Little Known Highway Code Rules to Get Familiar with Before you Pass Take your Theory Test

You might be familiar with some of the well-known highway code rules, such as the speed limit for a motorway being 70 mph. But it’s also good idea swat up on the lesser rules that apply when driving on the road before you take your theory test. 

Powered wheelchairs and scooters must not travel faster than 4mph

All wheelchairs or scooters used on the pavement mustn’t go above 4mph. The reason for this is so that pedestrians have enough time to move out of the way on narrow pavements. 4mph is a brisk walk so I doubt anyone will be getting run down anytime soon!


There are 5 different colours for the reflective road stud (also known as cat eyes)

• White marks the middle of the road or lanes.
• Red shows the left hand side of the road.
• Amber shows the central reservation of a motorway or dual carriageway.
• Green shows the entrance or exit of the carriageway at slip roads and lay bys.
• Green & yellow mark roadworks and lane layouts.

Don’t use a hand held microphone when driving

This is an odd one. Maybe it relates to the cars that used to drive around with speakers on the top during political campaigning?

Use the emergency telephones if you’re in an accident

You should use the emergency telephones instead of your mobile phone if you’re in an accident as these are connected directly to the police. By using these phones they can get your exact location.

If you stop on a single yellow line the driver can’t get out of the car

Yes, it’s true! Even though you probably see lots of people doing this everyday, technically it is against the rules in the highway code. You can take a free driving theory practice test to help brush up on these little know rules. 

If your windscreen is misted or frozen, you must clear it completely before starting to drive

How many cars do you see during cold weather driving around with half of their windscreen still frosted up? No doubt you see them snaking all over the road because they can’t see out properly.

You have to clear the whole car of snow

If you get snowed in and your car gets covered you have to clear the entire car. Big chunks of snow and ice falling off of cars can be really dangerous for other drivers and cyclists. No one wants a big block of ice hurtling through their windscreen at 70mph!

Speed limits aren’t a target

Speed limits are the maximum speed, you don’t have to drive at the exact speed limit all of the time. You’re not allowed to drive really slowly and cause an obstruction, but equally you can go the speed that you’re most comfortable with on the road or for the weather conditions at the time.

You can’t leave your car unattended on a public road if the engine is running

This rule is broken by pretty much all drivers during winter. I bet you’ve left your car windows to defrost with the engine running? Technically if you left it unattended then you’re breaking the rules of the highway code. Although I’ve never heard of anyone getting a ticket for this!

Looking Ahead? 3 Dynamite International Investment Opportunties To Consider

When you think about investing in a company, you probably think about investing in the stock market or a common company that is in the United States as this is where most of the larger corporations seem to be at one point or another. 

While investing locally is a good idea if you don't want to risk losing your funds to a foreign bank or foreign company, there are a few dynamite investment opportunities on the international table that you might want to consider.

Irish Roots

If you're looking for a stable international investment, then consider Ireland. The currency in Ireland is much stronger than it is in the United States and in other areas of the world. 

The society is a bit more stable, and companies are growing by leaps and bounds. Ireland is a country that is known for being friendly to all types of businesses. Tax incentives are offered to companies to keep them growing.

Foreign Real Estate

Instead of looking at the rising mortgage rates and falling housing market in the United States, consider international real estate. 

Sites like fortalia.com believe in investing and expanding real estate in countries like Poland. From hotels to shopping centers, there will always be a need for real estate in these countries because they are prime travel destinations. 

Whether the building is already in place or there are plans in the works, foreign real estate is an opportunity that is often affordable to get involved with and that has a high payout in most locations.

Foods

Whether it's chocolate or baby food, there are several food items that are manufactured in Switzerland. 

This is another country that is dedicated to the growth of businesses. Some of the top names of businesses that come from the country include Gerber and Nestle. 

These are companies that likely won't see any kind of a decrease in revenue any time soon, so if you're looking to invest in them, now is the time before more money is made and rates keep climbing. 

Sometimes, the best choice that you take is to invest in an international market. There are often more incentives for businesses to stay in the country, which means making more money for the company and for you. 

Whether it's coffee, houses or electronics, it's often easier to find an international investment than one that is domestic.

Everything You Wish You Knew About Title Insurance

Title insurance is a two-part transaction. When you purchase the title insurance policy, the title company conducts a public records search on the parcel. 

This records search may turn up liens, taxes and other unpaid claims against the property. The insurance policy also verifies that the seller actually owns the property and has the legal right to sell it. 

When purchasing title insurance, you will want to know these important details.

What Title Insurance Covers

Title insurance covers legal judgments, unpaid bills and claims against a property. For example, if the past owner did not pay their city water bill, the title insurance will protect you against that lien. 

Title insurance also protects you from past court judgments of a spouse or heir to the property.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The purchaser of the home or property is responsible for paying for the title insurance policies. You must pay for the owner's policy, which will cover you, and the lender's policy, which covers your loan. 

A federal law, called the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or RESPA of 1974, stipulates that no entity can require you to work with a specific title insurance company. 

Your owner's title insurance should cover the value of the property. The Lender's policy should cover the loan amount.

Title Insurance

The point of title insurance is to protect you against any liens, unknown heirs or claims against the property that you want to buy. 

If you are taking out a mortgage, your lender may require that you purchase title insurance. Professionals, like those at TitleSmart, know that the insurance policy protects both you and the lender from any unexpected encumbrances against the property's deed. 

The policy may include other risks, such as bail bonds, divorce degrees, wills and court judgments involving the property.

Frequency of Deed Defects

According to the Bank Rate website, one in three properties has a deed defect that is covered by title insurance. 

In most cases, these defects are discovered and resolved before the closing of the real estate transaction. Some of the most common deed defects include unpaid utility bills, unpaid taxes and undisclosed heirs and spousal claims.

Purchasing a home or piece of property could be the largest financial transaction that you make in your lifetime. 

Title insurance protects you personally and financially against unforeseen circumstances. Be sure to hold on to the paperwork related to the title insurance indefinitely, even after you sell that piece of property.

Family Finance: 5 Reasons Why A Financial Plan Is Always A Good Idea

A financial plan is crucial to your future for peace of mind. It pushes you to look past the short-term and into your long-term financial goals, making them more attainable than if you didn’t think ahead. 

A common misconception is that only wealthy people need to have financial plans, however everyone benefits from thinking for the future. A comprehensive plan includes provisions for education, emergencies, savings, insurance, investments, and retirement. 

Luckily, there are professionals out there, such as those with the UBS-The Burish Group, that can help find the best financial plan for you. Here are five reasons that explain why a financial plan is critical to your family finances.

Establish Goals

Establishing goals allow you to know what you’re saving money for. You can establish a reasonable time frame to achieve them and determine if your goals are realistic. 

Goals tend to focus on education, becoming debt free or saving for a down payment on a house. 

They are realistic, but the timeframe in which you want to accomplish them might need to be extended once you start crunching the numbers.

Prepare for Emergencies

Emergencies are bound to happen. Medical, automobile and home insurance protect you from these types of problems, but other emergencies such as car repairs can throw the plan off track. 

You might not have enough insurance for your needs or have a deductible that is too high to realistically pay during hard times. Being prepared for unexpected events keeps your financial goals on track and ensures you don’t have a financial disaster.

Evaluate and Change your Financial Habits

Seeing where your money goes makes you more aware of your spending habits. You might realize how much you’re spending on eating out or on interest for your credit card debt. 

It might make more sense to pay more on your credit cards due to high-interest rates than it does to put extra in a savings account with a low rate of return.

Maximize Investment Earnings

Looking at where your funds are going aids in building up your savings and allows you to evaluate where the best potential is. 

If the rate of inflation is higher than your investments, you might need to move them from one type of investment to another.

Have Security in Retirement

Retirement isn’t as far away as you think. Utilize resources such as a 401k, especially if your employer offers a matching program. It’s free money and there’s no reason not to take advantage. Don’t rely on social security alone to fund your future.

Financial planning is a part of a responsible future. By having a solid financial plan you can make sure that you are ready for the unexpected and can have enough money for the things that you really want and need. 

This is definitely a great way to plan out your life just a little bit better so that you don’t always have to always stress about your finances. Getting a plan may seem like a lot of work, but it is well worth it for the peace of mind.