If you’re anything like most drivers, as soon as you pass your test everything you learnt goes straight out the window.

At least that’s what a recent survey asking drivers what common road signs meant has revealed.

The shocking survey results showed just how many drivers have no idea when it comes to road signs, with many not being able to identify the simplest ones.

With so many not knowing what the meaning of these common signs are, you wouldn’t be blamed for not wanting to get back out on the road any time soon.

This simple sign was particularly troublesome for survey respondents with a massive 62% unable to identify it.

The white rectangle on a red circle is in fact the no entry sign. You may see this sign when you’re driving around town. This sign is telling you no vehicular traffic can enter an area.

A slightly more forgivable one next on the list here. This red cross on a blue background means no stopping at any time. 42% of respondents didn’t know what this meant and with so many rules and signs around stopping and parking, we’re not too sure we can blame them.

3. Single diagonal line on a blue background

Perhaps responsible for the confusion over the no stopping sign, this red and blue symbol looks very similar. It also has a similar meaning – no waiting. 

You can stop on the road briefly, for example to drop off or pick up a passenger, but you cannot linger there.

Now we certainly think there are a few drivers who don’t know what this sign means.

The white number on a blue background is there to tell you the minimum speed you should be driving. 

A shocking 70% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign. So that’s the reason for those slow drivers in front of me on a Monday morning!

Hmm. It must be something to do with a bus. Right? 

It may seem obvious but a shocking 79% of respondents didn’t know that this sign was a ‘with flow bus and cycle lane’. 

Simply put, this is a lane buses and bikes use, and it goes in the same direction as the other traffic.

6. Bus behind a dashed line on a blue background

Similar to the previous example, this sign is also to do with bus lanes. Unbelievably, 72% were unable to identify this meant a ‘with flow bus lane’ was ahead. 

Sometimes these signs are accompanied by a time when the bus lane is active (usually during rush hour) so make sure to check to avoid any fines!

Those of you who like to take your push bikes out for a spin should recognise this one. 

This white bike on a blue background simply means a recommended route for pedal cycles on a road. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for any unaware drivers on your next cycle, however, as 57% didn’t know what this sign indicated.

8. White arrow pointing left on a blue background

This white arrow on a blue background simply means turn left. Signs in blue circles always indicate you must do something. This sign with an arrow is clearly telling you to turn left.

54% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign.

9. White arrow pointing towards the bottom left on a blue circle

This sign looks pretty similar to our last one, so you couldn’t be blamed for thinking they have similar meanings – and they do!

This sign is telling us to keep left and is often used on roundabouts, road work signs, and at the start of dual carriage ways.

41% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of the keep left sign.

This one is an incredibly important sign to look out for. Scarily, 43% of respondents didn’t know that this sign meant they were approaching a level crossing without a barrier. 

Make sure to look out for these, particularly in rural areas.

So there you have it, 10 common road signs that drivers don’t know the meaning of. Make sure to look out for some of these on your next journey. 

Plus, keep an eye out for the 54% of drivers who didn’t know the turn left sign meant ‘turn left’!

People don’t know what these common road signs mean 

With modern cars being safer than ever, some buyers tend to overlook the safety ratings, but you may be surprised to know that not all cars meet the highest safety standards as assessed by the Euro NCAP organisation. 

In fact, there are some cars released very recently that have fallen short, with some very poor ratings. In this blog, then we’ll take a look at which cars on sale today are the safest, ranging from family hatchbacks to SUVs.

BYD Seal - £42,985 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

A new player in the market, BYD are making some of the most innovative, and safe, electric vehicles. The new SUV; the Seal is no exception. It received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, with great accident ratings.

 comes with emergency braking assist that registers not only pedestrians and other cars, but motorbikes and vulnerable road users. It also comes equipped with side, chest and pelvis airbags for front passengers. 

Volkswagen Golf - £27,035 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

 has been a common sight on UK roads for the 50 years it’s been in production, and for good reason. As well as being just the right amount of car for a small to medium-sized family, the Golf has great safety features and ratings.

Achieving 95% for adult safety and 89% for child safety in NCAP’s testing, the Golf is a safe bet in more ways than one. Additional features such as auto emergency braking, that’s sensitive to pedestrians, cyclists and cars, and driver drowsiness alerts contribute to your peace of mind whether on a long drive or the school run. 

Ford Focus - £28,500 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

 is very much VW's direct competitor. Whilst starting prices are slightly higher, standard specifications do tend to be higher with Ford vs Volkswagen, for instance, the basic Focus comes with keyless entry and cruise control.

In terms of safety features, the Ford is pipped slightly by the VW, with 84% and 87% in adult and child safety respectively. However, even the basic model comes with side, chest and pelvis airbags.

Volvo XC40 - £35,254 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

An article about car safety wouldn’t be complete without a Volvo, the brand has been focused on safety since before most others even considered seat belts a necessity. 

 is Volvo’s smallest SUV, with the XC60 and XC90 being its larger siblings. 

Despite its relatively small size, the XC40 packs in a lot of safety tech, which grants a 97% adult safety rating and 87% child safety, one of the best on this list. 

That’s probably due to it having every airbag available, including knee, side head and pelvis airbags for driver and passenger. 

Cupra Formentor - £34,190 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

, so it's a bonus that it also boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP rating too. It has a higher child occupancy rating than most at 89% and a very respectable adult rating of 93%. 

Auto emergency braking is standard, helping to prevent front-end impacts with other vehicles, pedestrians and motorbikes. 

Alongside this, the Formentor comes as standard with e-call, an SOS service that detects serious accidents and phones for help.

Volkswagen Tiguan - £34,075 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

Volkswagen’s answer to the small-medium SUV sector is the hugely popular 

. It combines a higher driving position with VW reliability and build quality. Available with a 1.5 petrol, 2.0 diesel or a plug-in hybrid, there should be one to fit your needs. 

The adult occupancy rating is not as impressive as some here, at 83%, but the child occupancy rating of 88% is up there with the best. 

The Tiguan comes with all but knee airbags and has forward collision control as standard. 

In our opinion, it has to be the Mercedes E-Class (£55,120) - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*.

 is ubiquitous with luxury and quality, it stands to reason then that it should also be the safest car currently on sale, receiving incredible ratings of 92% and 90% for adult and child occupancy respectively. 

It achieves this by being able to deploy one or multiple of its numerous airbags, the E-Class ticks every box on this front, from front and side head protection, and knee airbags for the driver and passenger.

All the expected safety equipment is present too, with emergency braking assistance as standard, alongside a very sophisticated lane guidance system and driver drowsiness detection.

Whilst all manufacturers do their best to improve their cars and make them as safe as possible, the more expertise, investment and time a company has, the more safe their vehicles will be. 

Some manufacturers have spent decades perfecting their systems. These are the brands to look for when buying the safest car possible:

The Euro NCAP, or New Car Assessment Programme, is a testing organisation paid for by various governments across Europe. Their mission is to thoroughly and strategically test as many new cars as possible, on metrics such as occupant safety, pedestrian safety and overall safety. 

They do this by crash-testing hundreds of cars every year and using sophisticated monitoring technology to assess the damage to the car, occupants and even third parties, such as pedestrians or cyclists. 

Alongside physical testing, NCAP delves into the electronic assistance technology of a car, such as emergency braking, stability control and ABS. Once a car has been tested in all aspects, it is given an overall star score out of 5, and ratings for specific categories. 

Most of the occupant safety of a vehicle is derived from the bodywork and structure of the car. In crash protection, slowing the car down as slowly as possible is key, this means absorbing the energy in whatever way is effective. Significant and well-designed crumple zones are the most common way of attenuating the force from a crash. 

However, crumple zones can only go so far, alongside making the body and structure of the car good at absorbing energy, the passenger compartment should remain as intact as possible, to avoid direct impact to the people inside. 

These physical technologies have been around for a few decades now, but in more recent years electronic aids also play a big part in helping to avoid collisions in the first place. Systems such as stability control and emergency braking assist can reduce the likelihood of a crash significantly. 

Hopefully, this has helped narrow down which car is the best bet to protect you and your family should the worst happen. From sophisticated electronics to numerous airbags, the modern safety systems can be bewildering. 

For more information on car safety, we’d recommend checking out the 

 for the latest news on testing and development.

Keep your vehicle safe, reliable and on the road with regular servicing. 

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Apply online in just a few clicks and choose from 1000s of dependable garages and dealerships across the country.

The Safest Cars To Buy In The UK

MOT tests are legal requirements for cars and vans over three years (or four in Northern Ireland). They ensure the vehicle is fit for the road and maintained to a safe standard. Regular maintenance is vital to passing.

 or not notice that the certificate has expired, leading you to ask, "Can you drive without your MOT?" 

Whether you want to avoid accidentally driving without an MOT or are worried about driving to your test, we’re here to help. This article covers whether you can drive your car without an MOT, what happens if you fail your test and other MOT-related FAQs. 

 However, it’s not always that simple. 

For example, you can drive to a pre-booked MOT test at an authorised centre. But you can’t pop down to the shops. 

Driving without a valid MOT - What you need to know

Here are a few common scenarios to help you understand when you can or can’t drive without an MOT. 

If you miss your MOT and have an expired certificate, you will be prosecuted if you’re caught driving. 

Book in for an MOT as soon as possible and keep your car serviced to ensure it’s road-safe. 

Bumper is here to help you split with 0% car repair or service finance. 

Sometimes, cars fail the MOT test even though the current certificate is still in date. 

In this situation, only ‘dangerous’ problems mean you can’t drive the car. You can drive the vehicle home and to repairs if it only has minor issues.

 at all times. Your mechanic will inform you if this isn’t the case.

Most cars only require an MOT certificate on their third registration anniversary (In Northern Ireland, four years). So, there’s no need to worry about MOTs for the first three years.

However, if you’ve bought a second-hand car, make sure to check its MOT status and plan ahead for the next test as soon as you take ownership. The next test might be sooner than you expect. 

Faults and vehicle recalls invalidate your current MOT certification. 

Recalls don’t happen without thorough research. If you’re unsure, contact your manufacturer. Otherwise, you should assume the problem is serious and affects the car’s safety.

Still unsure? Let’s take a closer look at the most common FAQs and when it’s fine for your car to have no MOT.

Can I drive my car without MOT if it’s booked in?

Yes, you can drive your car to a booked MOT test if your current certificate isn’t valid. 

However, you should check your insurance before you do so. Some insurers don’t cover driving the vehicle without an MOT, even if it’s just for the next test.

 on how far you can drive without a certificate. But you should always try to book an MOT nearby to minimise the distance. 

Can you drive your car after a failed MOT?

Driving after a failed MOT depends on whether your current MOT certificate is valid and if any major faults were found.

If your car has ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ issues, you can't drive it until these problems are professionally fixed. 

In such cases, you’ll be given a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate,’ but this won’t be recorded in the MOT database.

Don’t be tempted to drive after a failed MOT. You’ll get three points, a driving ban, and a hefty £2,500 fine.

Yes, your car can fail an MOT due to damage that wasn’t your fault. 

If you get into an accident, you should contact your insurance company. They will assess your damage and categorise the car into A, B, S or N. 

It depends. The DVLA uses a point system to determine whether your modifications will require a new registration number. 

If your car keeps the same number, you won’t need to apply for a new MOT. 

Is there a 14-day grace period after an MOT expires?

No, the 14-day grace period is a common misconception! There is no two-week MOT-free period. 

Once your MOT has expired, you are not legally allowed to drive your car from the very next day

Is there a penalty for driving without an MOT?

Yes, as mentioned above, driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine and points on your licence. If your car is deemed to be dangerous, you could even face losing your licence.

What is the fine for driving without an MOT?

The fine for driving without an MOT is £1,000.

The cost goes up to £2,500 if your car has been deemed ‘dangerous’ by a failed MOT test. This fine will come with three points and a driving ban.

Yes, you can report vehicles being driven without an MOT. 

You should contact your local police and give them the following information:

If found, the police can investigate the certificate and charge the driver up to £1,000.

How do you get caught driving without an MOT?

There’s an MOT database with current information on passes, fails, and out-of-date tests. Anyone can access this information as long as they have 

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and police cars can also flag vehicles without a valid MOT test.

 can create a big dent in your budget, especially if they’re unexpected. 

If you find yourself with expensive repairs or high MOT costs, you might want to consider 

, you can spread the cost of any repairs at no extra cost. Get started today or 

Can You Drive Without an MOT in the UK?

The allure of a Range Rover is hard to ignore; a plush, luxurious interior, effortless style and the best ride quality in the segment. I find myself constantly checking the used markets for luxury bargains, but my head always intervenes with thoughts of expensive parts bills.

If you have the same thought process, why not take a look at the competition with less reliability woes, in this blog I've outlined some of the best Range Rover alternatives.

As the baby in the lineup, the Evoque is the cheapest Range Rover you can buy new, but for those looking for reliability too, these are some good options.

Marketed as a “Sports Activity Coupe” the 

 has a sweeping roofline akin to the Evoque. Whilst not the best for rear headroom or boot space, the sleeker side profile does give the X4 a more sporty look. 

Starting at £54,035, the X4 is a good bit more expensive than the base model Evoque but is in keeping with the Dynamic HSE and Autobiography level Evoques. Interior build quality is similar to the Range Rover, just with subtle differences in styling.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly stylish SUV, the 

 might be a good choice. Whilst it might lack some of the styling cues the Evoque has, the Skodas of recent years are not without their charm.

For reliability, the Skoda is a solid choice, 

 named Skoda at the 16th most reliable brand, whereas Land Rover products reached the top 10 (placed no. 5) as the most unreliable.

As well as reliability, value for money is another plus point for the Skoda, the base model at £36,645 comes with a fairly limited list of features, but the mid-range SE-L model comes with cruise control, a large touchscreen navigation system and LED headlight as standard, and it’s still on par with the cost of the Evoque.

If luxury and comfort are a priority, then the 

 should be on the shortlist, available with a very dependable petrol-hybrid powertrain, it offers all of the style and elegance as the Range Rover, without any of the build quality concerns.

The base model, the UX 300H Urban, comes with radar cruise control, 17” alloy wheels, and an 8” touchscreen nav system. If all-electric power is of interest, the UX will be available soon, starting at just over £40,000.

The Range Rover Sport was introduced in 2005 as a more sporty and less lavish version of the “full-fat” Range Rover. It still fits this description, but other manufacturers have cottoned on to the formula, and there are some great alternatives.

 was the German marque's biggest SUV and vehicle to date, but it's of similar size and prowess to the Range Rover Sport. Available with a range of powertrains including petrol, diesel and hybrid. The base spec is just over £70,000 on the road, with 298hp and a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds. This is slightly down on the Range Rover Sport, but at £20,000 cheaper I think it’s plenty of power!

Interior wise it’s typically BMW; high quality materials, precise German styling and loads of tech. Slightly less plush than the Range Rover, but just as well built, if not better.

As one of the hallmark luxury brands, the 

 is the perfect alternative to a Range Rover. The GLE is available brand new from £73,500, making it around £17,500 cheaper than the lowest-spec Range Rover Sport. 

For that you get a turbocharged 3-litre diesel engine, producing enough power to propel the GLE to 60mph in under 6 seconds. Power is delivered to all 4 wheels via a very sophisticated 9-speed automatic gearbox. The interior is suitably Mercedes, with stylish high-quality materials throughout. 

For something a little more left-field, the Maserati Levante offers a unique style that is certain to stand out amongst the crowd. Oozing Italian flair and style, the Levante is Maserati’s large SUV, the model I’d advise, coming in at just over £82,000, has a petrol hybrid powertrain offering 330 horsepower.

Not only does the Maserati look the part, it puts the driving feel at the heart of the experience, with supreme handling and road holding, thanks to the company's racing heritage. The model in question comes with 20” staggered wheels, heated seats and a flash nav system.

The biggest and most opulent Range Rover has been the flagship since the brand name was coined in the 70s. Significantly bigger than the Sport and the Evoque, with more power and more luxury, it also carries a larger price tag of over £100,000. Here are my alternatives.

Introduced in late 2018, the X7 is now the largest vehicle in the BMW lineup, at nearly 30 cm longer and 5cm higher than the X5, it is certainly on the same page as the full-size Range Rover in stature. 

Because the engines in the Range Rover were a joint development between BMW and JLR, the X7 and the Range Rover share most of the powertrain options. My pick would be the 3.0 turbo diesel for efficiency, or the 4.4 V8 petrol for sheer power. 

As the biggest SUV they make, the Merc GLS gives a Range Rover-like experience in a slightly different package. The GLS uses the same 3.0-litre diesel engine and 9-speed gearbox as in the GLE, somewhat surprisingly, still able to accelerate the much larger GLS to 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

A 7 seater as standard, the GLS is perfect for those with a larger family. When not needed the rearmost seats fold flat enabling a cavernous boot space. The levels of tech inside the cabin are where you would expect for a £105,000 car, with opulent lighting control and high-quality materials.

To round off the Range Rover alternative suggestions, another German full-size SUV, this time from Audi. The SQ7 is the sportier version of the Q7, fitted with a turbocharged petrol engine delivering over 500 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque, it certainly ticks the box for power. 

With a seamless touchscreen infotainment and climate control system in the dash, and sporty-looking carbon fibre accents on the dashboard, the interior is as purposeful and sleek as the exterior. At just over £94,000 on the road, the SQ7 sits a good bit below the Range Rover in cost, but not in style or performance. 

What Vehicle is comparable to a Range Rover?

Whilst many consider Range Rovers to be the peak luxury SUV, there are a few cars that can match the style and comfort:

The naming can be quite confusing, but ultimately there are currently 4 types of Range Rover:

As complex luxury cars, with many additional systems and features, Range Rovers can be on the expensive side to maintain and repair. Both parts and labour are also quite costly.

Have Your Luxury SUV Repaired With Bumper

Whether you have a full-fat Range Rover, a baby Evoque or one of the alternatives mentioned above, repairs can get costly. Bumper offers zero-per cent interest financing on repairs through any of our many 

9 Range Rover Alternatives

9 Alternativas al Range Rover

9 Alternativen zum Range Rover

August’s Dealership of the Month award goes to Brindley Kia West Bromwich who had their best ever month using Bumper’s PayLater to split the cost of service and repair bills into monthly payments. 

The team at Brindley Kia West Bromwich took a proactive approach to offering Bumper to their customers throughout August. 

As a result, they saw a 5% increase in conversion of red and amber work, an increase of £36 in their average invoice value and a £10 per hour increase in their recovery rate. 

The team also use PayLayer through Bumper’s Pinewood integration where customers can set up payments following their VHC video. 

Carlie Churchill, Service Manager at Kia West Bromwich, said, 'Bumper is a fantastic tool to have at our disposal. Customers love the flexibility, and it allows them to say yes to recommended work they otherwise might have declined. 

‘Since our team has taken a proactive approach to offering Bumper, we’ve seen a big increase in customer satisfaction, conversion of red and amber work, and an increased recovery rate.’

Service advisor, Melania, enjoyed how Bumper increased her customers’ confidence in making their purchases. She said, "Bumper is easy to use for both us and the customer. It enables our customers to spread the cost, making unexpected repair bills more manageable. 

‘Customers are more confident in their purchasing decisions knowing that they have a flexible and convenient payment option available to them.’

Adrian, service advisor at the West-Brom site, praised how Bumper protects his customers’ savings. He said, 'does not matter about your circumstances, put it on Bumper anyway. 

‘That way you can budget and pay for it out of your day-to-day account rather than dip into your savings, always harder to build back up your savings once you start dipping into it.’

Congratulations to Carlie, Adrian, Melania, and the whole team at Brindley Kia West Bromwich. 

Brindley Kia West Bromwich Named Dealership of the Month

Whether you're a keen driver who loves being behind the wheel or a nervous nellie who hates to drive outside your usual routes, we all need safe roads to drive on.

To have safe roads of course we must have rules and regulations keeping our driving in check. But what happens when the laws they come up with are a bit strange? 

Let's find out as we explore 9 of the strangest driving laws from here in the UK and around the world.

In the UK, it is illegal to sleep in your car whilst intoxicated, including the driver's and passenger seats. So next time you're leaving the pub after one too many pints, it's definitely best to call an Uber. If you take a nap in your car whilst you're over the legal limit, you could face up to 3 months in prison. That's one costly night out!

Using puddles to splash pedestrians can be considered a criminal offence here in the UK as it can be deemed careless and inconsiderate driving. Plus, nobody likes to be splashed with dirty rainwater. Of course, this wouldn't be an extreme case of careless driving exactly, but you could still face points on your license.

In Cyprus, it's illegal to consume any food or drink whilst driving, including water. In this sunny country reaching to the cup holder to take a quick swig of Evian is completely out of the question. However, there must be something in it as Cyprus is considered to be a relatively safe country for motorists.

Here in Britain, you must keep your number plate clean and visible at all times. If stopped by the police for an obscured registration plate, you could land yourself a hefty fine. So next time your little yellow rectangle is muddy from country roads make sure to give it a quick wipe before setting off.

It's hard to keep your cool behind the wheel. We've all experienced it at one time or another. But angry and aggressive driving on British roads can be considered disorderly conduct. Especially if it leads to a collision.

In case you haven't received the message yet, it's definitely not a good idea to drink and drive. To help motorists understand how much they've had, France requires drivers to keep their own personal breathalyser in their vehicles. 

Back to the UK now where it states in the highway code that you mustn't drive with excessive volume coming from your speaker. This rule is to make sure drivers can hear important signals from other road users, like horns and sirens from emergency vehicles.

The Swiss are prohibited from slamming car doors. Imagine a world without car doors being slammed late at night! However, gently closing a car door during an argument with your significant other wouldn't really have the same impact.

In the UK, it's illegal to use your phone at a drive-through. Most of us love the convenience of using Apple or Google Pay to quickly tap-and-go but their use whilst in your car is strictly prohibited. This is due to laws that have banned the use of mobile phones while in control of a motorised vehicle.

While at first glance some of these laws may seem strange, no drinking water at the wheel, no angry driving, no Apple Pay at the drive-through, it's obvious they're all in place for a reason, to keep our roads safer. 

So perhaps we can learn something from other countries. Or perhaps we will continue to slam our car doors every time we have a bicker about directions with our partners. I know which one I'm going to do.

9 strange driving laws from around the world

Operating from 10 locations across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, the Thurlow Nunn Group is a family business established in 1875. With nearly 150 years of service, the group values its long-standing partnership with Bumper, recognising the platform as a valuable option for customers to spread the cost of servicing, maintenance, and repair work.

Initially, Bumper was used reactively, as a payment option presented to customers only when necessary. However, as customer demand for more flexible payment plans grew, Thurlow Nunn realised the need for a more proactive approach.

Gary Osborn, Thurlow Nunn’s regional director, explains: “Consumer habits changed. People were seeking financial flexibility for brakes, tyres, and additional work. Our customers expressed their desire to use this solution. Consequently, we reviewed our approach and decided to implement changes across the business due to the economic climate.”

By offering flexible payment plans proactively, Thurlow Nunn saw increased average invoice values and improved customer satisfaction.

To make Bumper a core part of its aftersales strategy, Thurlow Nunn shifted from offering Bumper only when customers declined work to presenting it at the beginning of the process. This allowed customers to make informed decisions, knowing they had flexible payment options.

Creating awareness was crucial. Thurlow Nunn integrated Bumper messaging into digital marketing, social media, advertising campaigns, customer text messages, and service emails.

Dave Haskey, Thurlow Nunn’s commercial director, highlights: “Proactively using Bumper was essential because we wanted to support our customers, especially during challenging economic times. Offering Bumper enabled customers to affordably service and maintain their vehicles.”

This approach ensured customers could approve necessary work with the confidence that their vehicle would be safe and reliable, rather than just opting for the minimum required.

To support this change, Thurlow Nunn implemented comprehensive staff training on how and when to discuss Bumper. New processes were established to present Bumper as an option to all customers, resulting in more customers taking advantage of the interest-free payments.

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer