Think you know the rules of the road? Think again! Everyday driving habits, from splashing puddles to dressing up for Halloween, might be breaking the law. This guide tackles everything from bizarre UK driving myths to things you might not realise could land you with a fine.
Key takeaways
- You'd be surprised how many driving rules people swear by aren't actually in the Highway Code, and some have no legal basis at all
- Take splashing a pedestrian: Driving through a puddle and giving someone an impromptu shower isn't just a harmless bit of bad luck. If it's judged to be careless driving under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, you could be looking at a fine of up to £5,000
- Then there's running an unofficial taxi service. Say, charging mates for lifts on a regular basis. Do that without the right licence, and you could find your insurance doesn't actually cover you, on top of a possible fine and points on your licence, or even disqualification
- Eating at the wheel isn't against the law in itself, but you can be prosecuted for careless driving if it affects your ability to drive
- Same goes for wearing headphones while driving. No law says you can't wear them while behind the wheel, but if they end up affecting your ability to drive, you're risking a careless or even dangerous driving charge
1. Driving in fancy dress
Feeling like dressing up as a vampire or witch this Halloween? Be mindful that section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 could come into play if your costume affects your driving.
Anything that restricts your movement, vision, or ability to drive safely could result in you being charged with driving without due care and attention. This offence can lead to fines, points on your licence, and even disqualification in more serious cases.
Dress up, but make sure you’re still in control of your car—unless you fancy a fine!
2. Splashing pedestrians with puddles
This one might sound like a bit of fun, but it’s no laughing matter. Driving through a puddle and drenching pedestrians can land you with a fine of up to £5,000 and 3 penalty points on your licence. That's according to section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It’s considered driving without reasonable consideration for other people.
3. Flashing your lights to give way
Think flashing your headlights is nice? Think again. Rule 110 of the Highway Code says you should only flash to warn others you’re there—not to play traffic controller. Misusing your lights could result in a fine or points on your licence.
4. Beeping your horn in anger
While it’s tempting to let your horn do the talking when someone cuts you off, using it out of frustration is illegal. The Highway Code says you can’t use your horn in a built-up area between 11:30pm and 7am—unless it’s to warn of danger. Blasting it in frustration? According to the AA, that could cost you a £30 fine. And in the worst case scenario, if it goes to court, you’re looking at up to £1,000.
5. Eating or drinking a non-alcoholic drink while driving
There’s no law against eating on the go, but here’s the catch: if that drive-thru burger distracts you, you could get hit with a £100 fine and 3 points for careless driving. The rule? Keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road.
6. Driving barefoot
It’s not illegal to drive barefoot or in flip-flops, but it’s not advised. The Driving Standards Agency warns that without proper shoes, you may not have enough control to brake safely. It’s better to wear shoes that give you grip and control.
7. Driving off after hitting an animal
Yes, but you must tell the police if you hit:
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cows
- Pigs
- Goats
- Sheep
- Donkeys and mules
You need to do this as quickly as possible whether the animal is dead or not.
Once you’ve contacted the police, you should report the incident to:
- England and Wales: RSPCA - 0300 1234 999
- Scotland: The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) - 03000 999 999
- Northern Ireland: Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) - 028 3025 1000
You can also report it to your local council at GOV.UK.
You don’t have to report animals that aren’t on this list, but it could help save the animal’s life if you think it’s still alive. Call the RSPCA, SSPCA or USPCA and they should help you with this.
8. Letting your dog hang its head out of the window
Your pup might love the breeze, but it’s unsafe. The Highway Code says dogs should be properly restrained to avoid distractions. If your dog’s antics lead to dangerous driving, expect a fine for driving without due care and attention. Keep your furry friends safe and strapped in.
9. Driving a dirty car
It’s not illegal to have a dirty car. But if your number plate is so filthy that you can't read it, you’re in trouble. According to Annex 6 of The Highway Code, lights, indicators, reflectors, and number plates must be kept clean and clear. If the police can’t read your plate, you could face a £1,000 fine.
10. Throwing litter from your car
Yes, littering from your car could lead to a £100 fine, and if it goes to court, it could reach £2,500. Some councils even use LitterCams to catch offenders red-handed. Keep it clean—use a bin.
11. Using your phone while stationary or as a satnav
It’s not illegal to use your phone when you’re safely parked with the engine off, but using it while driving is a no-go. In 2022, the law changed, banning all phone use behind the wheel, including taking pictures or playing games. The only exception? Using it to pay at toll roads or drive-thrus. As for using your phone as a satnav, it must be in a fixed position and hands-free.
12. Smoking while driving
It’s not illegal to smoke while driving – unless you’ve got under-18s in the car. However, if you cause an accident while you're puffing away, you could face a £100 fine and 3 points for driving without due care and attention.
13. Having open alcohol in the car
Surprisingly, having an open alcohol bottle or can in the car isn’t illegal. What matters is your blood alcohol level. If you’re over the limit, it won’t matter if that beer wasn’t yours – you’re the one in the driver’s seat.
14. Driving without a seatbelt
Yes, it’s illegal to drive without a seatbelt.
There are few occasions where it’s okay to not wear a seatbelt. These include:
- When you're reversing.
- If you're in a police, fire or rescue vehicle.
- If your car was built without seatbelts and no children under 3 years old are present. Only children over 3 years old are permitted to sit in the back of these kinds of cars.
You can see the full list on GOV.UK.
Outside of these scenarios, failing to buckle up could see you hit with a £500 fine.
15. Having a light on in the car while driving
No, it’s not against the law to have a light on while driving.
That said, you’re probably best advised to ask your passengers to keep off the lights - it might compromise your vision and distract you.
If this was found to be the case in an accident you could, theoretically, be hit with a driving without due care and attention charge.
16. Driving with headphones on
While it’s not illegal to drive with headphones, it’s not exactly wise. You’ll be cutting yourself off from the sounds around you, like horns or emergency vehicles. If it leads to an accident, you could be charged with careless driving.
Ditch the headphones and keep your ears on the road.
17. Speed cameras not flashing
Some cameras use infrared, and others might not flash due to lighting conditions. Just because it didn’t go off doesn’t mean you weren’t caught speeding.
Stick to the speed limit, flash or no flash.
18. Asking passengers for money
Asking your mate for £10 towards the cost of petrol is perfectly acceptable.
But, if you’re acting as an unofficial taxi service, then that is illegal.
There are 2 implications here.
1.If you're making a profit from driving people around, that’s considered ‘hire and reward’ by your car insurance company. And unless you have proper cover in place, your car insurance policy could be invalid.
2. You could also be considered to be 'operating a taxi without a licence', which carries a fine of up to £2,500. Courts can also impose penalty points on your licence and, in more serious cases, disqualification.
19. Driving too slow
Driving slowly isn’t illegal, but driving too slow for the road you’re on could be dangerous.
The police might pull you over if they think you're driving too slowly on a motorway, for example. And in a worst-case scenario you could be charged with dangerous driving.
20. Sleep in your car
If you've got drugs and alcohol in your system this is definitely illegal. If you’re careful where you park it’s not necessarily illegal to sleep in your car.
Now that you know the truth, keep yourself (and your licence) in the clear by steering clear of these common mistakes. Drive safe, and avoid the fines!
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