We all know that driving in wintery conditions can be tricky and that extra care should be taken on the roads.

But when the snow starts falling the windscreens start frosting, there are a few basics that even the most experienced of drivers can forget.

Not only could these little things be inconvenient, they could also land you in trouble with the authorities and maybe even a hefty fine.

Here are five things to keep an eye on this winter.

footwear

Just like you can’t wear flipflops in the summer, you can’t wear big unwieldy boots in the winter.

If you can’t use the pedals properly because of your clothing you could be breaking the Highway Code.

registration

It might not be something you’d usually check before popping in the car, but if it’s been snowing, can you still clearly see your registration plate – on the front and back?

Your plates need to be visible for such reasons as tax and identification, and you shouldn't drive in a vehicle if they are unreadable.

visibility

You might be running late but avoid the temptation to start driving before the windscreens are clear.

It’s stating the obvious, but if you can’t see properly, you can't drive properly.

tyres

It’s more important than ever that your tyres are road-worthy in the winter, so make sure they have tread and are fully inflated.

This applies to each tyre – you can have a separate fine for each tyre that isn’t up to scratch.

puddles

If you splash into a puddle and that puddle splashes onto a pedestrian walking nearby you could be fined.

Also, the bigger the splash, the bigger the potential fine; if you do more damage than just soaking their socks, they could demand more of a punishment.