the highway code is no super direct about this. And there it is. This is the

00:47 new golden rule. You might hear it called the hierarchy of responsibility. It's actually really simple.

00:54 Whoever can cause the most damage has the biggest duty to be careful. So if you're in a two-ton

00:59 metal box, you have a much greater responsibility to a cyclist than they have to you. Make sense, right?

01:05 This idea basically asks us drivers to have a special radar for these groups. They are by far

01:11 the most vulnerable people out there, the ones most at risk. So pretty much everything we're about

01:16 to talk about is built around this one question. How can me as drivers do a better job of protecting them?

01:23 Okay, so that's the big idea. But what does it actually look like on the road? Let's get practical

01:28 and start with the most vulnerable group of all, people on foot. Here's something you've really

01:32 got to drill into your head. You have to assume that people, especially kids, might step out into the

01:38 road without looking. I mean, think about it. You drive past a park, a school, an ice cream van,

01:43 a kid's mind is on the playground or the ice cream, not on you. So your speed needs to be right for what

01:49 could happen any second, not just what the number on the sign says. Now look at these numbers.

01:55 This is where it gets really, really real. A 20 miles an hour, a person who gets hit by a car has a

02:00 95% chance of living. But if you double that speed to 40, it's probably fatal. Think about that for

02:06 a second. The difference is absolutely huge. It is literally a matter of life and death.

02:11 So yeah, that number, 20 miles per hour, isn't just a suggestion. It's a lifesaver. When you're

02:17 in residential streets, near schools, anywhere you see people walking around, remember this number.

02:22 The message is pretty blunt. Kill your speed, not a person. You know, a lot of this just boils down

02:28 to basic human decency and a little bit of patience. An older person is going to need more time to get

02:33 across the road. Someone with a hearing impairment won't hear your car coming. The code is crystal clear.

02:39 Don't rush them. Don't be that person revving your engine or creeping forward just wait. Give people

02:44 the time and space they need. Okay, moving on from pedestrians. Let's talk about sharing the

02:50 asphalt with other folks who are pretty vulnerable out there. Those on two wheels and yeah, even those

02:56 on four hooves. We all know this, but it is so easy to forget. Bikes and motorbikes are just sneaky.

03:03 They can disappear into your blind spot in half a second. So that old mirror signal maneuver routine,

03:09 you have to do it like you mean it every single time. A quick peak is just not enough. Okay,

03:16 let's talk about filtering. You've definitely seen this, right? A motorbike weaving between lanes

03:21 of slow or stopped traffic. It might look a bit cheeky, but it's a totally normal and legal thing for

03:26 them to do and it actually helps with congestion. For us and cars, our job isn't to judge it. It's to

03:32 expect it. Always check for a bike before you even think about moving over in a traffic jam.

03:37 Now, this is a big one and it's something that can really get some drivers wound up. If you see

03:43 cyclists riding in the middle of the lane or side by side, they are not trying to annoy you. I promise.

03:50 They're doing it to stay alive. It makes them way more visible and it helps them avoid stuff like

03:55 potholes or someone suddenly fleeing a corridor open. The rule is simple, just give them space and horses.

04:02 Yeah, passing a horse can be pretty nerve-wracking, for sure. And that slow down part,

04:07 they mean really slow. We're talking 10 miles per hour maximum. It's going to feel like you're

04:13 crawling. I know, but it is absolutely critical for keeping everyone safe. I really love this quote.

04:19 It's such a great way to think about it. You've got your brain, the rider's brain, and then this huge

04:24 powerful animal's brain. And you have to remember that animal's only instinct is to run if it gets

04:30 scared. So your job as the driver is to be the calmest, most predictable thing on the road.

04:36 All right, so we've covered the most vulnerable folks out there. But this whole mindset of

04:40 expecting the unexpected doesn't just stop there. It also applies to other drivers and vehicles

04:44 we share the road with. Let's be honest, it is so easy to get frustrated with other drivers. But just

04:51 take a breath. That car with the L plates in front of you, they might stall. They're going to be

04:56 nervous. An older driver might just need an extra second to react. Be patient. Give them some

05:02 extra room. It costs you nothing and can prevent a whole lot of trouble. Flashing lights, they can make

05:08 people panic. But these shouldn't. It's really straightforward. If you see blue, red, or green lights,

05:13 it's a full on emergency. Your one and only job is to get out of their way safely. Pull over and

05:19 stop if you can't. Done. If you see amber lights, that's just a heads up. It means there's a slow

05:24 vehicle or maybe a recovery truck up ahead. Just ease off the gas and be ready to stop.

05:30 Here's a super simple tip that could honestly save your life. When you're behind a big truck or

05:34 a bus, just back off. Give yourself way more space. Seriously, it does two things. First, it means

05:40 you can actually see the road ahead. But just as important, it means the truck driver can see you.

05:45 And that rule of thumb is perfect. If you can't see their mirrors, they have no idea you even exist.

05:50 So as we bring this all together, you can start to see how all these different rules about speed,

05:55 about bikes, about trucks, they're not just random regulations. They all point back to this one

06:00 central idea about what it really means to be a responsible driver today. And here we are.

06:06 Full circle. Right back at that golden rule. This is the whole ballgame. Driving a car isn't just

06:12 a right. It's a massive social responsibility. The person inside the big metal box holds an

06:17 incredible amount of power. The power to protect or the power to harm. That choice and that

06:23 responsibility is yours. So I'll leave you with this final thought. The next time you grab your

06:28 car keys, just take a second. Think about this principle. Think about the people walking the people on

06:34 bikes, the horse riders, the other drivers. On your next journey, how are you going to actively

06:39 use your power to protect them?

📖 Road Users Requiring Extra Care (Rules 204-225)

📌 1. Pedestrians (Rules 204-210)

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Rule 204 ↗: The road users most at risk from road traffic are pedestrians, in particular children, older adults and disabled people, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. It is particularly important to be aware of children, older adults and disabled people, and learner and inexperienced drivers and riders. In any interaction between road users, those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they pose to others.
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Rule 205 ↗: There is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.
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Rule 206 ↗: Drive carefully and slowly when passing a stationary bus showing a ‘School Bus’ sign as children may be getting on or off. Watch out for children in busy areas.

🖼️ Rule 206: Watch out for children in busy areas

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Rule 207 ↗: Particularly vulnerable pedestrians. These include:
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children and older pedestrians who may not be able to judge your speed and could step into the road in front of you. At 40 mph (64 km/h) your vehicle will probably kill any pedestrians it hits. At 20 mph (32 km/h) there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed. So kill your speed.
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older pedestrians who may need more time to cross the road. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time. Do not hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward.
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people with disabilities. People with hearing impairments may not be aware of your vehicle approaching. Those with walking difficulties require more time.
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blind or partially sighted people, who may be carrying a white cane using a guide dog. They may not be able to see you approaching.
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deafblind people who may be carrying a white cane with a red band or using a dog with a red and white harness. They may not see or hear instructions or signals.
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Rule 208 ↗: Near schools. Drive slowly and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians. In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the ‘School’ warning sign which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.
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Rule 209 ↗: Drive carefully and slowly when passing a stationary bus showing a ‘School Bus’ sign as children may be getting on or off.

🖼️ School bus (displayed in front and rear window of bus or coach)

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Rule 210 ↗: You MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a ‘Stop for children’ sign.

📌 2. Motorcyclists and Cyclists (Rules 211-213)

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Rule 211 ↗: Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist going straight ahead to stop or swerve, just as you would do with a motor vehicle. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for and give way to cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when moving off, turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully.

🖼️ Rule 211: Look out for motorcyclists and cyclists at junctions

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Rule 212 ↗: Give motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians walking in the road (for example, where there is no pavement), at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car. Drivers should take extra care and give more space when overtaking motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians in bad weather (including high winds) and at night. If the rider looks over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.
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Rule 213 ↗: On narrow sections of road, on quiet roads or streets, at road junctions and in slower-moving traffic, cyclists may sometimes ride in the centre of the lane, rather than towards the side of the road. It can be safer for groups of cyclists to ride two abreast in these situations. Allow them to do so for their own safety, to ensure they can see and be seen. Cyclists are also advised to ride at least a door’s width or 1 metre from parked cars for their own safety. On narrow sections of road, horse riders may ride in the centre of the lane. Allow them to do so for their own safety to ensure they can see and be seen.

📌 3. Other Road Users (Rules 214-218)

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Rule 214 ↗: Animals. When passing animals, drive slowly. Give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not scare animals by sounding your horn, revving your engine or accelerating rapidly once you have passed them. Look out for animals being led, driven or ridden on the road and take extra care. Keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads. If a road is blocked by a herd of animals, stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road. Watch out for animals on unfenced roads.
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Rule 215 ↗: Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when approaching, overtaking, passing or moving away. Always pass wide and slowly. When you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine. When safe to do so, pass wide and slow, allowing at least 2 metres of space. Feral or semi feral ponies found in areas such as the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor require the same consideration as ridden horses when approaching or passing. Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard; they can be unpredictable, despite the efforts of their rider/driver. Remember there are three brains at work when you pass a horse; the rider’s, the driver’s and the horse’s. Do not forget horses are flight animals and can move incredibly quickly if startled.
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Rule 216 ↗: Older drivers. Their reactions may be slower than other drivers. Make allowance for this.
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Rule 217 ↗: Learners and inexperienced drivers. They may not be so skilful at anticipating and responding to events. Be particularly patient with learner drivers and young drivers. Drivers who have recently passed their test may display a ‘new driver’ plate or sticker.
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Rule 218 ↗: Home Zones and Quiet Lanes. These are places where people could be using the whole of the road for a range of activities such as children playing or for a community event. You should drive slowly and carefully and be prepared to stop to allow people extra time to make space for you to pass them in safety.

🖼️ Rule 218

📌 4. Other Vehicles (Rules 219-225)

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Rule 219 ↗: Emergency and Incident Support vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.
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Rule 220 ↗: Powered vehicles used by disabled people. These small vehicles travel at a maximum speed of 8 mph (12 km/h). On a dual carriageway where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph (80 km/h) they MUST have a flashing amber beacon, but on other roads you may not have that advance warning.
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Rule 221 ↗: Large vehicles. These may need extra road space to turn or to deal with a hazard that you are not able to see. If you are following a large vehicle, such as a bus or articulated lorry, be aware that the driver may not be able to see you in the mirrors. Be prepared to stop and wait if it needs room or time to turn.

🖼️ Rule 221: Large vehicles need extra room

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Rule 222 ↗: Large vehicles can block your view. Your ability to see and to plan ahead will be improved if you pull back to increase your separation distance. Be patient, as larger vehicles are subject to lower speed limits than cars and motorcycles.
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Rule 223 ↗: Buses, coaches and trams. Give priority to these vehicles when you can do so safely, especially when they signal to pull away from stops. Look out for people getting off a bus or tram and crossing the road.
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Rule 224 ↗: Electric vehicles. Be careful of electric vehicles such as milk floats and trams. Trams move quickly but silently and cannot steer to avoid you.
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Rule 225 ↗: Vehicles with flashing amber beacons. These warn of a slow-moving or stationary vehicle (such as a traffic officer vehicle, salt spreader, snow plough or recovery vehicle) or abnormal loads, so approach with caution. On unrestricted dual carriageways, motor vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1947 with a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or less (such as tractors) MUST use a flashing amber beacon.

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