Wet weather driving

Wet weather can make it hard to see clearly and turn the road slippery. Get used to driving in the rain to stay safe.

Where should you practise this?

Try and practise on as many different road types as possible, from multi-lane roads to open roads. Just make sure it’s raining!

See and be seen

• Make sure you know where the headlight, de-mister and windscreen wiper controls are in any new car you drive. You’ll want to know where they are if you get caught out by a sudden downpour!
• As soon as it starts to rain, turn on your headlights and windscreen wipers (front and back). Your headlights will help other drivers to see you.
• Turn your de-mister on to blow air on the inside of your windscreen to stop it fogging up.
• Watch out for spray from other vehicles, especially larger vehicles. Stay well behind them or drive to the left if they’re on the other side of the road.

It takes longer to stop in the wet

• Slow down. You may need to travel slower than the speed limit.
• Increase your following distance to at least 4 seconds.
• Take special care if it’s raining after a dry spell. When it’s dry, grease and dirt build up on the road, so when it starts to rain again it can be very slippery.
• Look ahead 12 seconds for any big puddles, especially when you’re going 70km/h or more. If you’re going too fast when you hit a big puddle your car can lose its grip on the road.
• Try to drive in the tracks of the car in front of you. It’ll be slightly drier where another vehicle has travelled.

Get some practice when it’s wet and dark

• Take extra care at night in wet conditions as glare from lights can make it difficult to see road markings.