Chapter 5:EVERYDAY NEEDS

Leisure

Films in the UK have a system to show if they are suitable for children. This is called the classification system. If a child is below the age of the classification, they should not watch the film at a cinema or on DVD. All films receive a classification, as follows:

• U (Universal): suitable for anyone over 4 years old.
PG (parental guidance): suitable for everyone but some parts of the film might be unsuitable for children. Their parents should decide.
• 12 or 12a: children under 12 are not allowed to see or rent the film unless they are with an adult.
• 15: children under 15 are not allowed to see or rent the film.
• 18: no one under 18 is allowed to see or rent the film. R18: no one under 18 is allowed to see the film, which is only available in specially licensed cinemas.

Television and radio

Anyone in the UK with a television (TV), DVD or video recorder, computer or any device which is used for watching or recording TV programmes must be covered by a valid television licence. One licence covers all of the equipments at one address, but people who rent different rooms in a shared house must each buy a separate licence.
*Concessions:
• People aged 75, or over can apply for a free TV licence.
• Blind people can claim a 50% discount on their TV licence

You risk prosecution and a fine if you watch TV without a valid licence.

Places of interest

The UK has a large network of public footpaths in the countryside. Many parts of the countryside and places of interest are kept open by the National Trust. This is a charity that works to preserve important buildings and countryside in the UK.

Pubs and Night Clubs

Public houses, or pubs, are an important part of social life in the UK. To drink alcohol in a pub you must be 18 or over. People under 18 years are not allowed to buy alcohol in a supermarket or in an off-licence either. The landlord of the pub may allow people of 14 to come into the pub but they are not allowed to drink . At 16, people can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.
Pubs are usually open during the day and until 11pm. If a pub wants to stay open later, it must apply for a special licence. Night clubs open and close later than pubs.

Betting and Gambling

People under the age of 18 are not allowed into betting shops or gambling clubs. There is a National Lottery for which draws, with large prizes, are made every week. You can enter by buying a ticket or a scratch card. People under 16 are not allowed to buy a lottery ticket or scratch card.

Pets

Many people in the UK have pets such as cats and dogs. It is against the law to treat a pet cruelly or to neglect it. All dogs in public places must wear a collar showing the name and address of the owner. The owner is responsible for keeping the dog under control and for cleaning up after the animal in a public place. Vaccinations and medical treatment for the animal in a public place. Vaccinations and medical treatment for animals are available from veterinary surgeons (vets). If you cannot afford you can go to a charity called PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

Travel and Transport

Usually, tickets for trains and underground systems such as the London Underground must be bought before you get on the train. The fare varies according to the day and time you wish to travel. Travelling in the rush is always more expensive. Discount tickets are available for families, people aged 60 and over, disabled people, students. Failure to buy a ticket may result in a penalty.


Taxis and minicabs must be licensed and display licence plate. Taxis and cabs with no licence are not insured for fare-paying passengers and are not always safe. Women should not use unlicensed minicabs.

Driving

You must be at least
• 17 to drive a car or motorcycle,
• 18 to drive a medium sized Lorry
• 21 to drive a large lorry or bus. To drive a lorry, minibus or bus with more than eight passenger seats, you must have a special licence.

The driving licence

You must have a driving licence to drive on public roads. To get a driving licence you must pass a test. There are many driving schools where you can learn with the help of a qualified instructor.
To get a full driving licence in three stages:

1. Apply for a provisional licence. You need this licence while you are learning to drive. With this you are allowed to drive a motorcycle up to 125CC or a car. You must put L plates on the vehicle, or D plates in Wales. Learner drivers cannot drive on a motorway. If you drive a car, you must be with someone who is over 21 and who has had a full licence for over three years..
2. Pass a written theory test.
3. Pass a practical driving test.

Drivers may use their licence until they are 70. After that the licence is valid for three years at a time. N Northern Ireland, a newly-qualified driver must display an R-Plate (Registered driver) for one year after passing the test.

Overseas licences

If your driving licence is from a country in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you can drive in the UK for as long as your licence is valid.


If you have a licence from a country outside the EU, you may use it in the UK for up to 12 months. During this time you must get a UK provisional driving licence and pass both the UK theory and practical driving tests, otherwise you will not be able to drive after 12 months.

Insurance

It is a criminal offence to have a car without proper motor insurance.. Drivers without insurance can receive very high penalty. It is also against the law to allow someone to use your car if they are not insured to drive it.

Road tax and MOT

You must also pay a tax to drive your car on the roads. This is called road tax. Your vehicle must have a road tax disc which shows that you have paid. You can buy this at the post office. If you do not pay the road tax your vehicle may be clamped or towed away

If your vehicle is over three years old, you must take it every year for a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test. You can do this at an approved garage. The garage will give you an MOT certificate when your car passes the test. It is an offence not to have an MOT certificate. If you do not have an MOT certificate, your insurance will not be valid.

Vehicle Safety

Everyone in a vehicle should wear a seat belt. Children under 12 years of age may need a special booster seat.
. Motorcyclists and their passenger must wear a crash helmet (this law does not apply to Sikh men if the are wearing turban.) It is illegal to drive while holding and talking to a mobile phone.

Everyone in a vehicle should wear a seat belt. Children under 12 years of age may need a special booster seat. Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear a crash helmet (this law does not apply to Sikh men if they are wearing a turban). It is illegal to drive while holding a mobile phone.

Speed limits

For cars and motorcycles the speed limits are:

• 30 miles per hour (mph) - in built-up areas, unless a sign shows a different
• 60 mph on single carriageways
70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways

Speed limits are lower for buses, lorries and cars pulling caravans.

It is illegal to drive when you are over the alcohol limit or drunk. The police can stop you and give you a test to see how much alcohol you have your body. This is called a breathalyser test. If a driver has more than the permitted amount of alcohol (called being ‘over the limit’) or refuses to take the test, he or she will be arrested

People who drink and drive can expect to be disqualified from driving for a long period. Accidents If you are involved in a road accident:

If you are involved in a road accident call the police and ambulance on 999 or 112 if someone is injured get the names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers and insurance details of the other drivers give your details to the other drivers or passengers and to the police take a note of everything that happened and contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Good!


You have revised all the essential topics now.
Why don't you test your knowledge on chapter 5: Everyday Needs.