Did you know that it's possible to outrun a speed camera? Or that, if you drive a hire car, you can avoid a parking fine?

Like every good myth, they sound just about plausible. Get ready for disappointment though - here are the top motoring myths of our time.

1. They say Men are better drivers than women Sorry, guys you know what the answer is going to be. This is a popular myth. Men may think they can drive a car like Michael Schumacher but, on every measure, women are better drivers.
   
   Women are involved in fewer accidents, commit fewer motoring offences and are more likely to pass their driving test at the first attempt.
   
   As a result, most women benefit by paying lower insurance premiums. I think it's because always drive not women.

1. Traffic cops play `speed snooker' Here's how this Pot Black inspired myth goes. When police officers monitor speed traps, they target colours in turn: first a red car, then a blue maybe, back to a red and so on.
   
   As a result, drivers of red cars are more likely to be stopped for speeding. Fortunately for red car drivers, there's never been any evidence found that these antics take place.
    
2. Traffic cops launch a missile Two traffic cops were monitoring speeding cars with hand-held radar guns. Suddenly they clocked an object approaching at 300 mph.
   
   By chance, they had locked their guns onto an over-flying military aircraft and launched one of its missiles. For a number of scientific and operational reasons, this is impossible.
    
3. Avoid paying your traffic fine Have you heard the one about the double-bluff way to avoid points on your license? If you send a cheque for more than the amount of the fine for speeding or parking, the issuing authority has to refund the difference.
   
   If you don't cash the cheque they send back, they can't add the points to your license because the full transaction isn't complete. Because of their heavy workload pressures, they don't pursue the matter, so you avoid the penalty.
   
   This is of course wrong; your licence would be endorsed regardless, and failure to pay a fine can lead to more serious trouble, like send you to court.
    
4. You can outrun a speed camera In theory, you could outrun a speed camera by driving at more than 172mph. However, few cars are capable of such speeds and anyone daft enough to try deserves to lose their licence.
    
5. You can't get in trouble for driving too slowly Not true. A number of people have been stopped and charged for driving too slowly.
   
   If a police officer thinks your driving is putting others at risk - by encouraging risky overtaking, say - you can be booked.
    
6. Reflective number plates can beat speed cameras The myth says that a certain type of reflective number plate is impossible to photograph, enabling offenders to avoid speed camera photos.
   
   Tests have shown that no known number plate can do such a thing.
   
   Today the film or digital images taken from the speed cameras are processed in a way that they can look at the number plate via various filters, in negative, black white, infrared and full colour.
   
   They can and will record your number plate number.
    
7. You can't be booked if caught speeding in a hire car Again, not true. What a great myth. If you're caught on camera, the hire company will pass your details onto the police for them to deal with you directly. The same applies if you pick up a parking ticket while driving a hire car.
    
8. A police officer must be wearing a hat to book you It may have been true once, but no longer. So long as a police officer is recognisable as such, you can be booked.
    
9. No claims losses Some people believe that, if you make an insurance claim, you lose your entire no-claims bonus. This is not true. Most insurers will reduce your no- claims bonus by a proportion. For example, if you have seven years no- claims and then make a claim you usually lose only two years.
    
10. You'll automatically fail your driving test if you stall the car Not true. The test examiner is assessing your ability to drive safely, complete certain manoeuvres and demonstrate that you understand the Highway Code. As long as you correctly handle the car once it's stalled, you should be ok.
     
11. Have you got a motoring myth you can share with us - do contact us with your story.

Top motoring myths dispelled

Chris Chandler associate director at Lex Autolease, says: “Driving is an essential, but costly part of everyday business life. But many firms and drivers are wasting money needlessly".

“Driver behaviour has a major part to play in bringing down motoring costs and it’s about making the right decisions based on facts. We own over 300,000 vehicles and some of the feedback we receive from drivers shows that a lot of bad habits have crept in due to myths being passed down from one colleague to another or through friends and family. A great many road users should take expert advice and look after their cars and pockets a little better.” Here, Lex Autolease gives us the seven biggest motoring sins and puts paid to these costly myths:

Myth 1: Premium fuel is good for your car every now and again

High grade fuel is only suitable for high performance cars which require superior fuel quality to ensure the engine runs efficiently. For these vehicles paying more for premium fuel can increase mpg and help to pay back the additional cost, but business drivers using non performance cars should stick to ordinary unleaded and diesel. Another myth is that supermarket fuel is poorer quality than at the oil companies’ forecourts. Often they derive from the same source, so you’re often paying for the brand and any additives which are included.

Myth 2: It’s best to fit your new tyres to the front axle

Contrary to popular opinion, when fitting a pair of new tyres to a car, they should actually be fitted to the rear axle, and not to the front. Having more grip on the rear axle improves stability on slippery roads and could prevent a potentially serious vehicle spin. Drivers are also more used to having tyres which are more worn on the front. This is because most modern cars are front wheel drive and so wear their front tyres quicker than the rears. Therefore fitting the new tyres to the rear, and moving the part-worn rears to the front, maintains the vehicle balance that the driver is used to.

Myth 3: The car should be allowed to warm up before driving off

The engine will actually warm up quicker, use up less fuel and pump out less CO2 if you drive off immediately, rather than leave it to run idle for a while. In the winter months, this will also help the car heater warm up quicker but it’s essential to ensure windscreens and are fully defrosted prior to setting off.

Myth 4: No claims protection insurance protects my premium if I have a crash

In fact, standard insurances only protect the discount that you would have received at the end of a claims-free year of motoring. If you have a claim, insurance companies are liable to increase your overall premium, despite having a no claims protection policy. This is because you are now a classed as an increased insurance risk.

Myth 5: Running the fuel tank to near to empty helps to clean it

Fuel tanks do not ‘self-clean’. It is more likely that you will misjudge your next fill up and cause your car engine and other components to seize up. Driving with little or no fuel can be almost as damaging to your vehicle as putting in the wrong fuel. Fill up as quickly as possible when your warning light appears.

Myth 6: Filling up slows down your car

Only partially true. A heavy fuel load has more of an impact on fuel efficiency and braking distances. Performance in terms of acceleration and top speed is barely compromised by a full tank. MPG does improve as the car gets lighter, but you should always avoid running a car past the tank warning indicator or relying on the trip computer display because they are not accurate.

Myth 7: Leasing is more expensive than buying

Many businesses and motorists fail to properly calculate the true cost of ownership. Looking at list price alone is a red herring and does not take account of the true running costs which should include finance, depreciation, maintenance and insurance. All of these costs can be captured in a monthly lease agreement, which can be less cash draining and more convenient than outright purchase.

Myth 8: If you driving a self drive van or car you can speed and not pay a traffic fine

If have rented a self drive van, minibus or car, you will have to pay any fines that were issued for speeding and other offenses. Just don't do it you will be found and you will have to pay the fine.

Myth 9: You can be any age and drive a van or a minibus

All drivers must be aged over 25 (or 22 for an additional charge per day) and must be under 75 years of age. For minibus hire the minimum age is 30. You must have held a full driving licence for a minimum period of 2 years. Van hire prices are based on driver having a very clean driving licence.