How to avoid costly damage from potholes

Potholes are found on many roads across the UK and can be costly if you hit them at speed. Over time hitting potholes can cause damage not only to your tyres but to your engine too. The IAM has put together some suggestions on how to avoid the pesky potholes.

• Leave the bigger gap between you and the car in front. This will give you a greater chance of spotting an approaching pothole.
• Watch for the movement of other vehicles. Other drivers may give clues to an approaching pothole such as slowing down or manoeuvring around them.
• Look for puddles. Ice can cause potholes to grow larger, and in warmer months deep puddles can mean a pothole lies below.
• Avoid sharp braking if going over a pothole – this can cause more damage to your vehicle.
• Hold your steering wheel firmly. This will help keep your vehicle straight and avoid the pothole taking you off course.
• Ensure tyres are inflated properly. Having too much or too little air in your tyres can cause more damage when going over a pothole.

• Tyre sidewalls that are bulging or cracking can be caused by potholes. Have your tyres checked by a specialist as they could need replacing.
• Wheel alignment . Hitting a pothole at high speeds can cause your vehicles wheels to become misaligned. If its pulling to the left or right, its worth getting the alignment checked.
• Wheel rims. Check the rims for dents or other damage, especially on modern vehicles with aluminium rims.
• Any chips in your windscreen can be made worse by potholes, causing larger cracks that will need treatment or a full windscreen replacement.

For booking enquiries about theory tests taking place from 6 September, please contact DVSA customer contact centre:

• theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
• Telephone: 0300 200 1122
• Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

As part of the roll out of DVSA’s new theory test service, the locations of many theory test centres are changing. We can now confirm a further new theory test centre location.

• The new test centre in Colchester will be located at:
• First Floor, Block F, The Knowledge Gateway, Nesfield Road, Colchester, CO423L

Tests can now be booked online for all new centres at GOV.UK.